Painted devils
(Book)

"Little thieves series."--Back of jacket.

"This story contains the following potential triggers: verbal and physical abuse, abandonment, anxiety and panic attacks, blood and gore, mention of animal death (off-page), misuse of animal carcass, cults, mention of death of a parent (off-page), body image issues, and sexual situations." -- title page verso.

"Author's note: This is a story about many things, but especially, love. There are discussions of physical intimacy, abusive environments, and the road to loving yourself when you have spent so long walking a path of thorns. I can't say if this will bring comfort, only that it is brought with care. In the end, this is a story of love—so above all, care for yourself." -- from book

"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 Owens 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 shes 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"-- Provided by publisher.