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The Thorn Queen
Welcome to Glendoch!
Hidden to most, this glacial world once crackled with alchemy. Now it waits for war—divided and bound by strict rules. So when twelve-year-old Meylyne falls from a tree onto Glendoch’s sickly prince, she must flee or face imprisonment in the Shadow-Cellars. The only way she may return home is with a cure for the prince’s peculiar disease.
Convinced she will perish, Meylyne and her companions embark on their journey—and before they know it, they are knee-deep in a plot to sink Glendoch into shadow, like other worlds before it. Poisoned guardians, cursed wizards, and cunning witch-spirits bound into wands are just some of the dangers that dot the way of their travels.
And behind it all is the Thorn Queen. Mysteriously magnetic (or murderously vengeful, depending on whose side you’re on), she is always one step ahead of them . . .
Hidden to most, this glacial world once crackled with alchemy. Now it waits for war—divided and bound by strict rules. So when twelve-year-old Meylyne falls from a tree onto Glendoch’s sickly prince, she must flee or face imprisonment in the Shadow-Cellars. The only way she may return home is with a cure for the prince’s peculiar disease.
Convinced she will perish, Meylyne and her companions embark on their journey—and before they know it, they are knee-deep in a plot to sink Glendoch into shadow, like other worlds before it. Poisoned guardians, cursed wizards, and cunning witch-spirits bound into wands are just some of the dangers that dot the way of their travels.
And behind it all is the Thorn Queen. Mysteriously magnetic (or murderously vengeful, depending on whose side you’re on), she is always one step ahead of them . . .
245 pages, Paperback
Published September 18, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 28, 2018
4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC provided by NetGalley and SparkPress in exchange for an honest review.
The Thorn Queen by Elise Holland follows a young girl on an epic journey to find the cure for a peculiar disease. On this journey she faces things such as cursed wizards, poisoned guardians, and a wicked plot to sink Glendoch into shadow, as has happend to other worlds before it.
Pros:
❇️This was such a fast-paced, easy read, that was magical from beginning to end. I truly believe that this book can, and will be enjoyed by people of all ages. The journey Meylyne and her companions go on in this book was such a pleasure to follow, and I'm really glad that I requested an e-arc of this, because I was definitely in need of something light, and fun in my life!
Cons:
❇️I didn't really have any issues with this book, but the ending was just a little bit abrupt, and I'm not sure if there's going to be another book following these characters, or if that's just how the author chose to end things...
Final Thoughts/Comments:
❇️This title is expected to release on the 18th of September, 2018. I've really struggled with recommending the arcs that I've read in the past, but, without hesitation, I would definitely recommend checking this out if it sounds like something you would be interested in reading!😊
ARC provided by NetGalley and SparkPress in exchange for an honest review.
The Thorn Queen by Elise Holland follows a young girl on an epic journey to find the cure for a peculiar disease. On this journey she faces things such as cursed wizards, poisoned guardians, and a wicked plot to sink Glendoch into shadow, as has happend to other worlds before it.
Pros:
❇️This was such a fast-paced, easy read, that was magical from beginning to end. I truly believe that this book can, and will be enjoyed by people of all ages. The journey Meylyne and her companions go on in this book was such a pleasure to follow, and I'm really glad that I requested an e-arc of this, because I was definitely in need of something light, and fun in my life!
Cons:
❇️I didn't really have any issues with this book, but the ending was just a little bit abrupt, and I'm not sure if there's going to be another book following these characters, or if that's just how the author chose to end things...
Final Thoughts/Comments:
❇️This title is expected to release on the 18th of September, 2018. I've really struggled with recommending the arcs that I've read in the past, but, without hesitation, I would definitely recommend checking this out if it sounds like something you would be interested in reading!😊
March 22, 2019
DNF @ 30%
For the first couple chapters of The Thorn Queen I was starting to wonder if I was hitting a reading slump. I was also having a bit of trouble focusing and caring about another book I was reading. So I added a third book to the mix that was lovely, powered through it and two more. That made me realize that it wasn't me it was Elise Holland's story that was the problem.
Don't tell, show
While this is a middle grade level read there is really no reason why it would have to be dull and boring. I feel like we are all broken records when it comes to this saying but it is sooo important when it comes to writing a great story; show, don't tell. If you are telling me what the landscape is in half page paragraphs then you are likely doing it wrong. Unless you have descriptions that are flowery and beautiful, like Tolkien or Sanderson in high fantasy write, it's likely that readers will yawn and skip the content. This becomes a problem as then people aren't really engrossed in your world. The easiest way to show and not tell descriptions of the landscape is to give us the feelings and description via a character's perspective. Whether they are talking to someone else about what they see or from a first person perspective.
Questing
Taking into account that the average fantasy set novel for children is in a traditional quest form; I have no issues with the proposed plot that Holland puts forward. However, the very first scene of The Thorn Queen is so different and engaging (in which our lead gal falls on a prince) that to suddenly change the story over to a quest that doesn't include said prince, or the world in which we first meet our lead gal, made the events that follow dull. I did really like the introductory scene and was excited for those first 10 pages; but unfortunately that tapers off. Especially when I realized we were going on a quest and not going to encounter the prince again for some time (at best). When setting up a quest story you have to be careful not to oversell the reason and then drop your characters into a boring journey. The exception to the rule is if you are carrying a ring to Mordor (lol); but even in The Lord of the Rings we have the Mines quickly after council showing that this will not be a boring quest for our fellowship.
Overall
It's possible had I given this book a little more time I might have gotten into it; but given that each time I picked it up I got a couple pages and wanted to switch books it just doesn't seem worth it. I can honestly say that I hope children don't receive this book as their first introduction to fantasy as they will likely be turned off by it and that would be tragic!
To read this and more of my reviews visit my blog at Epic Reading
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
For the first couple chapters of The Thorn Queen I was starting to wonder if I was hitting a reading slump. I was also having a bit of trouble focusing and caring about another book I was reading. So I added a third book to the mix that was lovely, powered through it and two more. That made me realize that it wasn't me it was Elise Holland's story that was the problem.
Don't tell, show
While this is a middle grade level read there is really no reason why it would have to be dull and boring. I feel like we are all broken records when it comes to this saying but it is sooo important when it comes to writing a great story; show, don't tell. If you are telling me what the landscape is in half page paragraphs then you are likely doing it wrong. Unless you have descriptions that are flowery and beautiful, like Tolkien or Sanderson in high fantasy write, it's likely that readers will yawn and skip the content. This becomes a problem as then people aren't really engrossed in your world. The easiest way to show and not tell descriptions of the landscape is to give us the feelings and description via a character's perspective. Whether they are talking to someone else about what they see or from a first person perspective.
Questing
Taking into account that the average fantasy set novel for children is in a traditional quest form; I have no issues with the proposed plot that Holland puts forward. However, the very first scene of The Thorn Queen is so different and engaging (in which our lead gal falls on a prince) that to suddenly change the story over to a quest that doesn't include said prince, or the world in which we first meet our lead gal, made the events that follow dull. I did really like the introductory scene and was excited for those first 10 pages; but unfortunately that tapers off. Especially when I realized we were going on a quest and not going to encounter the prince again for some time (at best). When setting up a quest story you have to be careful not to oversell the reason and then drop your characters into a boring journey. The exception to the rule is if you are carrying a ring to Mordor (lol); but even in The Lord of the Rings we have the Mines quickly after council showing that this will not be a boring quest for our fellowship.
Overall
It's possible had I given this book a little more time I might have gotten into it; but given that each time I picked it up I got a couple pages and wanted to switch books it just doesn't seem worth it. I can honestly say that I hope children don't receive this book as their first introduction to fantasy as they will likely be turned off by it and that would be tragic!
To read this and more of my reviews visit my blog at Epic Reading
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
July 22, 2022
This middle-grade journey was unique and well-written with world-building that took place as the story progressed as opposed to laying in out in the first chapters. The heroine was plucky and original and her helpers were genuine and loyal. It would be wonderful to read more about Glendoch and it’s future, but for now this story was suitably magical, suspenseful, and refreshing! Recommended.
August 1, 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this eBook from the author, Netgalley, and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Meylyne is a half-human half garsyle garloch who is clumsy at doing Alchemy magic and is shunned by the other garsyles except for her friends two garsyles who accept her as she is. When she accidentally goes to the Above world and falls on the sick Prince Pram just to return her mother's Opal, her life is placed in danger. Now she must go find a cure to heal the Prince and save the Kingdom of Glendoch from war/ruin. Will she succeed or will the dreaded Thorn Queen stop her? Read and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good YA middle grade fantasy. It is filled with action, adventure, magic, and fantastical characters that readers of all ages will enjoy. Definitely check this book out for yourself when this book hits shelves in bookstores and wherever books are available to buy online this September.
Meylyne is a half-human half garsyle garloch who is clumsy at doing Alchemy magic and is shunned by the other garsyles except for her friends two garsyles who accept her as she is. When she accidentally goes to the Above world and falls on the sick Prince Pram just to return her mother's Opal, her life is placed in danger. Now she must go find a cure to heal the Prince and save the Kingdom of Glendoch from war/ruin. Will she succeed or will the dreaded Thorn Queen stop her? Read and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good YA middle grade fantasy. It is filled with action, adventure, magic, and fantastical characters that readers of all ages will enjoy. Definitely check this book out for yourself when this book hits shelves in bookstores and wherever books are available to buy online this September.
August 24, 2018
This is an exciting middle-grade fantasy with a lot of potential. It could've been great with some additional world-building, more character development and maybe a glossary at the end because all this new vocabulary was confusing at times. But I still enjoyed the story a lot, it was full of original ideas, the characters were likable and it was overall quite fast-paced. I actually hope this will be a series because it does end with another unresolved quest and I'd definitely read more about this world!
A big thank you to the publisher and the Edelweiss+ website for providing me with an early copy!
A big thank you to the publisher and the Edelweiss+ website for providing me with an early copy!
July 29, 2018
I loved this!
The Thorn Queen is a middle-grade adventure where we are introduced to Meylyne, a twelve-year-old alchemist in training.
It reminded me a lot of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland mixed with a fairy tale.
I hope this will be an ongoing series, I cannot wait to read the next one!
Thank you NetGalley for letting me borrow this!
The Thorn Queen is a middle-grade adventure where we are introduced to Meylyne, a twelve-year-old alchemist in training.
It reminded me a lot of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland mixed with a fairy tale.
I hope this will be an ongoing series, I cannot wait to read the next one!
Thank you NetGalley for letting me borrow this!
September 14, 2018
The Thorn Queen is a great middle-grade fantasy novel!
There is an extremely plucky and likable heroine, Meylyne, who reluctantly undertakes an epic quest to save her beloved home. Along the way, we are introduced to a wealth of interesting and magical characters that help her along her journey.
The world building is rich and complex, which was a welcome surprise for a middle-grade story. Meylyne is a wonderful character that I think will really appeal to younger girls, as she is both uncertain in her abilities yet courageous enough to try things that she might not be comfortable for the greater good.
I was also pleasantly surprised that there was no unnecessary love triangle or awkwardly inserted romance to be found here.
My only real complaint is that this ended rather abruptly, with all loose ends tied neatly together. While reading I felt that surely this could become a successful series but I remain unclear as to whether or not this will be the case or if the author will let the story end here. In my opinion, it would be a shame to not continue the story.
I received this ARC as a courtesy from NetGalley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
There is an extremely plucky and likable heroine, Meylyne, who reluctantly undertakes an epic quest to save her beloved home. Along the way, we are introduced to a wealth of interesting and magical characters that help her along her journey.
The world building is rich and complex, which was a welcome surprise for a middle-grade story. Meylyne is a wonderful character that I think will really appeal to younger girls, as she is both uncertain in her abilities yet courageous enough to try things that she might not be comfortable for the greater good.
I was also pleasantly surprised that there was no unnecessary love triangle or awkwardly inserted romance to be found here.
My only real complaint is that this ended rather abruptly, with all loose ends tied neatly together. While reading I felt that surely this could become a successful series but I remain unclear as to whether or not this will be the case or if the author will let the story end here. In my opinion, it would be a shame to not continue the story.
I received this ARC as a courtesy from NetGalley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2018
The Thorn Queen is a fun fast paced middle grade novel. The storyline was great and the characters were fantastic. So imaginative! It really takes you to another place :)
August 16, 2018
Rating: 5/5 Stars
What an enjoyable read. As this targeted for a middle school, younger audience I can say this was without a doubt highly enjoyable. I was engaged and entertained and this book is fun for both the younger target audience and for readers outside that range as well.
The writing is well-done with no errors that hampered my reading experience. The plot was well-paced with humor, magic, and fun galore. I felt such a nostalgia for my younger reading days and I remembered how much I loved fantasy and a good adventure back then. Still do come to think of it.
I love the idea of a journey and of the main characters journeying on an adventure of self-discovery and intrigue. Meylyne was a great protagonist. I highly enjoyed her story. From cursed wizards to a mysterious queen this book has a lot of enjoyable fantasy elements in good proportions. FYI: I love wizards, they always manage to make books (and movies!) more fun for me.
This is my first time reading Elise Holland but I'll be sure to keep a look out for her works in the future.
I am so happy I took a chance on this book and picked it up. I was very please with my reading experience and left thinking about it long after I finished.
**Thanks to Netgalley, SparkPress, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review**
What an enjoyable read. As this targeted for a middle school, younger audience I can say this was without a doubt highly enjoyable. I was engaged and entertained and this book is fun for both the younger target audience and for readers outside that range as well.
The writing is well-done with no errors that hampered my reading experience. The plot was well-paced with humor, magic, and fun galore. I felt such a nostalgia for my younger reading days and I remembered how much I loved fantasy and a good adventure back then. Still do come to think of it.
I love the idea of a journey and of the main characters journeying on an adventure of self-discovery and intrigue. Meylyne was a great protagonist. I highly enjoyed her story. From cursed wizards to a mysterious queen this book has a lot of enjoyable fantasy elements in good proportions. FYI: I love wizards, they always manage to make books (and movies!) more fun for me.
This is my first time reading Elise Holland but I'll be sure to keep a look out for her works in the future.
I am so happy I took a chance on this book and picked it up. I was very please with my reading experience and left thinking about it long after I finished.
**Thanks to Netgalley, SparkPress, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review**
September 11, 2018
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this middle grade fantasy novel - it was fast paced and fun! I like that Meylyne was gutsy and Blue was super cute - I definitely wanted to find out more about his background.
I struggled a little with the world building and different names for stuff, as I couldn’t quite keep it all straight, I felt a map or glossary could help - however, the e-arc may just not have them :)
I didn’t love the adults in this too much - especially Meylyne’s mum!
I really enjoyed the action, but wanted a bit more time between to figure things out occasionally- but I think that was just me! I do like that it really moved along.
It is light hearted for a story about revenge/ saving the world, which I really enjoyed - the author really struck an excellent balance on that. And it really is fun, and a quick and easy read. If you like middle grade fantasy I’d definitely suggest giving it a go.
I enjoyed this middle grade fantasy novel - it was fast paced and fun! I like that Meylyne was gutsy and Blue was super cute - I definitely wanted to find out more about his background.
I struggled a little with the world building and different names for stuff, as I couldn’t quite keep it all straight, I felt a map or glossary could help - however, the e-arc may just not have them :)
I didn’t love the adults in this too much - especially Meylyne’s mum!
I really enjoyed the action, but wanted a bit more time between to figure things out occasionally- but I think that was just me! I do like that it really moved along.
It is light hearted for a story about revenge/ saving the world, which I really enjoyed - the author really struck an excellent balance on that. And it really is fun, and a quick and easy read. If you like middle grade fantasy I’d definitely suggest giving it a go.
September 20, 2018
“Never use your wings while you are angry.”
NOTE: I received a complimentary ARC of this book from SparkPress through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I think after this one I’m not going to request any more middle-grade books, all of the ones I’ve read so far have been underwhelming and The Thorn Queen wasn’t any exception. It’s honestly so hard for me to rate and review this book because this one is thoroughly stuck in “meh” zone for me and I’m still having troubles trying to figure out why; I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t really like it either. Honestly I don’t think it’s the books fault though, I think I’m just too old to be reading most middle-grade stories now, which is kind of sad.
**WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD**
The biggest issues I had with it were that while the world building was surprising good for a middle-grade book, pretty much everything else was really lacking.
The character development wasn't great. I wasn’t able to connect with any of the characters —in fact, I found Meylyne really quite annoying — to the point where I didn’t really care what happened to any of them by the end, which is so disappointing because the story had so much potential at the start.
The first few chapters setup everything beautifully and I was so excited to keep reading… and then it all fell apart. The story was all over the place, there were so many character that even the author seemed to have trouble keeping track of them, there was so much exposition because new things were being introduced all the time that the majority of the intended audience for this story (middle-grade kids) will definitely find themselves confused in more than one section of the book, and then the ending felt incredibly abrupt to me.
Overall, I didn’t really enjoy it, but I’ve read worse. I’m obviously not the intended audience but I feel like unfortunately even middle-graders would find this one confusing and a little dull in places.
“Listen Meylyne, and listen well. You are a Rose, which means that you, too, have the potential to become a Thorn Queen. All we roses do—so choose your thoughts and your actions wisely.”
September 9, 2018
The Thorn Queen is a gorgeous MG fantasy that caught my eye while browsing on NetGalley. Just look at that cover! While I was expecting something castle-based and possibly Sleeping Beauty related, what I got was entirely different: an introduction to a really cool magical land, and an action-packed quest with a great heroine!
This book opens with our protagonist Meylyne up a tree, breaking rules - this is a good sign straight away that she's going to be my type of heroine! She is soon forced to go on a magical quest to find a cure for the prince's illness, but on her adventures she discovers that she's actually instrumental to saving the world. She meets all kind of strange magical people along the way, including an ogre, a society of lion-folk, and a sentient tree, and she discovers that embracing her true self is an important part of being a hero.
Meylyne is a very enjoyable heroine. She's headstrong and brave, but she's also desperate for her mother's approval, and really, really insecure about her half-human, half-garlysle heritage. Watching her grow in confidence made really good reading. I also really liked Hope, the stalliynx, which is a sort of a horse-lion cross which doesn't really use verbs. His matter-of-fact nature and the way he spoke really reminded me of Appa from Kim's Convenience, actually, which made for a hilarious picture.
This is a complex world, with many creatures and objects that are not easily understandable at first glance, particularly because the author throws consonants together like fruit salad without regard for pronunciation - I could definitely have used a glossary, and I would hate to have to read this out loud! You're thrown straight into a world of humans and garslochs and garlysles and snake people which isn't easy to grasp immediately. As far as I can tell these creatures are entirely unique to this work, rather than lifted from folklore, so I didn't have reference points for them and could have used a bit more time to have them introduced. There also seems to be some kind of link to our world. One character seems to have been transported from our world, and also, even the people who are native to this world explicitly speak English? Like, not in a 'the common tongue is rendered as English for the sake of the reader' way, but literally: one character asks another character to speak English rather than lion.
There's plenty of excitement and action as Meylyne and her companions travel across the land, and it's easy to get caught up in their journey, especially when twists begin to happen and Meylyne begins to question everything she knows. Unfortunately, looking at the storyline on a larger scale, Holland seems to pick up and drop plot-points as they are needed, without necessarily resolving them, so Prince Piam's mysterious illness is not solved, and nothing is ever done about Blue's lost memory. The entire end of the book becomes about defeating the Thorn Queen, which is thrilling for sure, but kind of doesn't have much to do with the original plot. As I say, it's very fast-paced and entertaining to read, but as a whole it's disjointed and the happy ending is pretty abrupt. There were SO many elements of this that I wish had been dwelt on longer!
I think I would have liked to see this story expanded over several books, which would have given each development an appropriate amount of time to occur, and would perhaps have brought Meylyne's personal journey to the fore. The poor girl is barely given time to react to anything, and I certainly could have seen her being a much better character in a slower, more emotional, Tamora Pierce-y series. That being said, this is enormous fun to read. I think it just makes it to four stars!
This book opens with our protagonist Meylyne up a tree, breaking rules - this is a good sign straight away that she's going to be my type of heroine! She is soon forced to go on a magical quest to find a cure for the prince's illness, but on her adventures she discovers that she's actually instrumental to saving the world. She meets all kind of strange magical people along the way, including an ogre, a society of lion-folk, and a sentient tree, and she discovers that embracing her true self is an important part of being a hero.
Meylyne is a very enjoyable heroine. She's headstrong and brave, but she's also desperate for her mother's approval, and really, really insecure about her half-human, half-garlysle heritage. Watching her grow in confidence made really good reading. I also really liked Hope, the stalliynx, which is a sort of a horse-lion cross which doesn't really use verbs. His matter-of-fact nature and the way he spoke really reminded me of Appa from Kim's Convenience, actually, which made for a hilarious picture.
This is a complex world, with many creatures and objects that are not easily understandable at first glance, particularly because the author throws consonants together like fruit salad without regard for pronunciation - I could definitely have used a glossary, and I would hate to have to read this out loud! You're thrown straight into a world of humans and garslochs and garlysles and snake people which isn't easy to grasp immediately. As far as I can tell these creatures are entirely unique to this work, rather than lifted from folklore, so I didn't have reference points for them and could have used a bit more time to have them introduced. There also seems to be some kind of link to our world. One character seems to have been transported from our world, and also, even the people who are native to this world explicitly speak English? Like, not in a 'the common tongue is rendered as English for the sake of the reader' way, but literally: one character asks another character to speak English rather than lion.
There's plenty of excitement and action as Meylyne and her companions travel across the land, and it's easy to get caught up in their journey, especially when twists begin to happen and Meylyne begins to question everything she knows. Unfortunately, looking at the storyline on a larger scale, Holland seems to pick up and drop plot-points as they are needed, without necessarily resolving them, so Prince Piam's mysterious illness is not solved, and nothing is ever done about Blue's lost memory. The entire end of the book becomes about defeating the Thorn Queen, which is thrilling for sure, but kind of doesn't have much to do with the original plot. As I say, it's very fast-paced and entertaining to read, but as a whole it's disjointed and the happy ending is pretty abrupt. There were SO many elements of this that I wish had been dwelt on longer!
I think I would have liked to see this story expanded over several books, which would have given each development an appropriate amount of time to occur, and would perhaps have brought Meylyne's personal journey to the fore. The poor girl is barely given time to react to anything, and I certainly could have seen her being a much better character in a slower, more emotional, Tamora Pierce-y series. That being said, this is enormous fun to read. I think it just makes it to four stars!
September 3, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and SparkPress for the opportunity to read this book before publication!
The Thorn Queen was a fast-paced, creative middle grade fantasy about a young girl, Meylyne, on a quest to save her world—while simultaneously discovering herself. I enjoyed the world of the story, and would love to see it expanded in a series. The reader is immediately introduced to Glendoch, in the Above-World for Meylyne, where she sneaks to see Prince Piam in person. When she accidentally falls out of her hiding place in a tree (and onto the prince!), she starts a chain of events that set her on a long path across myriad parts of the world.
Hailing from the Between-World, Meylyne is a bit of an oddity—her mother is an incredibly powerful Sorceress, but her father is an outlaw and a garlyle, a creature of the Between-World who has built a horrible reputation for himself. I thought Meylyne's character development was strong, and younger readers would be able to relate to this spunky female protagonist right away. She certainly enjoys breaking the rules to gain a bit of entertainment, but her desire to make things right again at all costs is a positive attribute that follows her throughout the tale. The story itself is a thrilling quest, though it did take me about halfway through the book to have a strong grasp on the overarching plot. For those who may have trouble with some of the non-linear aspects of the story, younger readers could benefit from something like a prologue with a flashback-type backstory of the royal dilemma in Glendoch, or even a flash-forward of a significant event later on—just something to make all of the spread-out details come together a little more clearly.
As the reader quickly learns, in order to secure her own freedom from punishment for sneaking into the world she doesn't belong, Meylyne must find the currently unknown cure for Prince Piam's strange disease. Along the way she meets different creatures who become close allies and guide her through unfamiliar lands, as well as many foes who hope to thwart her mission. I enjoyed the cast of characters throughout the novel, though some of the names of the creatures were confusing at first. The story could definitely benefit from a glossary or more front-loaded explanation of some of the creatures, as well as a description of the "rules" of the alchemy and magic that exists in this world. As a middle grade book, I could see the language initially being very challenging, especially for readers on the younger end of the spectrum. When considering this age group (around 8-12), there was difficult vocabulary throughout, and certain concepts such as alchemy may not be common knowledge unless the reader is well-versed in the fantasy genre.
Overall, I would highly recommend The Thorn Queen to both children and adults. As a teacher who has taught ELA in fifth grade through high school, I would place this novel primarily at a third to fifth grade interest level, possibly up to sixth. It certainly hooks the reader quickly with a plot overflowing with twists and action that don't let you go until you've reached the end, and I found myself wanting to know how Meylyne's story is going to continue.
The Thorn Queen was a fast-paced, creative middle grade fantasy about a young girl, Meylyne, on a quest to save her world—while simultaneously discovering herself. I enjoyed the world of the story, and would love to see it expanded in a series. The reader is immediately introduced to Glendoch, in the Above-World for Meylyne, where she sneaks to see Prince Piam in person. When she accidentally falls out of her hiding place in a tree (and onto the prince!), she starts a chain of events that set her on a long path across myriad parts of the world.
Hailing from the Between-World, Meylyne is a bit of an oddity—her mother is an incredibly powerful Sorceress, but her father is an outlaw and a garlyle, a creature of the Between-World who has built a horrible reputation for himself. I thought Meylyne's character development was strong, and younger readers would be able to relate to this spunky female protagonist right away. She certainly enjoys breaking the rules to gain a bit of entertainment, but her desire to make things right again at all costs is a positive attribute that follows her throughout the tale. The story itself is a thrilling quest, though it did take me about halfway through the book to have a strong grasp on the overarching plot. For those who may have trouble with some of the non-linear aspects of the story, younger readers could benefit from something like a prologue with a flashback-type backstory of the royal dilemma in Glendoch, or even a flash-forward of a significant event later on—just something to make all of the spread-out details come together a little more clearly.
As the reader quickly learns, in order to secure her own freedom from punishment for sneaking into the world she doesn't belong, Meylyne must find the currently unknown cure for Prince Piam's strange disease. Along the way she meets different creatures who become close allies and guide her through unfamiliar lands, as well as many foes who hope to thwart her mission. I enjoyed the cast of characters throughout the novel, though some of the names of the creatures were confusing at first. The story could definitely benefit from a glossary or more front-loaded explanation of some of the creatures, as well as a description of the "rules" of the alchemy and magic that exists in this world. As a middle grade book, I could see the language initially being very challenging, especially for readers on the younger end of the spectrum. When considering this age group (around 8-12), there was difficult vocabulary throughout, and certain concepts such as alchemy may not be common knowledge unless the reader is well-versed in the fantasy genre.
Overall, I would highly recommend The Thorn Queen to both children and adults. As a teacher who has taught ELA in fifth grade through high school, I would place this novel primarily at a third to fifth grade interest level, possibly up to sixth. It certainly hooks the reader quickly with a plot overflowing with twists and action that don't let you go until you've reached the end, and I found myself wanting to know how Meylyne's story is going to continue.
October 11, 2018
This was really fun! A bit overly complex at times, but still incredibly imaginative and a great read.
Find this review at Forever Lost in Literature!
The Thorn Queen is a delightful middle grade fantasy adventure novel filled with imaginative characters, magic, and world-building.
Our protagonist is Meylyne, a young girl who is suddenly thrust into a much larger role in her world than she ever anticipated--or wanted. Meylyne is a bold, endearing girl who is not so great at performing her Alchemy magic and is also shunned by most of society for being half human/half garsyle, while they are all full garsyle. Meylyne is a great character, full of her own ideas and the penchant for being strong-willed, but she also has many insecurities and struggles with trying be a normal kid.
We meet many other characters along the way that made this book a true delight: Grimorex, an unexpected ogre; Blue, an accidentally one-foot tall boy; Hope, a stallynx; and so many more! I found Holland's characters to be wonderfully developed and each had a really interesting personality that always seemed to surprise me. I would say that characters are one of Holland's strong points in writing, as she managed to mostly stray from stereotypes--besides one villain-type character--and create her own roles for them.
Another area that Holland does really well is her physical world-building. Glendoch is a world that I would love to see because of how beautiful it sounds. This is one of those books where I would love to have more illustrations and artwork of some of the locations featured, particularly some of the castles. As much as I loved the descriptions of the world itself, I did have some issues with the intricacies of how the world itself was organized--mainly that there wasn't enough explanation. I understood the basics of how the world was set up (the 'Above-World,' etc.), but I didn't understand the why or how the places were developed in the first place.
This leads me to one of my biggest issues with this book which was simply how complex the politics and secrets were. There were a lot of info-dumping conversations between characters that were actually a little difficult to keep up with at times, which isn't something that normally pops up in middle grade books.
Overall, I enjoyed The Thorn Queen a lot and found it really inventive, so I've given it four stars! I am unsure whether or not there will be more books, but if there are then I will certainly read them and see what adventures Meylyne is up to next.
Find this review at Forever Lost in Literature!
The Thorn Queen is a delightful middle grade fantasy adventure novel filled with imaginative characters, magic, and world-building.
Our protagonist is Meylyne, a young girl who is suddenly thrust into a much larger role in her world than she ever anticipated--or wanted. Meylyne is a bold, endearing girl who is not so great at performing her Alchemy magic and is also shunned by most of society for being half human/half garsyle, while they are all full garsyle. Meylyne is a great character, full of her own ideas and the penchant for being strong-willed, but she also has many insecurities and struggles with trying be a normal kid.
We meet many other characters along the way that made this book a true delight: Grimorex, an unexpected ogre; Blue, an accidentally one-foot tall boy; Hope, a stallynx; and so many more! I found Holland's characters to be wonderfully developed and each had a really interesting personality that always seemed to surprise me. I would say that characters are one of Holland's strong points in writing, as she managed to mostly stray from stereotypes--besides one villain-type character--and create her own roles for them.
Another area that Holland does really well is her physical world-building. Glendoch is a world that I would love to see because of how beautiful it sounds. This is one of those books where I would love to have more illustrations and artwork of some of the locations featured, particularly some of the castles. As much as I loved the descriptions of the world itself, I did have some issues with the intricacies of how the world itself was organized--mainly that there wasn't enough explanation. I understood the basics of how the world was set up (the 'Above-World,' etc.), but I didn't understand the why or how the places were developed in the first place.
This leads me to one of my biggest issues with this book which was simply how complex the politics and secrets were. There were a lot of info-dumping conversations between characters that were actually a little difficult to keep up with at times, which isn't something that normally pops up in middle grade books.
Overall, I enjoyed The Thorn Queen a lot and found it really inventive, so I've given it four stars! I am unsure whether or not there will be more books, but if there are then I will certainly read them and see what adventures Meylyne is up to next.
August 1, 2018
My name is Meylyne, and I've been forced to break the first commandment, again, and reenter the Above-World. My only hope of avoiding life in the Shadow Cellars is to find a cure for the prince's aging disease. The Old Well of M'Yhr has said I must travel to the Valley of Half-Light where the soul-eating sphers live. Hope has been a loyal companion, and we've been joined by Blue, a tiny warrior. I never would have imagined an ogre named Grimorex would become such a valuable ally. However, something is seriously amiss in the Above-World. Conflicts have war looming in Glendoch, the Great Oaken Mother has been poisoned, and sphers are spreading discord. The Great Oaken Mother said she was poisoned by the Thorn Queen, but why would Queen Emery want to start a war? I'm embarrassed that my terrible alchemy skills are no help. My mother is the most powerful alchemist around, but I can't ask her for assistance. What can I do?
I enjoyed the plot and the complications to Meylyne's quest. She needed to discover many secrets about her past and her abilities that became keys to resolving the conflict. I kept wondering about the "allergy pills" she religiously took, because they were concealing something important. Blue was a great character, as he lived up to the hype of being a brave warrior. Despite his lack of height (thanks to Meylyne's flawed spell) he stepped up to defend his new friends against all kinds of creatures and dangers. His past was a mystery, but the truth was actually anticlimactic. I wish I could tell you about more intriguing secrets, but they would be spoilers. I enjoy stories that keep me guessing, and this book kept me going until the final pages. The antagonist's true identity was unknown until a critical moment, Meylyne's mother revealed a devastating secret at an important time, and the plot's resolution revealed a final surprise. The ending sounded like it was leading into a sequel, but I haven't seen any indication that one is coming. Overall, The Thorn Queen was a fantastic book, and I recommend you add it to your reading list.
I enjoyed the plot and the complications to Meylyne's quest. She needed to discover many secrets about her past and her abilities that became keys to resolving the conflict. I kept wondering about the "allergy pills" she religiously took, because they were concealing something important. Blue was a great character, as he lived up to the hype of being a brave warrior. Despite his lack of height (thanks to Meylyne's flawed spell) he stepped up to defend his new friends against all kinds of creatures and dangers. His past was a mystery, but the truth was actually anticlimactic. I wish I could tell you about more intriguing secrets, but they would be spoilers. I enjoy stories that keep me guessing, and this book kept me going until the final pages. The antagonist's true identity was unknown until a critical moment, Meylyne's mother revealed a devastating secret at an important time, and the plot's resolution revealed a final surprise. The ending sounded like it was leading into a sequel, but I haven't seen any indication that one is coming. Overall, The Thorn Queen was a fantastic book, and I recommend you add it to your reading list.
December 18, 2018
A little confusing at times I really liked the book. Great writing, good character development, and the unique creatures and places was a fun twist.
September 12, 2018
Elise Holland has delivered quite the exhilarating adventure tale in her new middle-grade novel, The Thorn Queen. Readers will enjoy intricate world and character building, and the story draws inspiration from C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, 19th century fairy tales, and medieval tales of magic and sorcery.
The Thorn Queen is an epic middle grade fantasy adventure tale about young Meylyne, a female protagonist whose mother and father are from different parts of Glendoch - the Between-World and the Above-World, respectively. Because her mother is from the Between-World, our protagonist, Meylyne, must never venture into the Above-World because no one from the Between-World is allowed there.
Of course, Meylyne cannot help herself, and she sneaks up to the Above-World to see the royal procession of Prince Piam, where she gets into all sorts of trouble and must venture on a quest into the dangerous parts on the very edges of the Above-World in order to secure her own freedom and save the Glendoch’s prince. Along the way, she meets friends and discovers truths about herself that give her the power to save not just the prince but the entire kingdom.
Holland’s new story will captivate even reluctant young readers and keep them entertained and guessing until the very end. Don’t hesitate-put this on your list for your upper-elementary or middle-grade reader today.
The Thorn Queen is an epic middle grade fantasy adventure tale about young Meylyne, a female protagonist whose mother and father are from different parts of Glendoch - the Between-World and the Above-World, respectively. Because her mother is from the Between-World, our protagonist, Meylyne, must never venture into the Above-World because no one from the Between-World is allowed there.
Of course, Meylyne cannot help herself, and she sneaks up to the Above-World to see the royal procession of Prince Piam, where she gets into all sorts of trouble and must venture on a quest into the dangerous parts on the very edges of the Above-World in order to secure her own freedom and save the Glendoch’s prince. Along the way, she meets friends and discovers truths about herself that give her the power to save not just the prince but the entire kingdom.
Holland’s new story will captivate even reluctant young readers and keep them entertained and guessing until the very end. Don’t hesitate-put this on your list for your upper-elementary or middle-grade reader today.
October 15, 2018
Meylyne is not your typical twelve year old girl. She is half human, half garsyle and really, really bad at alchemy. When Meylyne finds herself on an seemingly impossible quest to save the prince of Glendoch, she must learn to have faith in herself and her crew of unlikely heroes tagging alone beside her. Unfortunately, the further she progresses into her mission, the more she discovers that Glendoch is counting on her to save them from The Thorn Queen. Will Meylyne and her companions be able to outwit the wizards, witches, and snakes that cross their paths, or will they face imprisonment in the Shadow-Cellars forever?
There were multiple times throughout this novel that I had to shake myself as a reminder that I am not, in fact, Meylyne. Holland did an amazing job developing her characters and setting- so much so that I was completely enveloped in the novel. Meylyne is a perfect female protagonist who finds herself forced to complete some big tasks, and I cannot wait to share with my daughter in a couple years. I find middle grade and young adult authors who can interweave heavy topics into a make believe fantasy world absolutely brilliant. Holland touched on the themes of acceptance, friendship, and self-worth through Meylyne and her friends, leaving the reader with a feeling of empowerment. Not only does Holland leave the us with a final twist in regards to the identity of the Thorn Queen, but she also leaves us hoping for another book to follow suit.
There were multiple times throughout this novel that I had to shake myself as a reminder that I am not, in fact, Meylyne. Holland did an amazing job developing her characters and setting- so much so that I was completely enveloped in the novel. Meylyne is a perfect female protagonist who finds herself forced to complete some big tasks, and I cannot wait to share with my daughter in a couple years. I find middle grade and young adult authors who can interweave heavy topics into a make believe fantasy world absolutely brilliant. Holland touched on the themes of acceptance, friendship, and self-worth through Meylyne and her friends, leaving the reader with a feeling of empowerment. Not only does Holland leave the us with a final twist in regards to the identity of the Thorn Queen, but she also leaves us hoping for another book to follow suit.
September 13, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy for review.
I really enjoyed this book. It's filled with magic, and magical beings and a crazy adventure! Meylyne, our heroine, is a half-human, half-garlyle hybrid. She is the daughter of the last Hearer and powerful sorceress in Glendoch. Glendoch has forgotten its magical past and now all creatures are separated from each other. There are Below World dwellers (snake-people), Between-World (where garlyles and such live) and Above-World (humans and animals). Meylyne breaks a very important rule by going into the Above World, and, to save her mother from the Below World, goes on a quest to find a cure for the Prince's rapid aging disease. Meylyne meets many creatures along her journey, including talking animals and ogres.
The plot was great, I was really interested to see where all this went. I did predict the twist, but not in it's entirety. I liked that Meylne really learned a lot about accepting herself, and her strength throughout the story. The world building was good, but I was still slightly confused as to how the land, and creatures actually looked. I don't know if this is going to be a series or not, but if it is I would like to see more world building. I think this is definitely a book that a lot of people would enjoy. The characters are all very strong and well done, and it's just a fun adventure.
I really enjoyed this book. It's filled with magic, and magical beings and a crazy adventure! Meylyne, our heroine, is a half-human, half-garlyle hybrid. She is the daughter of the last Hearer and powerful sorceress in Glendoch. Glendoch has forgotten its magical past and now all creatures are separated from each other. There are Below World dwellers (snake-people), Between-World (where garlyles and such live) and Above-World (humans and animals). Meylyne breaks a very important rule by going into the Above World, and, to save her mother from the Below World, goes on a quest to find a cure for the Prince's rapid aging disease. Meylyne meets many creatures along her journey, including talking animals and ogres.
The plot was great, I was really interested to see where all this went. I did predict the twist, but not in it's entirety. I liked that Meylne really learned a lot about accepting herself, and her strength throughout the story. The world building was good, but I was still slightly confused as to how the land, and creatures actually looked. I don't know if this is going to be a series or not, but if it is I would like to see more world building. I think this is definitely a book that a lot of people would enjoy. The characters are all very strong and well done, and it's just a fun adventure.
September 15, 2018
Usually I pick books for various logical reasons such as author, existing hype, the general description taking my eye. Here? I threw all that out the window... Look at that cover *squeal*
So, the short of it? I really enjoyed it for what it was, a middle grade novel about fallen kingdoms and an epic quest to save the world... Miss 9 loved it (she insisted on reading it once I was done.
Starting out I felt it was a little slow BUT once Meylyne started on her quest, I found the pace was quite enjoyable. I found the language used was more advanced than what I expected but still understandable for younger readers.
Themes of family, friendship and loyalty were discussed throughout as well as broaching the concept of every action having consequences. I felt it was a great novel for the 8-12 set of kids who are often skipped over.
As a sidenote, my little miss is constantly harassing me asking when there will be another one so bonus points for keeping her enthusiastic when she usually has a rather short attention span.
I received a copy from Netgalley and SparkPress in exchange for an honest review. Any opinions within are that of the author and have not been affected in any way by the publisher or its affiliates
So, the short of it? I really enjoyed it for what it was, a middle grade novel about fallen kingdoms and an epic quest to save the world... Miss 9 loved it (she insisted on reading it once I was done.
Starting out I felt it was a little slow BUT once Meylyne started on her quest, I found the pace was quite enjoyable. I found the language used was more advanced than what I expected but still understandable for younger readers.
Themes of family, friendship and loyalty were discussed throughout as well as broaching the concept of every action having consequences. I felt it was a great novel for the 8-12 set of kids who are often skipped over.
As a sidenote, my little miss is constantly harassing me asking when there will be another one so bonus points for keeping her enthusiastic when she usually has a rather short attention span.
I received a copy from Netgalley and SparkPress in exchange for an honest review. Any opinions within are that of the author and have not been affected in any way by the publisher or its affiliates
August 31, 2018
The Thorn Queen tells the story of a young girl's journey to find the cure for a disease killing the prince of her kingdom Glendoch. Meylyne must find the cure for this peculiar disease or she may end up in the Shadow-Cellars. On her journey, Meylyne faces many obstacles on her journey, wizards, guardians and a plot to destroy her kingdom, Glendoch.
The Thorn Queen was a fast-paced and easy read that will be suitable for all ages. It was a magical story from start to finish and I had fun reading about Meylyne. This was a light-hearted and fun story that really helped me get through a bit of a reading slump. The ending was a little abrupt and kinda left the story open-ended but I can definitely see another book in this universe for these characters.
Overall, I thought The Thorn Queen was a fun middle grade fantasy book that all ages can enjoy. Filled with magic, wizards, adventure, fantastical creatures and a great 12 year old girl. I would recommend this book for anyone who loved Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
A big thanks to Netgalley and Edelweiss for letting me read this E-ARC
The Thorn Queen was a fast-paced and easy read that will be suitable for all ages. It was a magical story from start to finish and I had fun reading about Meylyne. This was a light-hearted and fun story that really helped me get through a bit of a reading slump. The ending was a little abrupt and kinda left the story open-ended but I can definitely see another book in this universe for these characters.
Overall, I thought The Thorn Queen was a fun middle grade fantasy book that all ages can enjoy. Filled with magic, wizards, adventure, fantastical creatures and a great 12 year old girl. I would recommend this book for anyone who loved Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
A big thanks to Netgalley and Edelweiss for letting me read this E-ARC
September 9, 2018
Meylyne is a twelve year old Garloch (half-human, half-Garlsyle) alchemist-in-training, who is unexpectedly set upon a quest to save both her mother and her kingdom. I love that the protagonist is female, and would definitely recommend this book for young girls, however I feel that young boys would also greatly enjoy it.
The storyline and pacing of this book were great for middle school aged children who are likely to lose interest if left too long without an interesting occurrence, and there were several plot twists which would be highly surprising for the intended audience!
There was quite a lot of series-specific language in this book, so it could perhaps benefit from a glossary for younger readers, however I felt that the majority of the terms were sufficiently explained within the novel.
With some additional world building, this book could have been fantastic for both children and adults alike; as it is, I feel it's still a great book for middle school children, but may feel slightly flat for adults.
Overall, The Thorn Queen was an enjoyable read, and the ending appears to be leading into a sequel, so I'm excited to see where the series goes from here!
The storyline and pacing of this book were great for middle school aged children who are likely to lose interest if left too long without an interesting occurrence, and there were several plot twists which would be highly surprising for the intended audience!
There was quite a lot of series-specific language in this book, so it could perhaps benefit from a glossary for younger readers, however I felt that the majority of the terms were sufficiently explained within the novel.
With some additional world building, this book could have been fantastic for both children and adults alike; as it is, I feel it's still a great book for middle school children, but may feel slightly flat for adults.
Overall, The Thorn Queen was an enjoyable read, and the ending appears to be leading into a sequel, so I'm excited to see where the series goes from here!
September 17, 2018
The Thorn Queen: A Novel is an exciting children’s adventure where twelve-year-old Meylyne is forced into a quest to find a cure for the prince’s mysterious disease. During her quest, Meylyne befriends interesting creatures and uncovers dangerous secrets regarding the terrible war her home of Glendoch is facing. One of these secrets is the identity of the terrible Thorn Queen.
I’m a lot older than middle grade but I really enjoyed this book. I found some of the characters’ and creatures’ names a little hard to pronounce and remember at first but they were definitely new and inventive.
I thought Meylyne was a likeable character; she has flaws such as self-doubt, but this makes her a very realistic character which children can identify with. She goes on a powerful emotional journey and grows as a character.
There are many wonderfully interesting creatures and magical spells and artefacts that Meylyne comes across on her journey. There are plenty of perils which Meylyne and her friends must face, which is exciting but not too scary for children.
Elise Holland has created a richly imaginative world with a wicked villain and an admirable hero.
I’m a lot older than middle grade but I really enjoyed this book. I found some of the characters’ and creatures’ names a little hard to pronounce and remember at first but they were definitely new and inventive.
I thought Meylyne was a likeable character; she has flaws such as self-doubt, but this makes her a very realistic character which children can identify with. She goes on a powerful emotional journey and grows as a character.
There are many wonderfully interesting creatures and magical spells and artefacts that Meylyne comes across on her journey. There are plenty of perils which Meylyne and her friends must face, which is exciting but not too scary for children.
Elise Holland has created a richly imaginative world with a wicked villain and an admirable hero.
September 3, 2018
This middle grade book was possibly one of the most inventive I have ever read! The creatures in the world of the Thorn Queen are familiar, based on lions for example, but still entirely new! Tusked, talking lions who have a queen and once practiced alchemy, for example! The main character, Meyleyne is a girl of 12 who is about to go on an adventure that is a mix of Alice’s time in Wonderland and Dorothy’s journey through Oz. The book is done in a way where we learn about most of the creatures and the rules of magic along with Meyleyne and there are some twists that will keep the reader on their toes! Overall, an enjoyable read and although the main problem of the novel is solved by the end of the book there are openings for a possible sequel and I would definitely read that if it happens!
Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest review.
September 17, 2018
The Thorn Queen by Elise Holland is a great middle grade novel. Meylyne, the protagonist, sets off on a quest to fix her own mishap--falling out of a tree and onto the crowned prince's head.
The story was well written and is a perfect segue for younger readers into epic fantasies. It has all the elements with unique twists and turns thrown in.
My biggest reason for giving it four instead of five stars is the lack of background. In some places I felt like Holland throws in too much information without giving enough background. It all seems to fit too perfectly in the end--and ends too fast after dumping a lot of details at the end.
This book was given to my by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story was well written and is a perfect segue for younger readers into epic fantasies. It has all the elements with unique twists and turns thrown in.
My biggest reason for giving it four instead of five stars is the lack of background. In some places I felt like Holland throws in too much information without giving enough background. It all seems to fit too perfectly in the end--and ends too fast after dumping a lot of details at the end.
This book was given to my by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2018
I got to about page 200 and had been enjoying the book and the characters, when the happenings in the book featured a surprising twist and I found myself rushing to read so I could find out what happened!
The main character, Meylyne — I really felt for her, especially after we learn certain truths. What a story. It’s engaging for adults but it’s also suitable for older pre-teens and older.
I love a good fantasy world and “The Thorn Queen” didn’t disappoint. Also, a shout-out to the cover illustrator, Elisabeth Alba. She’s the illustrator for The Everyday Witch tarot deck and I like her style!
Note: I received this from a Goodreads giveaway and this is my independent opinion.
The main character, Meylyne — I really felt for her, especially after we learn certain truths. What a story. It’s engaging for adults but it’s also suitable for older pre-teens and older.
I love a good fantasy world and “The Thorn Queen” didn’t disappoint. Also, a shout-out to the cover illustrator, Elisabeth Alba. She’s the illustrator for The Everyday Witch tarot deck and I like her style!
Note: I received this from a Goodreads giveaway and this is my independent opinion.
August 14, 2018
I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are honest and my own.
I'd like to start by saying that this was a funny and delightful read! I've never read any fantasy novel with this unique style and world building! I loved all the unique creatures we meet from start to finish, and i could definitely recommend this to anyone who loved Alice's adventure in wonderland!! This was such a fantastic and light read, and I'm honoured i got to review this book.
I'd like to start by saying that this was a funny and delightful read! I've never read any fantasy novel with this unique style and world building! I loved all the unique creatures we meet from start to finish, and i could definitely recommend this to anyone who loved Alice's adventure in wonderland!! This was such a fantastic and light read, and I'm honoured i got to review this book.
August 10, 2018
A wonderful imagination creates a multi-level world with rich, inspiring characters. The young female protagonist is one to admire as she embarks on her journey to redeem herself and save others. I look forward to reading more in what I hope is a start to a new series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy. I know my 8th graders will love reading the book. #TheThornQueen
September 7, 2018
I received my copy of The Thorn Queen from the publisher through NetGalley.
This book is charming and adorable times ten. There's adventure, plenty of twists and turns, betrayal, and triumph. I really liked the book..
..except for the last chapter, which makes strong case for the worst denouement ever realized. But really, don't let that stop you from enjoying this book. It's a really fun read.
This book is charming and adorable times ten. There's adventure, plenty of twists and turns, betrayal, and triumph. I really liked the book..
..except for the last chapter, which makes strong case for the worst denouement ever realized. But really, don't let that stop you from enjoying this book. It's a really fun read.
September 17, 2018
I didn't want this book to end! I love the world that Elise Holland created. She created species of magical beings, landscapes, rules, and customs seamlessly worked into an amazing tale. Meylyne was the perfect protagonist finding things out about herself and learning to deal with them while trying to complete a quest and save the day. For as much that goes on in this book, it could have easily become a very cumbersome read. However, it was beautiful, fun, and had surprises around every corner.
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