Little Thieves

by Margaret Owen

Book Overview

"Gorgeous prose, delicious magic." - V.E. Schwab

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection
Kids' Indie Next Pick
Amazon Best Book

A scrappy maid must outsmart both palace nobles and Low Gods in a new YA fantasy by Margaret Owen, author of the Merciful Crow series.

Once upon a time, there was a horrible girl...

Vanja Schmidt knows that no gift is freely given, not even a mother's...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250191904
• ISBN13: 9781250191908
• Release Date: October 2021
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.5" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 14 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 9 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Loved this phenomenal, delicious fairy tale

This loose retelling of Grimm's Goose Girl story is told by Vanja, who was handed over at the age of four by her mother to become the goddaughter of the low gods Death and Fortune. As the 13th daughter of a 13th daughter, she was simply considered bad luck. Vanja is 16 years old when the story starts, thieving, lying and impersonating her former mistress, Princess Gisele. Vanja is complex, incredibly clever, strong, vulnerable, witty and has sworn to never again be anyone's servant. The story has the ambience of a friend recounting the tale of her life to you in front of a fireplace. The world building was excellent, the magic system fascinating, the plot twisty, and the characters complex and endearing (except for the villain who was abominable). This book was a reader's paradise, it was so entertaining and engaging. I couldn't put it down, absolutely loved it and didn't want it to end. I appreciated the inclusion of LBGTQ+ characters in this fairy tale world. Please let there be a sequel.

A great version of the Goose Girl!

I have read a few retellings of the Goose Girl, but never from the point of view of the maid in the story. I must say that it was sorely needed and Margaret Owen did a wonderful job with it! Vanja is a complicated character and you cannot help but be in her corner as the story unfolds and you learn all about her life and how it affected the choices she made. I thoroughly enjoyed this, especially the little story bits that preceded each section. Now, this is not just a Goose Girl retelling, though you will recognize some of the names, the characters are quite different, like Conrad. And the world that this takes place in is so much bigger with lots of Low Gods (including Death and Fortune, the godmothers of Vanja) and many different German fairytale creatures from nachmares to shapeshifters. You get little heist bits since Vanja is the Pfennigeist in her quest to escape having to chose who she will serve. Many things happen and I enjoyed the whole ride! I think this might be my new favorite Goose Girl story!