Once upon a time, there was a beautiful, kind princess who was betrothed to the prince of a faraway kingdom. When she set off for her new home, her mother gave her a maid for a companion on the journey.
But instead of serving the princess, the wicked maid stole her place.
For a year the true princess toiled away like a common goose girl, while the wicked maid lived high in the palace, fooling the kingdom. But the truth came out. The princess took back her name, her crown, and her husband, and the imposter died for her crimes.
Then one day, the wicked maid...
...told her own story.
Let's get one thing straight—Vanja Schmidt wasn't trying to start a cult.
After taking down a corrupt margrave, breaking a deadly curse, and finding romance with the vexingly scrupulous Junior Prefect Emeric Conrad, Vanja had one great mystery left: her long-lost birth family… and if they would welcome a thief. But in her search for an honest trade, she hit trouble and invented a god, the Scarlet Maiden, to scam her way out. Now, that lie is growing out of control—especially when Emeric arrives to investigate, and the Scarlet Maiden manifests to claim him as a virgin sacrifice.
For his final test to become a prefect, Emeric must determine if Vanja is guilty of serious fraud, or if the Scarlet Maiden—and her claim to him—are genuine. Meanwhile, Vanja is chasing an alternative sacrifice that may be their way out. The hunt leads her not only into the lairs of monsters and the paths of gods, but the ties of her past. And with what should be the simplest way to save Emeric hanging over their heads, he and Vanja must face a more dangerous question: Is there a future for a thief and a prefect, and at what price?
The Fallow Year is a series of ten short stories that take place in the months between the end of Painted Devils and the beginning of Holy Terrors. They will alternate between Vanja and Emeric's POVs as they spend some time… working on themselves.
Available to read for free in AO3.
Chapter 1: Plausible Deniability
Chapter 2: Landfall
Chapter 3: Beauty without Mercy
Chapter 4: The Agenda
Chapter 5: Many Happy Returns
Chapter 6: Providence
Chapter 7: Due Diligence
Chapter 8: The Cycle
Chapter 9: Phantom Roses, Part I
Chapter 10: Phantom Roses, Part II
My Review:
I had such a fantastic time reading these books again, and then reading The Fallow Year for the first time! I just got an audio ARC of the 3rd book, so I had to reread the whole series, because I think Holy Terrors is the last book. It was so good to read them!
I had such a great time reading Little Thieves again, Vanya is so clever, but so jaded by the world, and watching her deal with her curse, the politics of the realm, and Emeric on her trail, t was such a delight, I just love the two of them together!
Reading Painted Devils right after Little Thieves, was wonderful, and a much better reading experience then the first time, because I had the details straight in my head, and there was no confusion. Plus going in knowing the broad strokes of the story, seeing the pieces as they were introduced before we knew how they would come together, I loved that!
The Fallow Year, I was really excited to read it, to get some more of their story, and I think it's going to be so good to go from this, into Holy Terrors. I enjoyed getting stories from both of their perspectives, to see how these different experiences are changing and growing them as people, and I can't wait to see what becomes of it!
Loved reading these books, and I can't wait to read more by Margaret Owen!
Author: Margret Owen
Series: Little Thieves #1, 2, 2.5
First Read: December 15th, 2021, May 6th, 2023
Author: Margret Owen
Series: Little Thieves #1, 2, 2.5
First Read: December 15th, 2021, May 6th, 2023
Read: March 20th, 21st, 21st, 2025
Source: Own, Online
Reason Why: Rereading, and they're 2025 Retelling Reading Challenge Books and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Books!
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), A03
Published: October 19th 2021, May 16th 2023, January 1st 2024
Source: Own, Online
Reason Why: Rereading, and they're 2025 Retelling Reading Challenge Books and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Books!
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), A03
Published: October 19th 2021, May 16th 2023, January 1st 2024
Little Thieves:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
 |
| 5/5 Books |
 |
| 5/5 Stars |
Painted Devils:
|
| 5/5 Hearts |
|
| 5/5 Books |
|
| 5/5 Stars |
The Fallow Year:
|
| 5/5 Hearts |
|
| 5/5 Books |
|
| 5/5 Stars |
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