Thorn was provided to me thanks to
NetGalley for an honest review. I have a
ton of books on my TBR list and have been requesting only ones I really want to
read from them right now until I get somewhat caught up but this cover caught
my eye. It was so simple and beautiful
that I had to know more. The concept was
compelling and I wanted it. I want to
know more and I was NOT disappointed. Thorn came out May 30th and
is available for your reading pleasure.
The
story follows that of Princess Alyrra who has never been one to bask in the
power of her position because her family are cruel and she would rather spend
her time helping out in their small kingdom rather than playing political
intrigue. She is then betrothed to the
Prince of a powerful kingdom, an engagement that makes no sense to her and
leaves her without much hope for things to improve. During the journey to meet her husband to be
Alyrra is betrayed and during the magical attack her identity is swapped with
that of another. This would terrify most
but this attack gives Alyrra the first choice she’s ever had: start a new life
for herself or fight for her name/body and a Prince/Kingdom she’s never
met. Arriving at her destination in a
different position than she ever could have expected Alyrra finds that Prince
Kestrin is not what she pictures. Alyrra
but decide if standing up and fighting for her place, save Kestrin, is worth
her life.
Intriguing
right? The story moved along pretty
quickly for me and from the start I felt for Alyrra. Her family sucks frankly. I wanted to step into the book and beat some
sense into this crazy family. But it’s
not all bad she does have people she cares for and care for her and that helped
solidify my affection for the princess.
The betrothal is a chance at the unknown and not really a choice. Getting to know the different characters
through Alyrra’s prospective was great.
Seeing how people reacted to her as a Princess and then as someone much
lower and how status really does change attitudes.
The
cast of characters grows with both enemies and friends making a diverse
cast. Even the villain of the story had
depth and dimension to her. The way that
magic fills the story but still has a completely normal and un-magical aspect
as well. It’s fantastical but also
enough is given to make it believable.
Even the most unbelievable, the talking horse! One of my favorite things in the story was
that it made sense and actions had consequences. Like you get hurt one day the next you are
sore/hurt and it effects things you do.
Sometimes I find in books someone is injured or something happens and
then next it’s like it never happened and coming from someone who has injured
themselves on a regular basis it hurts and it colors my
work/attitude/everything. Also as she
becomes a goose girl and has to tend to those evil demon spawn I was immediately
in fear of her life, but that may just be me being deathly afraid of chicken,
geese, and other feathered creatures.
Just saying that would have made my decision in her spot instantly!
The
way that Alyrra adapts to a completely different life and circumstance and makes
the best of it just makes you love her all the more. The people she befriends, the deals she
makes, and choices she makes just left me wanting to follow along. I was able to see much of myself in her and
she is someone you can respect. It also touches on the divide between the royal
and rich and those of much lesser means and what that means for them. Seeing Alyrra have a firsthand experience
from princess to goose girl is pretty drastic for sure. She handled it, just like the poor have to
handle things for themselves.
Everything
in the story just flowed and made sense. Including the
conclusion, which I won’t spoil, but I liked how it wrapped up. There is a good twist there and the
refreshing ending. Since reading it I
have discovered it is a retelling of a fairy tale “Goose Girl” which I had
never heard of before but now might check out.
I really enjoyed Thorn by
Intisar Khanani and rate it 5 Stars. It
is already out so if this sounds up your alley, the good book alley, then give
it a read. Until next time…read on!
Rating: 5
Stars
