A Treason of Thorns by Laura E Weymouth

A Treason of Thorns

by Laura E. Weymouth

Violet Sterling has spent the last seven years in exile, longing to return to Burleigh House. One of the six great houses of England, Burleigh’s magic always kept the countryside well. And as a child, this magic kept Violet happy, draping her in flowers while she slept, fashioning secret hiding places for her, and lighting fires on the coldest nights to keep her warm.

Everything shattered, though, when her father committed high treason trying to free Burleigh from the king’s oppressive control. He was killed, and Vi was forced into hiding.

When she’s given a chance to go back, she discovers Burleigh has run wild with grief. Vines and briars are crumbling the walls. Magic that once enriched the surrounding countryside has turned dark and deadly, twisting lush blooms into thorns, poisoning livestock and destroying crops. Burleigh’s very soul is crying out in pain.

Vi would do anything to help, and soon she finds herself walking the same deadly path as her father all those years before. Vi must decide how far she’s willing to go to save her house—before her house destroys everything she’s ever known.

Content Warnings

A Treason of Thorns portrays characters dealing with anxiety, emotional and physical abuse (non-graphic) and gaslighting. It also contains mild body horror.

Reviewed by tweetybugshouse on

5 of 5 stars

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This is the story about a magical house and the girl who is destined to be it caretaker. What a unique concept i not read many stories about magical houses and the author does a fantastic job of describing the anguish the house is feeling under the strain of the binding the king has placed on royal houses.

The story follows Violet the daughter of the previous caretaker of a royal house called Burleigh. Her Farther has been accused of treason due to him trying to find Burleigh deed and unbind the house from the royal binding the king has placed on all royal houses. The Royal houses basically have magic that helps the countryside the house is in. The houses have caretakers that are meant to help channel the magic so that it does leak into the soil and destroy the land.

When her Farther is placed under house arrest, the key is taken away and basically if he can fix the house it will be forced to kill him. The story is quite sad as you read about the desolation that Violet finds when she is finally allowed to go back to the house once her Farther passes away.

The whole concept is about power and control and poor violet is forced to choice who she really loves more herself or the royal house. How are far will she go to try and finish what her Farther started? At what cost to herself will this journey be and to the people and land she sworn to protect and care for?

This book has all the feels and magic of a heart wrenching story. I gave it 5 stars and i really think that this is an amazing story.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 12 September, 2019: Finished reading
  • 12 September, 2019: Reviewed