A review by nadiajohnsonbooks
Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

emotional 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? Yes

5.0

I loved literally every single thing about this book, and Toadling is the most endearing character I've ever read.

The story takes a classic princess-in-a-tower story and turns it on its head, and our heroine is an unlikely sort-of-a-fairy whose powers are limited to manipulating water, tying really-difficult-to-untie knots, and asking the earth very politely to do favors sometimes. She can also turn into a toad, is sort-of a mushroom person, and is the cutest being to ever have existed in any work of fiction ever.

If you disagree, fight me.

Every princess story needs a knight, and this one has Hasim, the second son of an impoverished Anatolian noble family. He's not great at being a knight, but he is great at being an absolute fucking sweetheart.

When Toadling is absolutely in over her head, he is an unlikely ally and a true friend.

This book felt like a hug. Monsters are the best people, and Toadling is the best monster.

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