I loved a lot of the aspects in this book, like the interwoven fairy tale motifs scattered throughout the plot and the tension between Cyrus and Violet. Honestly, this whole book seemed like it was just about the tension between Cyrus and Violet and less about the whole curse thing lmao.

While the plot dragged at certain points, I enjoyed the world building and learning about the magic system that surrounds Violet. It's dark, a little creepy, and lush in its descriptions of the Kingdom of Auveny.

Ultimately, I think Violet is the object that really makes or breaks this novel. Similar to Jude from The Cruel Prince, she's not a very likeable character but she's one that you want to root for. She's selfish and only looks out for herself given her past, but seeing her gradual journey towards trusting others instead of pushing people away solidified my love for her. Violet's relationship with Cyrus also reminded me a little of Jude and Cardan, but I definitely think they possess a uniqueness that makes them sound out from the Folk of the Air series.

Rating: 4/5 ☀️

Happy pub week to Violet Made of Thorns! This book was nothing like I expected it to be, and I am obsessed. It was like a darker, more adult Ella Enchanted and I am absolutely here for it. It had the fairy tale vibes, an amazing cast of characters, and was a totally immersive reading experience.

I have to start with the characters, because I fell in love with them. From Violet being a survivor who puts herself first, Cyrus being an idealist prince who’s been in love with her since day one, Dante as the only sane person with secrets of his own, and Camilla as the chaotic lesbian – all of them owned my heart. But Violet especially was so well-written, and it’s rare to find such a strong main character. I especially love how Violet has an immigrant background, and how that informs her character.

That was the best part of the world of this book for me. Often fantasy books tend to make their nations and kingdoms sort of isolationist, where characters have never left home until the call of the journey happens, and it’s monocultural to a degree. Or if characters are not in their place of origin, they’re nomadic to a degree, or don’t identify with their current location. But this felt like a fantasy with diaspora in mind, and I’m in awe of how the author managed it in a way that felt authentic.

Also the magical parts of the story were wonderful, between the seers and the fairies, and how they’re ingrained in the politics. It was simultaneously whimsical yet well thought out. The writing style (first person, present tense) admittedly took a bit to get used to, and Violet’s voice sometimes came off as immature, but there was a wittiness and deadpan humor to it that I grew to enjoy. The first few chapters were admittedly a bit rocky though as the author got her footing, with quite a bit of infodumping and explanations.

I also loved the pacing, and the way Violet and Cyrus’ relationship developed was amazing. I was in love with their dynamic – the fact that they grew up together, that neither wants to act on their attraction because they’re bound to duty so they lash out instead. And I’m utterly captivated with the ending of this book, and I’m so excited for what comes next.

Overall, this was just a mindblowing book and so different from a lot of current fantasy YA in so many subtle ways. I’m obsessed and you should be too. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to get an eARC of this!

When I read about Violet Made of Thorns I was so excited! This book has witches, a prince, a curse just so much fantasy packed into one book. Unfortunately I feel like it fell a little flat a I ended up adding it to my DNF list. There is a lot of info in the beginning which slowed me down also.

I do want to thank NetGalley for an ARC of Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen.

The perfect blend of fairy tales and morally gray protagonists who are met with a frustratingly vague prophecy. Definitely recommended to my reading group.

What struck me right away in the first chapter is the voice of Violet. She's so thorny even in that regard. That makes her stand out from a lot of YA fantasy leads because she's aware of how stories typically go, and she hates that there's no charmed life for her. Everything she has, she's had to fight for with teeth. And as much as she's been able to manipulate her own story, she remains trapped by it. Being a Seer, a witch with the gift and burden of prophecy, Violet knows the future is predetermined. Can she change it? Or do all her actions lead to her visions' outcomes anyway? Can she claim a fairy tale ending or something like it?

I loved all the fairy tale references scattered throughout the book; they are included in creative ways that are fun to pick up on reading. The intricate politics are great too, creating an interesting dynamic between Cyrus (aka Prince Charming) and his father, a king hellbent on expanding his empire. I recommend reading this for the commentary on goodness for the sake of one's virtues vs selfishness for the sake of one's survival. What choice is there when all the choices are bad? Violet's a liar and a charlatan, but she's also the real deal. And she's maybe more honest than those around her claim to be. Her threads of sight and the plot coming together are a fantastic weave. The magic is so cool, the morally-gray and diverse characters are fun, and the enemies to lovers trope is strong here. I'm looking forward to reading the other half of this enchanting duology.

Title: Violet Made of Thorns
Author: Gina Chen
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.5

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.

I enjoyed this story, but I have to say, Violet and Cyrus are both kind of unlikable jerks. Especially to each other. Cyrus’ arrogance is almost overwhelming at times, and Violet is just rude and hateful at least half the time. I enjoyed the culture and mythology, but their personalities were almost enough to make me DNF this. I’m interested in reading more about them—probably—but this isn’t a warm and fuzzy tale.

Gina Chen lives in California. Violet Made of Thorn is her debut novel.

(Galley courtesy of Random House Children’s in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 8/4.)

This was a bit hard to get into at first, Violet was getting on my nerves and the info dumping at the beginning was a bit difficult to get through.

Initially I thought the characters were bland and quite frankly irritating, like our MC Violet all she did was fume with rage and be condescending which didn't sit well with me. I liked Cyrus alot, he was a troubled young prince who knew he had to choose a bride to break a curse, someone who felt pressured, someone who was confused and just tired of everyone's expectations, so I found him to be really RELATABLE!!! And he was gorgeous so obviously I liked him 😅

The coupling was a bit instantaneous in my opinion and I would've loved a bit more slow burn. I did however appreciate the steamy scenes...

The premise was interesting, I love a good prophecy/curse theme in a book. And the unravelling was slow which kept me hooked to my ebook, flipping page after page. The writing was easy to follow except for when we'd get a dump of information on Auveny and its surrounding cities, had a hard time following that. I would describe the plot as mysterious, eerie and sinister!! To top it off our MC is a morally gray character who is a official Seer but constantly lies about her prophecies. I also loved the names of the districts/cities Moon district, Sun Capital, pretty innovative.

I wouldn't necessarily compare it with The Cruel Prince but it stands out on its own.

Enemies to lovers, close proximity, witches and fairies?
Yes please!
This twisted fairytale is jam packed with excitement and intrigue.
It was easy to get sucked into the story and find myself several hours later disappointed at not having the next book yet.
Sadly it is not yet written.
This is a fabulous start to a new series, and a debut novel as well?
Ridiculous.
I am totally geeked for the next book!
Much love to NetGalley, Random House Children's and Turn the Pages Tours for my ARC.

This book was one of my most anticipated releases, and it did definitely not disappoint! I was sucked into the story right away: the author had an effortless way of telling it which I really liked. The plot was great, and the characters were well fleshed out. The ending left me reeling! I cannot wait for the second book.

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen

Firstly, the cover and title, I love it. Isn't it gorgeous?

This fairytale story with trope I love the most that is enemies to lovers is worth picking up. To add to all of this are seer, prince, magic and prophecies involved that worked as perfect catalyst to the story.

Violet is a Seer who had to make her way up in the Kingdom. She has lied about her visions, influencing the decisions and doesn't believe in being honest and good. She is given a chance to redeem herself or the now Prince Cyrus who will ascend the throne promises to strip down her official title once he is the King.

Oh my! She is selfish and that was frustrating but I also didn't mind because I knew this witch the main lead is morally grey, she has been given that character to utter perfection. She knows what her life journey will look like and does everything that will benefit her first.

They both hate each other for reasons that also pull them close. Their chemistry is top notch. I loved Cyrus not just because he was prince or he was good there was a different aura to him and I couldn't help but like him from the start.

The writing was smooth, enchanting with diverse and awesome characters. It had subtle references to various fairytales and a great world building. This debut novel captivated me and will definitely have you turn the pages quickly. I can't wait to read the next.

I recommend this one to YA fantasy lovers or anyone who loves morally grey MCs or fairytales.

Thank you @tbrbeyondtours for having me on this tour and @delacortepress for providing arc in exchange of honest review.

This book had me hooked. The story was amazing and characters, I couldn’t get enough of. Violet & Cyrus are characters that you will never forget. The chemistry between Violet and Cyrus is undeniable but someone wants too ruin them. Thrilling story that everyone must read.

"Our entanglement wasn't inevitable in the way of the stars, but in the way you can only toss so many lit matches at a powder keg before one catches--and I should have stopped tossing matches."

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Delacorte Press and Turn the Page Tours for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a tour stop on my blog and TikTok! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content warnings: violence/blood/murder/death, self-harm, parental death, xenophobia, emotional abuse

I first heard of Violet Made of Thorns I believe from Amanda at Bookish Brews and Erin A. Craig on Instagram! I was so interested in the synopsis that I joined a book tour in what ended up being the middle of my move. This ended up not being a problem at all as I couldn't put the book down and finished it in a snap!

Violet Made of Thorns follows Violet Lune, a Seer aka someone who can view a person's life threads, with glimpses both to their past and future. This typically plays out by her making hand-to-hand contact or through prophetic dreams. An esteemed position in the kingdom and revered just below the royalty themselves thanks to the King's adoration for her, Violet's life is not as flawless as it may appear. The heir to the throne, Cyrus, is the reason she's even a member of the Court, and yet he seems to regret her very existence. With his upcoming ascension to King, will Violet be able to maintain her future position as Seer, especially when it means endangering her position under the current king and possibly her own life?

This book gave me little bits of nostalgic glimpses of fairytales I grew up on (Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, etc.) but the story truly was unlike any other I've read. Most of the characters and their relationships were much more morally grey and I thoroughly enjoyed that. It felt human and real instead of happily-ever-afters and true love. I also enjoyed that I had no idea who would end up with who or if anyone would at all for most of the book, as it kept my intrigue level at a high.

While I enjoyed the plot twists and the corruption/moral grey areas, often the characters' actions gave me whiplash and I struggled to understand their motives. Dante may have been my favorite, though, and I hope we see more of him in book 2!

This may be her debut novel, but Gina Chen is possibly already an auto-buy author for me, and

Would recommend to lovers of: dark/morally grey twists on classic fairytale tropes, heroines who are more thorns than roses, with fates and curses to play out or fight against!

Violet's psychic powers enabled her to escape the slums for a life of luxury. Now she resides in the palace, handing out prophecies that are half guesswork and wholly subject to approval by her sovereign, King Emilius. His son, Prince Cyrus, was the subject of a particularly nasty vision granted to the previous Seer and Violet has no problem fudging the future to keep the throne stable. When the Fates tell her either she or Cyrus will die, Violet must decide exactly how far she is willing to go. The ruthless heroine upends fairy tropes left and right.

| unapologetically vicious & delightfully dark |

That's pretty much how I would describe Violet made of Thorns and its main character.
If you're a fan of dark but subtle fairytale retellings with a sprinkle of spice this book is for you.
The push and pull between our MC and love interest definitely makes this book all the more fun without even having to mention the magic, the court machinations and the secrets each character holds.

I rarely ask for dual POV but in this books case I wish I would have been able to get a glimpse into every characters head, I was so curious the entire time! This story is a very fast paced 'give me the next chapter' type of story and every chapter delivered someone even better than the last. I do feel like having a morally gray main character really added to this story I can't imagine our MC Violet being motivated by doing good and this story gripping me as much as it did.

First the Briars and then come the beasts & blood. The magic in this world really caught my attention it felt like the author put together all the twisted parts of Cinderella, sleeping beauty and beauty and the beast all in one.

Overall I give Violet Made of Thorns 4 stars and I can't wait to see what's next for this world. I was surprised to find out it wasn't a standalone because the ending did feel tied together for Violet but regardless if the next MC is her or someone else within this story (maybe some Dante snippets??) I will definitely be reading the next one.

They don’t tell you this part in the storybooks. They go on and on about true love, even though no one can explain what it is. They don’t tell you where your hands go when Prince Charming just wants to fool around. They don’t tell you that his red, wet, wanting mouth is the ruby fruit, nor whether it’s poison or bliss—or both. You have to nibble to find out.”

Betrayal, hatred, desperate, secret, and forbidden kisses, a cunning main character & the golden prince that infuriates her, a curse, political intrigue…..
are you sold yet? 👀😈

First I want to preface my review by saying that i absolutely ADORE “unlikeable” main characters
Give me the fiery women, the ones who always have a sarcastic response, the selfish ones, the flawed ones- these are my absolute favorite
And Violet certainly fits the mold. She is cunning and clever, she is always one step ahead and is not afraid to hurt your feelings. I absolutely loved her as a main character.
I loved how her and the prince hate each other but are simultaneously drawn towards each other- they had soooooo much chemistry and angst, I was HERE FOR IT.

Now, the storyline was fantastic, I almost devoured this book in a day because I could not put it down and I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next.
The fairytale vibes were absolutely immaculate- there is a kingdom and enchantments plus little fairies and pixie dust *squeals* this was just so perfect!


Violet is a Seer- there are only a handful of them in the world and she was plucked from the streets as a child after saving the crown prince Cyrus. When the kingdom’s current Seer dies, Violet is thrown into the role and has to face the aftermath of a terrible prophecy- Cyrus is cursed and doom will come to the kingdom. Violet is tasked with helping Cyrus find a bride- if they could only set aside their differences first.
Although they seem to hate each other, they also can’t seem to stay away from each other
With a looming threat in the air, and monsters hidden in the shadows, Violet must decide whether to save herself or leave them all to damnation.

Eeeeeeek I really liked this book! I am a sucker for a dark fairytale and this one was soooo well done! I loved the vibes, the chemistry, the loathing and lusting. The ending was also so well done, I really enjoyed reading this and cannot wait for a sequel!

This anti-heroine perspective tale was a fun, very readable and pretty unique spin on several fairy tales, with strains of Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast. I thought the blurbs and author intro really oversold the unlikability of main character Violet—her motivations, aims, and actions were very understandable, to me!

Wow! This was such a great mashup of fairy tales. I really enjoyed the setting and I totally got Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and even some Sleeping Beauty vibes. It’s definitely a dark fantasy with an unlikeable main character.

Violet is not the most likeable and often times very cold throughout the book. I felt her circumstances definitely played into her coldness and that in order for her to survive at court she can’t let anyone into her heart. This way of thinking gets messy when it comes to her and Cyrus’s relationship.

Cyrus was a bit pushy in the romance department for me. I did struggle with their connection and I feel like they’re definitely better allies if they can get away from whatever romantic feelings they have for each other.

This was a fast-paced YA fantasy and I am very interested to see how the next book in the series goes! That ending was definitely not what I was very unexpected and I’m totally here for it!

For those who loves to read fairytale with enemies to lovers and antiheroine FMC then you need to pick this one up!

The plot is unique, combining a couple of fairytale element in here like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast which is a nice touch to the story.
The world building is easy to envision with the help of the beautiful map and some description along the story.

I'm really interested reading about the prophecy, the curse and the development of the Seer power which I'm eager to see more about it in the next book!

The characters are likeable, for both main and secondary character who liven up the story as well.
Instead of being a morally gray character, Violet is mostly confuse trying to decide on what to do and who to trust.
Cyrus is also an interesting character to know, behind his charming facade he can be cunning as well.

I really like the love-hate dynamic between Cyrus and Violet, the tension and the bantering reminds me slightly to Cardan and Jude.
Most of the time in this book, they argue and can't stand each other but I'm hoping it'll change in the next book so we'll get more of them being lovers.

Overall, this is a pretty good debut novel with interesting fairytale elements and unexpected twist and turns in the last few chapters.
I'm really looking forward to read the next book to find out some answers and see how Cyrus and Violet relationship will go!

Actual rating: 3.5⭐

A huge thank you Gina Chen, Netgalley and TBR Beyond Tour for giving me this digital copy of the book and for allowing me to be a part of the book tour!

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Delacorte Press for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars

Violet Made of Thorns had an almost modern fairytale vibe to it with its sharp and witty writing. Some of the secondary characters were also given sardonic voices that at times made the dialogue feel comedic and modern and I found the style refreshing. This combination made the story a very fast and easy read and once I got past the 50% mark, read the rest in one sitting.

Although I didn’t find the world-building particularly unique, it presented the perfect fairytale setting that I love with the dark and mysterious forests, beastly creatures, evil witches and enchanting (albeit drunken) faeries. What was clearest to me in the world-building was the court politics and this was surprisingly politically driven! Aside from the prophecy of the curse, court politics played a big role in pushing the plot forward and while I’m not always a fan of so much politics, I really enjoyed the scheming, especially Violet’s role in all of it.

Even before I picked up the book, I kept hearing about how morally grey Violet and the other characters are and they weren’t wrong! Violet was one of those perfectly flawed characters who are self-serving, ruthless, and who’d basically do anything to maintain her good standing as the Seer in the Kingdom—even if it meant throwing certain people (ie. Prince Cyrus) under the bus. I tend to really dislike characters that are, well, this "unlikeable" but I loved her character! The conflicting emotions she experienced made her all the more human and oddly likeable to me. Cyrus was also a pretty interesting princely character who had so many different faces that it was hard to pin him down at first. I honestly kind of wish that we got his POV too because I can tell there’s so much going on beneath the surface and I wanted to get a better understanding of his motives. Dante and Camilla were secondary characters that I really liked but was simultaneously suspicious of. No one in this story was really free from being morally grey because they all had secrets and motives that made them do terrible things for what they believed was best for their kingdom. I only wished that we got to learn more about them!

What I loved most though was the romance. The caustic and quippy banter was SO GOOD and I kept wanting more of it! Talk about true enemies to lovers because woo, the tension ran hot and deep and I never knew whether they were gonna kiss or kill each other! Even when they crossed the line to being lovers, it most certainly wasn’t gentle but it was biting and sharp and I absolutely LOVED it. Seriously, the chemistry was hot enough to set a room on fire and it absolutely burned up my Kindle something fierce. I wasn't expecting the romance to be so strong but the romance lover in me lived for every moment of it! 🔥

Despite the ending being somewhat "inevitable and foretold", I felt certain parts of it were rushed and not well explained—new information was dropped and then kind of left there which I found confusing. For example, the witch was a perplexing villain who appears at the end but whose origins and motives remain unclear even as she’s “dealt” with. Basically, there’s a lot that happens in a short time frame including several revelations but because it happens so quickly with little processing time before the next scene unfolds, it honestly felt a little underwhelming. The last chapter does set things up very nicely for the next book though and I’m hoping that everything I felt was missing and wanted more of in this first book gets resolved in the next one! I can’t wait to see what happens next and I’m already eagerly anticipating more angsty romance, action and intrigue!

I was drawn in by the “fans of the Cruel Prince.” I would have to agree with that statement. If you enjoyed the series by Holly Black then I think you will love this one too.

I buddy read this with Dini from @Dinipandareads and I was caught up in this story immediately. I don’t know what it is about enemies to lovers that I love?! I’m not sure if this is a problem but I’ve been loving all the enemies to lovers lately.

Violet is a Seer and she’s working closely with the king. The thing is, Cyrus will be taking over soon, and he hates her. They have mutual hate and it’s odd since they were close when they were younger. He doesn’t let her touch him, and you immediately start to wonder why! There’s this prophecy that is all doom and danger. The basis of it has to do with whom Cyrus chooses to marry. No pressure, right?!

Violet is a character who is morally grey. There are times she’s just doing things out of self-preservation. I get it, she had a tough childhood. She hasn’t had the best life either since she’s pretty much at the beck and call of the King. Sometimes prison is fancy and comfortable. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her and I loved that. She’s brutally honest and she doesn’t back down. It’s an MC that I love reading about. Even though you question some of her choices, you hope things turn out the best for her.

Cyrus seems like the type of future king that doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s a flirt constantly putting on a front. Although, as we get to know him, he is quite cunning. He’s got a lot more going on under the surface. The chemistry between Cyrus and Violet is off the charts. I loved every minute of it and there are so many intense moments. With the prophecy looming over their heads, there’s been a lot these two have gone through. They have a very complicated past and probably future. I am highly anticipating book two because I need more of these two!

The pacing of this book is quick and flows so well. I was able to read half of this book in one day! I could have kept going but I needed to let my buddy catch up. The world Chen creates is quite vivid, and she’s got some beautiful prose. With that being said, I wished there was more world-building. There are many things I would have liked more clarity on. I am hoping we will get more of that in the second book. There are a lot of things that come into play and there’s a lot of political intrigue. I did think some things overshadowed others when I needed a bit more. For example, the darkness going on with Violet and who she is talking to.

There’s one big aspect I struggled with and that’s the ending. It rushed and kind of confusing. I don’t want to spoil anything but some things didn’t make sense and wrapped up too quickly. The ending was probably the biggest downfall of this one. I think we needed a few more pages. I am hoping things are explained better in the second book.

Overall, I loved this and it was such a great story. There are many fairytale influences like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. The enemies-to-lovers is great, and I loved the characters too! I loved trying to decipher the mystery. I did have some surprises I didn’t see coming. The pacing is so fast that this is a book you will read really quickly! I can’t wait for book two! 🙂

Many thanks to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for providing an e-arc for review.