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trou6le's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
madisontweedy's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly really disappointing. I thought that when it picked up in the middle it would stay good and it literally took me on a rollercoaster ride of boring to awesome to making me want to chuck it out the window because it was so bad at the end.
valent1ne's review against another edition
started reading this bc i needed something mind numbing for a while . no longer need that and i am not enjoying this at all đź‘Ť
heyitsmetris13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
emmaj_xo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This was an enjoyable, quick read but the strengths of the book lied in the mundane. Simply put - the historical elements and characterisation were a strong highlight, though some of the dialogue read a little clumsy to me at times.
I did enjoy the dedication to weave in creatures from Scottish folklore, though some were woven into the plot better than others. Others were mentioned in passing but didn’t have any particular role in the story so their inclusion felt a little cluttered.
When I picked up this book, the blurb and quotes from reviews seemed to indicate there would be a Romance plot, but that seems to be lacking. There is certainly mention of past loves, and sentiments are expressed or thought - but a love story doesn’t develop. I would avoid if that’s what piqued your interest in this book. In fact, without giving too much away, I was glad the Romance I thought was being hinted at didn’t happen because it made me feel uneasy. In the end that worked for the direction of the story, but it would have been disappointing if it’s what I had been seeking.
Overall, an enjoyable historical fantasy steeped in Scottish Fairy Folkore, though it perhaps fell too short in a few of areas for my tastes.
I did enjoy the dedication to weave in creatures from Scottish folklore, though some were woven into the plot better than others. Others were mentioned in passing but didn’t have any particular role in the story so their inclusion felt a little cluttered.
When I picked up this book, the blurb and quotes from reviews seemed to indicate there would be a Romance plot, but that seems to be lacking. There is certainly mention of past loves, and sentiments are expressed or thought - but a love story doesn’t develop. I would avoid if that’s what piqued your interest in this book. In fact, without giving too much away, I was glad the Romance I thought was being hinted at didn’t happen because it made me feel uneasy. In the end that worked for the direction of the story, but it would have been disappointing if it’s what I had been seeking.
Overall, an enjoyable historical fantasy steeped in Scottish Fairy Folkore, though it perhaps fell too short in a few of areas for my tastes.
cottagewitchreads's review against another edition
5.0
Not only did I really enjoy this book, but the edition I received is stunning. I got this book in my Locked Library subscription.
I liked that the Fae were true to their folklore and mythology, unlike most modern fantasy with fae (not that I mind that!) They’re described as monstrous and breathtaking, talking in riddles, and utterly obsessed with bargains. It was a breath of fresh air to read a different take on the Fae, more deadly but still alluring.
The story had me gripped throughout and I found it hard to put the book down. I cried, I gasped, I got angry with Moira Jean. Moira Jean felt like a real person as she attempted to save her friends and ultimately got things wrong, like any real person would.
Although I am a hopeless romantic, I find the end of this book was right. Nothing else would’ve made sense.
And that’s all I’ll say on that; you’ll have to read it yourself!
I liked that the Fae were true to their folklore and mythology, unlike most modern fantasy with fae (not that I mind that!) They’re described as monstrous and breathtaking, talking in riddles, and utterly obsessed with bargains. It was a breath of fresh air to read a different take on the Fae, more deadly but still alluring.
The story had me gripped throughout and I found it hard to put the book down. I cried, I gasped, I got angry with Moira Jean. Moira Jean felt like a real person as she attempted to save her friends and ultimately got things wrong, like any real person would.
Although I am a hopeless romantic, I find the end of this book was right. Nothing else would’ve made sense.
And that’s all I’ll say on that; you’ll have to read it yourself!
rachalicej's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
sgall75's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed Harwood's debut, The Shadow in the Glass and was really excited to get my hands on this book. The Thorns Remain tells the story of Moira Jean, facing the changing world of post world war 1 and the flu pandemic in her tiny Scottish village. Her friends have been taken by The Dreamer, Lord of the Fair Folk and she needs to make bargains with him to rescue them.
The first half of this book dragged. The plot was pretty repetitive and if it wasn't for the dark, gritty world of the Fae then I'm not sure I would have finished this one. I usually enjoy historical fiction, but there was too much focus on the mundane everyday tasks. The second half was what I wanted from this book, a mix of macabre and strange.
Moira Jean is a great MC; feisty, loyal and strong willed, she's determined to win back her friends from the Fae Lord, no matter how it affects her. I enjoyed how Harwood portrayed the Fae, taking her influence from Scottish mythology. I prefer the dark, twisted Fae to the pretty boy ideal I seem to read so much of.
The prose is whimsical and beautifully written, though at times I felt the rich descriptions took away from the narrative. Overall, I enjoyed the second half of the book a lot more and would give this book 3'5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an arc in return for an honest review.
The first half of this book dragged. The plot was pretty repetitive and if it wasn't for the dark, gritty world of the Fae then I'm not sure I would have finished this one. I usually enjoy historical fiction, but there was too much focus on the mundane everyday tasks. The second half was what I wanted from this book, a mix of macabre and strange.
Moira Jean is a great MC; feisty, loyal and strong willed, she's determined to win back her friends from the Fae Lord, no matter how it affects her. I enjoyed how Harwood portrayed the Fae, taking her influence from Scottish mythology. I prefer the dark, twisted Fae to the pretty boy ideal I seem to read so much of.
The prose is whimsical and beautifully written, though at times I felt the rich descriptions took away from the narrative. Overall, I enjoyed the second half of the book a lot more and would give this book 3'5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an arc in return for an honest review.
szynkaaa's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moira Jean is so much stronger than I ever could be - if the Dreamer was pleading and begging me to stay in his halls and saying I can teach him how to love and I will have anything I ever want there, I would have packed my bags and moved in immediately.