Little Thieves

"𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬" 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐰𝐞𝐧🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5Okay, let's just start by saying : that cover ?? Just gorgeous. 💖So this book is a retelling of the tale of "The Goose Girl", which I have never read, so I couldnt tell you how close the retelling is to the original story.And it is written from the "Wicked Maid" point of view, Vanja, which let's be honest is SO much more interesting than reading about yet another princess !This might be a long book but it never felt boring, there was always some kind of action or something happening. It just took me longer than it should have because I didnt want it to end...Vanja is just your perfect morally gray anti-heroine. I loved her SO much ! She's like a selfish-sassy Robinhood, stealing from the rich to fill her own pocket !I loved that we understood how Vanja's life led her to that point, as we walked with her through her trauma.She's a liar and a thief, she's selfish, smart, sassy, sarcastic, funny.... She's just a badass, and you gotta love her for it !And against all odds, she's learning to love, herself and others, and be loved.All of the characters are so well written, so amazingly complex ! They really do come to life between the pages ! And I loved them all ! Ragne above all else because she's just the best.I just probably needed a bit of that on the villain's sides too. I get he was bad and all that but I maybe needed a better understanding of his motivations. Just for him to feel as real as the other characters.Also there is a really great LGBTQ+ representation, and I loved that in this world it just was normal, it felt so easy !I dont think I can accurately review this book, because I really loved it so much and I feel like I wont be doing it justice !Did I cry ? Yes, I did.Was it the first time in a long time that I have cried over a book ? Also yes.But please, please, PLEASE, buy a copy of it, and make you own opinion. And I really hope you'll love it as much as I did !I am now gonna go stare at a wall, empty, being crushed under the weight of the book hangover.

When I first saw the cover I couldn’t help but add it to my wish list and then, as time drew closer to the release date, I pre-ordered it. THEN I saw it on NetGalley and without any expectations, I requested an ARC. I got it!Now came the nerves and excitement. Will it be good? Will the cover be the 2nd best thing about it? All those questions. And the answer is…. Oh. My. Vanja!This book is the best High Fantasy I’ve ever read! Granted, I’ve not read many, but this is phenomenal!What an imaginative, rich, vibrant and exciting world you walk into.The world-building is spectacular. Beautiful visions of a medieval-esq Germany. With stunning architectural wonders. A delightful array of characters both good, evil and some a mix of the 2. And a tale that has you so gripped you will struggle to put it down. I was hooked instantly. I wanted to read every single word, absorb all the delicious detail and feel all the emotions that the author wants you to experience.Please read the blurb/synopsis as I won’t include it in my review because I just want to gush about how much I love this book especially the MC, Vanja!Oh my, god! If you are looking for a fierce, strong-willed, flawed, exceptionally funny and supremely snarky/sarcastic MC, Vanja is it!I love her! Everything about her. I love that she isn’t perfect. And the whole reason we are following her tale is because she’s actually somewhat of a villain! I love the way her character develops, the relationships she forms. Seriously, I love everything.And finally, along with the daring Vanja, we are introduced to a beautiful parade of characters that are just a complex and interesting as she is.There’s so many tropes in here that, like me, I know you’ll love. I don’t want to say what tropes as I feel that they might give a hint of what could happen etc .. but if you love High Fantasy, you’ll adore this.There is also fantastic LGBTQIA+ representation.I am so glad I pre-ordered this & can’t wait for my copy that’s due today. I will treasure my copy.A MASSIVE thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and also NetGalley for sending me an ARC ebook in return for an honest review.

Set in a fictional version of Germany, we follow the story of Vanja. Given up as a small child to the Low Gods Death and Fortune who raise her as their own. Vanja is desperately trying to get enough money together so that she can get away from a life she is being forced into, even if that means stealing, impersonating a princess and the occasional bad deed. But she only gives back what the world has done to her.We learn how Vanja has been betrayed, hurt emotionally and physically and how she has learnt that she can only trust herself to look out for her.So, let me say this: I loved this book. It’s a YA fantasy that does not shy away from adult themes without being graphic. The characters are well written and each side character adds well to the story. With demisexual and sapphic love interests that are not seen as a plot point it was very refreshing.The main character was (worryingly) someone I could relate too, obviously not exactly the same because I have not had the same life experiences but I understand the untrusting feeling Vanja has and questioning of people’s motives. Emeric made me laugh and I appreciated that he wasn’t just there for her storyline but had his own. And the bluntness of Ragne gave me warm fuzzies inside!If you are looking for a well paced, heist style fantasy with added sass and characters that show development through the book then this is a great one to pick up!Thank you Netgalley (@netgalley )and Hodder & Stoughton (@hodderbooks ) for the chance to read this book before publication!

Little Thieves has quite possibly jumped and landed in the ranks of one of my favourite books ever and it has certainly taken a place as one of my favourite reads of the year!The narrative of this story was brilliant and captivating. I loved that the beginning of each part was written as if it was a fairy tale. And I loved how parts were told in a way that almost felt like listening to a voice over from the MC over a movie scene.The characters were all well written and well fleshed out, you rooted for them or hated them or simply loved them. I especially loved Vanjas broken, bent but beautiful character and Ragnes naive and unwaveringly loyal character. Hell I loved them all really. I was thoroughly invested in their stories.This amazing tale was full of lessons on learning to trust, friendships and love of all kinds.

Firstly the book is stunning, I loved the cover and the illustrations inside are gorgeous too.The story took a little while to get going and at the beginning I did struggle to remember who everyone was, and keep up with the German wording, but I did get into it very quickly.There was never a dull moment and was filled with complex beautiful characters and constant adventure.I love a badass main character, and Vanja was perfect. Her character development and the journey she went on was great to see, but the enemies to lovers storyline was beautiful.There were so many side characters in the book that I adored too, and every character was described so well.I honestly didn’t anticipate how much I would enjoy Little Thieves and I will definitely be looking out for more of Margaret Owens books.I adored it and rated an easy 5 stars.