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readwithria's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Little Thieves stole my heart and ran with it.
I wasn’t expecting to love this YA fantasy novel, but here we are. Although it was off to a bit of a slow start, I completely fell in love with Little Thieves and the characters within it. It’s so hard to write a review of a book you love, but let me give you a rundown of some of my favorite aspects.
Things I loved
- I’m a sucker for a good found family story, and this found family is build exceptionally well!
- The growth of all four of the central characters was so well written! Vanja, Gisele, Ragne, and Emeric all grew as individuals and also developed strong relationships
- Vanja and Emeric!! They’re so cute! Gotta love a classic enemies to lovers storyline
- the casual queer representation was lovely! While it wasn’t integral to the plot, having this world accept LGBTQIA+ folks was fabulous
The book wasn’t perfect, but it was exceptional. Definitely check trigger warnings before you read, but then dig in! 4.5 stars.
I wasn’t expecting to love this YA fantasy novel, but here we are. Although it was off to a bit of a slow start, I completely fell in love with Little Thieves and the characters within it. It’s so hard to write a review of a book you love, but let me give you a rundown of some of my favorite aspects.
Things I loved
- I’m a sucker for a good found family story, and this found family is build exceptionally well!
- The growth of all four of the central characters was so well written! Vanja, Gisele, Ragne, and Emeric all grew as individuals and also developed strong relationships
- Vanja and Emeric!! They’re so cute! Gotta love a classic enemies to lovers storyline
- the casual queer representation was lovely! While it wasn’t integral to the plot, having this world accept LGBTQIA+ folks was fabulous
The book wasn’t perfect, but it was exceptional. Definitely check trigger warnings before you read, but then dig in! 4.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Dysphoria, Body shaming, Animal death, Fatphobia, Transphobia, Abandonment, and Bullying
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and War
farmchick's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Death, Bullying, and Murder
theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
I truly enjoyed every moment of reading this book! Honestly, sometimes, that's all I want to say in a review. Sometimes, it's not because a book has great emotional depth or because the characters are super relatable. Sometimes, friends, it's just because the story was entertaining and I liked it.
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Abandonment and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
campisforever's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
This book should also be classified as LGBTQIA+ because there are queer characters, mentions of trans characters, and the leads are on the Ace spectrum.
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I have no words. Please read it.
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I have no words. Please read it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Murder, Gaslighting, and Grief
sambutwithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.0
This was super fun- I loved the demi rep and the story never really ever lost steam. I do wish the ending had been more but that felt like the only weak part of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
sarah_the_reviewroom's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really thought I'd love Little Thieves, the synopsis and all the 5 star reviews just really sounded like something I'd enjoy. Unfortunately, I didn't!
I found the pace very slow, the back and forth storytelling didn't help because things would just start picking up and then the section would end and it'd start with another "Once upon a time" section.
There seemed to be a lot of things going on but it was so all over the place that it was just confusing!
There's also no explanation for the magic system so everything felt very convenient - particularly the ending. As events happen, more and more crazy things go on and I was just left with a sense of "oh well, literally anything can happen so there's no risk".
And the thing was, even if the characters looked to be in danger, I didn't really care! I found it very hard to connect to them, there are a lot of characters and none of them is particularly likeable.
There's a whole romantic plotline added in late in the book which didn't have any build up so it was an odd mix of enemies to lovers and insta-love.
The world-building was nice, I liked the descriptions of people and places - I could easily picture Death and Fortune for example. But there's a really odd mix of German words just added in, and again it just made things more confusing because several German words were used for the same English word.
I started this book on the 16th December 2021 and finished it on 2nd January 2022 - which is just way too long for me. I almost DNFd twice but I'd come too far to give up and not have it count towards my reading!
I found the pace very slow, the back and forth storytelling didn't help because things would just start picking up and then the section would end and it'd start with another "Once upon a time" section.
There seemed to be a lot of things going on but it was so all over the place that it was just confusing!
There's also no explanation for the magic system so everything felt very convenient - particularly the ending. As events happen, more and more crazy things go on and I was just left with a sense of "oh well, literally anything can happen so there's no risk".
And the thing was, even if the characters looked to be in danger, I didn't really care! I found it very hard to connect to them, there are a lot of characters and none of them is particularly likeable.
There's a whole romantic plotline added in late in the book which didn't have any build up so it was an odd mix of enemies to lovers and insta-love.
The world-building was nice, I liked the descriptions of people and places - I could easily picture Death and Fortune for example. But there's a really odd mix of German words just added in, and again it just made things more confusing because several German words were used for the same English word.
I started this book on the 16th December 2021 and finished it on 2nd January 2022 - which is just way too long for me. I almost DNFd twice but I'd come too far to give up and not have it count towards my reading!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abandonment and Body horror
branwen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
This book is absolutely perfect for anyone who prefers reading about clever yet villainous characters, all set in a fairytale world.
This book is so intricately planned and written, full of politics, mysteries, deception and compelling character development. Even though the book is 500 pages, I was constantly kept on my toes and interested throughout the whole thing.
In particular, the characters are loveable yet complicated. The main character, Vanja, is the best MC I have read in a while, with her wit, brilliance and charisma, paired with her desire for survival and to rise to power. But, she develops in a completely authentic way throughout the book too, as her ideologues are questioned, and you understand why she acts the way she does and how her worldview has been shaped as you go on the journey with her. She is so compelling because as clever and charming as she is, she also makes mistakes and creates false assumptions, and she can be kind yet deceitful and cunning - and it is all of this, put together, that makes her so fascinating to read.
Amongst all of this, the book can be very lighthearted too, and the fairytale folklore and magic setting was utterly captivating. There were plenty of different elements that drew my attention, like Vanja being the daughter of Death and Fortune, as well as the many folklore figures used to add a rich sense of world building. That lightheartedness also comes from the found family that emerges, especially as Vanja allows herself to see the world differently, with a diverse and interesting group that hold just as much sense of character as Vanja does.
The whole book is also so beautifully created, from the stunning cover, to the illustrations in the book, and the smaller tales that are interwoven throughout the main story.
This book feels so unique and has become a new standard for other books that I read now. The characters are so memorable that I know they'll be staying with me for a long time.
This book is so intricately planned and written, full of politics, mysteries, deception and compelling character development. Even though the book is 500 pages, I was constantly kept on my toes and interested throughout the whole thing.
In particular, the characters are loveable yet complicated. The main character, Vanja, is the best MC I have read in a while, with her wit, brilliance and charisma, paired with her desire for survival and to rise to power. But, she develops in a completely authentic way throughout the book too, as her ideologues are questioned, and you understand why she acts the way she does and how her worldview has been shaped as you go on the journey with her. She is so compelling because as clever and charming as she is, she also makes mistakes and creates false assumptions, and she can be kind yet deceitful and cunning - and it is all of this, put together, that makes her so fascinating to read.
Amongst all of this, the book can be very lighthearted too, and the fairytale folklore and magic setting was utterly captivating. There were plenty of different elements that drew my attention, like Vanja being the daughter of Death and Fortune, as well as the many folklore figures used to add a rich sense of world building. That lightheartedness also comes from the found family that emerges, especially as Vanja allows herself to see the world differently, with a diverse and interesting group that hold just as much sense of character as Vanja does.
The whole book is also so beautifully created, from the stunning cover, to the illustrations in the book, and the smaller tales that are interwoven throughout the main story.
This book feels so unique and has become a new standard for other books that I read now. The characters are so memorable that I know they'll be staying with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
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