Among the Thorns

by Jennifer K. Lambert

Two sorceresses of unrivaled potential clash to claim the greater fate and the heart of prince charming in this deliciously romantic fantasy set in the same world as the USA Today bestselling romantasy Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert.

"Love, magic, heartbreak, and healing." —Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop, on Never the Roses

Ambitious young sorceress Rose of Northbrooke is about to graduate. She’s the only known dream sorcerer of her generation and she's a remarkable one—formidably powerful, strikingly beautiful, and destined for greatness. No wonder she has a prince of the realm trailing her skirts.

But when rumors of dream magic gone awry reach her ear, Rose discovers she’s not the only oneiromancer of her generation. And she might not be the most powerful.

In a faraway cottage, Thorn has lived a simple and isolated life. She’s kept hidden by magic that prevents her from wandering past the cottage fence. Thorn longs to be a part of the world, to learn more about her magic, to be rescued by a prince who could love her with his whole heart.

When she discovers there’s another dream sorceress out there who has everything Thorn has ever wanted—freedom, education, prince and all—her acceptance of her isolation transforms into a hunger for everything she has been denied. Everything Rose has.

When Rose and Thorn meet, they realize their lives have been a lie and their fates have been carefully planned by political schemers. The outcome is only one sorceress can live in the open, reap all the glory of her kingdom, and claim the prince’s loving hand… condemning the other to a life of perpetual non-existence.

Deliciously messy and lusciously romantic, Among the Thorns will pierce your heart.


- Love triangle
-Tragic romance
-Dark cottagecore
-Morally grey characters
-Animal companions
-Yearning

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Romance, Romantasy, Fiction, Magic, Adult Fiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published July 14, 2026

Reviews

[A mountain man’s point of review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to MetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to this book.

I don’t usually pick up fantasy for flowery prose or romance—I want a story that earns my attention. Among the Thorns did exactly that.

This book has grit. The world feels dangerous, the stakes stay high, and the characters don’t get by on luck. They make hard choices, live with the consequences, and keep pushing forward. That’s the kind of storytelling I appreciate.

The romance never overpowered the plot, and the action kept things moving. Jennifer K. Lambert built a world that feels lived in instead of just described, and I found myself wanting to know what was waiting around the next corner.

If you like fantasy with sharp edges, believable characters, and enough heart to balance the danger without turning into a romance novel first, this one’s worth your time. Easily a five-star read for me.

[Kagama-the Literaturevixen]

I was excited thinking this woulf be a contuniation of Oneira and Stearanos story. But this features new characters , though hoping we get some sliver of the previous characters

The author is a good writer though so despite my disappointment and that this is said tp feature a love triangle ( not a favorite concept of mine) I will give this a chance as the autors previous work was captivating

Suspicuom thst love triangle as its presented in the blurb might be misleading

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lambert can write a darn good story. I loved Never The Roses, but this one is even better. It’s slow paced but oh so good. The characters are angsty and complex.
Thorn lives a simple life isolated in a cottage raised by one woman. Thorn doesn’t dream and doesn’t step out of line. When she touches an object, Thorn can see all the people who have touched the object and that particular moment of their lives. She longs to meet the boy who touched a button she possesses.
Rose is the only known dream sorcerer alive. She has it all- top of her class, wealth, and the Prince of her choice. But she wants her freedom- because all magicians must contract out their life upon graduation. She soon discovers she may not be the only dream sorcerer…
The yearning, the messiness, the absolute freaking twists! This was fantastic.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC.

[Amanda | escapetoerilea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Bramble and Macmillan Audio for entrusting me with gifted physical and audio copies!

Among the Thorns by Jennifer K. Lambert
Never the Roses book 2 - different main characters

Narrated by Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, Sulin Hasso
The narration was very well done for this story! I enjoyed that each leading lady got their own narrator. I also enjoyed the voices and the characters' voices and was glad I was able to at least partially immersive read this one! Audio note: My brain needs faster speeds for audio and this narration/recording sounded great at higher speeds.

Multiple POV
Love triangle
Dark cottagecore
Morally grey characters
Animal companions
Yearning
Feminine rage
Indentured magic users

Rose and Thorn have lived very different lives. Rose is a notable dream sorceress about to graduate who thinks she has a bright future ahead of her. Until she truly learns the ways that magic users are trapped into lifetime service. Thorn has been in extreme isolation and hungers to be free and to meet the prince whose memories she can see through a jewel that used to be his. And then said prince doesn't really have a place at court, being far down the line of succession with late blooming magic. He is told to pursue Rose by this father, but once he meets Thorn, everything changes. Can the three of them unwind the machinations around them to find their way to what they want?

I wa so happy to be back in this world! It is cozy and a little slower paced, yet still has strong emotions and high stakes for those involved. I just want to hug the three main characters and protect them from the world! I adore the animal companions soooo much. SO MUCH! They are so precious and I found myself constantly chuckling at them. For the series, we have different main characters who have their own stories going on, but we do get a bit of tie in to the book 1 characters. And that is as much as I'm going to say. But you should read book 1 first! I'm so feral for book 3 and I can't wait to see where things go from the end of this book!

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into Among the Thorns with certain expectations because I absolutely loved Never the Roses. If you’re coming from that book, it’s important to know that this is a very different reading experience. While Never the Roses swept me away with its romance, this story focuses much more heavily on character development, worldbuilding, and the journeys of its characters.

This is definitely a slower-paced fantasy. If you’re looking for nonstop action, this probably isn’t the book for you. The story takes its time unfolding, and much of the enjoyment comes from getting to know the characters and watching the pieces gradually come together. While the romance didn’t hit quite as hard for me as it did in the first book, I still found myself invested in the story and appreciated the thoughtful, character-driven approach.

One of my favorite parts was all the little callbacks and connections to Never the Roses. They added an extra layer of enjoyment for me, though I don’t think reading the first book is required. This absolutely stands on its own and new readers can jump in without feeling lost.

I also listened to the audiobook while reading along. Overall, the narration was very well done and the performances brought plenty of emotion to the story. My only real complaint was that the two female narrators sounded somewhat similar, which occasionally made it difficult for me to immediately distinguish between the perspectives. Because of that, I was glad I chose to tandem read.

Overall, this was a thoughtful, character-focused fantasy that won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy slower stories that take their time developing both the characters and the world around them, there’s a lot here to appreciate.

[Marie Blackwelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never the Roses became one of my all time fav reads. And when I met Jennifer she gave me an arc copy of this book for sobbing and blubbering all over her… lol! But what I uncovered in these beautiful pages was so captivating a story of self discovery, of persevering through hardship. This story earns your attention from the start and keeps it through the end!

While this story is troped as having a “love triangle” it’s not a conventional triangle AND the love story does not take over the plot. The characters are rich, well developed and their stories are vibrant , tumultuous, and far exceeded my expectations of what this story was or could be.

I was expecting Oneira and while I didn’t get her the story that developed between Rose, Thorn & Sebastian was so heartfelt and amazing I didn’t;t even miss them!

[Lucia]

Thank you Tor Publishing for the eARC!

[Halley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Never the Roses, the first book in this series/world—enough so that I read it twice. I went into Among the Thorns excited to read more from Jennifer K. Lambert and to see what she’d do next. This book is very different in tone and structure from Never the Roses. I think that’s worth knowing going in so expectations are aligned with what this book is providing.

Where Never the Roses felt more intimate, witty, mature, and romantically focused, Among the Thorns is messier, younger, and more complicated, with three central characters whose stories are tangled together through dream magic, political maneuvering, captivity, secrets, and mistaken identity. Never the Roses felt like an adult romance full of witty banter, magnetic chemistry, and delightfully excessive magic use. Both Oneira and Stearanos felt like slightly older, more settled romance leads: people who were exhausted by what life had thrown at them and just wanted not to hurt anyone. Their romance felt earned and so deserved. Among the Thorns felt more like a young adult romance, with all the associated angst and lack of emotional/people/relationship skills, complete with an academy setting. Yes, it’s the same world, but these books feel so very different that I was surprised the marketing didn’t more directly frame Among the Thorns as a tonal shift: almost like Jennifer K. Lambert’s debut into a more YA-feeling corner of this world.

The characters were the strongest part for me. Rose, Thorn, and Sebastien all have distinct voices, and I appreciated how emotionally authentic Sebastien felt, especially in his confusion and uncertainty. Thorn’s story is heartbreaking, and the way her isolation and captivity shaped her understanding of the world made her both sympathetic and unsettling in an interesting way. Thorn being placed into the Eternal Sleep while locked in a basement felt a bit reminiscent of freezing up while being sexually assaulted, in ways that weren’t triggering but did bring up feelings.

I did struggle some with how many secrets everyone was keeping from each other, but I think a lot of this was because I expected the tone to be more similar to Never the Roses and because of my own personal tastes. This makes sense given the premise, but it also made the emotional relationships feel more fragile and frustrating for me. The love triangle/mistaken identity elements are intentionally messy, and while I found them interesting, they did not hit the same cozy, sparring, magical-library-romance feeling that I loved so much in the first book, especially with the added angst and poor communication of the characters being young adults. This book is objectively quite good and I did enjoy reading it. It’s just not at all what I was expecting, which made it a bit disappointing through no fault of its own.

I really liked the callbacks to Never the Roses, in part because Never the Roses caused me to eternally root for Oneira and Stearanos and to want them to live their well-deserved best life together while madly in love, growing esoteric roses, and using their powerful magic in ways that make them happy and better enable them to flirt with each other. I was rather heartbroken when I thought that Never the Roses stole my romance-promised HEA and instead gave me a dual-suicide tragedy. This book was worth reading if only to finally get closure that Never the Roses wasn’t a tragedy.

I listened to the audiobook for this, and Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso all did a great job bringing this story to life. While Among the Thorns has different narrators, they feel sufficiently similar that tuning in to it felt a bit like being embraced into the familiarity and safety of a well-loved sweater. Kishore Walker in particular did a delightful job voicing Sebastien’s animal friends. He did such a good job embodying Super Excited Doggos for Neena and Nonna the dogs and the over the top dramatics of “Oh My Goodness Is That A Tiger” for Kismit the horse. I’ve been around a lot of excited dogs and wound-up horses and can say with certainty that he captured the tone and vibes of both better than I ever imagined language could. His delivery conveyed an energy and experience that words alone could not. I felt like I was getting dog kisses on my face as he voiced the dogs and like I was on a horse that was one second from wheeling in a spook as he voiced Kismit afraid.

Overall, Among the Thorns is a younger, more tangled, and emotionally complicated read. I did not adore it the way I adored Never the Roses, but Jennifer K. Lambert’s character writing was just as strong, which made it still be compelling and enjoyable.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Bri Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ALC Review✨ - 3 ⭐️

This one was kind of… meh for me.

I also have to give credit where it’s due, the premise is really unique. The dream world, the portals, and the talking animals all made for a creative fantasy, and those elements were what kept me reading. Nessie was easily one of my favorite characters. “Finally! Don’t just stand there, sword boy!” had me laughing, and all of the talking animals added a lot of charm and humor to the story.

Unfortunately, I struggled with both the pacing and the romance.

The biggest issue for me was how quickly everyone fell in love. Sebastian meets Rose for the first time and is already imagining her as his wife and the mother of his children. Slow down! Then, by the time we see them again, several months have passed off-page, they’re in a full-blown relationship, sleeping together, and he’s talking about growing old with her. I was especially disappointed because his original mission was to charm and seduce her, and I think that could’ve been such a fun part of the story. Instead, we skip right over all of it.

Then we get Sebastian and Thorn, and somehow that romance feels even more rushed. I could maybe understand Sebastian realizing his feelings had changed, but I absolutely could not believe the depth of love they kept declaring for each other. They’ve barely spent any meaningful time together, and for a good portion of it he thought she was someone else. Then suddenly they’re professing their love, and before they’ve even kissed, he’s asking her to marry him. I just couldn’t buy into that emotional progression at all.

It also didn’t help that Thorn really got on my nerves. She promises Rose she won’t return to the dream… only to immediately do exactly that the next day because she wants to see Sebastian. Those choices made her feel impulsive in a frustrating way rather than an endearing one, and I had a hard time understanding why Sebastian was so devoted to her when she often came across as immature.

As much as I liked the fantasy concept, I also found myself wishing more actually happened. There were long stretches where it felt like the story wasn’t moving forward, and I kept waiting for the action to pick up. The dream world itself was fascinating, but also incredibly trippy. Trying to picture everyone mentally existing inside dreams while physically somewhere else honestly felt like I was trying to imagine what people see on hard drugs. 😂

The romance also made me question who this book was actually written for. Honestly, I think this would’ve worked much better as a YA fantasy. Between the school setting, the almost-instant romances, and the overall tone, it already felt very YA. Then every so often we’d get an unexpectedly detailed sex scene that felt completely out of place. I don’t think we needed a play-by-play of Thorn and Sebastian sleeping together, it didn’t really add anything to the story, and the euphemisms like “build to completion,” “tight sheath,” “pearl of pleasure,” and “quivering tissues” definitely weren’t doing it any favors. (I will, however, applaud Sebastian for making sure she throughly enjoyed herself 👏🏼😂)

The ending also left me feeling a little unsatisfied. It almost seemed like it was setting Rose up for another book, but it wasn’t entirely clear, and it didn’t really feel like any of the characters got a satisfying conclusion.

Overall, I think this book had a lot of potential. The fantasy world was creative, the talking animals were delightful, and the premise kept me interested enough to finish. But between the slow pacing, romances that developed far too quickly, and an identity that couldn’t quite decide whether it wanted to be YA or adult fantasy, this one ended up falling a little flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me listen to this one early.

[Kalena ୨୧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⋆.˚✮ 4.5 stars ✮˚.⋆

⤿ Thank you to Tor Books and Bramble for the arc through netgalley and physical arc in exchange for an honest review!

it's honestly such a good feeling when one of your most anticipated books of the year lives up to your expectations!! so happy to say that this was fantastic and just made me even more excited for what comes next in this world- at least i'm hoping there will be more because that ending was an amazing cliffhanger! this was the perfect book to read at my fiance's cabin too, while it's summer, we had some rainy days and being surrounded by nature in the rain added to the atmosphere.

this follows three different characters whose stories slowly become more connected over the course of this story, in a few crazy ways that i did not see coming! first there is Rose, an ambitious young sorcerer attending the Northbrooke institution and the only dream sorceress of her generation who catches the eye of the prince of the realm. she has been told all her life she's been destined for greatness and is extremely powerful, but when something in the world begins to go awry, she learns she isn't the only dream sorceress. Thorn is a young woman who has lived all her life secluded in a magical cabin intended to keep her there with her caregiver. she longs to explore the world and be saved by that same prince, and when she learns there is another dream sorcerer her isolation turns this curiosity into a wanting for everything Rose has. when they meet, they realize their fates have been more intertwined since their birth in ways they never thought possible, and their prince may be part of the way of unlocking their true path.

one of my favorite things about how Lambert writes is her prose, and the detail she puts into her writing. i'm sure that some people will find it makes the novel feel bogged down, but i am a firm believer in lots of description (when done well) and delightful prose. her stories aren't ones that are very fast, this story takes a while to get going but it's meticulous for a reason. there's a lot of secrets to uncover, and pieces of the characters we as readers need to slow down to be able to see. im obsessed with the way she writes and really hope she writes more books, even outside of the Never the Roses world, in a richer fantasy setting.

these characters were soooo complicated and while it was frustrating at times, they also made perfect sense given their circumstances. i found myself not even being frustrated AT the book or anything, because even when i found myself getting frustrated with some of them, i felt so much empathy for them in their positions. Rose was by far my favorite, she doesn't take any crap from anyone and is very interesting, there's a big plot twist surrounding her that threw me for a loop but just made me even more obsessed with her in the end. Thorn was the one i found myself frustrated with at times, but she has been completely secluded from the world, her powers, and anything related to her past so of course she isn't going to be perfect. her intention is also NEVER malicious, so while she's making mistakes she continues to be really sweet and that's why i felt so much empathy for her. the prince himself was even complicated, but his power being speaking to animals and how well he treated them was really sweet.

i'm not sure i would say that this is a romantasy book, as the romance doesn't come until the second half of the book after some major events happens. but the romance does end up being very complicated- though it resolves fairly quickly. i didn't fully understand why the prince fell for the person he did, which i think was the reason this wasn't a full five stars (though still incredible) but it did end up being really sweet.

i can confirm there were appearances and hints of things from the first book- which i was so desperately hoping for. i love that these are technically standalone books, but if you've read the first one you'll get so much more out of this!!

overall, such a fantastic read, i feel so grateful that i got to read this early and support the author! i hope there's more story in the Never the Roses world because i love this writing style and the world that has been built around this concept.

↬ trigger warnings: death and unintentional murder, confinement, child abuse, death of a child, parental manipulation, violence

[Visionary Druid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose is regarded as the generation’s most promising oneiromancer, potentially rivaling Oneira. She even attracted the interest of a minor prince. Rose has always felt different from her classmates, as if something in her life was missing. She soon discovers the presence of an untrained oneiromancer bearing her likeness, who is causing havoc. When Rose confronts the other sorceress, she realizes they are both victims of a lie. Will she uncover the mastermind behind their separation? At what cost to herself?

Thorn spends her life isolated in a woodland cottage, unaware of her magical ability. She wishes for freedom and to be rescued by her dream prince. Thorn seizes her chance when her guardian leaves her unattended. She quickly realizes that she is ill-equipped to navigate the outside world safely. When a more refined version of herself arrives, Thorn learns they are involved in someone else’s plot. Is it possible for her and Rose to break free from the political agenda that confines them? Can Thorn learn to control her magical ability?

Sebastien is the seventh son of King Soren. When it becomes apparent his ability is zoopathy, he is enrolled in a school of magic. Sebastien’s father has an ulterior motive for sending him to that school: to persuade Rose to accept his contractual offer. When he is unsuccessful, he heads home and unexpectedly encounters a softer, fragile facsimile of the sorceress. Sebastien unintentionally helps the two women discover one another. Which sorceress will he choose? The sophisticated, aloof one? Or the vulnerable, guileless one?

In the beginning, I did not care too much about Rose. She came off too snobbish, too anti-social for my tastes. However, my opinion started to change once I learned more about her. Then her demeanor and attitude made sense. What I like the most about Rose is her willingness to help Thorn reclaim the life stolen from her. Yes, she was a little harsh towards Thorn sometimes. However, it was necessary to keep the other woman from doing involuntary harm.

My heart went out to Thorn. She has been mentally abused and taken advantage of by her guardian. And she has been deprived of the necessary tutelage of her abilities. It is understandable why Thorn’s personality is the total opposite of Rose’s. I admire the bravado it took for Thorn to take the initiative to learn about her magic in secret. Yes, she bumbled through it and made many mistakes along the way.

At first, Sebastien did not leave much of an impression on me. His upbringing in the royal court left him cynical about love, especially all that Sebastien had to endure. I am surprised he turned out as he did. I like Sebastien’s closeness with his two unpopular half-sisters. He wants nothing more than to improve their lives since they looked after him throughout the years. I believe they are the reason he turned out pretty decently instead of being ruthless jerks like their other siblings.

AMONG THE THORNS is the second book in Jennifer K. Lambert’s fantasy romance series, NEVER THE ROSES. The story can easily standalone. It features a completely new group of characters, basically picking up where NEVER THE ROSES leave off. Oneira appears twice in the book with Stearanos once. Mostly they are mentioned (or referenced).

I enjoyed this book way more than the first. Yes, the beginning did start off slowly. However, it was necessary to introduce the three main characters and their situations. Once things became established, the pacing picked up.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the same magical world that we were introduced to in 'Never the Roses', this story introduces us to two girls: similar in age and appearance, but in vastly different circumstances. Thorn has never left the cottage that she has lived all her life with her guardian, Jada. Encircled by a tangle of enchanted roses, Thorn spends her times with the chickens and the goat, while doing her best to appease the whims of the mean Jada. In contrast, Rose is a student at Hasp Academy, learning to become the world's most powerful oneiromancer since Oneira herself. Rose has always been provided with the best of everything and is poised to have her pick of employment offers once she graduates Hasp.

Unbeknownst to him, Prince Sebastian, seventh son of King Sauron and last in line to rule, has a connection to both Thorn and Rose. Sebastian has discovered late in life by normal standards that he actually has a magical talent in communicating with animals. Sent to Hasp by the king in a bid to learn about his meager power, and to woo the powerful Rose to convince her to join King Sauron's court upon her graduation. He soon becomes instrumental into setting a plan into motion involving Rose and Thorn both that has been designed by the gods themselves.

It was wonderful to see the return of Bunny, Adsila, and Moira. I will admit the beginning of this book challenged me to stay interested. It was about at the 45% mark that I really started becoming invested in the story and characters. Once I was hooked though, that was it. I listened to the second half of the book in one afternoon and was completely immersed in Thorn and Roses' world. Having read both 'Never the Roses' and 'Among the Thorns' I feel now that Oneira and Stearanos' story was almost like a prequel to the story that is unfolding in this novel. We're left on something of a cliffhanger that is not quite a cliffhanger, much like at the end of 'Never the Roses'. You're given the impression that if you choose to believe, you could think that the story simply ends there, and everything is mostly well but vague. Having fallen for that at the end of NTR, I don't believe now that this is the last we'll see of Rose, Thorn, Sebastian, Oneira, and Stearanos. We never did learn what She Who Eats Bears has orchestrated for these powerful mages, and I'm eager to see an announcement for another story in this universe.

Additionally, for those who may have been disappointed that NTR was not a spicy romance novel, never fear. We finally get some spicy romance in ATT. I would give it a tentative 3/5 on the spice scale for a couple of scenes of open-door romance. While I would feel comfortable having a younger teen read NTR, I do feel that AtT is an adult fantasy novel.

I listened to the audio book performance of this novel. While the narrator for Thorn's chapters initially sort of irritated me, when I got more invested in the story, I was able to tune out the things that aggravated me. I did really like that as this story is told in three POV: Rose, Thorn, and Sebastian, we got 3 narrators for the audio book, one for each main character. It is not dual narration however; each chapter has a singular narrator based on whose POV that chapter is portraying.

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan audio, and Jennifer K. Lambert for the ALC of this novel to review.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

AMONG THE THORNS is a lush fairytale-esque read. Thorn has spent her life locked away in a little cottage, at the whim of her guardian Jada. She desperately wants to be free, but when she first makes an attempt, Jada catches her and then begins to put her into a magical sleep anytime she leaves the house. Thorn lives in this frozen, awake state for increasing amounts of time, beginning to forget herself - until Moriah visits her and suggests that she is more powerful than she thinks and Thorn begins to plan.

Rose is a talented oneiromancer, who is training at HASP. She has always been apart from her classmates and felt somewhat isolated. As a sorcerer, she is bound by the blood geas, which compel her to follow any commands from the person who holds her contract. Once she graduates, the contract will be transferred to someone else, and she will have to pay off her debt to them - a debt that will take more than a lifetime to pay.

Sebastien is the seventh son of Soren, a king in one of the lands. He has been mostly forgotten but needs to find his own path, especially with the heir trying to get rid of any potential competition. When he realizes his ability to talk to animals is magic, his father must report him but also gives him a task to seduce Rose and convince her to come to their kingdom.

As the story continues, their stories will have many twists, turns, and surprises. The biggest twist, I did not see coming at all, but I loved the way it felt that it followed in the story. While this is a sequel, it could be read as a stand-alone. However, fans of the first book will appreciate the threads connecting them with the hint at the end for bigger stories to come from these. The animals from the first appear here, as minor characters, and the story of Oneira and Stearanos is clearly not yet done (though does not advance terribly much on its own here).

There are some strong themes around power, freedom, forced servitude, and abuse that play out in interesting ways for all the characters. None of the three are fully free to choose their destiny and this has molded them in different ways. I found all three characters to be really compelling, and I very much hope that their stories will continue in future books - they do not yet feel done, much like the threads from the first book.

The fairytale inspiration/elements are really strong here, particularly with Thorn, and I appreciated these elements, which gave the story an otherworldly feel. My main complaint was for the romance, which felt very immature and basically just instalove without any substance. The ending felt rushed around this, especially, as I think it could have helped to have the characters mature and get to know each other better before leaping in full-on. In some ways, this increased a feeling of being more YA, though there is a steamy scene that felt forced into the story. Although this was not my cup of tea, I still enjoyed the overall story enough that this did not much hamper how I felt about it in the end.

AMONG THE THORNS is an enchanting and twisty fantasy read that fans of the first book will enjoy! I am excited to see where this series might take us next!

Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Amy Kay ♥️ Books are my daily therapy ♥️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

AMONG THE THORNS
By: Jennifer K. Lambert
Never The Roses Series
Book 2

ARC/ALC REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Star Review
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5 Spiciness Level
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 5/5 Audiobook Review
(Narrated in hybrid format, multicast narration in dual narration style just with 3 narrators instead of 2).

RELEASE INFO FOR ARC/ALC BOOKS:
Releasing in all formats on July 14, 2026.

RECOMMENDATION:
I do enjoy books that surprise me! After the cliffhanger from book 1, Never the Roses, I expected this book to be a continuation story of those main characters. However, this is not who Among The Thorns is about!

Among the Thorns is about two powerful sorceresses and a sorcerer. The two sorceresses were brought up with many secrets and lies which have, unknowingly to them, altered their lives in enormous ways. They both find themselves in the company of the sorcerer Prince Sebastian. The secrets and political maneuvering make the relationship between the three of them very complicated. Rose is a powerful sorceress who has the same magic as the FMC from book 1. Thorn is also a powerful sorceress but instead of being raised in court society, she was hidden & locked away in a magical cottage being raised by an abusive guardian with sort-of a Rapunzel feel. She gets herself out, though, then stumbles upon the Prince.

All of these characters are young and learning how to do life, trying to make the right decisions. The hard part is deciding on whether to make yourself or others happy because in this case, the pressure is on to do what their parents want and not what they want.

This story has much more of a college-age feel to it as compared to book 1 with older, more mature main characters. There is a completely different feel to it. The book 1 characters are talked about in this book but are not technically in it. So each book can be read as a standalone with very little overlap between the two.

TROPES:
Love Triangle
Enemies-To-Lovers
Forbidden Romance
Dark Cottagecore
Magical Academy
Hidden Identity
Forced Proximity
Only One Bed

GENRE, POV, PAGE COUNT:
Fantasy Romance
Written in 3rd Person
400 Pages

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW, NARRATORS & TIME LENGTH:
Audiobooks are magnificent. They have a way of immersing the reader further into the story and taking it to a whole new level. These narrators do an impeccable job of narrating their parts in this book. The transition of voice and pitch changes are seamless and each character is easily distinguishable. Wonderful job!!

Hybrid Multicast Narration - Switching between the 3 narrators by chapter who are narrating that whole chapter & all characters within it. Similar to dual narration, only with 3 narrators instead of 2.
13 Hours 58 Minutes
Narrators:
Imi Hasna
Kishore Walker &
Sulin Hasso

THANKS:
Thank you to Author Jennifer K. Lambert, Macmillan Audio, Tor Publishing Group | Bramble, and NetGalley for this amazing book! I loved reading it, look forward to the next book in this series and look forward to reading future books by this author and publisher! Thank you!
 
Happy Reading! ♥

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5. Releases 7/14/2026.

The Basics:

Rose is the only dream sorcerer of her generation, with immense potential. Except, she's actually not the only one, as it turns out. While Rose has been praised for years, Thorn has lived an isolated life, hoping for a prince to rescue her. Upon finding out about Rose's existence, Thorn wants everything she has. Including the prince…

The Review:

This is a follow-up to Lambert's Never the Roses, and though they both sort of stand alone… I think you'd understand and appreciate Among the Thorns more if you read Never the Roses first. I liked a lot of the things about Never the Roses, but the ending let me down a bit. Among the Thorns makes it clear that the story there isn't quite over, and I assume there's more to come. So that's great.

But what about our rival sorcerers and their prince?

Alas, this isn't a throuple book (and to be clear, I didn't think it would be—but it would've been great). However, I do appreciate Lambert for doing what a lot of readers shy away from as of late: the love triangle. A light touch love triangle, but a love triangle nonetheless.

I would firmly call Among the Thorns (and Never the Roses) as a romantic fantasy versus a fantasy romance, so she's not beholden to the HEA. But the romance and the conflicted feelings of all three parties are still front and center. Would I say the romance swept me away? Not quite, but it was written in a lovely way, and I liked it.

I've seen some call this "dark cottagecore", and boy, I'd rather we didn't make that a thing. However, yes, there is the sort of cozy atmosphere of a cottagecore story… with legitimate threats. The coziness does slow down the threats a little!

The pacing here is slow. There's a fairytale tone, which left me feeling a bit less connected to the characters than I would've liked. And Rose and Thorn are both more interesting than their prince. But it's still an interesting, contemplative read. The narration also brightens it up, with compelling performances from Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso.

The thing is… when we got back to the loose threads of Never the Roses, that made me a lot more excited. I'm interested in seeing what happens next, but—well. Maybe I would've been a bit punchier about a direct sequel.

The Conclusion:

Meditative despite its intense premise and interesting despite that meditative part, Among the Thorns isn't mind-blowing, but it hits the spot for those who want a bit more verve in their cottagecore stories, a bit more fantasy than romance. The characters are more like players in their roles, but I have a feeling we'll get to the big, intense lovers next time. A rainy day read!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[F.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a really interesting premise, and I especially enjoyed the dream magic. The concept of oneiromancy was one of the most unique aspects of the story, and I would have loved to see even more of how it worked. The dreamwalking magic in particular gave me slight Inception-style vibes at times, especially in how dreams and reality begin to blur and influence one another.

The characters were the strongest part of the book for me. Rose, Thorn, and Sebastien all have distinct voices, and I especially loved Sebastien. He was easily my favorite character, emotionally authentic, especially in his confusion and uncertainty as he navigates expectations, duty, and his own feelings.

Thorn’s storyline was also very compelling. Her isolation and captivity shaped her understanding of the world in a way that made her both deeply sympathetic and, at times, unsettling in an interesting way. Her experience of being hidden away and essentially erased from the world gave her arc a strong emotional weight.

That said, my biggest issue was that the book wasn’t quite what I expected based on the synopsis. The blurb promises two powerful twin sorceresses clashing over fate and the heart of a prince, but that’s not really the story that unfolds. Rose and Thorn’s initial meeting is understandably tense, yet they never become true rivals, and I never felt like this was a genuine love triangle. The conflict centers much more on family secrets, manipulation, and the consequences of their father’s choices than on the sisters competing with one another.

The pacing also felt uneven. The middle of the novel introduces so many secrets and revelations that it became difficult at times to keep track of everything that was happening. Then, in the final quarter, the story speeds through several major developments and resolutions so quickly that I wished those moments had been given more time to breathe.

One thing worth mentioning is that I haven’t read Never the Roses, so it’s possible I was missing some world-building or context that would have helped me connect more deeply with the story. While this can be read on its own, I do wonder if starting with the first book would have given me a stronger sense of the world and its rules.

Overall, I liked the book, especially the dream magic and the themes of identity, family, and healing, and the characters were definitely the highlight. However, the marketing set expectations for a different kind of story than what I got, and the uneven pacing kept it from fully landing.

Thank you NetGalley and McMillian Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kara Sandoval · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻𝘀 (A 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 Novel)
✍️ Jennifer K. Lambert
🎧 Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻𝘀 by Jennifer K. Lambert might be the rare sequel I love more than the book that came before it, and I did not expect to say that. I could not have loved this one without the groundwork 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 laid, but the continuation is something else entirely. I still do not have all my answers. I am at peace with that.

This story runs concurrently with 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀, same timeline, different vantage point, and the twist buried inside that structure caught me completely off guard. It sends everything down a new path, one that raises more questions than it answers, and Lambert lays the groundwork for what feels like a genuinely enchanting continuation of this world.

I was thrilled to see some favorite animal companions return alongside new ones, and Lambert’s love of animals comes through so clearly in her writing that it is impossible not to feel her deep affection for them on the page.

We get so much more of the dream itself in this book. I kept catching parallels between the dreamworld and AI, and Lambert made me sit in the discomfort of that reality rather than look away from it.

What struck me most is the book’s understanding of self. Rose, Thorn, and Sebastien all have to recognize their own faults and their own strengths before they can change anything around them, and Lambert makes clear that kind of change has to come from somewhere deep inside first. It gives the romance real weight underneath all the yearning.

This is romantasy with enough spice to make your toes curl, full of wit, strong worldbuilding, and character development that earns every bit of the ache it builds. A truly fun read and listen, and I am already impatient for what comes next.

𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲:
Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso were fantastic across the board, genuinely enjoyable to listen to and well suited to the triple narrative structure.

𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
“All truly great people are alone.”

“You have far more power than you know. Learn to use it.”

“Ah, but knowing a name and receiving a name as a gift are two entirely different things, aren’t they? There’s a magic to the exchange of names…”

“Control the Dream or it controls you.”

“With him, she would be the rose and not the thorn.”

“Yes, dogs tend to be attuned to human emotions. They worry about us.” He leaned down and stroked Nonna’s ears. “That’s right, we worry about you, too.”

“Oh, you’re not a wolf at all, are you? You’re made of magic. How wonderful.”

“I’m at peace with my mediocrity. It’s fine.”

“But you and I are writing a new tale.”

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Genre: cozy fantasy
Themes: love triangle, cottage life, morally grey, yearning, indentured servitude, magic
📖 Read if you like: An Arcane Study of Stars, The Spellshop, Emily Wilde

This is not a sequel, but it is set in the same world as Never the Roses with a few tie ins that I appreciated. Once again the writing was lyrical with an immersive style of story telling that balanced strong emotions with a creative story. It is slower paced and meant to be enjoyed, but this time the plot kept me hooked.

Rose is the most regaled dreamwalker since the famed Oneira disappeared. Ambitious and determined to find her own freedom, Rose is a powerful sorcerer everyone wants including a handsome prince. Having lived a charmed life of privilege and learning, she is the complete opposite to Thorn. Growing up in a remote cottage, Thorn is kept as both a prisoner and servant. She could quite possibly be an even more remarkable sorcerous, but left to her own device in obscurity she is quite naive and seeks escape from her current circumstances. Wishing a handsome prince would come and rescue her, Thorn discovers she has the power to rescue herself and quite possible form the dream she wishes upon.

Rose comes across as cold and rather judgemental at first, but this plays perfectly into her character arc and eventual revelations. In contrast, Thorn is a byproduct of a life of abuse and isolation, and is easy to feel for. Their marked differences make for a messy and sometimes comical combination. Sebastian was framed as a lovable oaf who uses his handsome face to hide the scars within. He is perhaps the perfect match for one of these woman, but only one.

The return of Bunny, Adsila and Moira were very much appreciated and the newer animal companions made this extra cozy and comedic. While this started off slow, the big twist was both unexpected and greatly appreciated. It gave an inventive twist to the Rapunzel fable and played out in a very satisfying way. By the end I really liked all of the characters and could understand their POVs and this story proved both meditative and fantastical.

I probably would have struggled with the pacing of this book had I read it myself, but it made for a fantastic audiobook. Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker and Sulin Hasso offered up a three unique voices that paired well together and maintained a steady pace, tone and sense of tension. They did an excellent job creating a wealth of emotion and personalization with each of their characters as to make the experience even more immersive.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for this excellent audiobook. #MacAudio2026

[PlotTrysts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year, I read Never the Roses. I ended that review with a warning to romance readers that it was a tragic romance without an HEA (this was made clear in the marketing, but I just wanted to underline!). But … I thought the tragic ending might be just a little bit ambiguous. And when I saw that Among the Thorns was called a “Never the Roses” novel, I was both a) intrigued by another tragic romantasy and b) hoping for a little closure.

Among the Thorns introduces us to Rose, a young oneiromancer, who’s been studying her whole life to be able to walk the dream; to Sebastien, a handsome prince who just discovered he’s a sorcerer; and to Thorn, an isolated young woman with the powers of psychometry. As it turns out, the three of them are connected in ways they could never have imagined.

The book is marketed as being a love triangle and that it is a tragic romance. I was expecting, at best, that all three characters would be alive at the end of the book, but definitely no one would get a clear HEA. But, romance readers rejoice, it has an ambiguously happy ending! AND, if you liked Never the Roses, it promises a continuation of that story with - just possibly! - an eventual HEA.

You don’t NEED to have read Never the Roses before picking up this book. I will say that knowing about Oneira and Stearanos’s love story made the little hints so much more meaningful. I’ve really loved the contemplative, gently melancholic feel of the books without being overwhelmed by the tragedy. It feels a little different from other romantasy or romantic fantasy I’ve read, and I think that by the end of the series (I’m guessing 3 books?) it will form a really satisfying romantic arc set in a well-thought-out fantasy world.

I tandem read this one. The narration is well-done, with three different narrators (one for each main character). My only quibbles were 1) that the two female narrators voices were quite similar to each other (this might make sense narratively but didn’t make it easier to tell them apart!); and 2) that the narrators did not decide together on common pronunciations of fantasy names (especially Stearanos, who comes up several times in different POVs!).

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audiobook.

[Sydney Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into Among The Thorns, I knew we weren't getting a continuation of Oneira and Stearanos's story from Never The Roses... but that didn't stop me from missing them every time they were mentioned 😭 Every callback felt like running into old friends, and I absolutely loved seeing those threads woven throughout the story.

This installment takes a very different approach than its predecessor. Where Never The Roses leaned heavily into the romance, Among The Thorns is much more character driven, focusing on Rose and Thorn as individuals and the circumstances that have shaped their lives. Rose has everything Thorn has ever dreamed of, while Thorn has spent her life trapped and hidden away, creating a fascinating dynamic fueled by longing, jealousy, and questions of identity.

However, while I enjoyed the journey, I kept waiting for a moment where everything would truly explode onto the page. There was a persistent feeling that something was missing, though I struggle to pinpoint exactly what. By the end, I wasn't quite as satisfied as I wanted to be. I found myself wishing the story had pushed a little further or delivered a more distinct climactic moment before wrapping up.

Technically, I don't think you have to read Never The Roses first, but I would still strongly recommend it. Having that foundation made the world, the magic system of oneiromancy, and all of the references to Oneira and Stearanos much richer and more meaningful. I also have a sneaking suspicion that this story isn't quite finished yet. Whether that's wishful thinking because I miss those characters or genuine foreshadowing remains to be seen, but I wouldn't be surprised if we revisit this world and its characters again in the future.

A special shoutout to the audiobook narrators, who did a fantastic job bringing both Rose and Thorn to life. The dual narration added so much personality and emotion to the story, making it easy to become invested in each character's perspective.

Overall, Among The Thorns is a thoughtful, character focused fantasy that expands the world introduced in Never The Roses. While it didn't quite capture the same magic for me as the first book, I still enjoyed my time in this world and would happily return if there's more to come. 🌹✨📖

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars rounded up.
First, thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer K. Lambert, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this ALC.

Starting with the audio itself—this was done incredibly well. The narrators, Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso, brought so much emotion, tension, and yearning to the story, which is especially important in fantasy-driven books. The audiobook experience itself was easily 5 stars for me.

Story-wise, this landed around a 3.5-star read.

Going into this, I immediately got Rapunzel/Tangled retelling vibes with the whole hidden away in a cottage deep in the woods, kept from the truth of her identity, and controlled by a hateful guardian setup. Unfortunately, while I really wanted to connect with this story, I struggled to for most of it.

My biggest issue was predictability. Much of the story felt fairly easy to anticipate, which made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself. That said, the strongest part of the book was definitely the reveal surrounding Rose’s father, the more diabolical aspects of the plan, and discovering the truth about Rose herself.

I wanted more uniqueness and more moments that surprised me. While the story was cute and enjoyable at times, not much truly stood out because I often felt like I already knew where things were headed.

The animal companions were adorable, and I did enjoy learning more about Rose, Thorn, and their magic—it added some interesting layers to the world.

One thing that disappointed me slightly was the marketing versus execution. When I see tropes like love triangle and morally gray characters, I expect those elements to have a stronger presence. Personally, I didn’t feel like either of those aspects delivered with the intensity I was expecting.
There is a small amount of spice, heaviest at the end of the book but not in detail, more like a few comments then fade to black.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad read by any means—it simply didn’t hit as strongly for me as I had hoped. However, if you enjoy fairy tale retellings, hidden identities, magical mysteries, and fantasy with strong audiobook performances, this may still work really well for you.

[Shannon Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

So very grateful to have had the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of the audiobook. I really enjoyed Never the Roses and have already preordered a physical copy of Among the Thorns.

While set with different characters in the same world as Never the Roses, I do recommend reading the first book before this one as the main characters are mentioned frequently and the events of the first book do influence the second.

I did really enjoy this story. I loved the dynamic of three main characters in Rose, Thorn, and Sebastian. From the blurb I was expecting a lot more tension and conflict between the main characters than actually appeared in the book. While there is a sort of love triangle, I was surprised with how easily it was resolved. Also less conflict between Rose and Thorn than I was expecting, but without spoilers things are revealed quickly to the characters that I feel mitigates that conflict.

Despite my expectations going in not fully matching, there still was drama and excitement and some really good twists. This world sets up a lot in terms of the magic system, and how society/people try to capitalize and use those with magical abilities. There is also a good bit of family drama too which I really enjoyed.

For the audiobook specifically I found it very easy to listen to. I kept it at a comfortable 2x speed, but even testing it out at the standard speed I didn’t find it too slow. I also loved for the audiobook that each character’s chapters had a different narrator. While this could have been done satisfactorily with one narrator, the separate voices really enhanced the listening experience. Especially only having access to an audio copy it really helped me differentiate characters in the early stages and set up their personalities. That extra attention to detail while I am assuming it costs more money really makes a better product for the listener in the end.

Overall I gave this book 4/5 stars. It is a great cohesive story that builds upon an already interesting world, and leaves the ending open for more story opportunities in the future. I am very thankful to Macmillian Audio for allowing me to listen to this story early to review.

[Shana kay Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley.

Among the Thorns was a great read that kept me invested.

The story follows two sisters, Rose and Thorn. Rose is known as one of the most powerful oneiromancers of her time, and because of her abilities, she has caught the attention of Prince Sebastian. His goal is to create a love match between them so that her gifts can ultimately serve the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Thorn has been hidden away in a small cottage for most of her life. She endures both physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her guardian, who often leaves her trapped in a magical sleep for days or even weeks at a time. Thanks to her own powerful abilities, Thorn eventually manages to wake herself and finds herself crossing paths with Prince Sebastian, who initially mistakes her for her sister.

As Sebastian gets to know both women, he begins to realize that his connection to Thorn runs much deeper than the one he feels toward Rose. The more time they spend together, the stronger their bond becomes, and it was wonderful to watch their relationship develop naturally throughout the story.

I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, but this book was an enjoyable read filled with mystery, magic, and emotional depth. What I loved most was its focus on character growth, self-discovery, and uncovering the truth about who you really are. If you enjoy fantasy with strong character development, family secrets, and a slow-building romance, I would definitely recommend giving Among the Thorns a try

[Reader Salad · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-⭐️

This second installment in the interconnected standalone series completely exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed Never the Roses and gave it 4 stars, but Among the Thorns took everything I liked about the first book and expanded on it. The world-building is richer, the political intrigue runs deeper, and we get a much better understanding of the magic system and the forces shaping this world.

The story follows two sisters whose lives couldn’t be more different, one seemingly blessed with every advantage, while the other is hidden away with her magic suppressed until she finally breaks free. Alongside them is a charming prince with the delightful ability to communicate with animals. What started as a story I thought I could predict quickly surprised me, taking the plot in directions I never expected. Compared to the first book, this one carries much more emotional weight, weaving heartbreak, sacrifice, and difficult choices throughout the narrative.

I was especially drawn into the relationships between the characters and the way their personal struggles tied into the larger political and magical conflicts. The connection back to the original story was also a nice touch, adding another layer of depth to the series as a whole. Thoughtful, emotional, and far more engaging than I anticipated, Among the Thorns left me eager to see where this world and its characters go next.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this amazing ALC!

[Glennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.

I was immediatly drawn to this as I loved Never the Roses (NTR), the first book in this series also written by Lambert. However, Among the Thorns (ATT) was very different in tone and pace though and, while I still enjoyed the story, it was different from what I was expecting. If there are other readers picking this up based on how much they oved Never the Roses, I think they need to understand that this story will be different; they are interconnected, but still manage to be completly seperate.

I enjoyed the overall story and seeing how it finally converged all the characters together in a much larger plot. Lambert does an excellent job of fleshing out her characters and their development, and continues to do a wonderful job of building on the world first created in NTR. This story focuses on younger characters, so the social and emotional development of Rose, Thorn, and Sebastian is very different and also sets the tone for ATT.

Probably my favorite part of this whole book was the animals and their individual thoughts (this is partially enhanced based on the audio narration). It breathed a touch of humor into the overall story. Okay, I did love the story as whole, but the romance sometimes felt a little flat and rushed between particular characters. Given the ending, there is definitely a possibility for more stories to take place. I may have been a little let down that this wasn't quite the same as ATR, but still felt the story was well done and left me wanting more.

[Carina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many other readers, I had to get over the initial disappointment that this is not in fact a direct sequel to Never the Roses, but a novel in the same universe with different characters. Once this was out of the way though, I let myself fall into the story, and it wriggled its way into my heart just like Never the Roses, to live there eternally.

And also...not to spoil any anything.... but this book is also not not about Oneira....

Among the Thorns carries that same dreamlike, slightly unsettling fairy-tale quality that made its predecessor so memorable. And all the while it shows so much heart and depth, not afraid to touch on darker themes as well.
The mysteries of Rose and Thorn slowly unravelled throughout the book, and I for sure didn't see the plot twists coming. The relationship between the two women is definitely the real anchor of the story.

There is a slower burn to this book, and at times I did wish for a bit more momentum, but the payoff lies in how everything eventually comes together in a way that feels both inevitable and strange.

I loved the audiobook with its perfect triple POV narration. The voices for Rose and Thorn highlighted all the differences and also similarities between the two FMCs. And the rest was highly enjoyable as well.

4.5/5 stars


Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the eARC!

#AmongTheThorns #NetGalley #Bookstagram #MacAudio2026

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤 Among the Thorns ARC Review 🖤

Thank you so much to Jennifer K Lambert for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Among the Thorns is a fantasy romance and book 2 in the Never the Roses series. When two rare dream sorceresses discover they have unrivaled potential, they’re both determined to claim glory and the hand of the prince. But who will win this political and magical competition and rise to fame, and who will be left behind?

This was such an engaging read! I really enjoyed Thorn and her growth in this book, and Rose’s fierce personality. Sebastian was such a fun character and i really liked his interactions with both Thorn and Rose in this book. I enjoyed the continued world building and small bits of fairytale lore mixed into the story of these characters

This was a wonderful five star read! I really enjoyed these characters and their story! I an eagerly awaiting more in this series! This book does have some darker elements, so please check triggers if you’re sensitive. This book was a bit of a slow burn but had some spice later on, so overall two flames for spice

If you’re a fan of fantasy romance with strong characters, engaging world building, and unique storytelling, then absolutely pick this series up! Even though this book revolves around different characters, I’d suggest reading Never the Roses first to get the most out of the magic, overarching story and Easter Eggs.

[Bethany Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @brambleromance @jenniferk.lambert @macmillan.audio #macaudio2026 #partner for the gifted copies of this book!

Among the Thorns was such a magical little escape! I listened to the audiobook and the multicast narration by Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso was fantastic. The accents felt perfectly placed for this atmosphere! I listened and followed along with my eyeballs and I just feel like the audiobook brought the characters to life!

The story follows two incredibly powerful dream sorceresses whose lives become intertwined as they’re pulled toward the same destiny and dun dun dun....the same prince. This one has a bit of a love triangle happening! I think what I loved most was the feeling of this book. It has this enchanting, almost dreamlike quality with magical creatures. The animal companions and beautiful mystical spaces made me feel like I was wandering through a fairy tale.

If you’re wondering whether you need to read Never the Roses first, I don’t think so. I did read it (and loved it!), but it’s been long enough that I honestly don’t remember many of the details. I never felt lost while reading this one so I thought it would be important to mention it. Of course, if you did read Never the Roses you’d get history of the characters though!

This is perfect for anyone in the mood for:
🌿 dark cottagecore vibes
🖤 morally gray characters
💔 heartbreaking romance
🐾 adorable animal companions
✨ a love triangle
💕 so much quiet longing and “I wish we could be together” energy

[Laura Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of Rapunzel retellings mixed with intriguing characters, secrets, and complex magic will enjoy this one.

The story follows three main characters: Rose, a powerful sorceress whose life changes when she discovers someone she never knew existed, forcing her to confront secrets surrounding her past; Sebastien, a prince with magical abilities who forms an unlikely friendship with Rose; and Thorn, a young woman who has spent her life isolated and never had the opportunity to fully develop her own magical powers.

Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso did a fabulous job bringing each character’s voice to life. I appreciated how different each perspective felt, and the consistent pacing between all three narrators was especially impressive, as I rarely hear that balance with a multi-narrator audiobook.

Overall, I found the plot a little slow, and I think the book's blurb was somewhat misleading. It is marketed as a love triangle, but that dynamic never really develops. I also kept waiting for the anticipated clash between two powerful sorceresses, but that conflict never fully materialized, which left me feeling like the story didn't quite deliver on some of its biggest promises.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Diana Chinchilla (dianasbookhaven) · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝘼𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚: 7/14/2026
𝘼𝙇𝘾 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 🎧🎧🎧🎧
𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 🥀🥀🥀.75
𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚: 🌶️
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨: Slow Burn
Semi Love Triangle
Romantasy

🎧🄰🄻🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆: 👏🏼👏🏼The narration was excellent overall, though I found the two female voices somewhat similar, which made it a bit challenging to distinguish between them. However, aside from that, the performance was impressive.

📖🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆: I approached this story with the hope of revisiting elements from book one, as I absolutely loved Never the Roses. This expectation, however, led to a slight disappointment on my part, which was entirely my own doing and not a reflection of the narrative itself. It's worth noting that reading Never the Roses is not a prerequisite for enjoying this tale.

Among the Thorns possesses its own unique charm, though I typically prefer faster-paced narratives. The beginning unfolds slowly, but this deliberate pace is essential for character development. Once I got past that initial phase, I was captivated by the enchanting storyline, featuring a prince who communicates with animals and a strong, fierce female lead. The conclusion left me eagerly anticipating what comes next!

🎧𝙶𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗 𝙰𝙻𝙲 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 & 𝚕𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝, 𝚗𝚘𝚗-𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠. 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 netgalley and macmillan audio 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢.