I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Violet Made of Thorns is an intense fairy tale. I love how the characters interact and the nuances in their relationships. Violet is snarky and strong to protect herself emotionally. She's also incredibly loyal to the king. The prince hates her. Between Violet and the prince is a friend from another kingdom, who tries to keep the peace. The princess, who loves her conquests of sleeping with other women, is not interested in politics and seems to walk the line between all conflicts.

Violet's visions show that either she or the prince will die. But the gods, also known as the fates, are fickle at best. Violet is a great liar. Though the prince claims she has a tell.

Then there is the wild magic. Messages from beyond, fairies, prophecies, and other creatures. Death and mayhem!

A romance plot weaves through this book as a further complication. The characters passionately kiss and edge toward more. So not quite a closed door romance. Their love has an edge of violence, matching the wildness of the magic.

Interesting concept and the characters were entertaining, but the plot was slow to start and not as engaging as hoped.

This is the fairytale for all of us who never quite related to the swooning princess in the tower and maybe thought the prince could be knocked down from his literal high horse.

Violet is an orphaned Seer plucked from the streets as a child for saving the young prince’s life and in return is the King’s personal prophetess. Growing up amongst royalty, her relationship with the prince is prickly at best and comes to a head when a new prophecy threatens both Violet’s station and the entire kingdom of Auveny.

Full of acerbic wit, Gina Chen gives us the antiheroine we all didn’t know we desperately needed. Blurring the lines between good and evil, Violet is as real as fairy tale characters come and her struggles with power, love, and desire to avoid social situations will hit the mark with many introverted readers. With dashes of classic fairytale elements like beasts, lost shoes, and of course an evil villain, Chen breathes magic into this wholly original story. This has definitely been my favorite read this summer!

Recommended for fans of fairytale retellings, antiheroines, and some spicy YA romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Gina Chen for this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: Fantasy series book 1
𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩: eARC

𝙁𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:
“All the tale needs is the villain, and the line between revered and reviled is as thin as an accusation.”

“I don’t believe the world is just. I believe in wolves—in con men and crowned men who wear wickedness as if it were a talent. Who don’t ask for judgment before devouring what’s theirs.”

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙:
Enemies to lovers
Feels almost like a villain origin story
Many fairy tale influences (Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast)
Antiheroine MC
Funny side characters

𝙁𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:
This book was a wild ride! There are nods to fairy tales throughout (such as Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast), but it definitely got more sinister and complex as the story went on. It almost felt like a villain origin story—which I’m a fan of!

The MC, Violet, is a strong willed antiheroine who struggles with her developing feelings for the handsome prince Cyrus. She plays the kingdom’s political game and desires to maintain a firm hold on her prestigious status as the Seer. Honestly, for most of this book I had no idea if Violet would choose to be the villain or the heroine; she’s absolutely as morally gray as can be, and it was interesting to be constantly changing my mind about her. The attraction between Violet and Cyrus reminds me a little bit of Cardin and Jude (which I am NOT a fan of The Cruel Prince, sorry y’all—but I definitely enjoyed Violet Made of Thorns more than TCP). One thing I would like to see more of is the past, when Cyrus and Violet were children who didn’t hate each other yet, and were growing into a romance. I feel like we got more of the enemies part of the relationship, and I would love to know more about their backstory and the emotional connection they formed.

The other thing I enjoyed about this book were the characters Princess Camilla and the prince’s best friend, Dante. They provided comic relief, important insight into the political games, and ultimately played a big role in the development of the story. This was a great read, with dark and twisty moments amidst an enemies to lovers romance and a fairytale atmosphere.

I would say I generally liked this book, except...and the exception is like a premise problem thing, so I actually didn't end up loving this one. To my actual thoughts.

I liked the main character a whole lot - she wasn't trying to be likable (but she was) and I loved her take-no-prisoners-attitude. It's just that so much of the book hinges on her relationship with Princes Cyrus, who she "hates" (they use the word hate about/around each other like, a lot) and I don't buy that kind of enemistry. Like it never read as believable to me. I kept getting taken out of the otherwise good story and ruminating on if you can be attracted to someone you "hate" (I think not). Maybe it's just me, but personality can make me not attracted to someone REALLY fast so yeah, I just never bought the romance, which was a lot of the book. That one thing I couldn't get over aside, though, this was a solid debut. I'll read another book by this author at some point.

So yeah, this wasn't for me, but I think actual teens will like it quite a lot, so I'll be recommending it widely. 3 stars.

I was so excited to read this one because the synopsis sounds so good and it definitely lived up to my expectations! Following a young witch who works in a castle this book had AMAZING enemies to lovers. Like, I can't think of a book that has done that trope as well as this one I was seriously in love, and the tension, THE TENSION. Magic, enemies to lovers, kingdom politics, MASQUERADE BALLS, "I hate you but I love you", I'm betrothed to someone else but I can't stop thinking about you, morally grey protagonists, and so much intrigue. I can't wait for this to release so I can force all my friends to read it. An absolute new ya fav!

This was one of the most entertaining fairy-tale retellings I've read in a long time. I finished it in one day, which I normally don't have time to do, but I couldn't help myself. I think it's a fun novel with an interesting plot and characters, and I think that people who are fans of fantasy will find something to enjoy in this book.

However, I will say, that while I enjoyed Violet as a protagonist, I don't think I would call her morally grey or an anti-heroine. She is cold, yes, but sometimes comes off as edgy. Also, she doesn't really do anything to hinder the plot like an anti-heroine might. Sure, she considers killing someone, but quickly changes her mind. To me, I would say she is a conflicted heroine rather than a morally grey one. Not a bad thing, just not what I was expecting nor what was advertised in the summary (maybe my standards are too high –– the ideal antiheroine for me is Fang Runin).

As many reviewers have already noted, I don't think comparing it to The Cruel Prince and Serpent & Dove was the best decision, as I only got Cruel Prince vibes from the very end. I think the comparison lies pretty much solely in the fact that all three books are YA fantasy and enemies to lovers, though this book is more of "we love each other but push that down because it's easier to hate each other" enemies to lovers.

I found elements of this book to be too modern or casual, as well. For example, in chapter two, Violet and the prince get into a shouting match in front of the court and she tells him to get his head out of his ass. The king is very clearly described as not being angry at this. I was so confused – why is this setting so casual? How are two important figures getting away with this? Maybe it's because they're /important/ but it felt off. Additionally, some of the dialogue comes across as too modern, using language teenagers might in the real world. It sort of takes away from the fantasy setting but it's not too much that it was a big issue.

However, I did enjoy this book and I'm looking forward to the next installment. I think some of my problems with it are due to it being a debut novel and will likely (fingers crossed) be fixed in the next book!

I am quite on the fence when it comes to Violet Made of Thorns. On one hand, I quite enjoyed it while it lasted and the characters’ sexy banter made for an extremely fun read. But on the other hand, the sexual tension isn’t enough to obscure the other aspects in which it lacks namely a plot with a strong identity and detailed worldbuilding.

Plot, Prose and Pacing: Facing An Identity Crisis

Told from Violet’s point of view, I am still not entirely sure what is the main plot of the story. It begins with Prince Cyrus’ unfulfilled prophecy, one that Violet’s predecessor made and one that she is duty-bound by the King to see through to the end, by any means possible. The prophecy states that Prince Cyrus must marry before the end of summer or bloodshed and war will befall Auveny and the Sun Capital but Cyrus refuses to marry for anything other than love. Determined to see his son married and his kingdom saved, the king tasks Violet with making a false prediction of love at the royal ball. But, there are darker forces at hand determined to see the prophecy’s bloody fate come to fruition as well as your garden variety of political machinations. However, the undercurrent that carries Violet Made with Thorns plot is the forbidden romance between Cyrus and Violet.

It isn’t immediately obvious but Violet Made of Thorns isn’t quite sure what kind of story it wants to tell. I would chalk it up to the will-they, won’t-they not-quite-enemies-to-lovers romance that permeates the entire story. A major part of the plot is that Auveny has enemies from neighbouring countries to the mystical fairy forests that line its borders. With the mounting deadline of Cyrus’ prophecy, a war that is both political and magical is brewing. Yet, it isn’t clear who or what exactly threatens Auveny. It’s just a vague threat. You can practically see that even my summary is going in circles and non-cohesive threads because none of the events that happen in Violet Made of Thorns have any true lasting effect on the plot and are easily resolved in a matter of pages.

However, it is made clear to the readers from the very beginning that there is more than a little tension between Cyrus and Violet. They often make sarcastic and mean quips about and at each other; their animosity is public and very visible. Violet often taunts and demeans Cyrus in public, especially when he’s surrounded by potential suitors. Readers are pretty much waiting for one of them to make a move. Which would make for a rather fun story (link Kingdom of the Wicked) if it didn’t bring in a thousand other elements that set up a premise that maybe is going to be explored in the sequel as Cyrus and Violet’s volatile relationship has practically no effect on any of the characters or the plot.

Early in the book, the prose tends to be grandiose and flowery. Some descriptors included were unnecessary and interrupted the natural reading flow. It felt like the flowery prose and unnecessary descriptors were included to pad the story’s word count. However, the prose becomes smoother and more naturally flowing the more it progresses which I appreciated.

But Violet Made of Thorns does have one good thing going for it. Chen is masterful at crafting suspense and slowly peeling back the layers of the plot. While nothing was truly gasp-worthy, there was a steady beat and pace to the storytelling that kept me turning the pages. Each reveal was well-done and it’s probably what kept me the most engaged with the story, besides the will-they, won’t they of Violet and Cyrus.

Characters: Style Over Substance

There isn’t a wide variety of diverse supporting characters to add some life and colour to what are essentially two emotionally volatile and reclusive loners. Most prominently, we have Princess Camilla who is an ostentatious lesbian, the poster child for spoiled royalty who is only interested in her own wants and needs. But, Camilla is also quite a sweetheart and always has Cyrus and Violet’s best interests at heart and despite her being one-dimensional, I’d protect her with my life!

Then, we also have Dante, a royal archivist who is Cyrus’ best friend and Violet’s closest confidante. Dante is also from neighbouring Balica and despite his position in the palace, considered an outsider and lower than. He’s also described as having “clay-brown” skin and a “mess of black curls”. His last name is Esperaza. He isn’t the most memorable nor his personality particularly marked, often a reluctant player in Violet and Cyrus’ many schemes and plans. However, I think what frustrates me the most about Dante is how the whole of Auveny thinks that Dante is Cyrus’ bed partner and queer due to their close friendship and there’s no effort on Cyrus nor anyone else’s part to clear up the rumours. But Dante appears much less on the pages than Camilla does.

There are also other important but less interesting characters such as the King as well as a bevy of simpering court ladies whom Violet never fails to insult at every turn. As if she isn’t also simpering over Cyrus when she thinks no one is looking.

Violet Made of Dreams centers around both Violet and Cyrus, naturally.

Violet is described as a morally grey character but while her actions are in a way self-serving, I don’t feel they can be categorised as morally grey. I rarely find myself questioning Violet’s actions and her bad actions are never inherently bad. She tells false prophecies and lies about the futures she has predicted by order of the King to serve his purposes rather than her own. You may say she’s morally grey because her entire career at court rests upon her lies but she tells the lies to remain under the protection of the royal court. She doesn’t seem to bend any law, act of her own volition etc. In fact, Violet definitely seems like your typical main character albeit a little lost in the sauce. But who can hardly blame her.

After all, Cyrus is a dreamboat. Dashing, charming and a bit of a sweetheart to pretty much anyone he meets, Cyrus reserves the worst of his barbs for Violet. But to be completely honest, if he was a spice, he’d be flour. Cyrus is your run-of-the-mill prince, oppressed by the King and kept in the dark about most of his kingdom’s affairs. While he has expressed some intentions to make changes once he ascends the throne, he doesn’t talk much about his plans or what his ambitions are. But his character is completely wrapped up around Violet even though the story wants more for him. And that’s one of my main frustrations with Violet Made with Thorns.

On their own, Violet and Cyrus have tons of potential to be outstanding characters but as their relationship is the main focus of Violet Made with Thorns, their character growth felt sidelined in order to make way for their romance. I actually rather liked being in Violet’s head. She’s got a strong and unwavering voice and a curiosity that drives the plot forward. But Cyrus is as boring as watching paint dry. While there’s a great amount of sexual tension and the banter is absolutely delicious, the relationship felt rather juvenile. It felt like two little kids on the playground taunting each other rather than a prince about to take the throne and his royal Seer. It lacked a lot of the mature sophistication in most YA books of a similar nature despite the semi-graphic sexual scenes. Neither Violet nor Cyrus have any meaningful conversations. They just have a lot of sex and communication problems. What also makes this relationship rather shallow is that Violet and Cyrus don’t fall in love on the page. Instead, they have a shared history that is only revealed to us in short glimpses into the past making their relationship an almost insta-love moment. In fact, Violet Made with Thorns relies heavily on their heated banter and sexually-charged interactions as a vehicle for their romance.

Worldbuilding: Less Is Not More

Violet Made of Thorns wants to be taken seriously, to be shelved alongside other high fantasies. However, it’s going to take a lot of work before it can match the powerhouses that it has been compared to. The worldbuilding in Violet Made of Thorns is not necessarily weak as it has quite interesting concepts that draw on pre-existing fairytale aspects and a unique worldview but it falls victim to a prevalent YA phenomenon: nothing is quite explained in the debut and everything else will be explained in the sequel.

For example, one of the most frustrating aspects of Violet Made with Thorns is Violet’s powers and abilities as a Seer. Throughout the book, we see her mostly read “threads” which are able to show her a person’s future and potential future. It is also implied that Violet often sits in during court meetings and makes predictions upon the king’s request. We don’t see how the latter affects the kingdom except for her false prophecies involving Cyrus and for all the bravado and haughtiness Violet possesses, she is nothing but a glorified fortune-teller. We don’t know how her powers work, where it originates etc. and it is implied that these will be further explored in the sequel. You’re meant to tell me that a character as ambitious as Violet would not have done her own research nor developed any further skills. In all her many years of service, Violet is bound to have accidentally unlocked a new skill whether by trial and error or happenstance. But she just reads palms. This implies that Violet was keen to languish as a pampered royal despite constantly demeaning royals and turning her nose up at their privilege.

There are also a couple of scenes involving blood offerings that I felt were included to up the gore and dark fantasy aspect of the book. But, it ultimately failed to follow through and remained the only mentions of blood used to perform magic. I hope this will change in the sequel as it seems like an attempt at being edgy and not sticking to its guns.

The other aspect of Violet Made with Thorns that frustrated me ties into its identity crisis: the political machinations. We learn throughout the book that there are some rising frustrations between Auveny and it’s neighbours and Cyrus’ doomed prophecy promises bloodshed and war. But, as Violet and Cyrus barely spend any time within the royal courts nor in the King’s offices except to get reprimanded, we don’t learn much about the political system or the military system or the relationship between the countries. We get just enough to let us know that there is some tension bound to turn into uprisings and wars but that’s just it. We also don’t learn much about Auveny’s own political system and why exactly as a Seer, Violet is said to have much political power other than because she is in the king’s favour. She sits on the dais along with the family at official royal events which strikes me as odd.

I did like how Violet Made with Thorns drew on a couple of popular and common fairytale elements as little easter eggs. It was quite a clever way to include these overused elements without it feeling like it’s been overdone or cliched. See if you can also spot the comparisons to Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast and even Sleeping Beauty.

Did I Enjoy It?: Conclusion

To sum it all up, I quite enjoyed Violet Made with Thorns and am quite excited to get into the sequel where hopefully my questions will be answered and the world is expanded and given more depth. Comparing it to The Cruel Prince and Serpent and Dove is a great disservice to Violet Made of Thorns as the latter lacks the richness that the two former books have. Although both feature romance as part of their main plot, the other elements are not sidelined to focus on the characters’ relationship. Instead, it developed alongside it and if you remove the romance, it can still tell an equally compelling story. But I feel that Violet Made of Thorns has a long way to go before it can be shelved beside the greats as a high fantasy to be remembered. But it has a strong premise and Chen’s writing style is captivating; I can only imagine the sequel will be better.

WOW. This book absolutely BLEW ME AWAY! I was worried that the comparison to The Cruel Prince wouldn’t live up but… I think this gave me what I wanted from Jude & Cardan and sometimes didn’t get!

I was immediately engrossed in this authors writing style. This is the kind of book that had me highlighting on every other page. The descriptions of the world are so lovely and whimsical, and Violet’s inner thoughts are raw and meaningful. Violet herself is an incredibly complex character. She has no family to speak of, and struggles to feel close to others because she knows that she will choose to save herself if she needs to, and she doesn’t harbor much guilt about that fact.

The romance here was SO good. The “I hate you and want to destroy you but also can’t stop wanting you” vibes are strong and palpable. These two had so much banter along these lines, and I was LIVING for it.

The world in this series is whimsical and magical and dangerous, and it’s explored in a way that is perfectly paced. Every decision Violet is faced with makes sense for her character, and I so loved watching her fight her inner battles to protect herself but also do some version of the “right thing” (if such a thing is possible without self-sacrifice, of course.)

I’m so excited to continue this series, especially after the things we’ve learned about Violet’s powers towards the end. I think we’re in for a wild ride in the danger to come and the relationship between Cyrus and Violet. Thank you to Random House Childrens for the opportunity to read and review this title before publishing!

2.5 stars. I really wanted to like this book, but there were too many issues with it.

Contains spoilers ahead!


A lot of it has been mentioned on previous reviews- plot/ pacing, love/ hate being too drastic or stilted, not enough world building, being compared to CP and falling short, etc. but one of my bigger issues was that the author tried to mix too many fairy tales into this book. Way too many. My second biggest issues was the love/ hate between the MC’s. There’s hardly any transitioning between the feelings. It’s too hot/ cold. Don’t get me started on the near ending with the prince… And my third biggest problem was the MC continually saying how hard core she is, that no one controls her, blah blah blah, but she’s under the king’s thumb. Lastly, this should’ve been a standalone, not left open for a duology.

Leaving reviews on Goodreads

When I read an enemies to lovers, I hate to see who the love interest will be the moment he stepped into the room. This book was not like that; I wasn’t even sure who the love interest would be until we really got into it. And I love to be surprised!

The dynamic between our main character and her love interest was just incredible. They both know that their love, if not forbidden, could raise a lot of problem, yet their attraction is too powerful to ignore. Let me tell you, the sexual tension was at its highest. I got very strong Cruel Prince vibes and I adored it.

It was also very interesting to have a seer main character. All the plot revolves around a prophecy made years ago that would shape the present and future of the world and characters. And it was deeply interesting to see how the actions of the characters are influenced by the knowledge of their destiny.

Talking about Violet, I loved her! She is witty, strong headed, and thank God, not stupid. Even if some of her actions are questionable, she is not the typical MC that will do a stupid thing and be surprised when it explodes later.

The writing style was pretty impressive, especially for a debut. I actually found a few new favourite enemies to lover’s quotes that gave me all the feels!

This book was a splendid introduction to a new series and I’m excited to see where it goes from here.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Children's for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

tl;dr
A dark fairy tale with a morally gray heroine and a compelling supporting cast for fans of sexy enemies-to-lovers type romances. Stubborn leads may be frustrating at times.

About
Violet is a seer to the royal court. But what she sees in her visions isn't necessarily what she prophesies to the people; after all, what's a little twist of the truth in service of the king? Prince Cyrus doesn't approve, but Violet doesn't care about his opinion. At least, she wishes she didn't. But with a curse hanging over his head, and the Fates whispering to Violet that only one of them will live, it might take more than a little twist of the truth to get out ahead.

Thoughts
Fairy tales in their rawest form are dark, violent, and often incredibly sexual. Violet Made of Thorns hits all those beats in a page-turning, morally gray tale about a seer, a prince, and a world full of conflicting desires. The book draws clear inspiration from several fairy tales (of note: Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, The Goose Girl), but it's not a retelling of any specific one, and it stands as its own story.

Violet is a stunning MC: Quick, self-reliant, and often grumpy. The author's note likens Violet to "unrelatable" MCs, and I while I think some readers will have difficulty approving of her choices, most will understand exactly why she made them. Her sense of self-preservation is powerful, something heroines don't always have. Lack of communication is my least favorite drama spice, and there are a few moments where she refuses to divulge information that I found frustrating. But by the end, I followed the reasoning behind her decisions (even the terrible ones) with ease. Prince Cyrus doesn't get the same amount of care and attention in terms of character development, but anyone looking for a firey haters-to-lovers romance should be satisfied. Of all the characters, Prince Cyrus' sister Camilla is my runaway favorite. I love a character who's self-assured, smart, and loves themselves the way they are. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for dark sexy romance with fairy tale overtones.

"If I must be a villain, I will be one of my own making."

I thoroughly enjoyed this dark fantasy and our snarky antiheroine, Violet, who captured the heart of Prince Cyrus, even though she was never meant to be his! I was won-over by the rivals-to-lovers vibe, the unique magic woven throughout the kingdom, and the twisty prophecies that weren't always what they seemed.

"The future is here, like I foretold, and it’s nothing like I expected."

I will admit that I never really felt true tension within the plot, and the stakes never really felt high. But I'm a sucker for fairytale retellings, dark fantasy, and reimagined classic tales of every stripe, and I couldn't help but love Violet Made of Thorns, despite the low-impact plot.

"We are living in times where destiny is in the making."

I would recommend this one for fans of Malice, Heartless, or the Caraval series. A solid 4-star read!

——

A huge thank you to Gina Chen, Random House, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen, 368 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2022. $19.
Language: R (39 swears, 2 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Violet (18yo) is the Seer for the Sun Capital, trying to help the kingdom avoid the curse prophesied by the last Seer’s dying breath. Prince Cyrus (19yo) was supposed to be key in helping support Violet’s prophecies – and lies – by bringing back a bride from his tour of the kingdoms. But he didn’t, and Violet still has to figure out a way to keep the king and the kingdom safe so that Violet can keep her easy life in her tower.
Violet is not a typical heroine, just as Chen intended. Not only does Violet live in the gray area, she leans more towards black than white – anything goes when it comes to self-preservation. Carnal desires of selfishness, wrath, and lust are unabashedly key to who Violet is. While I admire Chen’s desire to write a personality different from a typical main character, I found it hard to connect with Violet because I wouldn’t have made her choices. Overall, the book is well-written and I really enjoyed the ending, but I don’t want to watch Violet and Cyrus continue to make poor choices, so I will not be seeking out the next book.
Violet describes her skin at one point during the book as “blushed yellow,” Dante has “clay-brown” skin, and Raya has “brown” skin. Chen does not describe the skin color of Prince Cyrus or the rest of the royal family. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, partial nudity, innuendo, menstruation, and digital and oral sex. The violence rating is for mention of suicide, blood, battle scenes, and murder.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I have not been able to stop thinking about Violet and Cyrus since I've finished this book and I'm not mad about it at all. The dynamic is flawless, the banter and tension is so much fun to read. I am a bit confused by the overall magic of the story but it's something that could be fleshed out more in the sequel. All in all, I cannot wait for the sequel!!

Violet Made of Thorns is the story of Violet, a royal Seer who has a penchant for bending the truth. The King asks Violet to lie to prevent a disastrous prophecy, further poisoning the already hostile relationship between Violet and Cyrus, the crown prince.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. First of all, Violet is everything I’ve ever wanted in a main character and more. She’s not a typical strong heroine; in fact, Violet is every shade of morally gray. She’s not totally friendly, rarely honest, typically selfish, and often impulsive. Violet will forever stand out as one of my favorite heroines.

Cyrus, the crown prince and Violet’s main love interest, was equal parts infuriating and swoon-worthy. Their relationship was maddening, but it presented a very important question: can you have love without trust? I found myself wanting to jump into the book and shake the life out of Violet and Cyrus. The side characters were full of life as well; Dante and Camilla both felt like they could be main characters in their own right.

The only thing I disliked about Violet Made of Thorns was that it had to end. However, there are enough unanswered questions that I hope Gina Chen is working on a sequel! Regardless, I’ll happily devour whatever Gina Chen writes next!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Delacorte Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for gifting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like this book is best to go blind into. Even though you might want to know it's about a Seer, falling in love with a cursed prince. Also, there is apparently, (though more like I really hope so) a planned book 2.

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen is YA fantasy novel that follows the dreamy life of Violet and her many prophecies and lies. As Seer of the kingdom, Violet is tasked with dealing with the fates and their many twisted prophecies. Including one about the Prince, and the terrible curse placed on him. Everything goes awry when the curse befalls the kingdom and nearly drives it to ruin. And Violet and her visions are the only ones that can save it.

The characters were adorable and relatable. I found Cyrus was my favorite, with his cleverness and banter. Though Violet was a close second. But the plot moved a little too slow for my liking. Even though I did much appreciate the many call backs to classic fairy tales.

If Ella Enchanted had a morally grey main character and a prince with more bite you’d get Violet Made of Thorns.

Violet is the most relatable character I’ve read about in a long time. She says exactly what she thinks, has no problem lying, but at the end of the day just wants to secure her place in the world. She’ll do whatever it takes to achieve her goals. Throw in some doomsday prophecies, a masked ball, and an enemies to lovers/childhood friends to lovers romance and you’ve the got the perfect recipe for a thrilling and unique fantasy novel.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who grew up loving fairytale retellings like Ella Enchanted, The Goose Girl, and Spindle’s End, but relates more to the morally grey MCs found in The Shadows Between Us, A Shadow in the Ember, and The Cruel Prince.

Note: This book is the first in a planned series. While it ends with some uncertainty about the future, the initial storylines do wrap up nicely.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press/Random House Children’s for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

In this book, we follow Violet who is a Seer and works for the King of her country. Like most typical Seers, she can see parts of the future, but she can also see someone’s memories (and future) if she touches them. She’s been at the palace for seven years after saving the prince, Cyrus—which we later learn was not a great thing because it messed up the future as Cyrus was supposed to die.

There’s a prophecy that basically states that Cyrus has to get married (eventually); otherwise there will be war. So everyone has been trying to find him a match, but because Cyrus is a hopeless romantic, he’s being picky.

The real issue appears when Violet starts to have more dreams of a future of an endless war. She’s also getting haunted by a mysterious being in her dreams, saying that either Cyrus or her will die at the end of summer. So she’s trying to figure out why this is all happening and if she can prevent it.

Overall, if you enjoy a book with fairy tale (not so much a retelling) and fairies vibes, this one is for you. Violet is certainly brash at times, but she isn’t super annoying. She had her own goals in mind and can be self serving, but she isn’t unlikeable. There’s also a hate-to-love romance, which I always love.

I would say that the only reason why I didn’t give this a five star rating is because it didn’t do anything new. It has a lot of tropes and it was all done the same way. Not to say that this book was poorly written or anything. I’m hoping that the next book(s) will be better and more exciting.

Would I recommend this book? Sure!

Violet Made of Thorns is a fantasy that reads like a fairytale about a morally gray witch and a cursed prince.

Violet has her rough edges, but you can’t help but root for her even as she’s making questionable decisions. Cyrus, or “Prince Charming”, is also a flawed character. The side characters were also great but were not as developed as the two main characters.

The enemies-to-lovers relationship between the two characters is there, but it doesn’t take over the entire plot leaving room for courtly drama.

With court politics, cursed magical forest, and romance, there was never a dull moment in this book. Violet Made of Thorns is a great first book to a series!