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bishopbox's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I thought this was a great book!! It was well written and I gave very little to complain about! Sadly, I’m not a fantasy person, and this book did not change that for me. But! That is not the fault of the book, so I feel it’s unfair for me to rate it.
If you like fantasy, royal drama, found family, and talking horses, this is a great read!
If you like fantasy, royal drama, found family, and talking horses, this is a great read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Medical content, Bullying, Violence, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Rape, Blood, and Confinement
jennajlh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is a deeply captivating book that examines what is family, justice, and identity, all wrapped in a wonderful fantasy world, rich characters, and a sweet romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical content, Animal cruelty, Death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Rape, Trafficking, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Excrement, Gaslighting, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
dorset_daisy's review against another edition
adventurous
4.25
Though I didn't always understand what was happening, especially in terms of the curses and consequences - I always enjoyed the book and read it through quickly. I felt very engaged in story, and also felt for Alyrra.
It's also only after finishing the book, I realised that it was based on a Grimm story.
It's also only after finishing the book, I realised that it was based on a Grimm story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Domestic abuse
Minor: Physical abuse
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! I became completely invested in the story and the characters, the political games and things! I am really excited to read the next books!
The only reason I couldn't give this 5 stars is it dragged just a bit in the middle - I think some things could maybe have been taken out - and there could have been just a little more development for Kestrin and Thorn. But overall, a really good read!!
The only reason I couldn't give this 5 stars is it dragged just a bit in the middle - I think some things could maybe have been taken out - and there could have been just a little more development for Kestrin and Thorn. But overall, a really good read!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Torture, Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Stalking
For stalking - a character continually comes after another character. It's a form of it but maybe not in the common use of the word...natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Violence, Animal death, and Sexual assault
Minor: Trafficking, Rape, and Slavery
felinedevil's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
teri_b's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved following this story unfold, listening to the audiobook from my local library. I got to discover a new world and the story of the possibility of a better life for Princess Alyrra.
Loved the worldbuilding and also the character development of the female main character as she is all of a sudden on her own and can make her own choices.
Considering where she is coming from, her family does not think much of her, I really loved her story ark.
On the whole this is rather a dark book, touching down on some rather difficult topics. Some of them I have not yet encountered in my YA readings over the last couple of years and I think the author does a really good job to discuss them through the story she tells.
Really, really worthwhile to read.
And then there is the short story at the end of this book.
And I just wished I could get more from this story as that was just fabulous story telling weaving fairy tales, the fae and a disabled main character together into a story that feels very, very strong and exciting. And I just wanted more.
Loved the worldbuilding and also the character development of the female main character as she is all of a sudden on her own and can make her own choices.
Considering where she is coming from, her family does not think much of her, I really loved her story ark.
On the whole this is rather a dark book, touching down on some rather difficult topics. Some of them I have not yet encountered in my YA readings over the last couple of years and I think the author does a really good job to discuss them through the story she tells.
Really, really worthwhile to read.
And then there is the short story at the end of this book.
And I just wished I could get more from this story as that was just fabulous story telling weaving fairy tales, the fae and a disabled main character together into a story that feels very, very strong and exciting. And I just wanted more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Death, Murder, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse
mftraveller3500's review against another edition
Hmmmm I was looking for something a little bit more upbeat and less slow - also it was kinda hard to get thru
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
mynotsolittlelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Trafficking, Sexual violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Classism, Blood, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Body shaming, Abandonment, and Violence
jemofabook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating: Enjoyed It, 3.5 stars, rounded to 4
Thorn is a retelling of the Brothers' Grimm Goose Girl tale. I have read Goose Girl and several Goose Girl retellings/novels, but not since I was a child, and I don't remember much about the tale. From what I gathered from talking with my sister and looking up the original tale, this is a pretty close retelling in some aspects, but it also really makes the story it's own and introduces uncertainty. However, this book has AAAALLLLL the trigger warnings, and I was shocked at how dark it was, so I definitely suggest that you look into that before checking it out. It definitely leans toward the older end of YA, both in content and themes.
Alyrra is a princess in a small, unimportant land, where she just wishes to be forgotten. Her mother sees her as rather useless as far as politics go, and her brother is cruel and abusive to her. The king of Menaiya comes to secure a marriage between Alyrra and his son, Kestrin. However, on the journey to her new home, a sorceress switches Alyrra with her lady companion, Valka in exchange for a betrayal of the prince. Alyrra settles into her new life as Thorn, the Goose Girl, and begins to build a home for herself.
Ultimately this is not really a romance, but it is a story about a kind princess finding her place in the world, recognizing the injustice that permeates it, and doing her very best to change it when she can. Alyrra/Thorn is a very quiet heroine. She doesn't have any wish to return to the intrigue of the palace, but Valka won't forget her and how she could upset her current standing in the court. However, she is kind, and she has a good heart, and I appreciated seeing how that was able to guide her towards making an impact on the people around her and the world in general, even if it felt fairly small at the time.
Menaiya is a place where people go missing, especially children, and young women. There are things like human trafficking, animal death, assault, and other horrors that Alyrra witnesses and experiences in her time as the Goose Girl. Alyrra/Thorn faces a lot of difficult choices. In addition to the darkness, there is also magic, Falada, a mythical horse that is able to communicate with humans, mages, and fae.
I'd say that until the switch happens, I wasn't super interested in the book and almost DNFd it. Then once she was the Goose Girl, I enjoyed it a lot more. Towards the end when it got into some of the more philosophical questions and discussions came up like true justice versus performative justice, and the injustices that the underprivileged in society face when they are seeking justice, defense, and safety, I was definitely intrigued. Overall, though, the relationships were not super well-fleshed out, and while I enjoyed the side characters, I wasn't invested in Alyrra's relationships with anyone, really.
All that being said, I liked Alyrra/Thorn a lot as the MC. I enjoyed a lot of the side characters, even though I wasn't invested in them. I am especially interested in Red Hawk and his storyline/role. I enjoyed this story and am interested to see what else happens in this story. I will certainly continue reading the series.
Thorn is a retelling of the Brothers' Grimm Goose Girl tale. I have read Goose Girl and several Goose Girl retellings/novels, but not since I was a child, and I don't remember much about the tale. From what I gathered from talking with my sister and looking up the original tale, this is a pretty close retelling in some aspects, but it also really makes the story it's own and introduces uncertainty. However, this book has AAAALLLLL the trigger warnings, and I was shocked at how dark it was, so I definitely suggest that you look into that before checking it out. It definitely leans toward the older end of YA, both in content and themes.
Alyrra is a princess in a small, unimportant land, where she just wishes to be forgotten. Her mother sees her as rather useless as far as politics go, and her brother is cruel and abusive to her. The king of Menaiya comes to secure a marriage between Alyrra and his son, Kestrin. However, on the journey to her new home, a sorceress switches Alyrra with her lady companion, Valka in exchange for a betrayal of the prince. Alyrra settles into her new life as Thorn, the Goose Girl, and begins to build a home for herself.
Ultimately this is not really a romance, but it is a story about a kind princess finding her place in the world, recognizing the injustice that permeates it, and doing her very best to change it when she can. Alyrra/Thorn is a very quiet heroine. She doesn't have any wish to return to the intrigue of the palace, but Valka won't forget her and how she could upset her current standing in the court. However, she is kind, and she has a good heart, and I appreciated seeing how that was able to guide her towards making an impact on the people around her and the world in general, even if it felt fairly small at the time.
Menaiya is a place where people go missing, especially children, and young women. There are things like human trafficking, animal death, assault, and other horrors that Alyrra witnesses and experiences in her time as the Goose Girl. Alyrra/Thorn faces a lot of difficult choices. In addition to the darkness, there is also magic, Falada, a mythical horse that is able to communicate with humans, mages, and fae.
I'd say that until the switch happens, I wasn't super interested in the book and almost DNFd it. Then once she was the Goose Girl, I enjoyed it a lot more. Towards the end when it got into some of the more philosophical questions and discussions came up like true justice versus performative justice, and the injustices that the underprivileged in society face when they are seeking justice, defense, and safety, I was definitely intrigued. Overall, though, the relationships were not super well-fleshed out, and while I enjoyed the side characters, I wasn't invested in Alyrra's relationships with anyone, really.
All that being said, I liked Alyrra/Thorn a lot as the MC. I enjoyed a lot of the side characters, even though I wasn't invested in them. I am especially interested in Red Hawk and his storyline/role. I enjoyed this story and am interested to see what else happens in this story. I will certainly continue reading the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Animal death
Minor: Death of parent