Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Little Thieves by Margaret Owen

62 reviews

mxmarta's review against another edition

emotional 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

5.0

I loved everything about this book. I started reading it in 2022 but then too much time passed and I decided to re-read from the beginning so I didn't miss any of the finer plot points.
The plot, the pacing, the characters, the enemies-to-lovers vibe are *chef's kiss* 
Most of all, the demi/ace spec representation by two of the main characters was amazing to read, it was the first time I read something with an ace spec character POV. The book has a lot of queer representation, including trans and non binary people, and it's especially well done in a fantasy medieval setting, although some of the mentions are only in passage, it was refreshing to see it so seamlessly done.
The only thing that left me mildly unsatisfied was the very last chapter, since it was

an epilogue but I wanted more dialogue between the two main characters after they finally got through everything and came out on the other side finally on the same page about being with each other (in particular, a passage that was just the narrator relaying what they said to each other... Much less squee worthy read like that instead of the actual scene!!! But it was just a small thing, so I still give it 5 stars because it really did not take from the story at all)

, but it was also 1:30am and I stayed up late to finish it so it may have been influenced by that.
I'm excited to read the next book, and that this was the first book of the year!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Abandonment, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Classism and Sexual assault

mothie_girlie's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, and Misogyny

paper_elytra's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.0

Interesting take on the fairytale of the goose girl. Loved the heist bits and the unravelling of the mysteries.The lore and mythos was well done too. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Sexual assault

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

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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

stone_stupas's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexism

Minor: Rape and Body horror

elise_is_writing's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Violence, and Murder

Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault

aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was a surprisingly heavy story using folktales/fairytales and the typical princess imagery as a backdrop to a sinister situation rife with magic. It's a tale of growth, of hurt and healing, of reclaiming autonomy, and ultimately of justice. Seriously enjoyed it but def recommend anyone to check out content warnings first.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Classism, Death, Abandonment, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence

beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

Full review to come - but for now, let me just say I adored this!

I don't say this often about a book, but I'll say it for Little Thieves - I bow down to Margaret Owen, because this is a work of genius in just about every way.

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

turned the tables on Vanja

and their eventual

romance was developed subtly and beautifully

. 

Ragne is hilarious and I adore her cluelessness, humour, spark, and honesty. The character of Gisele was well done too, and I loved the

development and backstory of her relationship with Vanja

. I also enjoyed the minor characters, like Joniza, and Ummaya - and who could forget Death, Fortune, and the formidable Eiswald (

Ragne's mother

).

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!

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Content Warnings

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

quillify_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Grief, Sexism, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Animal death, and Blood

daycia's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence