Margaret Owen’s Little Thieves takes the bones of The Goose Girl and rebuilds them into something clever, propulsive, and emotionally rich. This is a Germanic flavored fantasy with the pulse of a caper and the bite of a character study, anchored by one of the most delightfully underhanded heroines in recent YA: Vanja Schmidt.
What it is about
Vanja was abandoned by her mother and raised by the gods of Death and Fortune. Instead of binding herself to either deity for eternity, she steals a different fate. She uses an enchanted pearl necklace to impersonate Princess Gisele, lives among nobles, and funds her escape by moonlighting as an elite thief. Her run of luck breaks when a Low God curses her for greed. Gemstone spreads across her skin like a clock. She has two weeks to make amends, outwit a sinister fiancé, dodge a relentless junior prefect, and survive a feral half god guardian who is not exactly house trained.
Why it works
- A true anti-heroine. Vanja is selfish, bruised, and brilliant. She lies, steals, and still makes you root for her as she claws toward a life that is actually hers. The voice is razor clean and laugh out loud snarky, with real ache under the jokes.
- Heist energy meets fairy tale logic. Owen stitches riddles, scams, and courtly maneuvering into a plot that keeps turning the lock just as you think you have it open. The curse adds a ticking-clock urgency that never feels gimmicky.
- A standout ensemble. From a chaos gremlin half god who steals scenes to a principled young detective who becomes more than a foil, the side characters are vivid and funny. The found family vibes land without turning saccharine.
- Thematic depth. Power, class, and consent run through every choice. Owen challenges the old fairy tale morals that equate goodness with obedience. Vanja’s arc asks what restitution looks like for real harm and what it costs to choose yourself.
How it reads
The worldbuilding leans Germanic in names, folklore nods, and textures, which gives the magic system and pantheon a fresh snap. The narrative is intercut with seven folkloric Tales that deepen backstory and raise the emotional stakes. Pacing is brisk in the first half, then slows as clues and consequences stack up. It still lands its big reveals and earns the final turn toward grace.
Content notes
Violence, abusive relationships, attempted sexual assault, religious and class based cruelty. The handling is purposeful rather than gratuitous.
Who will love it
Readers who crave heist fantasy with teeth, fans of morally gray heroines who actually change, anyone who likes their fairy tale retellings to argue with the original while honoring its bones. Put it next to Six of Crows, The Goose Girl retellings you actually remember, and sharp YA that respects its audience.
Verdict
Glittering, gallows funny, and unexpectedly tender. Little Thieves is a gem cut with intent, and Vanja is the kind of thief who steals your sympathy and refuses to give it back.
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