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aylea's review
2.0
Thistle is about a fairy who no one thinks is particularly special. She doesn't have spectacular wings or intricate talents. As a result, she isn't chosen to join a guild and joins the servants of the fairy world. When she and some of her friends and acquaintances go explore the human factory, the aftermath
My biggest complaint about the book is the lack of explanation for things. For example, her friend Zazz clearly has some history with the other characters because of the arguments that lead to them exploring the factory. Those things are never explained, along with a full explanation of why one character's sole purpose appeared to be protecting another character. Many aspects of the world or even the main characters in a satisfactory way or even at all in some cases.
The book is supposed to be about learning your value even when other people don't see it. The main character is supposed to be shown as undervalued and have a lot of worth even though society may not see it. Unfortunately, that message isn't successful because all of the problems in the book are caused by her. She also doesn't learn to see her own value, and society at large doesn't come to truly value her. Her love interest sees her value, but that's the biggest change in her value perception.
The book was difficult to get into and had underdeveloped characters. It had some interesting concepts, such as the class system, but overall it didn't deliver.
My biggest complaint about the book is the lack of explanation for things. For example, her friend Zazz clearly has some history with the other characters because of the arguments that lead to them exploring the factory. Those things are never explained, along with a full explanation of why one character's sole purpose appeared to be protecting another character. Many aspects of the world or even the main characters in a satisfactory way or even at all in some cases.
The book is supposed to be about learning your value even when other people don't see it. The main character is supposed to be shown as undervalued and have a lot of worth even though society may not see it. Unfortunately, that message isn't successful because all of the problems in the book are caused by her. She also doesn't learn to see her own value, and society at large doesn't come to truly value her. Her love interest sees her value, but that's the biggest change in her value perception.
The book was difficult to get into and had underdeveloped characters. It had some interesting concepts, such as the class system, but overall it didn't deliver.
constantinareads's review
3.0
This book was really enjoyable. It's not very long, but it has a lot of exciting and intense moments.
The author uses lots of fancy descriptions. The main character is well-written. The setting is created nicely.
I found it very interesting and captivating from start to finish because it had many different ways the story could go.
The author uses lots of fancy descriptions. The main character is well-written. The setting is created nicely.
I found it very interesting and captivating from start to finish because it had many different ways the story could go.
thewoollygeek's review
4.0
This was such a fun fast paced read, a woman who is strong, knows her worth (even if told otherwise) and is prepared to stand up for herself and her beliefs. It’s a great look at class and the path thistle takes to learn these things. Great read hoping for more in future
kyliesbooknook's review
4.0
Thank you Rose & Pestle, Cathy Greco, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thistle is a fairy who thinks she is not special, something I think a lot of girls go through at some point in their life sadly. This book would've been really great for freshman year of college me, and I think a lot of people will find this relatable.
Going on this journey with Thistle and watching her grow was such a great journey, this was something I read in one sitting.
If you are not the biggest fan of fantasy, this is a great start. Reading about the world was very atmospheric and easy to follow. This is a shorter book, so some things of course could use more explanation but I think in the page count it was done very well.
Thistle is a fairy who thinks she is not special, something I think a lot of girls go through at some point in their life sadly. This book would've been really great for freshman year of college me, and I think a lot of people will find this relatable.
Going on this journey with Thistle and watching her grow was such a great journey, this was something I read in one sitting.
If you are not the biggest fan of fantasy, this is a great start. Reading about the world was very atmospheric and easy to follow. This is a shorter book, so some things of course could use more explanation but I think in the page count it was done very well.
jessca's review
3.0
Thistle is overall a fun read, best-suited for young teens or preteens. The trajectory of the story took me by surprise, as the majority of it takes place in or talking about a human factory rather than being focused on fairy life. I've seen some comments that the book should be longer, but I disagree with those; this is meant as a quick read and should only be written as one. It was a good length.
I was uncertain if this book is meant as just a fictional tale, or if its pointed references to human machines destroying the fairy land were intended as strikes against real humans' treatment of the earth. I mean, it very much seems like the latter, but I had gone into it not expecting any kind of lecture on human nature, so I was thrown off by that and couldn't quite come to terms with how to view it. Add in the main characters' views in the end, and the confusion left me more unsettled. I was trying to just enjoy a fun fairy story, but kept being drawn out of it by the encroaching real-world issues and trying to make sense of the narratives on offer. So this isn't a book for escapism or light fun; it's a soapbox wrapped in a covering of fairytale. Fortunately, the fairytale itself is entertaining.
The village in which Thistle grows up is interesting, and I would have liked to see more of it and have more of a feel for life there. The plot trots along at a good pace, though, carrying the characters beyond the menial life of the village, so it works that there wasn't a ton of time spent just enjoying the fairy life. The interplay of relationships was interesting, varying from close friendships to outward loathing, and there is good complexity that develops in how some of the characters relate to one another. Thatch was my favorite character.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book.
I was uncertain if this book is meant as just a fictional tale, or if its pointed references to human machines destroying the fairy land were intended as strikes against real humans' treatment of the earth. I mean, it very much seems like the latter, but I had gone into it not expecting any kind of lecture on human nature, so I was thrown off by that and couldn't quite come to terms with how to view it. Add in the main characters' views in the end, and the confusion left me more unsettled. I was trying to just enjoy a fun fairy story, but kept being drawn out of it by the encroaching real-world issues and trying to make sense of the narratives on offer. So this isn't a book for escapism or light fun; it's a soapbox wrapped in a covering of fairytale. Fortunately, the fairytale itself is entertaining.
The village in which Thistle grows up is interesting, and I would have liked to see more of it and have more of a feel for life there. The plot trots along at a good pace, though, carrying the characters beyond the menial life of the village, so it works that there wasn't a ton of time spent just enjoying the fairy life. The interplay of relationships was interesting, varying from close friendships to outward loathing, and there is good complexity that develops in how some of the characters relate to one another. Thatch was my favorite character.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book.
wildx's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was incredibly well-written for a self-published work and I really enjoyed the story, which was short and sweet but still had plenty of action and interesting characters. I couldn't tell where everything was going to lead, which kept me interested to keep reading. I would've liked to learn more about the machines though I suppose that could come out in the next book (if there is one?).
There were hardly any typos and errors throughout the first 70% of the story, but towards the end there were a fair few.
There were hardly any typos and errors throughout the first 70% of the story, but towards the end there were a fair few.
dawn_harris's review
3.0
3.25
Thistle has never been special, but that doesn't mean she will stay that way... or does it?
Thistle is an action packed romance novel that gives off strong Tinkerbell vibes. The more that I read the book the longer I wanted it to take.
I didn't think that I would be able to get into it right away since it was a little hard for me to follow but after you are introduced to everyone and things start to roll, you find out that Thistle isn't nimble and breakable but that she is a strong willed-amazing MC, I cannot wait to see what else comes out of this author..,. Hopefully another thrilling fantasy romance just like Thistle.
Thistle has never been special, but that doesn't mean she will stay that way... or does it?
Thistle is an action packed romance novel that gives off strong Tinkerbell vibes. The more that I read the book the longer I wanted it to take.
I didn't think that I would be able to get into it right away since it was a little hard for me to follow but after you are introduced to everyone and things start to roll, you find out that Thistle isn't nimble and breakable but that she is a strong willed-amazing MC, I cannot wait to see what else comes out of this author..,. Hopefully another thrilling fantasy romance just like Thistle.
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