Thorn book review

Hey guys,

Now you need to know something about me…I rarely reread a book. Seriously. It’s a known secret that most are aware and I don’t know why, but even books that I have enjoyed in the past are subject to this. Of course, Thorn is different. I first read this book back in July 2020 and then started rereading it in November 2020. Last night, I finished it. My reread has taken a lot longer, but I blame it on the fact that I was reading other books and indulging a little in Thorn.

Synopsis

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.

My review

Thorn is a character driven book at its core. It deals with subjects such as abuse, trauma and justice, as well as vengeance, loss and family. A relatively short novel at 460 pages, it packs a punch. The protagonist, Princess Alyrra, also known as Thorn, undergoes a huge transformation. She arrives to the kingdom of Melaniya as a hurt, lost girl, but by the end of the book becomes a champion for justice, deals with her trauma and recognises that freedom wears many hats. Having been subject to her brother and mother’s abuse, the journey to Menaiya witnesses her losing her identity as the Princess and being cast into the role as a goose girl. Most royal princesses would throw a fit over such menial labour, but Alyrra, now dubbed Thorn, takes her position in stride and relishes the freedom from the betrayal and politicking of court. Of course, this illusion of freedom does not last – it appears those in the palace have noticed that the one wearing Alyrra’s skin is not the one who left her hometown.

The relationships explored in this book wear many hats. Thorn is quickly claimed as one of the hostlers, finding a family that loves her in Sage, Violet, Oak, Ash and Rowan. Even her name fits in perfectly with theirs.

“But we’re family here – we are. Your name fits right in with ours, so don’t doubt it for a minute – and family looks out for each other.” Her words warm me like the glow of a friendly fire. Family. This is what I have missed all my life: Sage’s motherly touch, the boys’ brotherly concern, Violet’s sisterly love. They are everything I have ever wanted and nothing like my own family. I can only grin foolishly in response.”

Thorn, p.g. 185

There is also the friendship that strikes up between Thorn and the Red Hawk, an infamous thief who steals from the rich, redistributing the wealth, much like a Meniyan Robin Hood. This was an interesting dynamic – a princess in disguise finding an ally in a man against the King’s law. I know the sequel follows a different cast of characters but I do hope that we see more of Red Hawk.

Thorn has a rocky start with Kestrin, her betrothed. There are power imbalances between the two that we see during most of the book, with Kestrin being able to summon Thorn and her having to abide by it. However, this authority soon gives way to what appears to be a beautiful friendship, especially when Thorn discovers a secret. She spends most of the novel afraid of what Kestrin may do to her, fearing betrayal at the hands of a royal.

However, there is a particular scene where the tender beginning of a friendship appears to blossom. Just envisioning the prince chasing after geese was enough serotonin for me.

“Perhaps you should come to work with the geese,” I suggest lightly. “They may be temporarily won by treats, but their regard is as easily lost. It is a good lesson for us all.”

“Perhaps I will visit you.”

“I will look forward to watching their reception of you,” I reply, knowing full well that is one sight I will never see.”

Thorn, p.g. 232

SPOILERS!! Look away or risk an analysis of the last quarter of the book!

As I was reading the last 15% of the book, a realisation dawned upon me. My feverish, tired brain saw the message Intisar had so carefully woven into this Goose Girl retelling. Thorn, Kestrin and the Lady. Each appear different, with their experiences and their current positions, it seems they have little in common. However, each of them have experienced trauma. Thorn has experienced it in the hands of her brother and in the disregard her mother showed her. She saw it in the way women and children were hurt and discarded, those meant to protect them turning a blind eye. Kestrin has seen trauma inflicted on him by the Lady – she has killed his mother and the rest of his family. She continues to terrorise him, her presence haunting him and the impacting the decisions he makes in regards to Thorn. And the Lady. She appears to be the antagonist of the novel, however we come to realise that she too has been hurt at the hands of others. Her mother was tortured and murdered by the great grandfather of Kestrin and she’s taken the route of enacting violence upon the family.

Thorn highlights some of the different ways people are shaped by trauma and loss. It also shows the different reactions – Thorn turns to justice, Kestrin to revenge and the Lady to murder.

There are nature vs nurture debates on what creates a murderer, and while trauma is seen to play a role, it shows that the past does not have to define the present. And that’s what makes Thorn a unique read. It weaves together such dark topics and shows that there is hope, even for the far gone ones.

Do yourself a favour and pick this book up.