~reread 2021~

A lot has changed since I last read Thorn. It’s weird because it hasn’t been that long, but the changes we see Thorn go through, how she finds her voice and stands up for herself and what she believes in...it reminded me of how much I’ve changed. I related to Thorn a lot during my first read, but even more so the second time around. I’m also glad I took my time rereading. This book is character-driven and slow-paced, and reading it a little every night just fit the whole vibe of the story. I think it allowed me to enjoy it more too because I was able to take my time reading and reflecting on everything. I can’t recommend this book enough. It means more to me now than it did before, and I’m so excited to pick up The Theft of Sunlight.

***

This is a difficult book for me to rate and review. I'm not sure what I was hoping for when I picked this one up, but I guess I wasn't expecting such a character-driven story. That being said, there were some really great parts that I want to highlight.

Thorn is about standing up for what is right, even though you feel small and defeated and unheard. It's about making difficult choices and accepting that people make their own decisions. It's about abuse and how the recovery is difficult and a lifelong journey. It's about finding a home and a family among people who are not related to you by blood. It's about strength in the smallest of actions, and justice and mercy.

Overall, it's a beautiful story and I think I would appreciate it a lot more if I read it a second time around.

The writing is in first person POV. I always struggle with first person for some reason. It's just not my favourite, but it didn't annoy me as much as it has in the past. We only get to see Thorn's point of view, and while at first I liked seeing her day-to-day duties, and her walks with Falada, etc. it started to drag midway through the book. Like I said, this book is very character-driven, so it reads kind of slow as we follow Thorn on her journey. She's very hesitant and passive as a character, and that did annoy me for a lot of the book, until I realized the decisions she was making were ones I would make too. She's been abused and betrayed and left with nothing, and when she finally finds herself a place and a home, all she wants is to cherish what she has. She wishes she didn't have to deal with the other plots that are revolving around her, and I honestly get that. That feeling of "ahh I can finally relax, I can be happy" and trying to ignore the other problems in your life is just so relatable. She's also been abused by her brother and her mother, and to see her wary around Kestrin and the other men was understandable.

There should be trigger warnings for murder, violence, and rape. While rape isn't described on the page, it is something that happens to another character, and reading that scene about 3/4 of the way through the book was a little difficult. I think this book does a good job on highlighting how flawed justice can be. How men easily take the word of other men over a woman. How women are always the ones to be punished and blamed. We get to see how justice is a privilege for the rich and highborn, while the poor suffer and have to take justice into their own hands. It's an interesting look into society and politics and I really liked this aspect. However...

This book can get really confusing sometimes. I think it's mostly the court talk that happens whenever Thorn is at court or speaking with Kestrin or the Lady or some other noble. There's so much that's said, but the speaker never means what they say, or there is some double meaning. And at times even Thorn points that out to the reader, but it does make it difficult to understand what is being said and what are the implications. I felt lost and I don't know if it's because I'm not used to reading books like this, or if it wasn't done as well as it could have been.

I fell in love with Falada, our Horse. He is just a perfect guardian and friend for Thorn. I loved his advice, though he did annoy me a little with this questions and half-answers. I just liked seeing a horse friend in this book. As for the geese, they don't really play a huge role in the story, but Thorn is a goose girl. Though she seems to be heading towards becoming a hostler midway through the book.

The side characters, especially Violet and Sage were lovely and so sweet to Thorn. And the boys too. I loved how they protected and cared for Thorn as if she were their sister. And how they stood up for her when she had no one else. I think people might find Thorn too passive and not angry enough or willing to do anything about her situation. But I think people need to understand that when you've been beaten down your whole life, it's hard to stand up and speak out and do something. Especially in a world where your word doesn't matter.

At about 3/4 of the way through the book, things really started to pick up. I actually flew through this last bit because a lot more was happening all at once, and I could feel everything heading towards the conclusion. There was one reveal that had me feeling a bit disappointed. It just wasn't what I wanted at all, and it made all the interactions between Thorn and this other character feel weird and staged. That being said, I'm glad there isn't really any romance in this book. I'd say it's mostly one-sided, which I think is why the reveal annoyed me. Thorn doesn't know and when she realizes the truth, it just all feels very contrived, which makes sense in some ways, but I was really worried we'd end with a HEA and two people in love. We don't get that. We see Thorn realizing she has a friend and confidante and someone she can trust, and she hopes one day, it'll lead to love.

Kestrin was an interesting character. I don't know if I really love him as a whole? He really terrified Thorn and while he wasn't violent towards her, he does get angry and it hints at a more violent aspect of his personality. I could feel the fear Thorn was going through. And despite everything, I don't know if the explanations we get later on make up for that.

One thing I wish we saw more of was the city. The thieves and Red Hawk really fascinated me. It kind of gave me Tamora Pierce vibes, what with George being the King of Thieves. It would have been nice to see what happens after the end of this book and the changes that Thorn tries to make to make the people (especially the women and children) of this city safer. I would have liked to see her growing in her confidence and her abilities and putting her foot down more. It would have also been nice to see somewhat of a confrontation with her mother and brother, even if she didn't say anything, but just to see them shocked at what's happened to her and what she's managed to do on her own.

The short story at the very end of this book was interesting? It doesn't really connect with much of Thorn, besides for one character. But it did give me major Graceling vibes and it was just a nice short thing to read afterwards.

Overall 3.5/5 stars. Thank you so much to HccFrenzy and Harpercollins for an arc!