Review: Painted Devils by Margaret Owen

A fast-paced young adult book filled with crime, drama, and a little bit of romance magic.

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@shereadsbooks.sometimes

Dates read: 06/02/25 to 03/03/25

Word to describe: Found

Star rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Romance, Young Adult Fiction, Found Family (literally).

Trigger Warnings: Mental abuse, physical abuse, loss of family members, narcissistic parental figure, bodily harm, sexual encounters, cult.

Painted Devils by Margaret Owen is the second book in her Little Thieves series following unlikely hero Vanja and her path of accidental destruction. When we left Vanja and Emeric at a crossroads after defeating evil and Vanja giving up her stolen life as a princess. Now, Vanja finds herself in new trouble when she accidently creates a cult. No - seriously.

Vanja is the one of the most fun characters I've read. From her quick wit and sarcasm to the unending scheming Vanja embodies chaotic energy neatly packaged in a sweet girls scarred body. When she starts a cult (again, completely by accident), Vanja takes advantage of her adoring fans and the rituals that lead her to once again live a life where she is deeply loved. How else should a girl who was abandoned by her mother do to replace that lost love? Everything is going well, that is until a certain glasses wearing, nervous around criminal girls Aspirant Prefect Emeric stumbles into Vanja's village to unmask the rumour of a fake God.

Vanja and Emeric are missed chance lovers who had their much needed reunion ruined when Vanja's fake God The Red Maiden suddenly appears and is real! And then maybe, kind of, definitely, claims Emeric as her human sacrifice. (Nice going Vanja). Now there's a problem with Emeric being the human sacrifice 1. he's basically a magic police officer who's job requires him to be alive 2. Vanja might be in love with him. Embarking on a mission to save Emeric, Vanja finds out that there are two options to appease the new Red Maiden. She can either unburden Emeric of his virgin status (this is actually the plot line and it is deliciously filled with teenage angst and nerves in the cutest way) or track down seven brothers and take their blood. But not everything is as it seems.

I absolutely adore this chaos. Painted Devil's gives readers a delightful story of fixing one's wrongdoings and displays the cutest budding romance between Vanja and Emeric that left me squealing and blushing. Teamed with emotional side plots and themes of found family and friendship Margaret Owen absolutely nailed this book and the foundation of Young Adult Fantasy. I highly recommend this one for all lovers of fantasy and myths and legends.