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kiwij96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Classism, Grief, and Body horror
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, and Injury/Injury detail
speterson47's review against another edition
5.0
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and Violence
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
For this reread, my original opinion of this book still largely stands - this is an incredibly good read chock-full of excellent character development, diversity, plotting, and worldbuilding. And Vanja's snarky, irreverent narration is just GOLD.
I did pick up on a couple of things that I appear to have missed the first time I read this. The theme of privilege, more specifically around the privilege enabled by wealth, influence, and good looks. What choices do you have to make if you don't possess these things?
The other thing that niggled at me (and caused me to drop my rating by 0.5 for this reread)was that
Onto Painted Devils!
Graphic: Misogyny, Abandonment, Violence, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Classism, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual assault
Minor: Cursing and War
aytac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Violence, War, Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Blood, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Genocide, Confinement, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
marsh_mall0w's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Child abuse, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence, Animal cruelty, Sexism, and Drug abuse
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Body shaming, Rape, and Animal death
beautifulpaxielreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First of all, let me heap praise on the way this novel has been constructed, because oh, wow. The only way I can describe it is like one of those Russian matryoshka (or nesting) dolls. The overall novel is divided into three parts. Within each part are "tales" - initially told in the third person in a fairy-tale style to illuminate a past event, before switching back to the present day in first person, our narrator and (somewhat anti) heroine, Vanja. And that isn't even the end of it, because each tale is further divided by chapters. Confused? Don't worry, it makes sense once you read it. Oh, and one more thing - the beginning of each "tale" is accompanied by stunning black-and-white illustrations, which I have just discovered that Owen created herself. Seriously, it isn't fair how one person can have THIS much talent.
The world-building is brilliantly intricate and comprehensive, which isn't something I say a lot when it comes to fantasy novels. But this one was *chef's kiss*.
Diversity in characters is spot-on, too. Even though this world is clearly inspired by central Europe, within that Owen has taken care to include people of other ethnicities and religions, briefly sketched but still vivid. LGBTQIA+ rep is also pretty solid, with various minor (and major, although I won't spoil who) characters who identify as being somewhere on that spectrum.
And the characters, I could go on and on (except for Adalbrecht, he's evil and nasty, and Irmgard barely rates a mention for the same reasons). First up, Vanja. I really appreciate how Owen wrote her character. Almost straight away I admired her cleverness and ingenuity, although she wasn't the most likeable at first. But Owen dropped subtle hints as to why Vanja behaves the way she does before it is explicitly revealed later on in the novel. I figured it out pretty early, and it was nice to be proven (mostly) right.
Emeric is an absolute cinnamon roll, and I loved the way he
Ragne is hilarious and I adore her cluelessness, humour, spark, and honesty. The character of Gisele was well done too, and I loved the
The plotting was excellent too, and that final climactic twist had me gaping.
I'm pleased to hear that there is a sequel coming, and I'm looking forward to reading it when it comes out. Brava, Margaret Owen!
Graphic: Misogyny, Abandonment, Violence, Animal cruelty, Classism, Bullying, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Cursing
sarahaf712's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Violence, Classism, Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Fatphobia, and Ableism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Police brutality, and Toxic friendship
oddduck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of those stories.
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Abandonment, Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
That's how I felt about Little Thieves. It was incredibly creative - truly, I've never read anything quite like it. Though I will say that if you're a fan of Six of Crows, you may enjoy this one. It's really not similar at all, but it gives off some of the same vibes? I hope that makes sense.
I picked this up because everyone was raving about it on bookstagram at the end of 2021 and I can see why. The magic was incredibly unique (though never really explained beyond the gods having some hand in it, I believe), there was fantastic diversity, and the twists were excellent - nothing totally mind-blowing, just really fun!
There were definitely some triggering elements to it, but you know what? THE AUTHOR INCLUDED TRIGGER WARNINGS. Like, hello! Thank you! That should be at the beginning of every book ever. And guess what else? That actually made it easier for me to read the book, because I knew what I was getting into ahead of time, and when those moments arose, I wasn't put out by it.
Despite giving it 4.5 stars immediately following reading it, I've already forgotten a great deal. That could just be because my mind is elsewhere lately. Okay, actually, yeah, I'm gonna just blame it on that, because honestly, I think if I were totally focused right now, I'd be able to tell you every single detail. At least I can remember most of the character names (that's a new one for me).
Anyyyyways, it immediately went on my wishlist because I'd really like to read it again. I feel as though I could gain more from it with a reread in the future!
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Abandonment and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail