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460 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2012
The Written Review
Just released my Top 10 Books from 2020 BookTube Video - now that you know this one made the list, click the link to find the rest!
Princess Alyrra spent her life balanced on the precipice of fear - her brother finds joy in being cruel and her mother could care less.![]()
“We all need our quiet, I think. We all have our unspoken wishes, hopes we cannot mention, choices we may yet regret.”
“. . . I've found that acting when you are afraid is the greatest sign of courage there is.”On the way to her betrothed, a sorceress curses Alyrra - forcing her to swap bodies with Valka (a noblewoman in her kingdom that absolutely hates Alyrra).
“Which of us has not made mistakes when faced with more than we can handle?”
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I did a little Video Review for this gorgeous little book!
March 30, 2020:
➝ Sum it up in points!
✔ retelling of the Grimm's fairy tale: The Goose Girl
✔ female protagonist finds her strength & purpose
✔ societal themes of justice and entitlement
✔ free-thinking Horse + sentient Wind
✔ slow-building, genuine romance
✔ villainous witch & robinhood-type thief
Thorn is YA dark retelling of a fairy tale that doesn't confine to the mere recounting of fantastical occurrences but also explore themes important enough to discuss in a world of injustice, royal hierarchy, and risks imposed by hidden slavers and a revengeful witch. A wonderful storyline that empowers the female lead to strengthen her backbone for others and oneself, it definitely shows women empowerment without the usual support by males deemed necessary in such context. Shocking twists that are largely inspired by the original story, this fantasy hooks anyone interested in secrets capable of exploitation, regretful actions from the past, lost and found identities, and a serving of emotions with all of the above. Another aspect is the commendable representation of trauma that has risen from childhood familial pressure and grown because of constant comparisons to create bad impressions. The slow-pacing of the story is essential to its atmosphere but was a personal drawback. Overall, an emotionally heavy story that depicts excellent character development, especially of a female finding her purpose.
➝ Trigger Warnings
✔ domestic abuse
✔ belittling & bullying
✔ animal death (off-page)
✔ choking & authoritarian questioning
✔ physical & emotional abuse
✔ sexual assault
A cache of vacuous characters who were placed in an indefinable kingdom while writhing in a plot that was as disappointing as it was aggravating.
Moreso with the needless killing and beheading of a horse. What was the point of that?!!
Nevertheless, I loved Thorn overall with its complex, empowered heroine, its magical plot and its thought provoking ideas. I can't wait to read whatever Khanani writes next!
“Which of us has not made mistakes when faced with more than we can handle?”
“We all need our quiet, I think. We all have our unspoken wishes, hopes we cannot mention, choices we may yet regret."
"Perhaps I cannot fix everything in this moment. But I can do this: start somewhere and keep going."
"I cannot yet tell him I love him, because we need more time without games and deceit between us to find such love."
8 out of 10
"I am the Lady who has lost her soul. I am the princess who has lost her self. I am the goose girl who has lost her way. I am the child who can scream no more."
"Justice is not men beating each other up," Laurel says quietly. "Justice is teaching men that there is a law and, if they don't abide by it, there is an established punishment."
"Murders make one cold." ..... "It takes away your soul, piece by piece. It turns your heart to stone. Is that what you want?"
"It is easier to be strong when you have a friend supporting you."