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bookish_spoonie 's review for:
Thorn Season
by Kiera Azar
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 Stars
I was so excited for Thorn Season and although I did enjoy it, it didn't quite live up to my expectations.
Thorn Season is about 18 year old Alissa who is being shown at court for her 18th year (almost like an extended debutante ball). However Alissa has a secret she has been hiding her entire life. She is a wielder, someone with a spectre which is similar to an invisible magical entity/limb that can be controlled to do physical things. In this Kingdom though, wielders are hunted and killed, so being in court is dangerous and full of possible enemies.
The story leans very heavily on political and court intrigue as well as the group of hunters that kill Wielders. It was interesting but I did find the whole story to be a little obvious and guessed so many of the twists and turns which was a shame.
I did enjoy the magical aspect and thought it was well done. The worldbuilding was also very well done and created not only an interesting world and Kingdom itself but also history and background to many characters too.
Unfortunately though I thought the book dragged at times and needed some more editing. I also felt the pacing was really off with some really slow parts and others that raced through so quickly and didn't really give us enough information.
The characters were an interesting mix. Alissa is an interesting lead in that she doesn't simper or fall at the feet of the handsome men she meets, not even the King. She is also brave and clever and I did like her, although also wanted to shake her at times!
There are three (!) love interests. The King who is quite a classic Villain. Garret who is her childhood friend and a Hunter. Then there is Keil who is an ambassador from a foreign country and a wielder. They all bring a lot to the story and very different aspects out of Alissa too.
I do wish the characters had slightly more personality though, I did find them a little bland at times. There were a LOT of side characters and many of them played very good roles in the story too.
Overall, an interesting start to the series and one that I think a lot of people will enjoy. For me it wasn't quite unique enough but I did still have fun reading it.
Please note that I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited for Thorn Season and although I did enjoy it, it didn't quite live up to my expectations.
Thorn Season is about 18 year old Alissa who is being shown at court for her 18th year (almost like an extended debutante ball). However Alissa has a secret she has been hiding her entire life. She is a wielder, someone with a spectre which is similar to an invisible magical entity/limb that can be controlled to do physical things. In this Kingdom though, wielders are hunted and killed, so being in court is dangerous and full of possible enemies.
The story leans very heavily on political and court intrigue as well as the group of hunters that kill Wielders. It was interesting but I did find the whole story to be a little obvious and guessed so many of the twists and turns which was a shame.
I did enjoy the magical aspect and thought it was well done. The worldbuilding was also very well done and created not only an interesting world and Kingdom itself but also history and background to many characters too.
Unfortunately though I thought the book dragged at times and needed some more editing. I also felt the pacing was really off with some really slow parts and others that raced through so quickly and didn't really give us enough information.
The characters were an interesting mix. Alissa is an interesting lead in that she doesn't simper or fall at the feet of the handsome men she meets, not even the King. She is also brave and clever and I did like her, although also wanted to shake her at times!
There are three (!) love interests. The King who is quite a classic Villain. Garret who is her childhood friend and a Hunter. Then there is Keil who is an ambassador from a foreign country and a wielder. They all bring a lot to the story and very different aspects out of Alissa too.
I do wish the characters had slightly more personality though, I did find them a little bland at times. There were a LOT of side characters and many of them played very good roles in the story too.
Overall, an interesting start to the series and one that I think a lot of people will enjoy. For me it wasn't quite unique enough but I did still have fun reading it.
Please note that I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.