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Thorns Among Shadows: A Rapunzel Retelling
Meira is the daughter of a nobleman, expected to take her father's place at court. Bound by family duty, she returns to the capital city for the first time in years, feeling out of place as she enters the intricacies of court life and all that it entails.
Since his father's death, a shadow has fallen over Crown Prince Gaelen and his kingdom of Alythia. Gaelen's stepmother is acting as Queen Regent, with a mysterious hold over the prince. Meira's appearance at court provides a welcome distraction from his troubles.
Just as Meira begins to rekindle a childhood romance with Gaelen, the prince disappears. But finding Gaelen proves to be no small matter. In order to rescue him, Meira must travel through both the Fae realm and Shadowlands, facing obstacles that will test the limits of her resolve and forces that threaten everything she cares about.
Thorns Among Shadows is a Rapunzel retelling for anyone who loves fantasy adventure, sweet romance, and a chance for the girl to be the hero of the fairytale.
Since his father's death, a shadow has fallen over Crown Prince Gaelen and his kingdom of Alythia. Gaelen's stepmother is acting as Queen Regent, with a mysterious hold over the prince. Meira's appearance at court provides a welcome distraction from his troubles.
Just as Meira begins to rekindle a childhood romance with Gaelen, the prince disappears. But finding Gaelen proves to be no small matter. In order to rescue him, Meira must travel through both the Fae realm and Shadowlands, facing obstacles that will test the limits of her resolve and forces that threaten everything she cares about.
Thorns Among Shadows is a Rapunzel retelling for anyone who loves fantasy adventure, sweet romance, and a chance for the girl to be the hero of the fairytale.
- GenresRetellingsYoung Adult
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2024
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November 16, 2024This book was lacking in so many different ways, I can’t even hardly put it into words.
First and foremost, the plot. There was gaps in it that left much to be desired; there wasn’t a single challenge that wasn’t easily overcome, the most difficult being mere bumps in the road. There was little consequence for any mistakes made, and, for a quest book, that is a flaw not easily forgiven. If this is how easy quests are, hey, sign me up for the next one.
Next: the characters. Seriously, did any of them have a personality? Meira’s revolved around her shooting a bow and arrow, and “not being like other girls”. She was cruel (my comrades died? Oops! But at least I can save my boyfriend!) and her spiritlessness was barely disguised as “bravery”. She sought Gaelen, a bland sheet of paper who moons after her, and (surprise!) they fall in love. Bland person + bland person = true love, apparently.
And the faeries in it? “Oh, they’re so scary, what will I do?” And then the queen of the faeries just gives her everything she wants. Go figure.
As a lover of fairytale retellings, this one fell short. Besides a tower featured in the story, I didn’t see the connection between Thorns Among Shadows and the story of Rapunzel AT ALL.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; this is mine.
Happy reading!
First and foremost, the plot. There was gaps in it that left much to be desired; there wasn’t a single challenge that wasn’t easily overcome, the most difficult being mere bumps in the road. There was little consequence for any mistakes made, and, for a quest book, that is a flaw not easily forgiven. If this is how easy quests are, hey, sign me up for the next one.
Next: the characters. Seriously, did any of them have a personality? Meira’s revolved around her shooting a bow and arrow, and “not being like other girls”. She was cruel (my comrades died? Oops! But at least I can save my boyfriend!) and her spiritlessness was barely disguised as “bravery”. She sought Gaelen, a bland sheet of paper who moons after her, and (surprise!) they fall in love. Bland person + bland person = true love, apparently.
And the faeries in it? “Oh, they’re so scary, what will I do?” And then the queen of the faeries just gives her everything she wants. Go figure.
As a lover of fairytale retellings, this one fell short. Besides a tower featured in the story, I didn’t see the connection between Thorns Among Shadows and the story of Rapunzel AT ALL.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; this is mine.
Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2024
(I was an alpha reader for the first draft of Thorns Among Shadows, and I also received an ARC copy in exchange for leaving this review.)
As a member of the Worldsmyths' Discord server, I've seen how hard Ally has been working on this book, and I am proud & honored to boast about how good it is! Thorns Among Shadows is a retelling of the classic fairytale Rapunzel, where the prince is the one stuck in the tower and the girl sets off to rescue him. Meira is such a strong, relatable character, willing to go through any trial and test to rescue Prince Gaelen (who is an absolutely swoon-worthy love interest!) from Queen Regent Averith.
If you love:
-childhood sweethearts
-fairies/fae
-a wicked stepmother
-a chance for the girl to be the heroine
You will adore Thorns Among Shadows!
As a member of the Worldsmyths' Discord server, I've seen how hard Ally has been working on this book, and I am proud & honored to boast about how good it is! Thorns Among Shadows is a retelling of the classic fairytale Rapunzel, where the prince is the one stuck in the tower and the girl sets off to rescue him. Meira is such a strong, relatable character, willing to go through any trial and test to rescue Prince Gaelen (who is an absolutely swoon-worthy love interest!) from Queen Regent Averith.
If you love:
-childhood sweethearts
-fairies/fae
-a wicked stepmother
-a chance for the girl to be the heroine
You will adore Thorns Among Shadows!
October 8, 2024
Note: I was asked to read an ARC for Thorn Among Shadows.
This is a solid middle-grade to young adult novel. A lot of information I personally wanted to know more about was missing, but none of that impacted the pacing or readability of the novel. I really like the twist on this Rapunzel retelling, and I believe a lot of young women would enjoy this as well!
I gave a rating of 4 stars solely because as a fan of epic fantasy and huge, 300-1000+ pages of reading, this can feel lacking. Fans of shorter fiction novels (Animorphs, Diadem, Deltorra, etc.) will enjoy this a lot more.
This is a solid middle-grade to young adult novel. A lot of information I personally wanted to know more about was missing, but none of that impacted the pacing or readability of the novel. I really like the twist on this Rapunzel retelling, and I believe a lot of young women would enjoy this as well!
I gave a rating of 4 stars solely because as a fan of epic fantasy and huge, 300-1000+ pages of reading, this can feel lacking. Fans of shorter fiction novels (Animorphs, Diadem, Deltorra, etc.) will enjoy this a lot more.
October 26, 2024
4.⭐⭐⭐⭐
~ARC Review~
Strong Of Root, Strong Of Thorn.
Thorns among shadows is a Rapunzel retelling where the Prince is the damsel in distress, and the maided is the hero. Childhood sweethearts meeting again years later when Meira joins the royal council reuniting with the Handsome Prince Gaelen.
I LOVE fairytale retellings! This story was so enchanting and unique, I loved the journey through the fae world it was so fun to read! And Garvan was my favorite side character! And the ending was perfect!
~Thorns Among Shadows Releases November 12th!~
~ARC Review~
Strong Of Root, Strong Of Thorn.
Thorns among shadows is a Rapunzel retelling where the Prince is the damsel in distress, and the maided is the hero. Childhood sweethearts meeting again years later when Meira joins the royal council reuniting with the Handsome Prince Gaelen.
I LOVE fairytale retellings! This story was so enchanting and unique, I loved the journey through the fae world it was so fun to read! And Garvan was my favorite side character! And the ending was perfect!
~Thorns Among Shadows Releases November 12th!~
January 20, 2026
2.5⭐️
The only Rapunzel theme in this book was that the Prince was taken prisoner by his stepmother which doesn’t happen until halfway through the book. The “Fae quests” she keeps saying she overcame to get to him were so easy even I could do it (walk up a staircase with some hallucinogenic rose thorns? My anemia and I can tackle that any day). This belongs more on a WattPad or similar site than as a printed product
The only Rapunzel theme in this book was that the Prince was taken prisoner by his stepmother which doesn’t happen until halfway through the book. The “Fae quests” she keeps saying she overcame to get to him were so easy even I could do it (walk up a staircase with some hallucinogenic rose thorns? My anemia and I can tackle that any day). This belongs more on a WattPad or similar site than as a printed product
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2024
I loved this story! The idea of a woman saving her prince is so great. It’s refreshing to have the girl face the danger alone and find the courage to keep going like Meira. The determination and strength of woman is sometimes so underrated. This story draws you in and takes you on the adventure with her. I couldn’t put it down. Definitely recommend!!
September 24, 2024
Note: I was asked to ARC read the Thorns Among Shadows.
I've always enjoyed a good variation on a classic, and Ally Kelly delivered on that promise. She created a new universe for the reader to explore by adding a new layer to the beloved tale of Rapunzel. Kelly created a rich, detailed universe for the reader to immerse themselves in throughout the book, bringing the narrative to life. I was able to visualize the story on a deeper level as I read each word. I liked every character right away and eagerly anticipated learning more about them with every page flip. This fantastic book takes a well-known tale and adds new depths to it. Totally recommend reading, won’t be disappointed.
I've always enjoyed a good variation on a classic, and Ally Kelly delivered on that promise. She created a new universe for the reader to explore by adding a new layer to the beloved tale of Rapunzel. Kelly created a rich, detailed universe for the reader to immerse themselves in throughout the book, bringing the narrative to life. I was able to visualize the story on a deeper level as I read each word. I liked every character right away and eagerly anticipated learning more about them with every page flip. This fantastic book takes a well-known tale and adds new depths to it. Totally recommend reading, won’t be disappointed.
October 30, 2024
This book was a fun read for me. I was given the opportunity to be an ARC reader and reviewer and just thoroughly enjoyed the way this story was retold. Often, we get retellings that have no life, but this retelling of Rapunzel makes the adventure new and interesting. While you’re able to predict where things are going, it’s not cheesy or painfully obvious how the characters will play their roles. I appreciated the world Kelly created, how light and quick the book was able to be, and how engaging she made her characters. While not a heavy book in terms of emotional engagement, it was just right for a night in with some tea and some cuddles with our pets. I would have loved more and would have loved a little bit deeper storyline, but ultimately this book made me happy to see a fairytale princess rewritten to be the strong, independent lead instead of the helpless one. Big shout out to Ally Kelly for a fun and wonderful retelling!
November 1, 2024
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest, I really struggled with this one. I ended up having to start it over twice because at most I got 40 pages into it and stalled. I didn't find myself wanting to pick it up. I like that Meira had to save Gaelen and not the other way around, but overall this didn't work for me.
I think my lack of interest stemmed from the fact that the characters aren't well fleshed out. Meira and Gaelen knew each other when they were younger, though they haven't seen each other in years at the start of the book. We are told about some of their interactions as children, but never shown through actual flashbacks. I struggled to get a grasp of what their relationship was, because it seemed like they were friendly, but I had thought they only saw each other a few times, not that they were like best friends, and not that they were in love. It is shocking then that they see each other again only a couple of times after years apart and then Gaelen announces his intention to marry Meira. It didn't seem realistic, and the romance wasn't convincing to me because of it. It needed much more development, in addition to fleshing out the characters.
The book was missing what one of my teachers called the "so what?" piece, which is why I should care about these characters. What makes me root for them beyond the fact that they are positioned as the heroes? This was the real issue for me. I've loved books that have just okay or completely bonkers plots because I love the characters, but I have to have something that makes me care about them. There was missed potential to add depth, such as more of Meria's experiences at court, since she wasn't looking forward to being there. We only see a couple of moments, but when talking to Gaelen Meira mentions some unsavory rumors going around about the two of them. What are they, where did she hear them from, and who was spreading them? Was her cousin involved? How would Meria have reacted to hearing this, and what could that have told us about her character? Likewise, I think adding more depth to Averith would have improved the story. Her cruelty toward Gaelen is mentioned by him but we never see it, at least at the beginning of the story. Showing us this, even a small glimpse, would make us hate her more and root for Gaelen and Meira more.
The writing was okay, but something that stuck out to me was that often the same word was used several times too close together, which made it sound a bit awkward. The pacing also seemed a bit off. The beginning went by pretty quickly, skipping over a lot of the court stuff, but then it felt like it took forever to get to where Gaelen goes missing and Meira decides to go rescue him.
To be honest, I really struggled with this one. I ended up having to start it over twice because at most I got 40 pages into it and stalled. I didn't find myself wanting to pick it up. I like that Meira had to save Gaelen and not the other way around, but overall this didn't work for me.
I think my lack of interest stemmed from the fact that the characters aren't well fleshed out. Meira and Gaelen knew each other when they were younger, though they haven't seen each other in years at the start of the book. We are told about some of their interactions as children, but never shown through actual flashbacks. I struggled to get a grasp of what their relationship was, because it seemed like they were friendly, but I had thought they only saw each other a few times, not that they were like best friends, and not that they were in love. It is shocking then that they see each other again only a couple of times after years apart and then Gaelen announces his intention to marry Meira. It didn't seem realistic, and the romance wasn't convincing to me because of it. It needed much more development, in addition to fleshing out the characters.
The book was missing what one of my teachers called the "so what?" piece, which is why I should care about these characters. What makes me root for them beyond the fact that they are positioned as the heroes? This was the real issue for me. I've loved books that have just okay or completely bonkers plots because I love the characters, but I have to have something that makes me care about them. There was missed potential to add depth, such as more of Meria's experiences at court, since she wasn't looking forward to being there. We only see a couple of moments, but when talking to Gaelen Meira mentions some unsavory rumors going around about the two of them. What are they, where did she hear them from, and who was spreading them? Was her cousin involved? How would Meria have reacted to hearing this, and what could that have told us about her character? Likewise, I think adding more depth to Averith would have improved the story. Her cruelty toward Gaelen is mentioned by him but we never see it, at least at the beginning of the story. Showing us this, even a small glimpse, would make us hate her more and root for Gaelen and Meira more.
The writing was okay, but something that stuck out to me was that often the same word was used several times too close together, which made it sound a bit awkward. The pacing also seemed a bit off. The beginning went by pretty quickly, skipping over a lot of the court stuff, but then it felt like it took forever to get to where Gaelen goes missing and Meira decides to go rescue him.
August 15, 2024
Note: I am a beta reader who has read previous drafts and the final draft of Thorns Among Shadows.
Thorns is officially off to the line editor and I couldn't be more excited. There is something beautiful about watching a story develop before your very eyes, and to have played a part in it.
Thorns is a Rapunzel retelling that flips the story on its head with a female heroine off to save her beloved prince. It weaves its own story with unique twists along the way. Meira's journey into the fae lands pushes her through trials and tribulations that would shatter even those with a robust constitution.
Does Meira survive the fae lands and rescue her soul mate? Will she defeat the evil Queen Regent Averith?
If you're yearning for a story with all things fairytale, then Thorns Among Shadows is the book for you!
Thorns is officially off to the line editor and I couldn't be more excited. There is something beautiful about watching a story develop before your very eyes, and to have played a part in it.
Thorns is a Rapunzel retelling that flips the story on its head with a female heroine off to save her beloved prince. It weaves its own story with unique twists along the way. Meira's journey into the fae lands pushes her through trials and tribulations that would shatter even those with a robust constitution.
Does Meira survive the fae lands and rescue her soul mate? Will she defeat the evil Queen Regent Averith?
If you're yearning for a story with all things fairytale, then Thorns Among Shadows is the book for you!
December 26, 2024
One of the unique aspects of this story is Meira’s role as the hero, encouraging women empowerment by putting her in the lead role (rather than the expected Prince Gaelen). Watching Meira’s confidence grow as she faces each challenge head-on made her journey relatable & inspiring. Kudos to the author for this approach! 👌👏🏻
However, while Meira’s character development is a real asset to the story, the world-building didn’t fully live up to my expectations. The kingdom of Alythia, along with its unique aspects like the Fae realm & Shadowlands, felt somewhat underdeveloped. A deeper exploration of the history, culture & politics would have made it more enriching.
The romance between Meira & Gaelen felt rushed. Though the two were "childhood sweethearts", their "rekindled" romance had an “instalust” feel that seemed too fast-paced for the medieval setting, especially with the lack of chaperoning & other typical traditions for that time. 😅
On the other hand, the writing style was engaging & accessible, making this a quick read. The author’s choice of straight-forward phrasing allowed the story to flow smoothly.
As a Rapunzel retelling, though, the story didn’t quite hit the mark. While there were subtle nods to the tale, such as a comparable medium to “letting down the hair,” the lack of more obvious Rapunzel elements left it feeling more like a loose adaptation.
All in all, this is a cute, fast-paced romance with a touch of adventure. If you’re looking for a light-hearted fantasy with a strong female lead & a dash of intrigue, this might just be the book for you!
However, while Meira’s character development is a real asset to the story, the world-building didn’t fully live up to my expectations. The kingdom of Alythia, along with its unique aspects like the Fae realm & Shadowlands, felt somewhat underdeveloped. A deeper exploration of the history, culture & politics would have made it more enriching.
The romance between Meira & Gaelen felt rushed. Though the two were "childhood sweethearts", their "rekindled" romance had an “instalust” feel that seemed too fast-paced for the medieval setting, especially with the lack of chaperoning & other typical traditions for that time. 😅
On the other hand, the writing style was engaging & accessible, making this a quick read. The author’s choice of straight-forward phrasing allowed the story to flow smoothly.
As a Rapunzel retelling, though, the story didn’t quite hit the mark. While there were subtle nods to the tale, such as a comparable medium to “letting down the hair,” the lack of more obvious Rapunzel elements left it feeling more like a loose adaptation.
All in all, this is a cute, fast-paced romance with a touch of adventure. If you’re looking for a light-hearted fantasy with a strong female lead & a dash of intrigue, this might just be the book for you!
October 15, 2024
In this fairytale retelling of Rapunzel, not everything is as it seems. In this story, we have Meira the MFC and Prince Gaelen the MMC, who are childhood friends that find themselves together after years of not seeing each other. Meira is training to one day take her fathers place in court, and while there, she starts to notice things a little out of the ordinary. When she is meant to meet up with Prince Gaelen, she stumbles upon an empty castle, with no sign of where everyone might have gone. Meira is determined to find out what happened, even if it means trusting the fairies she always believed were just stories her father told her.
In this book you will get adventure, friends to lovers, an evil stepmother, fairies, magic, spells, and a happily ever after. I loved how the roles were reversed and it is Prince Gaelen being kept in a tower in the Shadowlands and Meira is the one doing the rescuing. It shows that women are brave and capable enough of getting through dangerous obstacles to save the ones they love. This book had me wanting it to be longer, but also had me on the edge of my seat because I did not know who could actually be trusted.
It is a short, fast paced book with new found friendships and hidden kingdoms. There is no spice, so it is suitable for both adults and young adults.
In this book you will get adventure, friends to lovers, an evil stepmother, fairies, magic, spells, and a happily ever after. I loved how the roles were reversed and it is Prince Gaelen being kept in a tower in the Shadowlands and Meira is the one doing the rescuing. It shows that women are brave and capable enough of getting through dangerous obstacles to save the ones they love. This book had me wanting it to be longer, but also had me on the edge of my seat because I did not know who could actually be trusted.
It is a short, fast paced book with new found friendships and hidden kingdoms. There is no spice, so it is suitable for both adults and young adults.
November 10, 2024
This novella is a very sweet Rapunzel-inspired YA story!
The author is clearly a romantic, which comes through the romance between the two main characters (Meira and Prince Gaelen). They are consistently sweet with each other (no spice, so appropriate for younger readers too!). But I also appreciate that love isn't the only reason motivating Meira to action; she's also worried about her prince and the kingdom she lives in. It makes her feel more complex and believable as a character.
My favorite parts were the way the original fairytale expectations were turned on their head by having the girl save the prince (instead of vice versa). I thought Meira made for an excellent hero. She had her doubts, especially about herself, but was brave enough to push through despite that. I also really enjoyed some of the neat elements of the faelands as a setting and the twist on what was Rapunzel's hair in the original story (there is an equivalent, but no spoilers!).
This is a short-ish novella and written in smooth/easy language, so it makes for a quick read. I would recommend it for anyone who likes fast-paced sweet fantasy YA romance, and I think it would be appropriate for younger readers as well. It's sure to be inspirational for young girls with an interest in fantasy stories or fairytales!
The author is clearly a romantic, which comes through the romance between the two main characters (Meira and Prince Gaelen). They are consistently sweet with each other (no spice, so appropriate for younger readers too!). But I also appreciate that love isn't the only reason motivating Meira to action; she's also worried about her prince and the kingdom she lives in. It makes her feel more complex and believable as a character.
My favorite parts were the way the original fairytale expectations were turned on their head by having the girl save the prince (instead of vice versa). I thought Meira made for an excellent hero. She had her doubts, especially about herself, but was brave enough to push through despite that. I also really enjoyed some of the neat elements of the faelands as a setting and the twist on what was Rapunzel's hair in the original story (there is an equivalent, but no spoilers!).
This is a short-ish novella and written in smooth/easy language, so it makes for a quick read. I would recommend it for anyone who likes fast-paced sweet fantasy YA romance, and I think it would be appropriate for younger readers as well. It's sure to be inspirational for young girls with an interest in fantasy stories or fairytales!
November 13, 2024
Golden Chandeliers
Trumpet 🎺
Carriage gowns
Mothers necklace
Wants her sister to be on court not herself
Jealousy
Listening to 📖 by 🔥
Horseback riding 🐎
Archery 🏹
Sancing lights above flowers 🌺/ Bells 🔔
Fireflies pink& green fairy 🧚♂️
🌹 carriage ride
🌅
Garden 🪴 stonewall covered in vines
💋
Queen Averith- black lipstick 🖤
Forest green dress
Knight courtyard
📖 on fairy 🧚♀️ folklore
Likes her bc new to court ?
If married b4 21 queen doesn’t have power
Brought the darkness as entered rooms ? Something wrong 😑
Asked cousin & dad to help
Took prince 👑 & servants
Shadow fairy 🧚
Pointy 👂 🧝♀️
Found a fairy to marry
Give kingdom to stepmother ?!
Illusion?
Maze of thorns & vines
Faes tricks
Impassable wall of thorns
Climb 🧗♀️ staircase ♾️
Wants to help her 🫅
🍄🟫 🪽= 🧚♀️ 🪽
Bravery
🪄 🎂 🍰 🍞 🥖 🥤 🍷
Poppy 🧚 🏮 🪣 💧
Underwater suite
🦉 last pearl stolen
Childhood sweethearts 💘
Coexisted amongst each other and the kingdoms were once allies
Creatures captured, and never seen again
Shadow slaves
Swap
Grow test features twisted into a snarl of hunger
Monster below
Soft moss
the gemstone glimmered in her hand
Forest canopy as small lights of many colors move through the trees
🐴 bridge forest
Tower
Power in both lands
Horrible nightmares
😘
Panic 😱 😭🥺
Celebration
Cursebreaker
Prince 🤴 21st bday 💋
Trumpet 🎺
Carriage gowns
Mothers necklace
Wants her sister to be on court not herself
Jealousy
Listening to 📖 by 🔥
Horseback riding 🐎
Archery 🏹
Sancing lights above flowers 🌺/ Bells 🔔
Fireflies pink& green fairy 🧚♂️
🌹 carriage ride
🌅
Garden 🪴 stonewall covered in vines
💋
Queen Averith- black lipstick 🖤
Forest green dress
Knight courtyard
📖 on fairy 🧚♀️ folklore
Likes her bc new to court ?
If married b4 21 queen doesn’t have power
Brought the darkness as entered rooms ? Something wrong 😑
Asked cousin & dad to help
Took prince 👑 & servants
Shadow fairy 🧚
Pointy 👂 🧝♀️
Found a fairy to marry
Give kingdom to stepmother ?!
Illusion?
Maze of thorns & vines
Faes tricks
Impassable wall of thorns
Climb 🧗♀️ staircase ♾️
Wants to help her 🫅
🍄🟫 🪽= 🧚♀️ 🪽
Bravery
🪄 🎂 🍰 🍞 🥖 🥤 🍷
Poppy 🧚 🏮 🪣 💧
Underwater suite
🦉 last pearl stolen
Childhood sweethearts 💘
Coexisted amongst each other and the kingdoms were once allies
Creatures captured, and never seen again
Shadow slaves
Swap
Grow test features twisted into a snarl of hunger
Monster below
Soft moss
the gemstone glimmered in her hand
Forest canopy as small lights of many colors move through the trees
🐴 bridge forest
Tower
Power in both lands
Horrible nightmares
😘
Panic 😱 😭🥺
Celebration
Cursebreaker
Prince 🤴 21st bday 💋
October 2, 2024
This story is what would happen Brave and Rapunzel had a baby. It hooked me early on and had me cheering for Meira the whole way. There’s a red headed heroine with mad archery skills, action, a ball, sweet moments, fae, tragedy, mystery, shadow creatures, and hints of other fairy tales.
Meira is a strong independent girl willing to fight for those she loves and her kingdom. Despite the tragedy and trials thrown her way, she continues pushing determined to go the distance. I love her relationship with her father and with the Prince. She has a way of seeing things others over look.
This was a fun sweet read. It had its darkness to overcome but nothing too dark. This is a perfect fit for you if you enjoy:
✨fairytales
✨HEA
✨love conquers all
✨childhood friends-to-more
✨fae
✨quests
✨a kingdom in trouble
✨wicked stepmothers
✨brave heroines
Meira is a strong independent girl willing to fight for those she loves and her kingdom. Despite the tragedy and trials thrown her way, she continues pushing determined to go the distance. I love her relationship with her father and with the Prince. She has a way of seeing things others over look.
This was a fun sweet read. It had its darkness to overcome but nothing too dark. This is a perfect fit for you if you enjoy:
✨fairytales
✨HEA
✨love conquers all
✨childhood friends-to-more
✨fae
✨quests
✨a kingdom in trouble
✨wicked stepmothers
✨brave heroines
November 5, 2024
The premise for this one was really interesting and as it’s such a short book, it’s going to be hard to review without spoilers so I’m going to do what I normally can’t and try to be succinct:
This story is marketed as a Rapunzel retelling, which it is. But I also saw parallels to Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland while I read through these pages. I really enjoyed the childhood friends to lovers aspect of the story and the interesting family dynamics that came into play.
There were a couple small plot twists and I really enjoyed that our FMC got to do the saving in this story. That doesn’t always happen so it made for a more fun and different story line!
This book was so fast paced that it felt like I couldn’t get any background or growth from any of the characters. Short, quick books are great if you pull me in and make me heavily invested in the characters. However, this book didn’t really do that enough for me. I enjoyed the story line premise for the most part except it took until 75% into the book to see the Rapunzel retelling. Until then, I was getting Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland vibes more than anything else.
This story is marketed as a Rapunzel retelling, which it is. But I also saw parallels to Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland while I read through these pages. I really enjoyed the childhood friends to lovers aspect of the story and the interesting family dynamics that came into play.
There were a couple small plot twists and I really enjoyed that our FMC got to do the saving in this story. That doesn’t always happen so it made for a more fun and different story line!
This book was so fast paced that it felt like I couldn’t get any background or growth from any of the characters. Short, quick books are great if you pull me in and make me heavily invested in the characters. However, this book didn’t really do that enough for me. I enjoyed the story line premise for the most part except it took until 75% into the book to see the Rapunzel retelling. Until then, I was getting Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland vibes more than anything else.
October 4, 2024
Arc reader:
Overall I liked the book. The writing was good. The pace was a bit slow in the beginning, I would've preferred to have the saving him part longer. The build up to the saving felt a bit long.
I enjoyed the fact that she was the one saving him. It was nice to see a female lead that was truly brave. She didn't once falter and she saved him and the kingdom.
The whole step mother plot was interesting too, I liked that she destroyed her and brought the two kingdoms together. I liked that he became a shadow, otherwise the saving would've been a bit too easy. It added another element to her saving him which I liked.
I liked seeing her making friends with different characters on her way to save him. How she truly was a good person and always had good intentions. I was a bit hesitant to trust the queen but I'm glad the queen helped her through everything.
I liked that they didn't get married immediately, I liked that he first got the crown first and then proposed.
Overall I liked the book. The writing was good. The pace was a bit slow in the beginning, I would've preferred to have the saving him part longer. The build up to the saving felt a bit long.
I enjoyed the fact that she was the one saving him. It was nice to see a female lead that was truly brave. She didn't once falter and she saved him and the kingdom.
The whole step mother plot was interesting too, I liked that she destroyed her and brought the two kingdoms together. I liked that he became a shadow, otherwise the saving would've been a bit too easy. It added another element to her saving him which I liked.
I liked seeing her making friends with different characters on her way to save him. How she truly was a good person and always had good intentions. I was a bit hesitant to trust the queen but I'm glad the queen helped her through everything.
I liked that they didn't get married immediately, I liked that he first got the crown first and then proposed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2024
It is a Rapunzel retelling
- I love any Disney retelling books
-its a slow burn at the start but I am loving the story line
- I love how it was reverse where the prince is the one who is stuck in the tower and the girl sets off to save him
- Meira the fmc who is very strong, relatable character that is willing enough to go through any trails and tests to rescue Prince Gaelen ( who is absolutely handsome !) From Queen Regent Averith
- I love how it have childhood sweethearts, fairies/Fae, a wicked step mother and a chance for girl to be the Heroine
- I literally adore this book so much !
- I love any Disney retelling books
-its a slow burn at the start but I am loving the story line
- I love how it was reverse where the prince is the one who is stuck in the tower and the girl sets off to save him
- Meira the fmc who is very strong, relatable character that is willing enough to go through any trails and tests to rescue Prince Gaelen ( who is absolutely handsome !) From Queen Regent Averith
- I love how it have childhood sweethearts, fairies/Fae, a wicked step mother and a chance for girl to be the Heroine
- I literally adore this book so much !
September 24, 2024
Thorns Among Shadows is a short and sweet retelling of the Rapunzel story. Once I started it I could not put it down!
In a gender swapped version of the story (the male love interest is trapped in a tower instead of the girl), we get a beautiful tale of a strong female heroine who will do whatever it takes to help save her loves life from the evil queen.
For those looking for a happily ever after retelling with a no-spice romance, I would 100% recommend this book! As someone who tends to read darker, and solemn books, this was a breath of fresh air. 10/10 would recommend!
In a gender swapped version of the story (the male love interest is trapped in a tower instead of the girl), we get a beautiful tale of a strong female heroine who will do whatever it takes to help save her loves life from the evil queen.
For those looking for a happily ever after retelling with a no-spice romance, I would 100% recommend this book! As someone who tends to read darker, and solemn books, this was a breath of fresh air. 10/10 would recommend!
September 29, 2024
Thorns Among Shadows is a story for those who like themes of love conquering all. The heroine is courageous and willing to do whatever it takes for the prince she adores. For me, the novella really got exciting at the 50% mark when Meira goes on her quest. The scenes in the fae lands were my favorite (especially a scene that takes place in a swamp!—such fun action!). I know that it’s a Rapunzel retelling, but I also liked that there were a few Alice in Wonderland vibes. Overall, it was a fun, sweet read.
September 26, 2024
Meira is our heroine! By listening to stories about the fae and fairy’s from her father, she learned of their way customs and way of life. This becomes very important to her when Prince Gaelen is taken by the evil Queen Averith. The story leads you on Meira’s journey, over coming dangerous obstacles and introduces you to a whole other world. If you wanted to dip your toes in fantasy this book will help you do that. Ally has a way of making you feel included in this world.
October 3, 2024
Thorns Among Shadows is an enchanting fairytale.
I did enjoy reading this short novel which is very similar to fairytale in the length and depth of world building.
It is very fast paced which means the plot is very simple but it works thanks to the truly beautiful writing.
Extra points as this time, it is the princess that rescues the prince and I love this !
I would recommend this book for young teenagers.
I did enjoy reading this short novel which is very similar to fairytale in the length and depth of world building.
It is very fast paced which means the plot is very simple but it works thanks to the truly beautiful writing.
Extra points as this time, it is the princess that rescues the prince and I love this !
I would recommend this book for young teenagers.
October 20, 2024
Thorns Among Shadows may be the most magical fairytale I have had the pleasure of reading. It contains a Rapunzel retelling along with elements of court politics, the fae world, and a strong lead character who is versed in archery. Ally Kelly's writing is seamless, making this easy and enjoyable to read. I would recommend this book to all ages. I enjoyed how this is darker then Rapunzel and looked forward to the twists that made it different. Thank you Ally for the opportunity to arc read this!
November 6, 2024
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [ARC Review]
I have to say I really enjoyed reading this book!! Thorns Among Shadows is a Rapunzel retelling and it works so well.
Meira is the hero, while the prince is the one needing saving. Watching Meira get over her weaknesses and overthinking to save the prince was awe inspiring!
I loved the switch up in this book! Seeing the male main character be the “damsel in distress” was refreshing and shows that with a little courage and strength you can do anything you set your mind to!
I have to say I really enjoyed reading this book!! Thorns Among Shadows is a Rapunzel retelling and it works so well.
Meira is the hero, while the prince is the one needing saving. Watching Meira get over her weaknesses and overthinking to save the prince was awe inspiring!
I loved the switch up in this book! Seeing the male main character be the “damsel in distress” was refreshing and shows that with a little courage and strength you can do anything you set your mind to!
November 16, 2024
This story follows Miera as she copes with the loss of her loved ones. She then goes with her father to the court where she meets Gaelen, and love blossoms. However, things take a sinister turn and it is up to Miera to figure out what is wrong. This was an interesting gender reversed Rapunzel retelling. The fae court adds a good touch to the story.
September 30, 2024
Well written, loved that the roles were reversed and he was "the damsel in distress" and she went to save him. I really liked how it shows it's okay to ask for help and sometimes you have to ask for help. I enjoyed the book and this version of Rapunzel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2025
lovely story with a strong heroine
This is a lovely story with a heroine who takes charge against a magical threat no one else even sees. I especially enjoyed how she used her research as part of her enjoy — and how the prince made no secret of his devotion.
This is a lovely story with a heroine who takes charge against a magical threat no one else even sees. I especially enjoyed how she used her research as part of her enjoy — and how the prince made no secret of his devotion.
November 26, 2024
A really creative retelling with never a dull moment. This was one book I really enjoyed really and a sweet retelling.
November 8, 2024
An entertaining retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale. This time, though, it is the ‘damsel’ who is the heroine, as Meira rescues the love, Prince Gaelen, from the Shadowlands. Meira has to traverse the Fae Realm and the Shadowlands to overcome the evil Queen, in order to save Gaelen.This story is recounted in the style of a fairytale. If you love stories about a wicked stepmother; a quest and true love, then this one is for you.
October 6, 2024
Thank you to the author for letting me read the novella! It was what I needed after reading some heavy stuff. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters. I really enjoyed how strong the FMC and adorable the MMC was. I just wish we got more developement in their relationship. Maybe it’s because I have not read too many novellas but I think this story would be great as a full length novel. I felt at times some things were rushed for plot reasons but overall a cute, fun read
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