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jwillis81's review against another edition
2.0
While I love the imagination and world-building that went into creating this story, I was really underwhelmed by this book. I picked it up based on a synopsis that made it seem like a supernatural crime story, and found it instead to be more along the lines of a supernatural Jane Austen tale. So much time was spent discussing and fretting over proper behavior in fey "society" that the crime and other supernatural elements felt more like minor subplots. None of the characters were particularly engaging, and the fey society was so full of misogynistic old-world attitudes that it made me question why anyone would value a place or aspire to have a place in that society at all (which was a central premise of multiple storylines in the narrative).
Most frustrating of all was the fact that the main storyline just abruptly stops at the end of the book despite being unresolved. I know there are other books in the series and the main narrative is meant to carry over, but this book made it feel more like turning off a movie in the middle rather than ending a first installment and promising a continuation in the second.
Overall, I may just not be the intended audience for this book. I was expecting a fantasy crime novel and ended up reading a society drama with some fantasy elements.
Most frustrating of all was the fact that the main storyline just abruptly stops at the end of the book despite being unresolved. I know there are other books in the series and the main narrative is meant to carry over, but this book made it feel more like turning off a movie in the middle rather than ending a first installment and promising a continuation in the second.
Overall, I may just not be the intended audience for this book. I was expecting a fantasy crime novel and ended up reading a society drama with some fantasy elements.
100pagesaday's review against another edition
3.0
An alternate reality exits, mirrored cities, called the 'Nether' for Faerie families. Opposite of the Nether is the Mundane, where humans live. Cat, daughter of a powerful Faerie family in the Nether, wants desperately to live out her life in the Mundane city of Bath, rather than the rather Victorian-era mirror in the Nether, Aquae Sulis. She has succeeded in hiding in Bath for three years while going to school and even having a boyfriend by using powerful Charms. Cat's life in the Mundane comes crashing down when the head of her family finds her and lifts her Charms, saying she is needed in the Nether. Cat is carted off to the Nether by her brother. only to be forced into an arranged marriage with Will, from another powerful family and to be used by a Sorcerer to take a Charm off a human who can help figure out what has happened to her kidnapped uncle.
I don't know quite where to begin with this book. There was a lot going on and a lot of characters to keep track of, with the point of view switching from character to character. Being the first book in a series, the plot took me a little while to get into but really got me hooked about half way through when all of the different characters stories started to come together and some action started happening. Between Two Thorns also ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the main character, Cat, in quite a bind. This definitely makes me want to read the second book, Any Other Name.
I don't know quite where to begin with this book. There was a lot going on and a lot of characters to keep track of, with the point of view switching from character to character. Being the first book in a series, the plot took me a little while to get into but really got me hooked about half way through when all of the different characters stories started to come together and some action started happening. Between Two Thorns also ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the main character, Cat, in quite a bind. This definitely makes me want to read the second book, Any Other Name.
samstrong's review against another edition
4.0
Good fun with great characters and an interesting world.
I can't help but feel this is one half of a longer book.
I can't help but feel this is one half of a longer book.
blue124's review against another edition
5.0
Actual rating: 4.8
Would've been perfect if Amelia wasn't in the picture, but again, there has to be some sort of love triangle to make everything juicy. This book was quite refreshing. I just couldn't stop reading this book. I liked how the main character, Cathy, isn't falling over the pretty boys she was constantly surrounded with. Her character was realistic. Despite her rebellious attitude against the patriarchal society she was forced to live in, she knew who not to anger.
I'll admit, I expected those plot twists but I liked how the plot slowly unfolds and falls together in the end. Overall, I loved this book since it made me squeal, frustrated and feel fluffy.
Would've been perfect if Amelia wasn't in the picture, but again, there has to be some sort of love triangle to make everything juicy. This book was quite refreshing. I just couldn't stop reading this book. I liked how the main character, Cathy, isn't falling over the pretty boys she was constantly surrounded with. Her character was realistic. Despite her rebellious attitude against the patriarchal society she was forced to live in, she knew who not to anger.
I'll admit, I expected those plot twists but I liked how the plot slowly unfolds and falls together in the end. Overall, I loved this book since it made me squeal, frustrated and feel fluffy.
waclements7's review against another edition
4.0
Really good. A little hard to get into the swing of the characters and the worlds at first, but after that, awesome. I like Cathy as a character, and am so curious to find out what happens with her and Will. I love the gargoyle, and the scene with Cathy and the gargoyle. The Arbiters are a really interesting idea. The whole system is really interesting. I don’t blame Cathy for wanting to live in Mundanus!
krgreen's review against another edition
5.0
I remember seeing the gorgeous covers for this series around the net months ago, but it was a recommendation at FantasyCon14 which reminded me I'd always planned to read it.
Between Two Thorns is a unique take on the realm of urban fantasy, using mirror aspects of well-known cities to create the Nether realm. We are introduced to the three worlds by two story-lines: one of a man desperate to solve a mystery which spans the mundane and magical worlds; and that of a Nether-girl living in the mundane world, until her family drag her back home against her wishes.
The mix of mundane and magical characters continually inject humour to this story, particularly when conversing together, with each voice unique to its owner. The characters were well-rounded, with clear back-stories and differing motives.
Through them, we are introduced to three worlds: that of our mundane cities; the realm of the Fae, and the Nether between. Having read other books where faeries are ruthless, shallow people rather than pretty, sparkly creatures; the setting and characters of the Fae world felt natural to explore, adding another layer of setting to this UF world. Emma has done a fantastic job making the worlds odd and magical, yet also believable as they are somewhat familiar.
The book had a fast pace which kept me reading, and the characters continued to draw me through the story with more compelling mysteries. However, I sometimes struggled to get into the head of a new point-of-view character during switches, some aspects felt a little stilted/unrealistic (Cathy's relationship with Josh, for example, is very quick to change) and I feel the book ended a little abruptly, although the main plot point was resolved and I recognise this is a series, not a standalone.
I look forward to reading the sequel, and overall, rate this book between four and five stars.
Between Two Thorns is a unique take on the realm of urban fantasy, using mirror aspects of well-known cities to create the Nether realm. We are introduced to the three worlds by two story-lines: one of a man desperate to solve a mystery which spans the mundane and magical worlds; and that of a Nether-girl living in the mundane world, until her family drag her back home against her wishes.
The mix of mundane and magical characters continually inject humour to this story, particularly when conversing together, with each voice unique to its owner. The characters were well-rounded, with clear back-stories and differing motives.
Through them, we are introduced to three worlds: that of our mundane cities; the realm of the Fae, and the Nether between. Having read other books where faeries are ruthless, shallow people rather than pretty, sparkly creatures; the setting and characters of the Fae world felt natural to explore, adding another layer of setting to this UF world. Emma has done a fantastic job making the worlds odd and magical, yet also believable as they are somewhat familiar.
The book had a fast pace which kept me reading, and the characters continued to draw me through the story with more compelling mysteries. However, I sometimes struggled to get into the head of a new point-of-view character during switches, some aspects felt a little stilted/unrealistic (Cathy's relationship with Josh, for example, is very quick to change) and I feel the book ended a little abruptly, although the main plot point was resolved and I recognise this is a series, not a standalone.
I look forward to reading the sequel, and overall, rate this book between four and five stars.
linguana's review against another edition
4.0
Charming, fun, great characters and evil fairies. What more do you want?
Here's my full review.
Here's my full review.
_surri_'s review against another edition
4.0
Well, that was wonderfully interesting! I feel horrible for some of these characters. Poor things are just stuck in terrible situations. Wonderful resolution to the story, though, and I will definitely be looking for the other stories.
tehani's review against another edition
3.0
This was a funny sort of book. A definite 3.5 stars if they were permitted, because it was certainly readable, but it took me a very long time to feel any sort of investment in the story. I really think it is a set up book (and certainly the ending leaves me feeling that too). I liked the characters, and it's solidly written, but I had a lot of trouble engaging with it. Really can't put my finger on why! And having said that, I'm still interested in reading the next book, and will check out the author's short story series set in the world.