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Among the Thorns
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.
"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.
391 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
July 10, 2026
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.
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.
Want to Read
December 13, 2025I 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
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
July 12, 2026
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.
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.
July 9, 2026
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!
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!
June 17, 2026
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.
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.
July 24, 2026
Among the Thorns was a really unique fantasy read. I feel like a lot of romantasy books I've read lately all follow the same formula and this one definitely felt like a breathe of fresh air. I felt the way the world was built allowed us to learn about the world and magic along with Thorn and so I never felt lost or left out which is so important to me when reading a fantasy novel.
Here are some of my unfiltered thoughts I had while listening to this story.
-strong start with the accents of the narrators. I love them!
-well, I don’t like Jada.
-I’m confused with how many times the word “sexual” has been said with no details or lead up or chemistry. Just that it’s powerful in this world.
-I think the fact that I’m listening to this book is providing challenges. If I was reading it I think I could grasp names and world building a little more. But I was gifted an ALC so we push forward.
-Thorns life is giving “Harry in the cupboard under the stairs” vibes mixed with Rapinzel. As a matter of fact, I picture Jada like Mother Gothel as I listen.
-she’s been sleeping on and off for 7 years!?!? Someone let me at Jada Gothel.
-Sebastian seems cute but clueless.
-is Rose actually Thorn during these deep sleeps? Does she actually not sleep but instead lives some sort of enchanted life she doesn’t remember when she wakes up as thorn?
-is this a Spider-Man situation? Are we crossing universes. Is Thorn supposed to be evil Rose. Because that’s what the names would suggest but she seems sweet and pure.
-alright Sebastian, I have identical twins in my life, you can see the difference. Why are you so shocked!?!
-out of everyone that could be hurt - really? The dog?!?
-wait… We are really letting her go back to Jada Gothel? Now that we know Thorn exists we’re letting her go back to that awful woman to be put casually in and out of a magical coma?
-the dad sucks. I hate him. The more he talks, the more I want to throat punch him.
-as of right now, I feel really bad for their mom. I hope that as the story goes on, she doesn’t do something that makes me change my opinion of her. I am a little hesitant to be on her side because she is choosing to be married to this awful man.
-Thorn not understanding how to use her powers is all the more reason why we shouldn’t have sent her back to this prison of a cottage by herself!
-these talking sweet animals are the only thing subduing the rage I feel at pretty much everyone but Thorn right now.
-I’m going to need Nina to come back by the end of this story.
-take that evil father!
-wait, we are getting really close to the end and Nina isn’t back yet.
-is there another book coming? Where we get a little more explanation and follow up on the Epilogue, and you know…a happy ending for Nina!!!!!!!
Thank you to Net Galley, MacMillan Audio, and Jennifer K. Lambert for an ALC of this story.
Here are some of my unfiltered thoughts I had while listening to this story.
-strong start with the accents of the narrators. I love them!
-well, I don’t like Jada.
-I’m confused with how many times the word “sexual” has been said with no details or lead up or chemistry. Just that it’s powerful in this world.
-I think the fact that I’m listening to this book is providing challenges. If I was reading it I think I could grasp names and world building a little more. But I was gifted an ALC so we push forward.
-Thorns life is giving “Harry in the cupboard under the stairs” vibes mixed with Rapinzel. As a matter of fact, I picture Jada like Mother Gothel as I listen.
-she’s been sleeping on and off for 7 years!?!? Someone let me at Jada Gothel.
-Sebastian seems cute but clueless.
-is Rose actually Thorn during these deep sleeps? Does she actually not sleep but instead lives some sort of enchanted life she doesn’t remember when she wakes up as thorn?
-is this a Spider-Man situation? Are we crossing universes. Is Thorn supposed to be evil Rose. Because that’s what the names would suggest but she seems sweet and pure.
-alright Sebastian, I have identical twins in my life, you can see the difference. Why are you so shocked!?!
-out of everyone that could be hurt - really? The dog?!?
-wait… We are really letting her go back to Jada Gothel? Now that we know Thorn exists we’re letting her go back to that awful woman to be put casually in and out of a magical coma?
-the dad sucks. I hate him. The more he talks, the more I want to throat punch him.
-as of right now, I feel really bad for their mom. I hope that as the story goes on, she doesn’t do something that makes me change my opinion of her. I am a little hesitant to be on her side because she is choosing to be married to this awful man.
-Thorn not understanding how to use her powers is all the more reason why we shouldn’t have sent her back to this prison of a cottage by herself!
-these talking sweet animals are the only thing subduing the rage I feel at pretty much everyone but Thorn right now.
-I’m going to need Nina to come back by the end of this story.
-take that evil father!
-wait, we are getting really close to the end and Nina isn’t back yet.
-is there another book coming? Where we get a little more explanation and follow up on the Epilogue, and you know…a happy ending for Nina!!!!!!!
Thank you to Net Galley, MacMillan Audio, and Jennifer K. Lambert for an ALC of this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2026
Thank you Macmillan audio of giving me this book.
This is a standalone book in the same world as Never the Rose. I have not read Never the Rose, and I felt that was completely fine, but I also don’t know what I potentially could have missed.
This was an enjoyable read about two sorceresses who live very different lives and a prince who doesn’t really fit in. As someone who’s usually not a big fan of love triangles, this went pretty well, and I didn’t mind that much. So it felt well made, and that it made sense. The ending/last maybe 30% felt a bit rushed, so I wish we got to explore that part a bit more. But all in all, a good story, that’s absolutely worth reading.
All three narrators were new to me, but they were comforting to listen to, and I think they did an excellent job at bringing this book to life.
3,5⭐️
This is a standalone book in the same world as Never the Rose. I have not read Never the Rose, and I felt that was completely fine, but I also don’t know what I potentially could have missed.
This was an enjoyable read about two sorceresses who live very different lives and a prince who doesn’t really fit in. As someone who’s usually not a big fan of love triangles, this went pretty well, and I didn’t mind that much. So it felt well made, and that it made sense. The ending/last maybe 30% felt a bit rushed, so I wish we got to explore that part a bit more. But all in all, a good story, that’s absolutely worth reading.
All three narrators were new to me, but they were comforting to listen to, and I think they did an excellent job at bringing this book to life.
3,5⭐️
August 10, 2026
Once again, I am absolutely blown away by the world that Jennifer K. Lambert has created! I fell in love with Stearanos and Oneria in Never the Roses! It was a delight to return to Lambert’s storytelling for Among the Thorns! I was given the amazing opportunity to receive a physical copy from the author to read this incredible second tale!
Among the Thorns is an extraordinary continuation with a unique plot for three new main characters. All of the elements I loved about the first book are back! The mysterious and dazzling dreaming world, the fascinating magical familiars, and of course, the unique sorcery abilities!
The nods to the first book were so perfectly woven into this storyline! Each and every detail referring back to Never the Roses served as a perfect connection to this plot. Right from the start, I could sense that these details were leading to an epic destiny for these three young sorcerers, and I was not disappointed! Lambert meticulously and methodically lays out such an incredible story, with one very epic twist that I did not see coming!
It’s hard for me to say more about what I loved, because these books are really so much more meaningful when you slowly take in each detail for yourself. Somehow, Lambert has written a world that feels magical, cozy, dreamy, and yet…also does not hide from complex trauma or important adult themes. She beautifully blends them in such a way that makes me embrace my own human nature and evaluate my flaws. Quotes and life lessons are perfectly timed throughout her beautiful writing. I know I will be revisiting my favorite quotes and rereading these stories when I need a magical place to visit again!
Highly recommend this series to readers who love intricate storytelling, dazzling fantasy world-building, and complex deeper themes!
I am going to be on pins and needles for another book, because there is no way either story is leaving my mind! I can sense a more epic conclusion and connection in the future! I can’t wait to see what is to come!
Among the Thorns is an extraordinary continuation with a unique plot for three new main characters. All of the elements I loved about the first book are back! The mysterious and dazzling dreaming world, the fascinating magical familiars, and of course, the unique sorcery abilities!
The nods to the first book were so perfectly woven into this storyline! Each and every detail referring back to Never the Roses served as a perfect connection to this plot. Right from the start, I could sense that these details were leading to an epic destiny for these three young sorcerers, and I was not disappointed! Lambert meticulously and methodically lays out such an incredible story, with one very epic twist that I did not see coming!
It’s hard for me to say more about what I loved, because these books are really so much more meaningful when you slowly take in each detail for yourself. Somehow, Lambert has written a world that feels magical, cozy, dreamy, and yet…also does not hide from complex trauma or important adult themes. She beautifully blends them in such a way that makes me embrace my own human nature and evaluate my flaws. Quotes and life lessons are perfectly timed throughout her beautiful writing. I know I will be revisiting my favorite quotes and rereading these stories when I need a magical place to visit again!
Highly recommend this series to readers who love intricate storytelling, dazzling fantasy world-building, and complex deeper themes!
I am going to be on pins and needles for another book, because there is no way either story is leaving my mind! I can sense a more epic conclusion and connection in the future! I can’t wait to see what is to come!
July 15, 2026
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!
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!
July 20, 2026
It had a bit of a slow start, but around the 30% mark things really picked up and I couldn't put it down. I adore these characters and this world, and I was so excited to see the crossover moments and guest appearances from Never the Roses!
My only critique is that this shouldn't be labeled as a Romantasy, and there wasn't much of a love triangle, so the tags and blurb feel a bit misleading. There is a beautiful romantic plot in there, but it does not drive the overarching story. Instead, what we actually get is a well-balanced, fairy-tale-inspired fantasy with rich character development and luscious world-building.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Jennifer K. Lambert for the ALC!
P.S. / FYI: For anyone who loves Lambert's writing style, I just found out Jennifer is actually a pseudonym for Jeffe Kennedy! I'm so thrilled to learn she has a whole backlog of work I can read my way through while I wait for (hopefully!) the next installment in this world.
My only critique is that this shouldn't be labeled as a Romantasy, and there wasn't much of a love triangle, so the tags and blurb feel a bit misleading. There is a beautiful romantic plot in there, but it does not drive the overarching story. Instead, what we actually get is a well-balanced, fairy-tale-inspired fantasy with rich character development and luscious world-building.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Jennifer K. Lambert for the ALC!
P.S. / FYI: For anyone who loves Lambert's writing style, I just found out Jennifer is actually a pseudonym for Jeffe Kennedy! I'm so thrilled to learn she has a whole backlog of work I can read my way through while I wait for (hopefully!) the next installment in this world.
July 21, 2026
-3.5⭐️ rounded down-
Thank you to Macmillan Audio via NetGalley for the ALC
Where to start? This was a fun & (sort of) cute, endearing listen. This is the second book in the series, but I haven’t read the first (probably will go back and give it a go), but I don’t think you have to- unless you want to understand how the magic works. This book does a good job of explaining it, without needing to read the first.
I was a bit confused at the start because I didn’t realize there are three narrators- but once I got a few chapters in, I understood what was going on.
I enjoyed the story overall, but do think- in the end- it was a little long for what it is. It’s labeled as “cozy” and I would agree with that since there’s very little conflict or big resolutions.
I don’t really think we need the MMC POV and the book could have been shortened- the audio is about 20-21 hours for little payoff. I did enjoy the twist- I felt like it gave it some excitement! And I’m curious if it shows up again in the next book.
I did enjoy the magical ability to speak with animals- that’s one of my favorite themes!
Definitely would recommend, but I do think it is for a particular audience.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio via NetGalley for the ALC
Where to start? This was a fun & (sort of) cute, endearing listen. This is the second book in the series, but I haven’t read the first (probably will go back and give it a go), but I don’t think you have to- unless you want to understand how the magic works. This book does a good job of explaining it, without needing to read the first.
I was a bit confused at the start because I didn’t realize there are three narrators- but once I got a few chapters in, I understood what was going on.
I enjoyed the story overall, but do think- in the end- it was a little long for what it is. It’s labeled as “cozy” and I would agree with that since there’s very little conflict or big resolutions.
I don’t really think we need the MMC POV and the book could have been shortened- the audio is about 20-21 hours for little payoff. I did enjoy the twist- I felt like it gave it some excitement! And I’m curious if it shows up again in the next book.
I did enjoy the magical ability to speak with animals- that’s one of my favorite themes!
Definitely would recommend, but I do think it is for a particular audience.
July 20, 2026
4/5
This was a solid read! I actually liked the story in this one more than Never the Roses and I connected with the characters a bit more. We got glimpses of the characters from the first book but the focus was on Thorn and Rose.
Thorn is isolated in a cottage with basically the equivalent of an evil mother. Her power is to see memories from objects when she touches them. Rose on the other hand is a sorcerer at a school and can control dreams.
This book had some solid twists and I really loved how different the character were and yet similar once Thorn learns more about herself. I would keep reading stories in this world for sure!
This was a solid read! I actually liked the story in this one more than Never the Roses and I connected with the characters a bit more. We got glimpses of the characters from the first book but the focus was on Thorn and Rose.
Thorn is isolated in a cottage with basically the equivalent of an evil mother. Her power is to see memories from objects when she touches them. Rose on the other hand is a sorcerer at a school and can control dreams.
This book had some solid twists and I really loved how different the character were and yet similar once Thorn learns more about herself. I would keep reading stories in this world for sure!
Read
May 26, 2026Thank you Tor Publishing for the eARC!
August 8, 2026
Notes:
Rapunzel meets Sleeping Beauty meets Alice in Wonderland meets T Kingfisher.
Fairy-tale tone/feel.
Enchanting, well-developed world building and characters and animal companions.
Slow, dreamlike pacing.
Can't wait for the next one and will go back and read Never the Roses as although it can be read as a standalone, reading Never the Roses first would enrich/inform the reading experience.
Rapunzel meets Sleeping Beauty meets Alice in Wonderland meets T Kingfisher.
Fairy-tale tone/feel.
Enchanting, well-developed world building and characters and animal companions.
Slow, dreamlike pacing.
Can't wait for the next one and will go back and read Never the Roses as although it can be read as a standalone, reading Never the Roses first would enrich/inform the reading experience.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
July 22, 2026
Review of advance copy received the Publisher
🎧📖 𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌📖🎧
𝒜𝓂𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓇𝓃𝓈 by Jennifer K. Lambert
𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs
𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒸𝑒 𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🌶🌶 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻
✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨
Rose has everything she's ever dreamed of—power, prestige, and the attention of a prince. Thorn has spent her life hidden away in an enchanted cottage, longing for freedom beyond its borders. When the two discover their lives have been manipulated from the very beginning, they're forced to confront a devastating truth: only one of them can claim the future they've always wanted.
𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴄᴍɪʟʟᴀɴ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ғᴏʀ ɢɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʟᴄ ᴀʀᴄ!
𝒯𝓌𝑜 𝒹𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂 𝓈𝑜𝓇𝒸𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈𝑒𝓈. 𝒪𝓃𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝒾𝓃𝒸𝑒. 𝒪𝓃𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓃𝓎. 𝐼𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒻𝒶𝒾𝓇𝓎-𝓉𝒶𝓁𝑒-𝒾𝓃𝓈𝓅𝒾𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝑅𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒶𝓈𝓎, 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝒾𝓁𝓎 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝓃 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝑜𝓈𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓈𝓉.
Jennifer K. Lambert somehow made me root for everyone, and that made this story hurt in the best possible way.
This isn't your typical Romantasy where there's a clear hero and villain. Rose and Thorn are both beautifully flawed women shaped by entirely different lives, and watching their stories collide was equal parts heartbreaking and fascinating. I constantly found myself changing sides because I understood !why! each of them wanted what they did.
The fairy-tale atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous. The dark cottagecore aesthetic, dream magic, enchanted forests, and political scheming create a world that feels both magical and quietly haunting. Every page is filled with longing, making the emotional stakes feel just as powerful as the magical ones.
The romance is wonderfully messy. Add in the love triangle, impossible choices, morally gray decisions, and the constant ache of yearning, and this book becomes far more emotionally complex than I expected. Rather than focusing solely on romance, it explores identity, destiny, envy, freedom, and the consequences of trying to force a happily-ever-after.
If you enjoy character-driven fantasy that isn't afraid to break your heart a little, this one absolutely delivers.
🎙️𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃:
The audiobook beautifully captures both the whimsical fairy-tale atmosphere and the emotional heartbreak woven throughout the story. The narrator gives Rose and Thorn distinct voices, making it easy to connect with each woman's hopes, fears, and insecurities. The quieter moments of yearning are just as captivating as the magical confrontations, while the emotional intensity steadily builds toward a conclusion that lingers long after the final chapter. It's an immersive performance that perfectly complements the novel's enchanting yet melancholic tone.
𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝒱𝒾𝒷𝑒𝓈:
🌹 love triangle
🌙 dream magic
🖤 dark cottagecore
✨ fairy-tale fantasy
⚖️ morally gray characters
💔 tragic romance
🐦 animal companions
🌿 enchanted forests
👑 political intrigue
🥀 endless yearning
𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒...
🌿 The Spellshop x Never the Roses vibes
✨ fairy tales with darker twists
💔 emotionally messy romances
🌙 magical cottages & enchanted forests
👑 political fantasy with romance
🖤 character-driven Romantasy
🗣️ 𝒲𝑜𝓇𝒹 𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝓇𝑒𝑒𝓉:
Readers are praising 𝒜𝓂𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓇𝓃𝓈 for its emotionally layered characters, gorgeous prose, and beautifully melancholic atmosphere. Many especially loved the dual perspectives, the morally gray choices, and the way the story balances romance, magic, and heartbreak without relying on predictable fantasy tropes.
𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉:
𝒜𝓂𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓇𝓃𝓈 is a lush, emotionally rich Romantasy filled with yearning, heartbreak, and unforgettable characters. Jennifer K. Lambert delivers a fairy-tale-inspired story that feels equal parts enchanting and devastating, proving that sometimes the greatest battles aren't fought with magic—but with the impossible choices our hearts demand.
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ
🎧📖 𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌📖🎧
𝒜𝓂𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓇𝓃𝓈 by Jennifer K. Lambert
𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs
𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒸𝑒 𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🌶🌶 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻
✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨
Rose has everything she's ever dreamed of—power, prestige, and the attention of a prince. Thorn has spent her life hidden away in an enchanted cottage, longing for freedom beyond its borders. When the two discover their lives have been manipulated from the very beginning, they're forced to confront a devastating truth: only one of them can claim the future they've always wanted.
𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴄᴍɪʟʟᴀɴ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ғᴏʀ ɢɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʟᴄ ᴀʀᴄ!
𝒯𝓌𝑜 𝒹𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂 𝓈𝑜𝓇𝒸𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈𝑒𝓈. 𝒪𝓃𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝒾𝓃𝒸𝑒. 𝒪𝓃𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓃𝓎. 𝐼𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒻𝒶𝒾𝓇𝓎-𝓉𝒶𝓁𝑒-𝒾𝓃𝓈𝓅𝒾𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝑅𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒶𝓈𝓎, 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝒾𝓁𝓎 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝓃 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝑜𝓈𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓈𝓉.
Jennifer K. Lambert somehow made me root for everyone, and that made this story hurt in the best possible way.
This isn't your typical Romantasy where there's a clear hero and villain. Rose and Thorn are both beautifully flawed women shaped by entirely different lives, and watching their stories collide was equal parts heartbreaking and fascinating. I constantly found myself changing sides because I understood !why! each of them wanted what they did.
The fairy-tale atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous. The dark cottagecore aesthetic, dream magic, enchanted forests, and political scheming create a world that feels both magical and quietly haunting. Every page is filled with longing, making the emotional stakes feel just as powerful as the magical ones.
The romance is wonderfully messy. Add in the love triangle, impossible choices, morally gray decisions, and the constant ache of yearning, and this book becomes far more emotionally complex than I expected. Rather than focusing solely on romance, it explores identity, destiny, envy, freedom, and the consequences of trying to force a happily-ever-after.
If you enjoy character-driven fantasy that isn't afraid to break your heart a little, this one absolutely delivers.
🎙️𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃:
The audiobook beautifully captures both the whimsical fairy-tale atmosphere and the emotional heartbreak woven throughout the story. The narrator gives Rose and Thorn distinct voices, making it easy to connect with each woman's hopes, fears, and insecurities. The quieter moments of yearning are just as captivating as the magical confrontations, while the emotional intensity steadily builds toward a conclusion that lingers long after the final chapter. It's an immersive performance that perfectly complements the novel's enchanting yet melancholic tone.
𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝒱𝒾𝒷𝑒𝓈:
🌹 love triangle
🌙 dream magic
🖤 dark cottagecore
✨ fairy-tale fantasy
⚖️ morally gray characters
💔 tragic romance
🐦 animal companions
🌿 enchanted forests
👑 political intrigue
🥀 endless yearning
𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒...
🌿 The Spellshop x Never the Roses vibes
✨ fairy tales with darker twists
💔 emotionally messy romances
🌙 magical cottages & enchanted forests
👑 political fantasy with romance
🖤 character-driven Romantasy
🗣️ 𝒲𝑜𝓇𝒹 𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝓇𝑒𝑒𝓉:
Readers are praising 𝒜𝓂𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓇𝓃𝓈 for its emotionally layered characters, gorgeous prose, and beautifully melancholic atmosphere. Many especially loved the dual perspectives, the morally gray choices, and the way the story balances romance, magic, and heartbreak without relying on predictable fantasy tropes.
𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉:
𝒜𝓂𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓇𝓃𝓈 is a lush, emotionally rich Romantasy filled with yearning, heartbreak, and unforgettable characters. Jennifer K. Lambert delivers a fairy-tale-inspired story that feels equal parts enchanting and devastating, proving that sometimes the greatest battles aren't fought with magic—but with the impossible choices our hearts demand.
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ
July 12, 2026
✨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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⋆.˚✮ 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
⤿ 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
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
July 14, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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! ♥
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! ♥
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
July 13, 2026
📖 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.”
✍️ 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.”
July 14, 2026
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
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
August 16, 2026
I was sent a copy of Among the Thorns in exchange for an honest review.
While Among the Thorns sits within the Never the Roses series it is not a direct continuation of Oneira and Stearanos' story. It is a continuation in time, but it instead follows Rose, Thorn and Sebastien. Among the Thorns is very much a character-driven story and while I enjoyed it overall I definitely had my moments of not being sure how much I was enjoying the story.
Never the Roses sets the reader up to understand the magic systems of this world, and Among the Thorns does a great job of getting the reader back up to speed on how everything works, including the very important dream magic. It didn't take long for me to remember what this magic could do, even if the fae of Oneira and Stearanos had been lost to time (until the book eventually reminded me).
Rose and Thorn are somewhat opposites. Rose attends a school where she is a very powerful Oneiromancer about to graduate, she struggles with friendships and is dedicated to her studies. Thorn lives with her caretaker in an isolated cottage with no access to the outside world, but she can glean memories from objects. We spend a good chunk of the book following both of these women as they go about their days and it feels like there isn't much plot happening, but it is all being set up in the background.
While Among the Thorns is a romantasy I actually wasn't all that into the romance in this one. There is a kind-of love triangle which resolves itself fairly quickly in the grand scheme of the book, and I found that the main romance was quite juvenile, and a little insta-love. And while it does make sense as to how that happens and there's an argument that it isn't an 'insta-love', it never really got the growth that I wanted from the romance.
There's a fairly dark plot behind everything going on in this book, and while it is somewhat complicated it is ultimately explained quite well, and even though I usually struggle with understanding schemes of this kind (so much so I avoid books with 'court politics') this seemed to be a decent exception to the rule.
I think Among the Thorns suffers a little bit with second book syndrome. The framework was all there but something about it just didn't hit the same mark as Never the Roses. I will pick up the third book as I want to see how all of these characters intertwine and where the overarching plot is going.
While Among the Thorns sits within the Never the Roses series it is not a direct continuation of Oneira and Stearanos' story. It is a continuation in time, but it instead follows Rose, Thorn and Sebastien. Among the Thorns is very much a character-driven story and while I enjoyed it overall I definitely had my moments of not being sure how much I was enjoying the story.
Never the Roses sets the reader up to understand the magic systems of this world, and Among the Thorns does a great job of getting the reader back up to speed on how everything works, including the very important dream magic. It didn't take long for me to remember what this magic could do, even if the fae of Oneira and Stearanos had been lost to time (until the book eventually reminded me).
Rose and Thorn are somewhat opposites. Rose attends a school where she is a very powerful Oneiromancer about to graduate, she struggles with friendships and is dedicated to her studies. Thorn lives with her caretaker in an isolated cottage with no access to the outside world, but she can glean memories from objects. We spend a good chunk of the book following both of these women as they go about their days and it feels like there isn't much plot happening, but it is all being set up in the background.
While Among the Thorns is a romantasy I actually wasn't all that into the romance in this one. There is a kind-of love triangle which resolves itself fairly quickly in the grand scheme of the book, and I found that the main romance was quite juvenile, and a little insta-love. And while it does make sense as to how that happens and there's an argument that it isn't an 'insta-love', it never really got the growth that I wanted from the romance.
There's a fairly dark plot behind everything going on in this book, and while it is somewhat complicated it is ultimately explained quite well, and even though I usually struggle with understanding schemes of this kind (so much so I avoid books with 'court politics') this seemed to be a decent exception to the rule.
I think Among the Thorns suffers a little bit with second book syndrome. The framework was all there but something about it just didn't hit the same mark as Never the Roses. I will pick up the third book as I want to see how all of these characters intertwine and where the overarching plot is going.
July 25, 2026
I’m sitting here laughing at myself because below is a portion of my review of “Never The Roses”:
“The conclusion is left a little open-ended which usually drives me a little crazy but I’m alright with this one. I’m just hoping that it is a standalone because, even though I enjoyed it, I’m not that invested in the world or their relationship to continue with a sequel.”
So, I’m beyond excited to tell you that I enjoyed “Among The Thorns” so much more than its predecessor.
First of all, ATT is a completely different story set in the same world as NTR. It’s not until the epilogue of this story that we even see Oneira and Stearanos again. And we can infer from this portion that all will be set to rights.
In ATT, we have three POVs: Thorn, a young woman who has been sheltered all her life at a warded cottage with an abusive warden. Rose, an oneiramancer who is finishing up her many years of training at an academy for magical sorcerers. And Sebastien, a prince of Castle Vega and a late-bloomer of Zoomancy, the ability to speak to animals.
This story is the stuff I live for…fairytales! Fairytales with maidens in despair, growing up not knowing their magical abilities. Fairytales with dashing princes who come to save the day. Fairytales with mysteries to solve and villains to thwart and happy-ever-afters! Hooray!
And I love most of all that my favorite part of NTR, Oneira’s three animal companions, make themselves integral players in this story to help bring everything full circle back to the original couple.
This story is well-written, well-paced and thoroughly enjoyable. My complaint about NTR only having a smidge of spice for an adult novel must have been heeded because there is a tiny bit more spice in ATT.
Otherwise, it really reads as a YA novel. Especially with its very fairytale-based plot lines and extremely convenient use of Instalove. I’m a huge proponent of Instalove (I know I’m in the minority on this one) but even I was rolling my eyes at certain scenes. However, I really enjoyed this sequel and I’m so glad I continued on despite my earlier reservations.
The audiobook is excellent with three different narrators who all do an amazing job of bringing this lovely story to life. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my Advanced Listening Copy! All opinions are my own.
4.5🌟-1🌶️-5🎧
“The conclusion is left a little open-ended which usually drives me a little crazy but I’m alright with this one. I’m just hoping that it is a standalone because, even though I enjoyed it, I’m not that invested in the world or their relationship to continue with a sequel.”
So, I’m beyond excited to tell you that I enjoyed “Among The Thorns” so much more than its predecessor.
First of all, ATT is a completely different story set in the same world as NTR. It’s not until the epilogue of this story that we even see Oneira and Stearanos again. And we can infer from this portion that all will be set to rights.
In ATT, we have three POVs: Thorn, a young woman who has been sheltered all her life at a warded cottage with an abusive warden. Rose, an oneiramancer who is finishing up her many years of training at an academy for magical sorcerers. And Sebastien, a prince of Castle Vega and a late-bloomer of Zoomancy, the ability to speak to animals.
This story is the stuff I live for…fairytales! Fairytales with maidens in despair, growing up not knowing their magical abilities. Fairytales with dashing princes who come to save the day. Fairytales with mysteries to solve and villains to thwart and happy-ever-afters! Hooray!
And I love most of all that my favorite part of NTR, Oneira’s three animal companions, make themselves integral players in this story to help bring everything full circle back to the original couple.
This story is well-written, well-paced and thoroughly enjoyable. My complaint about NTR only having a smidge of spice for an adult novel must have been heeded because there is a tiny bit more spice in ATT.
Otherwise, it really reads as a YA novel. Especially with its very fairytale-based plot lines and extremely convenient use of Instalove. I’m a huge proponent of Instalove (I know I’m in the minority on this one) but even I was rolling my eyes at certain scenes. However, I really enjoyed this sequel and I’m so glad I continued on despite my earlier reservations.
The audiobook is excellent with three different narrators who all do an amazing job of bringing this lovely story to life. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my Advanced Listening Copy! All opinions are my own.
4.5🌟-1🌶️-5🎧
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