I can't believe this book is a standalone, but also, wow. I LOVED THIS BOOK! The play with prophecy, the slow burn romance, the world. I really with I had read it sooner, but I'm so glad I was able to snatch a copy. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to have access to this book in exchange for an honest review. I should have read it sooner.

3.0

I desperately want to give this 4 stars, but with there being no plans for a sequel, and the ending not feeling finished to me, I can't rate it higher than a 3. I did really enjoy this story though.

If what you're looking for is an over-the-top, high drama, high angst, low plot YA romp, then this would probably fit the bill. Overall, the book had some interesting ideas and could have taken the plot somewhere... but in reality it's mostly just driven by the pettiness and whims of Violet. I had hopes for a book featuring a Seer as a main character, especially since I love a good "street rat moves into the palace plot" but for all that Violet is supposed to be witty and cunning and clever, she makes a LOT of really poor decisions and judgement calls? Many of the characters have inconsistent desires and motivations. Despite having other great female characters, I'm fairly sure the book would also fail the Bechdel test, for Violet literally having to have a thought about Cyrus at every possible moment. The Not Like Other Girls energy is so strong it's suffocating. Also, I have higher standards for YA when it comes to depictions of consent, and I think there are better ways the author could have played on the enemies-to-lovers idea that included WAY more consent than what actually occurs. For the first three times Violet and Cyrus kiss, Violet's internal monologue is about how much she doesn't want it, she makes no verbal statements that she does want it, and then afterwards flop flops between regret and lust. What lessons are we really teaching young people with this?

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this book.

Decent fairy tale inspired read. I wasn't in love with the ending but it wasn't terrible. I would have read more if a 2nd book was planned but sounds like there won't be unfortunately!

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A darkly enchanting fantasy about a lying witch, a cursed prince, and a sinister prophecy that ignites their doomed destinies—perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince.

“Everything you want from an enemies-to-lovers fantasy starring morally gray characters.”—BuzzFeed

Violet is a prophet and a liar, influencing the royal court with her cleverly phrased—and not always true—divinations. Honesty is for suckers, like the oh-so-not charming Prince Cyrus, who plans to strip Violet of her official role once he’s crowned at the end of the summer—unless Violet does something about it.

But when the king asks her to falsely prophesy Cyrus's love story for an upcoming ball, Violet awakens a dreaded curse, one that will end in either damnation or salvation for the kingdom—all depending on the prince’s choice of future bride. Violet faces her own choice: Seize an opportunity to gain control of her own destiny, no matter the cost, or give in to the ill-fated attraction that’s growing between her and Cyrus.

Violet’s wits may protect her in the cutthroat court, but they can't change her fate. And as the boundary between hatred and love grows ever thinner with the prince, Violet must untangle a wicked web of deceit in order to save herself and the kingdom—or doom them all.
Available Editions

Thank you Netgalley for sharing this title with me. I read this book over a year ago, and didn't get to share my final thoughts on it. I thought it was well thought out, and I enjoyed the topic and the Characters. When I saw that the synopsis of the book was comparing it to the Cruel Prince, I knew I obviously needed to add this one to my list. This book was definitely written for my love of fairytales, and I loved the way the story pulled together. In the end, I imagined there'd be a sequel, but I haven't heard anything thus far about a book #2. Fingers crossed we get to read more about Violet.

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen is a captivating read for fans of dark, morally complex fantasy and enemies-to-lovers romance, who will be drawn to the intricate web of deceit, magic, and fairy tale-inspired intrigue that unfolds in this spellbinding tale of a morally gray witch and a cursed prince.

thank you to the publisher & netgalley for gifting me this arc!

I so badly wanted to love this book. based off the cover & the synopsis it totally sounded right up my alley. But unfortunately it was not. I found the writing to be lacking and I had a hard time focusing on what was happening. I even tried the audiobook and i ended up tuning it out.

I know others will love this book and I really hope they enjoy it! It was just a miss for me :(

Brutal, clever and so intoxicating. I’ll be thinking about this story long after it’s over.

If you like morally grey heroines with little trust, magic and a strong survival instincts, then get this book!!

Did I mention: epic schemes, enemies to lovers and LOTS of surprises?!

A must read of 2022

Having read the information that the author will not continue to write in this universe and knowing from others that the book ends in a cliffhanger, I apologise but I will not read this book.
Thank you for the eARC!

I love a fairytale retelling and this was cute. Since It ends on a cliffhanger this was tough for me to organize my thoughts. I would be interested in the next book as so far I've enjoyed it.

A captivating story, lots of twists and turns, dark and unexpected, yet romantic. I wish there was going to be a second book!

Really great book I have had so much reading this and getting to know these lovable characters will definitely continue to read books by this author

Fantasy driven yet super romantic story with immaculate charcters that I just could not put my hands down even if I wanted to.

I love fairy tales and this was a good one that kept my attention. It had all the quintessential elements and while it was a little slow-paced for my liking, I enjoyed the story and Violet herself.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars — While I really enjoyed my time reading the book, it was because this type of easy YA fantasy romance was just what I needed at the time. The prose is lovely at times, albeit a little try hard some time. Like you got the sense the author was like, “oh yes..that’s a good line.”

Still, I really enjoyed the rivals-to-enemies trope. The rivalry and distrust between Violet and Cyrus is palpable. And when that animosity turns to lust, the angst was chef’s kiss. But there is a distinct lack of development in the actual romance for me. I needed more backstory from both of them, apart from just the one moment when Violet saved Cyrus. I needed to see more tenderness. That said, it’s the first book so I’m sure we’ll see how their relationship evolves. I do appreciate that the romance between them isn’t easy. They’re both so emotionally guarded because of court politics. This combination of court politics and romance always gets me.

I loved Violet’s characterization! She is a true morally gray character who can be calculating, cold, and opportunistic in order to survive. But I also rooted for her because I could understand her motivations. No matter how much she wants to trust Cyrus, she is always aware of the power imbalance. She is dependent on the king’s favor, no matter if it’s Cyrus or his father. I can’t wait to see what moves she’ll make in the next book.

Cyrus is fine. I can’t get a clear understanding of his character. At times, he seems to on this moral high ground that would never be improper. Other times, he’s a shameless flirt with the ladies at court. I think this was to show how Violet sees Cyrus as two-faced - that she sees the real Cyrus. However, I don’t feel that came across clearly. For me as the reader, it made Cyrus’ character more vague rather than complex.

The biggest weakness of the story is the utter lack of world-building. You have a fairywood that is dangerous for nonmagical folk. You have small, what I assume Tinkerbell-sized, fairies flying about the capital city who are kind of like serving the rich in exchange for a type of alcohol. Like okay, that’s cool and whimsical. But you get no details about them outside of them dressing up their humans and leaving little trinkets behind. And then you have the Seer who has the Sight into future and can also see past memories. Beasts that are humanly but also look like plant monsters who want to eat humans. Then there’s this witch who can transform. And Fates that are like gods who are basically orchestrating everything. Basically everything I’ve told you is what drives the story. There’s not enough details about this world, but the story has just enough bones to hobble forward. I really hope that book 2 will be filling in a lot of gaps.

If you’re not able to enjoy fantasy without having a clear idea of how the world/magic looks or operates, then skip this. I lean heavily towards preferring character-driven stories and vibes so I can usually ignore weak world-building. So despite there being glaring weaknesses for me. I still had a lot of fun reading this and plan on continuing the series.

Why I loved this book: morally-gray MC, arrogant and infuriating love interests, and a very fairytale-esque read.

This really reminded me of the fantasy side of Throne of Glass. Violet really gave me Aelin vibes in the best way possible. You are left wondering if she is self serving or does not have a heart at times.

After saving the Royal Prince Cyrus when they were children, Violet is made the court Seer. She is tasked with reading the Threads of Fate to see the past and future. When Violet sees Cyrus' untimely death, the King asks her to lie about what she saw. She tells of a bride, who will become known after Cyrus returns from his journey. But when he returns, with no bride on his arm, whispers of his curse begin to circulate.

I had SO MUCH fun while reading this! I think this may be one of the best enemies to lovers trope I've read to date. We love a good hate kiss... The sexual tension and chemistry between these two was **chef's kiss** I loved the banter between them, and how much they bickered. I love how untrusting of each other these two were and I was shrieking at all the betrayal in this - I ate it up every time. I adored Violet as a main character, she was so sarcastic, confident and unabashedly herself. I love how she told her messy little lies to shape the world and court how she wanted and no one could tell her she was wrong. She was conniving and impulsive and I couldn't get enough of her. Camilla, the prince's chaotic lesbian twin sister was such a fun side character, I loved every second she was on page. I love how there are little tidbits of a variety of fairytales in this such a Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella! Also big fan of all the fairytale elements in the fae, monsters and dark magic.

I am in desperate need of the next in the duology!

Violet Made of Thorns 5/5

Plot: Violet Made of Thorns follows the story of a Seer, something akin to a soothsayer, that is tasked with delivering readings for the kingdom and its people. The weight of one particularly life-changing vision puts Violet in the hot seat where she is forced to align with the handsome yet insufferable crown prince. The story is filled with whimsical happenings and shocking revelations that sweep the reader away into the world that Gina Chen has so expertly crafted.

Who this book is for: Lovers of morally-gray heroines, arrogant princes, and fairytale-like stories.
If you enjoyed The Cruel Prince and Throne of Glass, then this book is perfect for you.

Characters: Gina Chen has done something many authors are claiming to do, but fall flat on: morally-gray characters. Violet is very strong headed and hellbent on doing what’s best for herself, so she is constantly faced with decisions regarding how to relay her visions, as well as who she should put her trust in. Because her main motivations are self-preservation and job security, Violet is constantly making selfish decisions. Finally, we have another heroine who isn’t a picture-perfect Mary Sue. Violet is complex, flawed, and someone who doesn’t always make good decisions. While Violet is the most fleshed out character due to the story’s first-person narrative, Gina Chen does a phenomenal job of making the other character’s interesting. The Prince is as equally stubborn and also self-righteous, so his motivations vary from Violet’s, thus creating a nice contrast. Their history together is complicated and fueled by jealousy, which makes all of their dialogue and scenes together hilarious and full of witty remarks. Although witty banter between two love interests is nothing new, Gina Chen does a good job of making the reader feel as if the two characters are truly fighting and in disagreement, not just flirting in a rude way.

My Opinion: I absolutely adored this book because I am a sucker for a good fairytale-esque story, especially when the characters are of questionable morals. While reading, I truly felt immersed in the story, and I was able to clearly visualize everything that was happening. I adore the concept of a seer puppeteering a kingdom in her favor, while also learning how to be less selfish of a person.

I love a morally grey heroine - which Gina Chen totally delivers in Violet. The world building is exquisite and deep, and I loved the characters (Camilla! OMG), and basically wanted to live inside this story and never put this boo down. I wasn't expected such an explosive enemies-to-lovers romance between Violet and Cyrus, and WOW, what an excellent and thriller rollercoaster ride!!