Of Thistles and Talons

The Ithenmyr Chronicles #4

by Elayna R. Gallea

The balance is broken, and no one in the Four Kingdoms is safe.

High King Edgar’s death threw Ithenmyr into turmoil. Seizing the throne, the Southern Queen’s thirst for power is unprecedented. She won’t stop until all Four Kingdoms are hers to rule. The broken balance has unleashed chaos and destruction in every corner of Ithenmyr. Blood and death are around every corner.

Aileana and her companions are the only ones who can stop the Southern Queen and restore the balance. The earth continues to cry out, and the darkness grows stronger every day. With Xander’s map in hand, they race against time and the encroaching darkness, facing a multitude of trials on their journey.

The fate of Ithenmyr rests in their hands, and they must be willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. But will they have the strength and courage to face the challenges ahead? Or will Ithenmyr fall?

This Rapunzel retelling is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantic fantasy, and is filled with banter, fated mates, fake marriage, and world-building. Of Thistles and Talons is book 4/5 in The Ithenmyr Chronicles.

This series is upper YA/NA and will have moderate steam as the series progresses. There are some instances of violence, language, and mature situations. Recommended for ages sixteen and up.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Ebooks, Magic, Romance, Dragons, Audiobook

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2023

About the author

Elayna Gallea lives in beautiful New Brunswick, Canada with her husband and two kids. They have dogs and cats and enjoy touring their beautiful province whenever they can.

Reviews

[Alyssa Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, this is a generous 3 stars. The writing really went downhill in this book. The number of times she refers to characters as “my fortune elf” “my death elf” “my earth elf” or “my dragon shifter” is excessive and lacking in balance or creativity. The sudden quest of the six was just cheesy and a huge shift from the first three. If it wasn’t for the fact that I am not good at leaving things unfinished, I don’t know if I would finish the series. Fingers crossed the writing improves in book 5.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried for awhile with this book, but I have just found it so dang boring and redundant. I hate not finishing books, but I'm tired of dreading my reading time. So I'm done with this one for now. While the author's writing has improved through her books (the biggest jump being from her first series, which I'm sorry, but was definitely cringy), the pacing on this book just isn't it and the characters aren't relatable enough to feel much of a connection to.

[Kristy Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Thistles and Talons put me through the rainbow of emotions again and again. As I read the last words, I was distraught with a wee bit of hope simmering. A beloved character is lost forever. Ryllae has done a tremendous amount of healing, and has a long way to go still. All the characters continue to grow. Now I shall impatiently wait for book 5! Grab a copy and devour it!

[Shandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King is dead, and the balance is broken. The Southern queen he was set to marry turns out to be Saena, Xander’s sister. She has been taken over by her dragon and now craves nothing but power. And the map, Xander finally has all 5 pieces and it leads to a treasure that will make Saena unstoppable. Aileana and Xander must set out with their friends to claim the treasure before Saena does.

Oh my god that ending. I’ve been done a couple hours by the time I'm writing this and my heart still hurts. Argh after everything for Aileana to just end up back there. It royally sucks that Shale and Smoke is like 8 months (ugh 2024). But watching Ryllae come into her own and grow in this book has been so satisfying to read. And I just know in the next book she’s gonna kick butt. She very rapidly became my fav in the series now and I'm just so happy for her. On another note as well I was much happier seeing Xander and Aileana meshing more instead of clashing as much as they did in the last book. Only for it all to be ripped apart. Again my heart. Waiting with bated breath for the next book.

On a personal note I don't like the cover scheme change. I have a book tracking journal and now the cover stickers won't match unless i reprint the first three. This has no effect on my score lol, just a jest.

Rating 4.5 stars
*I received a review copy from the author for my voluntary and honest review.

[April Cantu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave a rating of 3 stars but it’s more like a 3.5 since the writing has definitely improved. The storyline got a lot better and I appreciate all the different points of view throughout. Although the writing has definitely improved having to read the possessiveness did get annoying (all the my earth elf, my dragon shifter, my fortune elf, etc.), it was like how the characters were annoyed by constantly hearing about the balance being broken, I got annoyed with of all the possessiveness. A big thing also was I didn’t like how Ryllae was depicted in this book. In the previous one yes, she was withdrawn and on the edge of madness after being held captive for so many years, but she was also very angry and that anger drove her to get her curse broken and get her power back. But then once she had it she all of a sudden was so codependent on Daegal and needed so much reassurance and didn’t believe in herself at all and that kinda ruined her character for me. I saw her totally different from book 3 to book 4 and I didn’t like the shift. Other than that the quest they embarked on was intriguing. Thankfully there’s just one more book left and I can say I finished it and I can definitely say that I wouldn’t waste my time and reread again.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts with the chosen 6 on their journey to get the amulet. It involves the perils of the journey and ends with the face off with seana. At this face off we learn that Aileana is pregnant and she decides to go with Seana in order for her friends to be spared. This was better than the last book because at least the journey had some ups and downs to it. Best part being when Daegel and Rylle got separated when the spiders attacked leading them to fully recognize their bond with each other. It just felt like everyone had more of a purpose in the book. The ending felt a little off for me. If Seana is the big bad then it would have made more sense for her to kill them all and not bargain. It was have even made more sense if she let them go because she did have some deep feelings for Xander being her brother but it was played off as just some amazing deal/trick that Aileana pulled. Highlights were definitely D&R again. I think they are my favorite couple in the series.

[Crescent Philip · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters where the same, arrogant, infuriating, insufferable, retentivities, and predictable. I liked it a bit better, 2.5 stars. This 5 books series could have been a duology, and the plot has gone off course a long time ago. Every 2 minutes a branch was breaking, at this point they should have gotten training in how to sneak about. I don't understand why Ryllae like Daegal nickname for her, it sounds like it should bring on more feeling of anxiety, due to her trauma. How they didn't know what was Ryllae part to play when it was stated in the previous book. Bounded mates are rare, except for the main straight characters. You saw your sister' dead body and you did nothing, just ran, you didn't go to her to take her body to bury it, nothing, this didn't make any sense, especially for a fantasy story. So, all Dragons and all Earth Elves lived on one islet, because to whip out entire species, all have to be in one singular place, none migrated or inter married.

[Corey]

I’ve enjoyed the additional perspectives instead of just Aileana and Xander; I’m more emotionally invested than I was in book 1; IMO the series has gotten better proportional to my progress through it.

(There’s still a lot of tropes beating you over the head - bonded mates are special; Aileana has a self sacrificing streak a mile long and Xander can be overbearing in his need to protect her- however Ryllae and Daegal balance it out— all he wants to do is help her see how awesome she is and she doesn’t want to hold the group back- Daegal is a much better partner IMO bc he’s helping Ryllae be the best she can be, and wants her to, opposed to Xander who would wrap Aileana in bubble wrap if she could- he’s come around a bit realizing how she’s his equal but it’s annoying that we had to take that journey with him :/ )

[Snappy Turtle · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of things threw me off with this book.
The first thing was the inner monologue of Ryllae was completely different from the last book. She was determined and strong, in this book she is insecure and relies a lot on Daegal. It’s okay to be insecure but I don’t think people change personality in only 1 month where nothing important happens.
The second thing is I don’t think we were at the right POV for a lot of the action. We were often on the sidelines watching what was happening. If it’s the style of book the author wants I would have done it at the third person.
Finally it should have been edited more. Sincerely reading “you’re mine and I’m yours” every 10 pages was not something I enjoyed. I get it they are mates but we don’t have to be reminded that often.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Book. Ugh.
I cannot thank Elayna enough for letting me obsess over this series in her DMs and on instagram. Seriously love this series. I love all the things that are happening with the MC’s but I also love our side characters and their story that’s being told in this book! I love how high fantasy this particular book in the series is! I love a good quest! The last few chapters and the ending really are the most emotional of all the endings in this series and there have been some CLIFFHANGERS! So so so good. Thank you for letting me beta read and ARC read this book! I just love where this series is going and can’t wait for the last book to emotionally destroy me

[Beth’s Book Collection · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhhhh how I sobbed at that ending, I was very simply put, a puffy tear stained mess. I was prepared for the crying (I had the tissue ready), but I was not prepared or that ending, and how emotionally devastated I now am.

Moving on from the fact that I may or may not still be crying, I thoroughly enjoyed the more traditional quest aspect in this book.

As per usual Elayna’s writing is on point with the characters, their personalities, the environment, the magical system, it is all just *chefs kiss.

The multiple POV’s throughout the book felt like it would be slightly challenging to follow and was a bit intimidating, but they were incredibly written and so very easy to follow that I don’t know what I was worrying about. Plus I do love a villainous backstory so that was excellent.

I will be waiting with bated breath for OF SHALE AND SMOKE, and chomping at the bit to get my hands on it as soon as I can.

I received an ARC copy of this book and can confirm that this is my honest review.

[Heather Handreck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ughhhhh this series I wanted to like but it just keeps going, we easily could have had 3 books with some decent editing and the more I have to read Xander claim to be ‘all powerful and will never let anything happen to Aileana’ to once again let something happen to her.

Also there’s gotta be a good 100 pages of the balance being broken, we get it.

Will finish it because I loved the binding chronicles and loved that they connected to these but I don’t know if the pay off is gonna be there sadly.

[Kristie Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following Alieana and Xanders' story this year has been so amazing. They're on an epic journey to find an artifact to restore the balance, but it is anything but easy. As their journey continued, the six of them -Alieana, Xander, Daegal, Ryllae, Kysha, and Maiela- face every danger imaginable, and then some. There was so much happening in terms of the journey itself, but also the inner journey for our characters. The heartbreak, pain, and determination in this book were so real!

[Aamina Abro · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE but…

I love this. Like legit love this. But I’m soooo tired of being reminded in every paragraph about the bonded mates over and over and over. I wish there was more usage of names and he and she. Vs “my bonded mate”. It’s annoying and distractingz. Elayna… if you read this I love your books but this is too much

[Frances Liberti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book needed to end differently so that I could have just stopped then. I probably could have just read the last few chapters and saved myself the hassle of trudging through. It’s a lot of book for not a lot of story. I will probably finish the series eventually but right now, I just can’t force myself back in to that world.

[Madi Brooke Roberds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was easily a 3.5 star read. It drug on and there was so many parts of the plot with flaws and just “why is this here”. But the ending. BITCH THE ENDING. THAT GOT A STAR JUST FOR THE FUCKING ENDING. And Nonna :((

Side note I gotta stop reading the readers warnings bc it didn’t spoil the book, but it spoiled the book.

[Mady Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly 4.5 stars. This series as it's gone further has been a little hit or miss and after book 3 I wasn't completely sure about continuing but oof the ending in this one. I will definitely be reading book 5 and I cannot wait for how the author is going to pull a happy ending out of this one...

[Jenna Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐...

𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚜𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚋.
𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝙰𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚐𝚗𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚢 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝙽𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚁 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐
𝙳𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚌𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 # 5

[Alyssa Korsmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what I wanted! Probably my favorite of the series. So much happened but it helped to have a good sense of the characters and plot before this story so all in all the series is good and has held my attention which is always a plus!

[Brianna Swann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I felt like I was kind of dragging at the beginning of this book but it just kept getting better, I love the multi-views between each character and being able to really grasp the story in their perspective. The ending definitely had me sobbing 😭 One more book to go!!

[Rhian Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

So many mistakes!

[Sandy Schleich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book, but like the characters in this book, I’m also tired of hearing about the broken balance. I also like the fact that the characters in this book are characters from previous books, and they all have to work together to help balance the earth. The southern queen Was going to marry the death king and Aileana and her companions need to not let that happen. In this book, the dragon and his companions also find out who the southern queen is. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.

[Natasha Mcintosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book that broke me, so much happened and the ending just had me in shock. I cant wait to see where book 5 takes it.

[Ashleigh Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my faviourite installment so far! I loved the story between Deagal and Ryllee too!

[Shania · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the other books in this series but i had to DNF this one. I just couldn't stay engaged with the storyline

[Tabitha Barberich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took me a while to finish, but the ending was heartbreaking 💔

[Cye’s Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such an emotional rollercoaster…. Grab some tissues!! Immediately diving into book 5

[Sarah Hooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damnnnnn...



I have lost a child and let.me.tell you..I'd prob go just as crazy as the queen if I let myself

[Melissa Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story. Only thing that kind of took me out of it was the amount of editing errors in the physical copy I got

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart was full, broken, mended, and all to be broken again.