It is rare for someone who wants power to truly deserve it.

Thorn is a beautiful, rich, and incredibly close retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, The Goose Girl. Everything you would expect from the original story is there - the arranged marriage to a prince from a distant, more powerful land, the switch between the princess and a woman lower than her, the charm from her mother, the talking horse, a curse prohibiting the princess from telling her story, the wind coming to her aid, and so on.

It's been a while since I last read a fairy tale or a retelling of it. What makes me appreciate Intisar's work is her ability to take an original fairy tale and lovingly and respectfully build upon it while staying true to the original. She definitely adds new depth to the tale by creating her own characters.

Princess Alyrra is a very lovable character. Being cursed and thrown out of the palace, she finds herself in situations with no easy answers and yet she wholeheartedly embraces her circumstances. She relishes the time spent at work and seeks justice and safety for the people, even at a cost to herself. She's humble and loyal to her friends.

Prince Kestrin is a mysterious character. He seems abrupt and sometimes prideful, yet he is also kind, and desperately wishes for someone he can trust. I loved every scene he shared with Alyrra, leaving me wishing for more, even after I finished reading the book. The romance between the two central characters is a slow burn and chaste. The focus has been on Thorn’s personal growth, responsibilities and friendships.

I wonder if there's a sequel. I'd love to know more about certain characters, such as the Circle of Mages, Red Hawk, and the Snatchers. Let's get more scenes with Kestrin, too!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and finished it in two days.

Potential triggers in this book include physical abuse, mention of rape, emotional abuse, animal cruelty, sexual assault and violence.