This book was perfect! PERFECT!!! No notes!!! It was everything I wanted, but didn't get, from Thorn by Khanani Intisar:

- The story has momentum! The protagonist, Vanja, actively tries to outfox the conflicts constricting her. She doesn't just wait out the clock, moping to her death. There is action, mystery, political intrigue, romance, found-family, all braided with a delicate ribbon of fairytale theology. *Chef's kiss!!!*
- The found family, the romantic lead, and the abusive antagonist are all fully fleshed-out, dynamic characters. They are relatable. When any party is threatened/threatening, you believe it. When Vanja grows to understand them, and chooses to trust/combat/outwit/flee from them, you understand their motivations and hers. The emotional beats all stick, nothing falls flat. And the character/relationship growth all feels earned.
- The depiction of abuse survivors living with the ghosts of their trauma, both panicking from triggers and haunting themselves with guilt, shame, what-if's, and unhealthy - even self-sabotaging - coping mechanisms, is done artfully, respectfully, and realistically. I loooove the way this theme is presented in Vanja. Her moments of vulnerability are deeply human.
- Emeric is SUCH a breath of fresh air in YA romantasy!!! It is so wonderful to meet a boy who is romantic, not just horny; intelligent, but not snide; chivalrous, but not brutish; sympathetic, but truly patient and supportive, not pushing his new lady friend to be strong; uptight, but not uncompromising; and first to apologize/admit when he's misjudged someone. *PRAAAAISE!!!* Emeric, you set THE BAR!!
- The magic of the world is well-integrated. Nothing is jarring, no sudden talking animals in an otherwise cozy, non-magical setting. There is ambient magic at all times, like a world that has lived side by side with Faerie since the dawn of time. The various magical deities and creatures which bless homes are worked into the society, their chapels or offerings omnipresent. Honestly, at times, I could see the movie adaptation of this book, I could so clearly visualize, and hear, and feel all the little details of living with casual magic. Beautiful world-building!
- The book has a message about Justice having its day, but it's not preachy. This book is rebellious and defiant, in a good way. It presents a world full of human monsters, and a group of hurt, healing people who howl back in the monsters' faces. It's a comfort to resonate with their pain and share in their victories, big and small.

PER-FEC-TION!!!!