Violet Made of Thorns: The darkly enchanting New York Times bestselling fantasy debut

By Author / Illustrator

Gina Chen

Genre

Fantasy

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Hodder & Stoughton

ISBN

9781399707152

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

25-07-2023

Synopsis

There's always a price for defying destiny.... Violet is a seer and a liar, influencing the court with her cleverly phrased - and not always true - divinations. Honesty is for suckers, like the oh-so-not-charming Prince Cyrus, who plans to banish her once he's crowned. But when the king orders her to predict Cyrus's love story for an upcoming ball, Violet accidentally awakens a dreaded curse that could ruin them all. Her wits may protect her in the cutthroat court, but they can't change her fate - nor the doomed attraction growing between her and the prince . . .

The first in a darkly enchanting fantasy duology about a morally grey witch, a cursed prince, and a prophecy that ignites their fate-twisted destinies. 'Beautifully vicious' Chloe Gong. 'An enchanting dark fantasy' Sabaa Tahir.

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Reviews

If you love fairytales with a twist, then this dark, enchanting fantasy debut novel is just for you. The author has melded some of our childhood fairytale stereotypes into her plot, so you get a glimpse of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, a wicked witch and a handsome prince, a love/hate relationship and lots of other mythical creatures thrown into the mix...and it works! I couldn't put it down, loved every word.

In Violet Made of Thorns, Violet is the Seer for the King of Sun Capital. She predicts the future through her dreams and reading people's threads. However, she doesn't always tell the truth. She makes her predictions fit to what the king wants his subjects to hear. The King's son, Cyrus, is not fooled by Violet and constantly taunts her with banishment as soon as he becomes King. Violet is not easily intimidated by him and constantly reminds him that he’s only here because she saved his life many years ago. Sadly, prince Cyrus has a curse on him and he needs to marry in order to save the kingdom from damnation. Will Cyrus trust Violet to choose the right bride? Will she be able to save the kingdom she loves? Can she trust the voices that talk to her each night?

This novel, about a morally grey witch and a cursed prince, is full of wit, breathtaking moments and twists and turns that you do not see coming. It is suitable for the 13+ reader; while there are some romantic scenes, nothing is in to much depth. Violet Made of Thorns would also be great for bookclubs and intervention groups due to the many discussion/further reading opportunities. The cliffhanger sets up nicely (thank goodness) for a second book, fingers crossed we won't be waiting too long.

368 pages / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian