Girl, Serpent, Thorn

There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story.

As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison.

Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming...human or demon. Princess or monster.

Enter a world of poison, lies and secrets, filled with morally grey characters who blur the lines between hero and villain. A fairytale where no one is what they seem, and victory might mean surrender. 

This YA fantasy is phenomenal. It has a cinematic quality and would make a brilliant film. 

The setting was stunning. I loved the secret passage ways, Soroya's garden and even the darker locations like the dakhmeh. 

Soroya is a character who will stick with me. She teeters so close to darkness I was never sure whether this was going to be a villain narrative or a heroic one, which made Girl, Serpent, Thorn all the more exciting to read. 

Over the course of the novel, Soroya becomes caught in a tangle of family secrets and regret, with hidden motivations and a plot fuelled by misunderstanding and manipulation. Tension runs high throughout and it is very hard to put this novel down!

At its heart, however, this novel also contains a beautiful, LGBTQ romance which will leave readers swooning. It also explores the dangers of toxic relationships and manipulation. 

This is also a story about learning to accept yourself, to reach your full potential, and not being afraid to embrace your true character. It is about isolation and feeling as though you don't fit in, but also finding your place in your family, even if it's not the one you expect.

In short, this is a beautiful, thrilling fantasy I will be recommending to everyone!