Margaret Owen returns to Vanja’s story for one final adventure in Holy Terrors, concluding the Little Thieves trilogy. Of course, I had to pick this up and was very excited to review this. If you haven’t already read Little Thieves and Painted Devils, go pick them up and then come back here to see how it all concludes.
This review was originally published on The Nerd Daily.
It has been almost two years since she defeated the vengeful spirit of her mother, but Vanja Ros – no longer Schmidt – has finally made a name for herself. She is a God Daughter, a (reformed) thief, and now a folk hero. She stands up for those with nothing, bringing justice and prosperity where she can.
But members of the royal families are turning up dead, found with Vanja’s calling card on the bodies. And as old flames, adversaries, and allies resurface, Vanja must face what it took to become the Pfennigist once and for all.
It will take everything she is to save not only herself and the people she loves, but time as we know it.
Publication Date: 1st April
CW: murder, death, grief, violence, emotional abuse, manipulation, loss of autonomy (mind/body control), parental abandonment, physical abuse, classism
My Thoughts:
Holy Terrors concludes one of my favourite YA trilogies with just as much heart and humour as the first. It is such an inventive fantasy series with a focus on introspection and character development, as well as fantastically constructed and twisty mystery plots that make you race through the pages.
This trilogy has such a fantastic protagonist at its heart. Vanja really is the driving force—you fall helplessly in love with her. The snarky, sharp and scheming protagonist from Little Thieves is still there and making disastrous decisions, but you understand her much better now. She is so caring and loyal and fiercely protective of those she loves. Her narrative voice is arresting and infused with such a quick wit that catches you by surprise. She has always had to think ten steps ahead, which shows in the spiralling narrative voice Owen gives her. It is always on the defence, always thinking about what her next move will be. Her trajectory over these books has been nothing short of transformative. She is probably one of the most memorable YA protagonists I have read about for a while and feels like she will have always stolen a sliver of my heart.
That is all a defensive mechanism built from years of trauma. The previous two books have delved into her past and battling the demons within in such interesting ways that allow for her character to develop (and regress) as the situation changes. We come to the pinnacle of that theme in this book with a bold and brilliant move from Owen. The way this book depicts grappling with your trauma and facing your past is nothing short of inspired. I will be vague here to avoid spoilers but it is a showstopper. Everything in this trilogy has been centered around Vanja’s journey and it peaks here. This feels like such an evolution of the previous books in every way.
Owen has created such a fascinating world with a magic system that is innovative and thought-provoking. I still have such a soft spot for Death and Fortune who get some brilliant moments here. Their relationship with Vanja is wonderful to witness even as it is tested and fractured. The world they inhabit is so rich and layered with all these great details. Vanja has often been entangled in these complicated mystery plots that unfold around her, with the meddling of gods and men alike. This is no exception with a tightly woven plot that keeps you glued to the pages. It is bloody and does not hold back. We get a vaster sense of scope in this book, with the various royal families coming into play. It adds geographically to the world but also in terms of the political scheming that Vanja has dabbled in throughout becoming more prominent. There are many games of chess going on here with fraught dynamics and shifts in power, as well as the murders. The stakes are sky-high and you feel that tension build around you. Owen really digs into these themes here—giving nuance and sensitivity in the handling of the overarching themes the series has been grappling with. The classism that has permeated each book is on full display as well. The actions of these elite will affect everyone, as Vanja well knows, so resolving this is vital.
Overall, Owen levels up in every aspect in this firecracker ending to the trilogy. This is such a grand book, giving Vanja’s story a fitting ending. It feels like an epic conclusion and it is well deserved.
Holy Terrors is the culmination of a spectacular YA trilogy that is constantly tricksy and thrives most in its incredible characterisation and mysteries.
A Short Book Lover 
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