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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
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, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse
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, Physical abuse
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Violence, Abandonment
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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: Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny
Minor: Rape
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Confinement, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Death of parent
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, Murder
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Murder
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I generally enjoyed this, and mostly liked the main character. The pace is reasonable, although the first half of the book can, at times, feel like it's going in circles. There is some stronger plot and character development in the second half, and most of the message of the book is to treat others well, which is always a positive. I suspect it'll prove fairly forgettable, but I liked it whilst reading it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence
Minor: Rape