tylerrosereads
Written on Aug 27, 2020
SOMETIMES THE PRINCESS IS THE MONSTER
From the author of Girls Made of Snow and Glass, this captivating and utterly original Persian-inspired fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch is perfect for fans of Natasha Ngan and Naomi Novik.
'Monstrously beautiful and enchanting' Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand
There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away from everyone, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it's not just a story.
As the day of her twin brother's wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she's willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn't afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison.
Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming . . . human or demon. Princess or monster.
- ISBN10 1250196167
- ISBN13 9781250196163
- Publish Date 10 January 2023 (first published 7 July 2020)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Flatiron Books
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 352
- Language English
Reviews
tweetybugshouse
Written on Aug 18, 2020
alindstadtcorbeax
Written on Jul 21, 2020
Well, I have to say I was a bit nervous going into this, given the mixed reviews and total GR rating being just under 4 stars (which btw this confounds me— I truly believe this deserves AT LEAST 4 solid stars, but
katie
Written on Jul 21, 2020
Full review to be posted soon at kaitplusbooks.com!
Brittany
Written on Jul 19, 2020
SO much is constantly going on in such a detailed intertwined story that it was overwhelming to have all in one novel. I felt like character building and connection was lost due to the fact that the plot had to keep progressing quickly so there wasn’t enough time for character relationships to actually grow to their full potential.
I absolutely loved the fact that all of the characters were kind of dark and twisty which is why I wish I felt more of a connection to them all.
Even though I felt lacking in the character part the story itself was really interesting, after about 30% through the book I was hooked.
Joni Reads
Written on Jul 6, 2020
This is a YA fantasy set in a Middle Eastern inspired world that is just perfect in every way.
The main character is Soraya, the twin sister of the Shah, and she has been hidden away at the family's Spring palace for her entire life because she was cursed when she was born to be poisonous to the touch. She's gotten used to a life of solitude with only her garden of roses to keep her company. But after the family arrives with news of her brother's upcoming wedding and a new member of the royal guard stumbles upon Soraya she is forced to make the decision to either continue to live life in the shadows or try to break her curse finally let the world see her.
There was so much more to this story than a secret poisonous princess. There is a slow burn queer romance brewing throughout the novel and it fits right in with the rest of the story so that it flows perfectly.
Soraya is the type of character who makes the wrong choices all the time but you're rooting for her throughout the entire book. In order for her to grow as a character she has to make the tough choices that most people might not want her to make but without those decisions she would never grow as a character.
I loved the author notes in the back of the book where she shared what different books and tales inspired much of the story.
I recommend this book to everyone. It is definitely one of the best reads of the year.
girlinthepages
Written on Jul 4, 2020
*Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!*
Girl, Serpent, Thorn is a story just as lush and striking as its stunning cover. A fantasy novel that brings in Persian folklore, Girl, Serpent, Thorn follows the story of Soraya, a girl born into royalty but hidden away due to being cursed with a poisonous touch. Living in her private quarters with only her garden and occasional visit from her mother to curb her loneliness. Soraya's isolation eventually drives her to seek answers as to her condition when she learns that a div is residing in the palace dungeons.
Soraya's journey is a compelling one, and her motivations were intriguing to me, seeing how isolation from human, physical contact can shape and change someone. It was interesting to see Soraya struggle emotionally with her condition, as feelings of overwhelming guilt and shame for her poisonous touch abound (ever since she tried to touch a butterfly as a small child only for it to drop dead) yet there are flashes of power and rage within her, times where a small yet determined part of her wishes for others to fear what she can do, to protect herself from those who frighten or intimidate her. It's a interesting dichotomy that Soraya battles throughout the duration of the novel and makes her character compelling- she's really neither hero nor villain, but something in between. She makes choices that are morally complex and both "good" and "bad," yet as a reader my focus was drawn more to her growth as a character rather than judgement on the actions themselves, as they often pushed her to learn more about herself and embrace her powers.
Soraya's story is also deeply rooted in family, specifically the tale she's been told her entire life about how and why she's cursed, and the implicit trust she's put in her family's hands her whole life to know how to best "deal" with her condition. Yet the div she meets in the dungeon, Parvaneh, starts to cause cracks in the story that Soraya's built her life around, and begins trailing verbal breadcrumbs for Soraya to investigate the truth of her power and how it came to be. These little hints were usually dropped at the end of chapters and were just enough information to entice me, as a reader, to keep promising "one more chapter" before putting the book down for the evening. The story will constantly make readers question characters' motives and who is to be trusted or not.
Overall: It's challenging to elaborate further on the story without wading into spoilers, however if you're looking for a unique, dark fairy tale type fantasy novel with a protagonist who walks the line between good and evil, shame and power, I highly recommend Girl, Serpent, Thorn!
This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
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dragononabook
Written on Jul 2, 2020
While the main reveal of the plot actually occurs fairly early on, the rest of the book still carries the high stakes and sharp turns that were set up by this reveal. Without going into spoiler-y detail, there's a pretty massive plot twist fairly close to the beginning, but in a way that makes you look back and think 'wow, there were so many hints to this, I can't believe I didn't realise' or alternatively 'yes, I was right! But I also really didn't want to be right'. It's with this twist that the stakes rise through the roof, with a kingdom and Soraya's family on the line.
A lot of the story is character driven, especially by Soraya, our main character. She's been living with a curse, never being able to touch a living being, not even the powerful div that threaten her country. She's a very complex character, who does a lot of thinking about how her curse affects her motivations, and whether having such power over others drives her ambition and can turn it dark. This is a really fascinating perspective to have, especially considering the lengths she feels she could go with it, as well as the lengths she goes to get rid of it. In a way, she's an immensely morally grey character because of her actions, and also because of the way she grapples with the reality of this curse. She's also not completely defined by her curse and her poison, because she's cultivated a certain set of skills and she is able to adapt to situations and think on her feet. Having a character like this as the main character was really awesome, and it made the book a really gripping read because of how versatile Soraya was as a character and because of the potential she had in so many ways.
The characters in general were well fleshed out and balance each other well, notably the antagonist. He was very much a parallel to Soraya, especially in terms of what makes a monster and the role that free will plays in deciding what to do with the expectations that people have of you, and how you can control or give into these expectations. There was a lot of nuance to his character but also a lot of finality to the idea that your actions have impact on others and choosing to harm is going to change you. Parvaneh was another complex character, though in a more subtle way. She also parallels Soraya and the antagonist, though in a more subversive way, and her layered backstory as well as the fact that she is a div weaves an interesting thread into the way the plot plays out. She's never just treated as a tool to change Soraya's perspective though, which I really appreciated.
Though the romance is fairly subtle, it's still really wonderful. There's a decent amount of pining and of tension, especially in terms of how it occurs alongside the plot, and there's really something quite tangibly satisfying about a good enemies to reluctant allies to lovers relationship. It's also something that's treated in much the same way as the straight potential romance, which was very enjoyable to see. Soraya's attraction to one or the other these two people is never invalidated solely because of her attraction to the other person, which I also really liked.
The prose is beautiful, captivating the reader in a way that adds depth to the experience of reading. The narration was particularly on-point, and everything felt like it added to the story. The pacing was also excellent, balancing the plot development needed in a single fantasy book while also taking the time to indulge in the world and the characters.
If fairytales or epic fantasy or stories examining what makes a monster and what doesn't, Girl, Serpent, Thorn is absolutely the book for you. It's layered and packed with little tidbits, and only gets better as it lingers in the edges of your mind post-finishing it, piecing together the hidden intricacies. I highly enjoyed it and I strongly encourage picking it up if anything in this review appealed to you.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
jeannamichel
Written on Jun 4, 2020
The royal family harbors a secret. The prince’s twin sister, Soraya, is cursed with poisonous touch. With the help of the demon in the dungeon, she discovers there may be a way to end her curse. However, it comes at the price of betraying her family. Inspired by Persian mythology, Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust is an enchanting, dark tale of demons, romance, and sacrifice.
I adored Girls Made of Snow and Glass so when I heard about a new tale Melissa Bashardoust was weaving, I knew it was going to be amazing. One of the most memorable things about her previous novel is the masterful way Bashardoust writes. Her flowery, whimsical prose leads perfectly to the fairytales she unfolds. Girl, Serpent, Thorn, of course, has Bashardoust’s signature writing style that flows so fantastically.
The layers of Soraya’s character are well thought out and heartbreakingly realistic. Her ability of poisonous touch gives her power, yet of the monstrous kind. Bashardoust likens her to a sleeping serpent throughout the novel and all the images she creates makes Soraya’s character come alive. Soraya may be royalty as the current shah is her twin brother but she is royalty in name only. Due to the curse, she is kept away from the eyes of the people. Her isolation, loneliness, and silent seething over her circumstances were almost tangible.
The beautiful prologue immediately grips you into the story. It is both strong and intriguing, giving readers a taste at what's to come.
With Girls Made of Snow and Glass, she tackled Snow White, twisting the classic tale superbly. This new release, Girl, Serpent, Thorn, is inspired by Persian mythology. Bashardoust takes the original inspiration and makes it her own, creating a well-structured, strong story that is bound to enchant readers. I encourage you to read the author’s note at the end of the novel as Bashardoust discusses where her inspiration came from. There’s even further reading recommended—which I must check out now—as the tales sound so riveting.
I haven’t read a fantasy in a while that focused on an array of demons. As I usually go into books without knowing much, I was pleasantly surprised that the tale involved a gorgeous world with creatures of the night. Plus, this novel sought to confuse readers with many morally grey characters, both demon and human. The characters were entirely unpredictable, making decisions I never saw coming.
This book had my stomach in tangles. It was a wild rollercoaster that I never wanted to end. The twists and turns will most definitely have you at the edge of your seat. The pacing of Girl, Serpent, Thorn is at such a neck breaking speed that as soon as I tried to put it down, the story would pull me right back in. It's absolutely binge-worthy.
The ending just fell together so seamlessly. Every choice that Soraya has made has led to this one moment. It's high stakes and unbelievable. Bashardoust creates a nail biting ending that readers will never forget.
With gorgeous writing, morally grey characters, and a spellbinding plot, Girl, Serpent, Thorn is definitely one of the best books I've read all year.