Relic of Thieves

The Underwild #2

by Shana Targosz

For the first printing only! This hardcover features sprayed edges while the special edition supply lasts.

An ordinary girl’s longing to return to the way things were sets off a chain of events that lands her and her best friend in the Underwild in this second book in the New York Times bestselling middle grade fantasy series The Underwild—perfect for fans of Greenwild and Rick Riordan.

The best ways Anya knows how to cope with the struggles life throws her way is to keep her head down, stay invisible, and stick close to her best friend, Lizzie. Lizzie has been Anya’s rock since second grade. Together, they pretend the world away. But when Lizzie moves out of state, Anya is left adrift and desperately lonely.

One day, Anya follows a strange girl home from school and is shocked to see her go into the home of the woman who everyone in town swears is a witch. As Anya spies on the pair, she realizes the woman really does have magic—including a set of magical keys that can deliver you anywhere you want to go…keys that could reunite Anya with Lizzie. Anya has seen all she needs to; as soon as she has the chance, she steals the keys.

But magic always has a price. The keys do bring Anya to Lizzie, but then the girls are transported to the dark and chaotic world of the Underwild. Before long, Lizzie is snatched away by a terrible creature! Now wracked with guilt and paralyzed by fear, Anya has no choice but to trust the girl from school, Senka, when she unexpectedly shows up and offers to help. But can Anya find the bravery locked away deep inside herself in time to rescue her friend?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Greek Mythology, Fiction, Childrens

464 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2026

About the author

Shana Targosz is the New York Times bestselling author of the Underwild series. She writes about magical girls, budding friendships, ghosts who may or may not be friendly, and fiercely held hope. Shana is an Oregon Literary Arts Fellow and the 2021 recipient of the Edna L. Holmes Fellowship for Young Readers. When not writing or reading through a stack of books, she spends her time playing Zelda with her son, designing solo journaling games, walking her domesticated monster disguised as a Labradoodle, and dreaming up different worlds.

Reviews

[Gosia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fantasy story swept me into the magical world of the Underworld.

Anya’s best friend Lizzie moves to California, and Anya misses her deeply. After following a mysterious girl named Senka, she overhears talk of magical keys and steals them, only to be transported straight to Lizzie’s house. When the girls use the keys again, something goes wrong. They’re separated, and Anya ends up in the dark, dangerous Underworld. Senka follows her, and together they search for Lizzie while escaping beasts, Furries, and countless threats across shifting realms.

This is a middle grade story, and it’s very absorbing with all its creatures and magic. There are the Mormo, who forget everything after a few days, so they write everything down to keep their memories from disappearing. You’ll also meet dragons, giant ravens, hippocampi with mermaid‑like tails, three‑headed dogs, and all kinds of mythological creatures and gods.

It’s a fast‑paced, interesting, and engaging story, very adventurous too. I don’t remember reading another book that introduces so many different fantasy places and creatures. Every chapter takes the reader on a new adventure into a different part of the Underworld, a place where no mortals exist.

[✧~Ellery~✧ {currently being shaped by jesus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, my first attempt at a cutesy, actually-helpful review.
*deep breath*
This book is an amazing sequel to River of Spirits. I actually had the opportunity to hear the author speak and attend the book release with my novel writing class, which was really fun. Anyway, here goes:

“You don't get to shape how others see me.”

Mood: 🗝️🔮❤️‍🩹🌙🫶🥹☔️🪷

⤳Characters: 4/5
⤳Plot: 5/5
⤳Theme: 5/5
⤳Cover: 5/5
⤳Content: 2/5
⤳Everything Else: 4/5

Characters

✩Anja✩
I loved her so much omgggg
She is so timid and broken in the beginning, struggling through a very tough life at home. Her character arc is amazing how she changes to such a bold, brave girl!
Mostly just wanted to give her a giant hug the whole time, 'cause boy did she need one!

✶Senka✶
Guess who's back?!
She has grown so much and is just who Anja needs! Although she's kind of annoyed with poor Anja at first, that changes. She's just so...spunky!

✼Hades✼
Even though Hades is usually pictured as creepy and mean, here he is so sweet and nice! I loved him

⭐︎Em⭐︎
Loved her reappearance too!! Little fox-child

ALL THE OTHER CHARACTERS:
Meh. Not worth mentioning...

Plot

Ohh yes, this was such an interesting spin on Greek mythology! I loved every aspect of it, and I'm trying not to give TOO many spoilers, but basically Anja is missing her bestie so she steals some magic keys that take her on a dangerous journey around the realms. If you wanna know more, read the book😉

Theme

Friendship, once again. And rising above the bullies of the world. Honestly, such a powerful message shared in a powerful way!

Cover

Because it's important!! The cover is so beautiful 😍

Content

Spice: 0/5 (it's not a romance book!)
Violence: 2/5 (y'know, it's Greek mythology, automatically there's gonna be a little bit of gory stuff. Lower your standards!)
Religion: 0/5 (No religion except the Greek myths ofc, but I wouldn't count that)
Other: Lizzie's parents are divorced, Anja's brother bullies her, two characters go by they/them pronouns

What I loved: The character arcs, the powerful message (Shana is a genius!)
What I didn't love: No offense to people, but Di and Em's pronouns made things confusing sometimes
Overall vibe: Deep...

I'd recommend to mythology lovers who aren't picky about how mythological characters are portrayed. (aka: Riordanverse fans be warned!) Actually, I'd recommend to everyone!!

Thx for reading! Have a good day!!
Hope I did a good job! 😂😅

[Anastasia ｼ]

Thank you for the ARC, Simon Schuster!!
The cover is gorgeous, and I can't wait to read this!!
✦•······················•✦•······················•✦
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥Mythology
❥Witches
❥Journey to the Underworld
❥A beast on the hunt
❥Magical key that can take you anywhere
❥A girl going to the ends of the world for her one person
❥Giant messenger ravens (& their queen)

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of adventure packs these pages, while friendship glistens and shines.

Anya spends most of her life trying to keep everything in her life quiet. Her brother makes sure to dominate and not in the nicest way. The only light Anya sees in her life is her best friend, Lizzie, but she suddenly moves away and leaves Anya alone. Things take a strange turn as a new girl appears in school, and Anya accidentally discovers that the girl lives at the neighborhood's witch's house (or so Lizzie and Anya named the woman). While ease-dropping near the house's window, Anya hears that the witch is real, and she has magical keys, which take the user anywhere they want to go. Determined to see Lizzie again, Anya steals the keys...and they work. While she can't believe she gets to see her best friend again, the joy is short lived. Unknowingly, Anya has broken the laws of the Greek gods and is now being hunted down by the most terrible beasts to pay the price...which will be her life.

While this tale is on the longer end...and the 400+ length for middle grade makes me swallow..., the story is worth the deep dive for those who take in on. Anya is a fun character to follow and adore. She makes mistakes but does the best she can in a very tough situation. After all, being thrust into the world of Greek mythology when it shouldn't even exist and being immediately marked as a massive criminal isn't an easy spot to be in. Anya's problems balancing her fears and emotions give her a realistic touch and make her easy to root for. She has a heart of gold when it comes to her friends, and her despair at losing Lizzie to the beasts adds grabbing edge. There's the developing friendship with the new girl, which inserts needed hope and light.

To say that there are many tense, action-packed scenes is an understatement. There are plenty to keep the pages turning, but there are also many moments where things slow down a small notch, too. Anya has a lot to learn and meets many characters. The Greek mythology flows in seamlessly and even those readers, who aren't mythology gurus, will have no trouble sinking in. Of course, knowers gain a little more food-for-thought thanks to some unexpected twists. Some of the most dangerous Greek personalities held a bit of a surprise and offer more assistance than a reader might first think. Others remained true to themselves. There's also an interesting bend in the Persephone end. So, there are unique aspects to keep the mythology feeling fresh and not repetitive.

This is the second book in the series, but it reads fine as a stand-alone...although reading the first would offer a little more insight on some aspects. This second tale is as grabbing (if not more so) than the first and offers a rich, enjoyable world for fantasy and adventure fans alike.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What worked:
Anya has emotional concerns that sometimes overwhelm her. She’s tormented by her parents and older brother, which is more than sibling rivalry. He thinks life was better before Anya joined the family, and she frequently suffers his threats and physical abuse. Anya also suffers from panic attacks and finds her best defense is to avoid any attention. Lizzie is her best friend and understands most of Anya’s problems. Lizzie knows how to calm Anya’s emotions, but Lizzie is still not fully aware of her best friend’s home situation. Despite her self-doubts, Anya undergoes a dramatic transformation, always wanting to assist anyone in need. She must battle self-doubt and low self-esteem to discover the power she holds.
Using the magical keys incorrectly sets off unseen alarms, and the three mythical furies are sent to track down Anya. These creatures are relentless and won’t stop until they find her, and they aren’t averse to using violence during their pursuit. This creates perpetual danger for Anya and constant suspense for readers. Other characters are more sympathetic to Anya’s plight, and Senka becomes an invaluable new friend. Different characters from Greek mythology are part of the story, including Dionysus, Ariadne, and Charon, and Zeus is the unforgiving, powerful ruler of everything godly. Dionysus and Ariadne don’t agree with Zeus’s overbearing, intolerant position, and they set Anya a quest. Her ultimate goal is to find three mythological witches who might provide an answer to her predicament.
An interesting twist to the story comes from a creative retelling of Persephone’s myth. The myth said Persephone ate six pomegranate seeds while in Hades. Consequently, she’s forced to spend six months in Hades, creating fall and winter, while spring and summer arise when she returns to her mother, Demeter, for the rest of the year. However, the author changes the relationship between Hades and Persephone into a tragic love story. Persephone’s story involves the magical keys and the curse that Zeus places upon them. This curse explains Anya’s ill-fortune, but other characters she meets aren’t happy with Zeus’s bullying and strict punishments. This results in Anya encountering many unexpected allies, especially when they’re most needed.
What didn’t work as well:
This is a long story that requires endurance. However, it’s worth the effort and ends with a surprising, satisfying trial.
The final verdict:
This book can be read independently, though the first book will provide more backstory about Senka and the Underwild. Young readers will enjoy Anya’s loyalty to others and cheer for her to overcome her insecurities. I highly recommend you read this book yourself!

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed River of Spirits, and I always fear that when I really like the first book in a series that the sequel(s) aren't going to live up to it. This one didnt have that problem, I felt it was a great sequel and enjoyed it just as much as the first one. There was adventure and love and I really enjoyed seeing some of the same characters and being taken back to some of the same places. I felt that Anya could have been a little bit quieter, in that it was brought up a lot how abusive her home is, and I felt that it could have been brought up less while still getting the point across. Everyone's world of the Greek gods is a little bit different, people have different views and beliefs about how the gods were, and I really enjoyed the portrayal of the characters in here. She was able to find a family in an unexpected place, and I hope that in the future shes able to return there, visit the people who believed in her and helped her survive, and I feel change ghe Underworld as they know it. While I felt that the bad home aspect didn't need to be repeated as much as it was, I did enjoy Anya's character growth. She was able to come into herself, come to believe in herself, realize that shes stronger than she ever thought she could be, and also realize that she can live without Lizzie and be okay. Even reading this as a 33 year old there are feel good lessons to be gleaned, and I feel like its a good book for younger readers, and a great foray into fantasy. The action isn't overwhelming, the fighting and violence isn't too much, and I feel like a lot of younger readers will be able to find themselves in Anya. There also wasn't any romance, lending even more to it being a good read for younger audiences (although I definitely saw some sapphic undertones in River of Spirits, and in this one when Senka talks about Poppy).

[ᴄᴀᴛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ ┆ I was scared going into this one, because it had been a long time since I read book one and I didn't entirely remember everything that happened in it. Thankfully, while this is book 2 in the series, you can read it as a standalone. Though there are mentions of what happened in book 1, so it is better to read that one first I'd say.

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
This is a middle grade, fantasy book with plenty of Greek Mythology and I enjoyed so much of it.

Anya was such an amazing main character and I truly felt for her and what she was going through. She also had some wonderful character growth, which was much needed for her because of what she went through.
I also loved Senka in book one, so her being such a big part of this book too was wonderful.

There are multiple Greek Gods & Goddesses present in this story helping out main characters out as they're on their journey.
This in a way, is also a Hades and Persephone retelling, which I love. We get a new story and this author's view on how it goes in a way.
A favorite part of mine from this book is when Anya and Senka were at Hephaestus' place and he helps Anya out, even when she thinks she doesn't deserve it or that he's going to change his mind completely about her.

There's also a puppy sidekick, Berus, what's not to love??

𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
This is such a great book for both younger and older readers. And I would absolutely recommend it to readers who enjoy Percy Jackson and Greek Mythology books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to have an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Ebook - 4☆

[Paige (pagebypaigebooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The bond of friendship can be stronger than any other.”

I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

Instagram Post

Blog Post

Content Warnings: domestic abuse, panic attacks, anxiety

I had so much fun reading this book! While it is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone! I loved the take on Greek mythology. It featured so many different myths, gods, and goddesses, both well-known and lesser-known. It overall felt very unique from other Greek mythology retellings I've read before! The world-building was very well done, and I could easily immerse myself in the world with Anya. I would love to visit the Underwild with her and Senka! The characters were one of my favourite aspects of Relic of Thieves. They were so realistic and lifelike! Each of them had their own personalities and motivations, but also fears and worries, making them so relatable. Anya had a lot of character growth, and I was so proud of her! The main focus on friendships and on learning to rely on and trust others was amazing to read. Anya's story is inspiring to both young and older readers alike. It teaches us that no matter our life experiences or hardships, we can take charge of our own destiny. I would definitely recommend this to fans of Percy Jackson and Greek mythology stories! I'm very excited for the next book in the series!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book so I was excited to travel back to the Underwild in this sequel, especially with the return of Senka! Incorporating Greek mythology, this story is magical and perfect for fans of Percy Jackson.

Anya is joined by her classmate Senka on her journey into the Underwild, and together they must take on high stakes quests and face mythological figures, magical creatures, and even Greek gods to save Lizzie. The story quickly jumps into the action and is full of adventure and fast paced. I loved that we get to revisit some characters from the first book but also explore new places and and meet new faces. Even what is familiar to the reader from the previous book still has a sense of novelty as we view it fresh through Anya's eyes.

There are some heavy themes in this book; Anya lives with negligent parents and an abusive brother, and often feels like she is a burden, making her reluctant to reach out for support. Throughout the story, the quests help Anya work through her fear of being abandoned and rejected, allowing her to ultimately learn to confide in others and ask for help. She also discovers the concept of chosen family, recognizing that family is the people who care about you and not necessarily blood relatives. I loved Anya and her friendship with Senka was heart-warming!

This was a wonderful sequel and I'm excited to read more by this author.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever been tempted to re-write the Greek myths? Or wanted to know more about the backstory and complexities between the gods, mortals and their relationships? The Underwild series does so, for a middle grade audience, with a greater emphasis on the human relationships, the rules of society (even a mythological one) and the power of friendship to overcome even the scariest of mythological creatures and difficult human circumstances. Set in the same fantastical, rich and immersive world as the first book, the Relic of Thieves follows Anya, a shy, anxious tween whose best friend moves away. Distraught, Anya tries to use a set of magic keys to visit her friend, unwittingly breaking the rules set by the gods. Anya has to brave her fears to save her friend, and possibly make some new friends and discover her own inner strength along the way. Readers will cheer Anya on, sympathize with her difficult circumstances and be delighted to meet some familiar faces from the previous book along the way. Even as someone who didn’t read the first book, I could follow the compelling plot and especially loved the retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth (one of my favorites!). Thanks to the publisher, @simonkids for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series by @shanatargosz

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anya is used to staying invisible at Mountain Heights Middle School in Portland, Oregon but today invisibility is the least of her problems. Her best friend Lizzie has moved away, she has stolen a set of magic keys and a massive beast of darkness is in hot pursuit, determined to drag her down to the underworld. The only good thing is Senka, Chiron’s apprentice, who races alongside her as their time and options to elude the beast rapidly dwindle. Readers will sympathize with Anya, whose hostile home environment and fierce loyalty to her best friend create a compelling protagonist.  Targosz’s richly detailed portrayal of Greek gods, their realms as well as inhabitants, breathes new life into the mythological tale while the humanized depictions of the gods will delight fans of the genre. Hard to put down, readers will get caught up in the collision of ancient myth and middle school life. The Laws of the Relics, along with the consequences for breaking them, are clearly displayed at the front of the book. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Hannah Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic sequel! When I won the Advanced Reader Copy of this book, I was able to check out the audiobook of the first book from my local library (it was fantastic btw).
I think this series is perfect to read with your child, great for young teens to read alone, and wonderful for older teens (and even adults) that love magical/mythological stories to pick up.
I actually read it all in one sitting over a few hours, but it’s a fun story that can easily be read a chapter a day. I don’t expect most people to read all 400+ pages in one day. I’m sure it will also be amazing on audio (based on how great the first book was on audio) which would be a fun option for a roadtrip.
It’s full of humor, problem solving, and even life lessons. Highly recommend.
I am honored to have been selected to read it before release day. :)

[Sarah Butland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Simon and Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review.

Not my typical read, I was hesitant to get started, but once I did I was absolutely addicted.

Anya, the main character, is completely relatable as a young girl feeling lost, trapped and curious. A storyteller herself, she finds her courage to explore after the heartbreaking news of her best, and only, friend moving away.

This is an adventurous tale of courage, friendship, exploration and gods. With many life lessons sprinkled throughout, the fast-paced story is written vividly and brilliantly to pull any curious reader into a spellbinding journey.

[LizNReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a children fantasy book taking place in a magical realm with Greek Mythology.
This book is about a young girl whom, after finding out her one and only friend is moving away, breaks the rules just to get her back, not knowing all the danger she exposes, not only for herself but also for her friend. A Great story that talks about learning to trust others, the importance of believing in yourself & the good that comes with having a great self-esteem.

Thank you GoodReads, Aladdin, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, NetGalley, & Shana Targosz for the ARC.

[Julia Pika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit I don't like this one as much as I love the first one. It's still solid, but I just really missed Senka as a protagonist.

Another very enjoyable story merging modern times with Greek Myths! I especially like how Targosz merged Anya's struggles with Greek Myths. It was very sweet to see how her internal dialogue worked well with mythological figures--no spoilers as to who though!

I feel so bad for Lizzie, lol, girl was forced to move and immediately got sent to the Underworld 5 seconds later...she definitely didn't deserve all that trouble!

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was exciting and fun, I read it not long after I received it and yes, it's a YA fantasy but I enjoyed it.. so I think it's great for it's target audience and older if you enjoy action packed fantasy books! I enjoyed most of the characters ..aside from Anya’s family which I didn't care for, for obvious reasons.. I also enjoyed Anya’s character development from a girl who wasn't so sure of herself to being brave and courageous.

[Marcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was beautiful, heartwarming, and packed with lots of love & adventures. Anya is overcoming her trauma, Senka is having the utmost adventure, Lizzie is just a baby, and Berus needs lots of hugs & kisses. Love Hades too! And Vrinda! Everyone in this book except probably Zeus, trial judges, and the furies.
LOVE THIS BOOK SM

[Clara Lash · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Underwild sequel has been so amazing! This is a wonderful series to read even as an adult. Anya is such a well written character, with all of the themes she (and a lot of people in real life) has to deal with in her life.

[Deb]

it was definitely an exciting book!! I think there should be a series going on!!!

[Mary Tharp · Rating 3 out of 5]

My granddaughter really enjoyed this magical story.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway. I will read and review at another time.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

💖💖💖💖

[Mary]

The book was depressing, and I didn't like the MC. She was too needy.