So shall I start this review by saying it’s THE BEST YA FANTASY BOOK I’VE READ THIS YEAR!

That’s on hell of a line to start off with but it’s true. I wasn’t expecting it, I admit, a complete surprise by Intisar’s debut novel is just phenomenal! It has everything and more in a fantasy and I honestly can’t wait to talk about it more.

Thorn by Intisar Khanani
Published by Hot Key Books on March 24, 2020
Genres: Fantasy
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A princess with two futures. A destiny all her own
Between her cruel family and the contempt she faces at court, Princess Alyrra has always longed to escape the confines of her royal life. But when she’s betrothed to the powerful prince Kestrin, Alyrra embarks on a journey to his land with little hope for a better future.
When a mysterious and terrifying sorceress robs Alyrra of both her identity and her role as princess, Alyrra seizes the opportunity to start a new life for herself as a goose girl.
But Alyrra soon finds that Kestrin is not what she expected. The more Alyrra learns of this new kingdom, the pain and suffering its people endure, as well as the danger facing Kestrin from the sorceress herself, the more she knows she can’t remain the goose girl forever.
With the fate of the kingdom at stake, Alyrra is caught between two worlds and ultimately must decide who she is, and what she stands for.
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Includes The Bone Knife, a bonus short story set in the world of Thorn.

My Review

Princess Alyrra is a pawn in her own future, she is known as for her brutal honesty and her mother hates it. The cruelty between her brother and her mother, she doesn’t stand a chance. So when a king of a kingdom visits, she had little choice but to follow him and marry the prince for the sake of both of their lands. On the way, she encounter a Sorceress, the Lady who had better plans. Her body is switched with Vala. She has little choice but to live as a peasant, as a Google Girl known as Thorn. She relies on the companion of her talking horse, Falada. whilst also seeing the kingdom in a whole new way. She’s been lucky enough to be part of a family in the stables, who look after her and care, nothing like her very own. But she can’t seem to be rid of their Prince Kestrin. He knows something isn’t right, their something between them. So she must protect him from the Lady’s plan to eliminate his entire family.

So Thorn is based on a goose girl fairytale retelling. Princess, Prince, talking horse, mage, sorceress, evil incarnate – I mean it’s all there but to me it felt like a truly original and unique story. I’ve never heard of this fairytale and I think that’s why I loved it so much. I think what I also appreciate is the level of description as well. You know when fantasies can be just overly descriptive, Thorn wasn’t it was just perfect! It was the storytelling that absolutely captured me – I couldn’t put it down! The world building was seamless, I was utterly immersed into the book every time I picked it up.

Alyrra/Thorn was an absolutely captivating heroine. Seeing how caged she was as a princess also meant that she was very shy and secluded as a person. But being a goose girl really brought out the fight in her, I loved her growth throughout the book, she was able to think for herself and be the brave, honest and compassionate, seeing the true Princess she can be. Then there’s the truly swoon-worthy Prince Kestrin. I honestly loved their interactions, seeing Thorn for who she is as person inside with a different face. I loved the family of characters within the book that you can simply fall in love with them.

Like I said, Thorn is a book that just sang to me. I hope there is more, I want more a lot and it should all be on your TBR’s right at the top. It was mind-blowing, plot driven and characters you just can’t help but root for or swoon over!

Thank you to Hot Key Books for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.