Take a photo of a barcode or cover
always_reading_romance 's review for:
Thorn
by Intisar Khanani
This book. Is EVERYTHING I want out of a YA fantasy novel and more. Much more.
How much do I love thee, Thorn? Underrated YA Fantasy novel of 2020? Beautiful retelling of a fairytale Ive never even heard of? Let me count the ways.
1. Its a freaking RETELLING OF A FAIRYTALE DONE IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY.
I’ve read hella retelling, guys. Hella. Sometimes they’re done well. Sometimes theyre so far off the mark I wouldnt even call them a retelling so much as I would call them a “bastardization,” or “something resembling a retelling.” This one, though? It was executed brilliantly. If youre going to do a fairytale, you have to make sure it reads like a fairy tale, amiright? If its a retelling then I should feel like I’m laying in bed, with the covers tucked up around me, listening to my mom’s voice lending life to a story that makes me believe in magic and has me hanging on every word. That was totally this book. It was a fairy tale and it was excellent. Period. The pace, the intensity, the entire thing was done perfectly.
2. The characters. I mean, balls. They were perfect. Even those who didnt get much page time (Screen time? Page time? Page time.) were well fletched out and well rounded.
The prince: This man ran me through a whole crap ton of emotions. I hated him, then felt bad for him, then loved him, then kinda hated him again, then felt sympathy for him. It was a cluster in my mind, and I loved it. I think one of the best (and can be possibly worse) things about first person present tense is that you really get a solid view of other characters via the MC’s voice. Prince Kestrin was illusive and mysterious and also an enigma (which is how I like my princes). Despite not having as much to do with Thorn as other characters in the book, he was always there. The fact that I could feel his presence always looming over the story is a testament to how well he was written.
Thorn: She was wonderful. Sometimes I get so damn sick of having “badass” heroines with snarky mouths who dont take anyone’s crap. I mean I get it- its cool- but too often its so freaking overdone I just wanna roll my eyes and be all “ok christ we get it youre awesome and you have brains as well as beauty and your father’s Captain of the Gaurd taught you swordplay to cut down your opponents on the theoretical battlefield, and your mother taught you how to use snarky ass comments to cut down your opponents in court. Yes, yes, you and the last 7 female MC’s I’ve read about. You should all throw a party.” Thorn was a freaking breath of fresh air. Not only was she kind and cunning, she was also so so so real. In a way that a lot of other authors dont present their characters. She had dealt with trauma. She had dealt with abuse. She had been made to feel small, and so small she stayed. Until she was able to learn enough about herself to stand tall. There was brilliance without bitchiness and I loved that about her. I adored that we got to understand her life and her past to see how that affected her in the present time. Too often in YA fantasies, actions dont have consequences. They happen and everyone just goes on like either a)it didnt happen at all or b) they are now stronger for it. Immediately. Just woke up and were stronger like a damn superpower or something. And sometimes they are. But also, sometimes bad shit happens and people don’t come out the other side stronger. They come out weak and afraid and have to overcome all of that. It was so freaking wonderful to watch Thorn and her character development during this story. It was real, and we need more real, even in the fantasy genre.
The side characters: stable hands, a goose boy, a bitchy “companion,” a talking horse and a band of misfit thieves who legit steal from the rich to give to the poor? if that doesnt convince you that this book is amazing, I dont know what will. Thorn had everything I didnt know I needed in this mismatched gang of side kicks and side villains, and they were the ones who brought on all the feels (and tears). Just superbly well done.
2)The magic system.
Sometimes, magic in YA fantasy novels is so overdone and confusing that it ruins the entire story. Not in this instance. It was well established without being confusing. It was there and the explanations were easy to understand. Talking horse? Yup- they existed. Here’s a paragraph of explanation as to the why and how and it all makes total sense and doesnt take away from the story. It all flows so easily and is so enjoyable. Theres no magic that contradicts other magic or makes the system confusing. It was simple while also being vast. Again- super well done.
3)World Building.
The ending was left open for a reason. Apparently that reason is another story line with (I’m fairly sure) new characters in the 2nd book, coming out next year. Which makes sense. Thorn’s story line was pretty well tied up. I’m afraid moving on to the “After” will almost feel forced. However- there are a load of unresolved issues, problems and mysteries in this kingdom that need addressed. What better way to do that than to get me attached to another character who continues the story? I mean- well freaking played.
I loved that there were different languages spoken and tied into the book. While they usually spoke to each other in the language of the country they were in, there would always be a nod to someone’s home language. I love when theres made up vocab so naturally, I loved that part, too.
The mysteries and problems that were left unresolved largely refer to whats happening in the kingdom. A kingdom we got a pretty good glance at when Thorn went out around the common people, and the thieves like Red Hawk. I’m invested in this world and anxious to see what happens with the snatchers, the fae and the Lady (who i just freaking know is going to be returning like any good villain with a super sad back story- damn her).
All in all, I think this book was super underrated and I cant believe I havent heard more about it in the groups and communities I’m in. I couldn’t put it down. It needs to be read and talked about and thats totally what I plan on doing.
Solid 4.75⭐️