Third Place Books welcomes Margaret Owen—the beloved author of The Merciful Crow, The Faithless Hawk, and Little Thieves—for the launch of Painted Devils! Owen will be joined in conversation by Kendare Blake, the author of All These Bodies. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required in advance.
This event will include a public signing and time for audience Q&A. Sustain our author series by purchasing a copy of the featured book!
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After accidentally starting a cult and invoking the wrath of the gods, a scam artist must fight to save everyone she has ever loved in this sequel to Margaret Owen’s YA fantasy Little Thieves.
When misfortune strikes, the “reformed” jewel thief Vanja manipulates a remote village for help and in turn, accidentally starts a cult around a Low God, the Scarlet Maiden. Soon after, her nemesis-turned-suitor Emeric and a supervising prefect arrive to investigate the claim of godhood, and she realizes how in over her head she must be. But the Scarlet Maiden does reveal herself . . . only to claim Emeric as her virgin sacrifice. Desperate to save the only man she’s ever cared for, Vanja decides to seek an alternative: bring the Scarlet Maiden a drop of blood from each of seven brothers for the midsummer feast.
While the thief and prefect-in-training still have feelings for one another, Emeric must determine whether Vanja has committed fraud as his final test for prefect-hood. And as they travel the Haarzlands, a harsh land far from the rules of the city, the past that Vanja barely remembers comes into full view and she fears a future that does not require her to keep running.
With vengeful apparitions, supernatural fraud, and ravenous hellhounds, readers will not be able to put down this Bavarian-themed YA fantasy, the thrilling sequel to Little Thieves.
"Part heist, part adventure, with a slow-burning romance at its heart . . . a story to savor."
—Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review
"Packed with heists, gods, and monsters . . . readers will love rooting for Owen's clever antiheroine with ambition . . . Highly recommended and not to be missed."
—School Library Journal, Starred Review
"A lush and lively adventure replete with romance, revenge, and robbery."
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"A breathlessly inventive, never-a-dull-moment adventure of found family and second (or fourth or fifth) chances. If you're not careful, it'll steal your heart, too."
—Booklist, Starred Review
Margaret Owen was born and raised at the end of the Oregon Trail and has worked in everything fromthrift stores to presidential campaigns. She now spends her days writing and negotiating a long-term hostage situation with her monstrous cats. She is the author of the Merciful Crow and the Little Thieves series. In her free time, she enjoys exploring ill-advised travel destinations and raising money for social justice nonprofits through her illustrations. She resides in Seattle, Washington.
Want a signed edition of the featured book, but can't make it to the event? Order through our website or over the phone, and write your request for a signature or personalization in the comments field at checkout. Please call the hosting store if you're placing your order within 24 hours of the event.
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