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charlotte_fantasticalreading 's review for:
Thorn Season
by Kiera Azar
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story follows Lady Alissa Paine, who has to conceal her own magic in a kingdom where all wielders are being hunted while attending the Rose Season at court. When a secret cabal of Wielders abducts her, she must navigate a deadly game of political maneuvering between a ruthless monarch and a charming foreign ambassador, all while keeping her secret intact.
From the first page, I was fully invested in Alissa and the supporting cast. The female characters are especially well written. Each woman carries her own agency, whether she’s a rival vying for influence or an ally forging unexpected bonds. Their relationships feel authentic and layered, moving beyond simple tropes to reveal motivations shaped by loyalty, ambition, and survival.
The magic system, centered on Spectres as tangible extensions of will and emotion, is intriguing and I'm curious to explore that even more. Coupled with a sprawling world of competing noble houses, covert factions, and foreign envoys, the political stakes remain high and unpredictably tense. The pacing builds steadily, grounding us in the delicate etiquette of court before unleashing surprising twists and revelations that kept me turning pages.
Overall, Thorn Season was very entertaining. It is a thrilling blend of sharp intrigue, empowered heroines, and a magic system begging for deeper discovery. I’m eager to see how Alissa’s power evolves, how the shifting alliances play out, and what else lies ahead in this expanding world. If you love character-driven fantasy with high stakes and a heroine you can root for, this debut is a must-read.
Thanks to Harper Fire for providing with an advanced copy via NetGalley.
From the first page, I was fully invested in Alissa and the supporting cast. The female characters are especially well written. Each woman carries her own agency, whether she’s a rival vying for influence or an ally forging unexpected bonds. Their relationships feel authentic and layered, moving beyond simple tropes to reveal motivations shaped by loyalty, ambition, and survival.
The magic system, centered on Spectres as tangible extensions of will and emotion, is intriguing and I'm curious to explore that even more. Coupled with a sprawling world of competing noble houses, covert factions, and foreign envoys, the political stakes remain high and unpredictably tense. The pacing builds steadily, grounding us in the delicate etiquette of court before unleashing surprising twists and revelations that kept me turning pages.
Overall, Thorn Season was very entertaining. It is a thrilling blend of sharp intrigue, empowered heroines, and a magic system begging for deeper discovery. I’m eager to see how Alissa’s power evolves, how the shifting alliances play out, and what else lies ahead in this expanding world. If you love character-driven fantasy with high stakes and a heroine you can root for, this debut is a must-read.
Thanks to Harper Fire for providing with an advanced copy via NetGalley.