A review by jackiespider
Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book is a perfect example of why I struggle to DNF. Because if I had decided to put this down at the beginning, due to what was initially a bit of a cringy duplicate of Beauty and the Beast, I would not have discovered what is potentially going to be a brilliant series for me!

I struggled at the beginning. I don’t love retellings, especially when they are as similar as this, I felt like there were extracts of the Disney film just slightly rewritten.

I also feel like the writing is quite young. It isn’t YA, I believe? But it can read like it is. So some elements of the romance felt a little off and out of place. 

HOWEVER!! I pushed through the first 35% and my enjoyment grew as did my interest in each of the characters.

Rosalie - I can take or leave. She’s a little insufferable at times, but she’s not offensive.

My princes, though! Ok so Keldarion - the big bad wolf, I love him. He’s ace. My initial favourite is obviously Dayton, with his secretly troubled but flirty AF vibes.

But excuse me, can we get more Caspian please?!?!