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A review by thepetitepunk
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
3.0
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Princess Soraya has been hidden away from the rest of the world due to her terrible curse--she has a poisonous touch. While her twin brother can celebrate getting married and living a normal royal life, Soraya must stay in the shadows. But when a demon locked up in the dungeon indicates that there might be a way to break this curse, Soraya beings to understand the depths of her powers.
I thought Girl, Serpent, Thorn was a beautifully written retelling. The atmosphere was so rich and magical, plus the audiobook did wonders making the characters come to life. If you're looking for complex, morally gray characters, this one is for you.
However, especially for a fantasy book, I felt like some parts really dragged, which made this read more of a 3.5 star rating for me. The beginning was a bit slow and sometimes I would have to go back because I wasn't paying attention. I think if the story was either a bit shorter or if there was a bit more action then my attention would have been held for longer. I still think the writing was gorgeous, but sometimes all the details just weren't enough to keep me interested in the plot. I also really wanted to see more of Soraya's bisexuality explored.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn contains beautiful writing and intriguing characters but I wouldn't necessarily say it's unique. An entertaining read, but most likely won't blow you away.
Princess Soraya has been hidden away from the rest of the world due to her terrible curse--she has a poisonous touch. While her twin brother can celebrate getting married and living a normal royal life, Soraya must stay in the shadows. But when a demon locked up in the dungeon indicates that there might be a way to break this curse, Soraya beings to understand the depths of her powers.
I thought Girl, Serpent, Thorn was a beautifully written retelling. The atmosphere was so rich and magical, plus the audiobook did wonders making the characters come to life. If you're looking for complex, morally gray characters, this one is for you.
However, especially for a fantasy book, I felt like some parts really dragged, which made this read more of a 3.5 star rating for me. The beginning was a bit slow and sometimes I would have to go back because I wasn't paying attention. I think if the story was either a bit shorter or if there was a bit more action then my attention would have been held for longer. I still think the writing was gorgeous, but sometimes all the details just weren't enough to keep me interested in the plot. I also really wanted to see more of Soraya's bisexuality explored.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn contains beautiful writing and intriguing characters but I wouldn't necessarily say it's unique. An entertaining read, but most likely won't blow you away.