Synopsis

For Princess Alyrra, choice is a luxury she’s never had … until she’s betrayed.Princess Alyrra has never enjoyed the security or power of her rank. Between her family’s cruelty and the court’s contempt, she has spent her life in the shadows. Forced to marry a powerful foreign prince, Alyrra embarks on a journey to meet her betrothed with little hope for a better future.

But powerful men have powerful enemies–and now, so does Alyrra. Betrayed during a magical attack, her identity is switched with another woman’s, giving Alyrra the first choice she’s ever had: to start a new life for herself or fight for a prince she’s never met. But Alyrra soon finds that Prince Kestrin is not at all what she expected. While walking away will cost Kestrin his life, returning to the court may cost Alyrra her own. As Alyrra is coming to realize, sometime the hardest choice means learning to trust herself.

Thorn will be re-released by HarperTeen in Winter 2020.

Mini Audiobook Review

Between 4 and 4,5 stars

As I am so behind on reviews and audiobook don’t allow to take notes while listening to it (contrary to ebooks) I will go with a list of thoughts about that story.

• I was thinking that this story had a fairy tale like quality when I learned that it’s been inspired by the Goose Girl’s tale! I don’t know that tale and don’t know if the author took many liberties. And yes I want blind in this book after having seen some of my friend (Micky that’s you from https://atakefromtwocities.home.blog/ )

• The narrator in the book was an excellent choice as she had a very soothing voice, perfectly impersonating shy and rather silent Alyrra. The pace was rather on the slow side but not a snail’s pace and this narrator took the time to set the story, let us know get Alyrra intimately.

• This was certainly not a romance, even if there is some feelings by the end of the book but I was happy that the author chose to focus on Alyrra’s ordeal, her journey, her finally finding her voice instead of some romantic element.

• I was angry with Alyrra at some point in the story as I didn’t understand why she accepted her fate so easily. She even relished in it and didn’t try to reclaim her right of being a princess. But at the same time, I got why she was in no hurry to get back to a life of duty. A life she had no control over from her past experience. Then I came to appreciate the author’s choice to go for that path.

• I truly loved that family abuse was an underlying topic in what is basically a reinterpretation of a fairy tale. It also explained why Alyrra was so reluctant to be under a prince’s thumb again. She didn’t know him nor the king and had a traumatic past so why should she have trusted them?

• I also thought that the writing was influenced by what is maybe the author’s heritage (honestly that’s my personal guess here) as it felt like reading one of these Persian tales with the main purpose being in the journey the character had to go on to learn something. Be stronger or smarter or more independent. The ending was also nearly an open ending. I can’t pinpoint exactly why I felt that way but that’s how I experienced that story.

Listening to that slow/steady paced story felt soothing, compelling and magical. A unique tale that I recommend wholeheartedly if you are looking for something different from the fast paced and action-packed magical stories.

Have you read that book already?

Thanks for reading!

Sophie