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alexiatormen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
The humor wasnt always for me, sometimes it broke the imersivo but still its a great book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Child abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, and Sexual assault
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Death
blewballoon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Normally I struggle with books where the main character, especially if you're in their perspective, is unlikable. I found Vanja compelling despite her severe flaws, and I had a feeling I'd enjoy following her character journey. I was right. I also found myself getting very immersed in the setting and growing mystery. I loved the group of characters that came along for the ride and pushed Vanja to grow. I felt like the ending was rewarding as it brought different plot points together. I enjoyed the portrayal of the gods. I found myself giddy to read more, and it's that excitement to get back to the book that made me rate it 5 stars. I listened on audiobook and the narrator was great. I was a little worried because the only other book I had listened to narrated by Saskia Maarleveld was one I didn't enjoy, but the problem clearly wasn't the narration. This book is technically the start of a series, but it can be enjoyed as a standalone in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Murder, Blood, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Violence, Death, and Body horror
Minor: Vomit, Sexual violence, Animal death, and Sexual assault
justinekorson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I didn't think I would like this book so much! (But isn't that how it always goes with really good books?) Vanya's motivations in the novel were based off of self preservation which I could completely understand given the situation she was put in. The scene where Emeric accuses her of killing Hubert was GUT-WRENCHING to say the least. I could feel her terror, her sorrow as she was chased throughout town, as everyone she cared for (besides Ragne) turned on her. When Ragne spoke up for her (the first person in her life to ever do so) and Vanja sobbed her heart out (as I sobbed with her) was so incredible. The apologies from all the characters after the fact (but especially Emeric's wonderful apology) felt very sincere and genuine and made me wish for that similar kind of closure in my own life.
Vanja wasn't a perfect person by any means but she was funny and resourceful and she cared so damn much for the people around her. Her love story with Emeric was perfect. The deceptions and betrayals in the novel were timed fantastically. It was overall a very wonderful story and I can't wait to read the second/third novels.
There is one gripe I do have with the novel. I had read maybe a third of the book before it's revealed that Giselle is a lesbian and while I found no problem with this, I did feel like all the queer representation was pushed to the back end of the novel. I could be entirely wrong about this but it felt like all the mentions of trans people, lesbians, gay people, etc were all mentioned in the last third of the book and was mentioned nowhere in the first two thirds. Maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention but I usually do for books that I like so I doubt I would've missed anything. If anyone has an instance where queer people were mentioned before Giselle tells Vanja she likes women then please let me know.
Vanja wasn't a perfect person by any means but she was funny and resourceful and she cared so damn much for the people around her. Her love story with Emeric was perfect. The deceptions and betrayals in the novel were timed fantastically. It was overall a very wonderful story and I can't wait to read the second/third novels.
There is one gripe I do have with the novel. I had read maybe a third of the book before it's revealed that Giselle is a lesbian and while I found no problem with this, I did feel like all the queer representation was pushed to the back end of the novel. I could be entirely wrong about this but it felt like all the mentions of trans people, lesbians, gay people, etc were all mentioned in the last third of the book and was mentioned nowhere in the first two thirds. Maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention but I usually do for books that I like so I doubt I would've missed anything. If anyone has an instance where queer people were mentioned before Giselle tells Vanja she likes women then please let me know.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Murder, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Sexual assault
Minor: War, Animal death, and Vomit
sophiesmallhands's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Death, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Violence, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Minor: War, Vomit, Death of parent, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Abandonment
persephonefoxx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
I really think that teenage me would have adored this book. The representation, the characters, the humour.
I find myself flittering around the edges of enjoying Young Adult, one of the downsides to growing up. Then a book like this comes along and I can put myself back in the mind of a teenaged me, obsessed with reading and books piled all around.
There is not much more to say other than I found this book to be a joy and I hate how long it took me to actually read it. Curse my ever growing TBR, keeping gems like this hidden from me!
I find myself flittering around the edges of enjoying Young Adult, one of the downsides to growing up. Then a book like this comes along and I can put myself back in the mind of a teenaged me, obsessed with reading and books piled all around.
There is not much more to say other than I found this book to be a joy and I hate how long it took me to actually read it. Curse my ever growing TBR, keeping gems like this hidden from me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Grief, and War
Minor: Body shaming and Emotional abuse
cookiecat73's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I finished this book in 3 days, which considering the amount I've been reading on average per day so far this year, is fast. The writing style is one that I flew through, and the plot had me hooked from chapter one, which isn't common. Despite the constant threat of death, the trauma, and dark topics, this is the funniest book I've read in a while. It doesn't make light of the heavy stuff, but the narration and dialogue contain a lot of jokes which so happened to be exactly my sense of humour, and I laughed a lot. I also cried a little bit.
I adore so many of the characters, especially Ragne. The world was good, though nothing incredible. The Gods were amazing, probably my favourite Gods that I've ever read in a story, though to be fair I'm not normally a big fan of Gods in stories so there's not much competition. The description of Eiswald was incredible.
Unfortunately, this book isn't 5 stars for me. So many parts of it were, and I wish it had been 5 stars, but there were certain things in it that I just didn't like as much. Nothing it did wrong really, just things that brought my enjoyment of it down.
I can't believe they called this Untitled Goose Girl when it was being written, reading that in the acknowlegments cracked me up.
I adore so many of the characters, especially Ragne. The world was good, though nothing incredible. The Gods were amazing, probably my favourite Gods that I've ever read in a story, though to be fair I'm not normally a big fan of Gods in stories so there's not much competition. The description of Eiswald was incredible.
Unfortunately, this book isn't 5 stars for me. So many parts of it were, and I wish it had been 5 stars, but there were certain things in it that I just didn't like as much. Nothing it did wrong really, just things that brought my enjoyment of it down.
I can't believe they called this Untitled Goose Girl when it was being written, reading that in the acknowlegments cracked me up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Child abuse, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Outing, Addiction, Murder, Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body horror, Gore, Medical content, Acephobia/Arophobia, Cannibalism, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Transphobia, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual content, and Vomit
whenjessreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- 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
This book is loose retelling of the Grimm fairy tale ‘The Goose Girl’, in which a greedy chambermaid undermines her princess, forcing them to switch places so that the chambermaid can live a life of status and luxury, while the princess is relegated to the servant’s quarters and the geese. As expected from the Brothers Grimm, it ends in a particularly gruesome way, and hammers home the dangers of deception and greed.
This book was SO, SO much more than that. Little Thieves is narrated by Vanja, the maid who has conned her way into the place of the princess - and it IS a con, because Vanja is a liar and a thief, with no illusions about who she is. Not only has she taken the place of Princezzin (princess) Gisele while Gisele herself scrabbles for survival in a nearby orphanage, but she is also systematically robbing the elite of their jewels and gold under the pseudonym of the Pfennigeist - the penny phantom… until something happens to stop her in her tracks. Pursued by the law, the aristocracy, and even the gods, things start to get messy for Vanja.
I know I don’t usually write a summary of the plot before I get into reviewing, but this book was just so fascinating. It was witty, irreverent, deeply emotional, and hilarious, all at once. Somehow Owen has taken a literal conwoman, spoken at length about her greed and selfishness, and yet made her into an incredibly sympathetic character. I love a morally grey MC, and I ADORE a damaged one, so by the end I was pretty much ready to bow at her feet. Not only was Vanja a well developed, three-dimensional character, but all the central characters were. WHICH IS A DAMN HARD THING TO DO.
So many boxes were ticked here without them FEELING like boxes were being ticked. There was queer rep, the discussion of trauma without it being the entire plot, magic as a subtlety rather than a focus, slight commentary on the social ideals of beauty and gender-acceptable behaviours.
And it was just so, so funny.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Blood
Minor: Rape
mpbookreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Alcoholism, Animal death, Violence, Death, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Murder, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
tinysierra's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“To the gremlin girls,
I would like to tell you something inspiring, but the truth is, when life closes a door for us, it doesn’t always open a window. The good news is: That’s what bricks are for.”
Little Thieves is a work of art. From the gorgeous cover, to the illustrations inside, to the way the story is broken up into 7 tales, to the writing itself. I love how even the Author’s Note is written with care. Be sure to check the trigger warnings! Hanging is mentioned a lot as well as sexual assault/harassment.
This book was confusing to get into at first. In this aspect, it reminds me of how it felt starting Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows duology without knowing anything about the Grishaverse.
Little Thieves was hard to slug through in the beginning, but it did pick up and then I didn’t want to put the book down.
I loved the writing style with the way Vanja told the story like a fairy tale.
I love the humor and wit.
You get to really see Vanja’s insecurities and growth through her narrative. You can see how her trauma affects her perceptions of the situations she goes through.
I loved all the characters, even the side ones!
The romance was amazing, too.
I don’t think the word demisexual is said on page but both the main characters are demi <3
“I’ve read fairy tales, of course, and listened to plaintive love songs, but I never understood why anyone would wake up after a hundred years and marry the prince who broke into their bedroom for a kiss. Or dance with a stranger once and decide to spend the rest of their lives together.”
There’s also wlw and some other LGBTQ+ rep that’s normal in this world. There is lesbophobia but in more of a “the princess is supposed to produce an heir” kind of way.
I love Vanja and Emeric so much <333 a cat and mouse chase… yes please!!
Update ~ 07-14-2023
Reread before I get into Painted Devils. I definitely found it less confusing and easier to breeze through the second time around.
Update ~ 03-13-2024
If you’re a big fan of Vanja and Emeric’s relationship, read Painted Devils immediately!!! I swear it doesn’t suffer from “second book syndrome.” It’s so amazing.
And check out Margaret Owen’s instagram account (@what_eats_owls) for more art and memes of the characters!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Animal death, Body horror, Abandonment, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse, Body shaming, Grief, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Dysphoria, and Sexual assault
Minor: Blood, Excrement, Lesbophobia, and Vomit
hey_evelina's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Abandonment, Alcohol, Vomit, Sexual assault, and Murder