Review Detail

Holy Terrors is the conclusion to the Little Thieves trilogy. A lot is going on, making it difficult to pinpoint where to start! First off, Vanja may be one of my favorite characters. I love her heart and her growth. Her pain and wish to become a better person are relatable and the backbone of the story. I love that Margaret Owen found a way to bring all of Vanja’s found family back together in a way that makes sense.
Emeric Conrad has always been above reproach, so it was a bit of fun to see him punish Vanja by locking her up and making sure she stayed that way until her name was cleared, mostly because she hurt his feelings. He has bitterness and rightfully so for the way she abandoned him almost two years ago. It is a surprise that he is betrothed to another woman, and that tension in their relationship helps them both see they aren’t ready to give up on each other. While they do experience regret and get in a lot of fights, the banter makes it impossible to put the pages down.
Vanja and Emeric, as an investigative team, are better than either on their own. The smart dialogue and interplay between them are so much fun to read. The plot keeps you guessing, and even when you think everything is resolved, it all gets a bit weird because magic and low gods make anything possible.
Her brother Ozkar’s involvement is confusing. His motive for betrayal is a stretch. When magic goes awry, the found family’s solution is fun and heartwarming, but also over the top. I do like that everything feels complete, including that those who have wronged her get what’s coming to them. We are given glimpses into the road not taken. If Vanja had stayed with Emeric, or had gone to jail, or had been selfless. All the regrets and what-ifs are explored and then woven into the resolution of the story in a surprising way.
Aside from an entertaining story, there is a close look at the corruption of those in power. Many of the wrongs against her have been committed by people who felt entitled and did not care who they hurt. All the books have explored that idea, but it felt timely in a way that transcends the fictional world she lives in.