Little Thieves - Margaret Owen Kartoniert (TB)

Such a great book! Couldn’t put it down

You know that feeling when you are literally excited having to take the train to the university or work for about an hour just because that means you get to continue your book? Because that was the feeling I got while reading this book. Unfortunately, it took me about 120 pages to get into that feeling, but it stayed until the end.SynopsisVanja Schmidt knows that no gift is freely given, not even a mother’s love–and she’s on the hook for one hell of a debt. Vanja, the adopted goddaughter of Death and Fortune, was Princess Gisele’s dutiful servant up until a year ago. That was when Vanja’s otherworldly mothers demanded a terrible price for their care, and Vanja decided to steal her future back… by stealing Gisele’s life for herself.The real Gisele is left a penniless nobody while Vanja uses an enchanted string of pearls to take her place. Now, Vanja leads a lonely but lucrative double life as princess and jewel thief, charming nobility while emptying their coffers to fund her great escape. Then, one heist away from freedom, Vanja crosses the wrong god and is cursed to an untimely end: turning into jewels, stone by stone, for her greed.Vanja has just two weeks to figure out how to break her curse and make her getaway. And with a feral guardian half-god, Gisele’s sinister fiancé, and an overeager junior detective on Vanja’s tail, she’ll have to pull the biggest grift yet to save her own life.CoverGreat Cover once again but I guess with Hodder & Stoughton creating a cover that is kind of a given 99% of the time. They are definitely one of the editors with some of the most stunning covers.Writing styleMargaret Owen writing style was nice to read, even though it took me a bit to get into, but I think that was more because it was written from the third perspective and I prefer the firstCharactersI really wasn’t the biggest fan of Vanja at the beginning, on the contrary. I think that was one of the reasons that I got so much trouble getting into the book. But the more I read the more I understood Vanja and the more I wanted the best for her. I really suffered through some of the time jumps or memories.Emeric was definitely one of my favourite characters along with Ragne. They create such interesting contrasts to Vanja and I like how they challenge each other and learn from one another. They give the friendship trope in this book even more dynamic. And Emeric as a love interest? Totally here for it! Gisele was not my favourite but I know that was because, just like Vanja, it took me quite some time to forgive her. In the end I was very proud to see how much she changed and to see her and Vanja’s friendship blossom again.The idea of the Low Gods and how they interact with Vanja throughout the book were one of my favourite things.Setting/PlotIt was interesting how this book was a combination of heists, mysteries and finding yourself in the world. I think this sums up the plot of the book quite well and if you want to know more about it I guess you have to pick it up yourself and find out how these things connect to the characters and the world. It was also quite interesting that not only the younger characters got to learn and grow together and alone, but also some of the older characters, like Death and Fortune, Vanjas godmothers.ConclusionI am definitely into the Little Thieves universe and I cannot wait for painted devils to see where Vanjas adventures lead her next. I also hope to find out more about Vanjas past and maybe even get to know (more about) her mother.To be honest the reason I kept pushing myself to keep on reading was because this book was a review copy, but I am so glad I had to read it because I loved it and otherwise I might have not finished it.This is another one of the review copies that took me way too long to read but I am so happy to finally have read it and understand what everyone loves about this book. Just in time for book two and I am so so excited to read that one.I really want to recommend this book to everyone who wants to read a book with some morally grey characters that you simply end up tugging into your heart. The found family trope is going strong in this book and I am totally here for it.Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder&Stoughton for this review copy. This did not change my opinion in any way.