Week 18 Review: Painted Devils

From Goodreads:

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?

My Review:
This book, oh man, this book! I loved the first one (and I love her writing) and when I found out that we were getting a series, of more time with Vanja and Emeric, I was so happy. This was such a great story, and I'm so glad that it exists!

This is only the 2nd time that I've listened to an audiobook, without doing anything else. I just had to consume the story and I couldn't wait for a time where I was also doing something while listening, because I had to know what was going to happen next! 

This quest that they go on, because Vanja is under investigation for fraud-and Emeric is the one doing the investigating, well, things are complicated. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship progress, as things went along, as well as Vanja was finding something that she enjoyed. There was a lot going on, and it was oh, so clever! 

That ending though? That was just utterly evil! I had thought that this was just going to be a duology like the The Merciful Crow, but no, there's going to be at least 3 books. And on one hand, I'm delighted, more time with these two. On the other, things weren't fully wrapped up and resolved, because there's the 3rd book to deal with them. And I'm dying to know what's going to happen next!

This was an utterly fantastic read, and I need the 3rd book ASAP! 

Author: Margaret Owen
Series: Little Thieves #2
Read: May 6th, 2023
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Macmillan Young Listeners
Expected Publication: May 16th 2023 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars