I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a weird one to rate for me! It’s probably more like a 3.5 stars, but going up to 4 didn’t feel accurate.

On the one hand, this book pulled me in and had me invested pretty immediately. From the opening scene, I was really curious about the characters, and as a writer, I obviously love the concept of stories being the trigger for magic. In general the world building and magic system was really interesting. Of course, I love seeing transmasc main characters, and I went into this book not even realizing there was going to be one, so that was a surprise! It was also refreshing to not have a romantic subplot going on. The storyline of the MC finding his chosen family and figuring out who his real friends are kind of took the place of that. Through the first half or so I definitely thought this was going to be a higher rating, but I hit a spot towards the middle where things started to drag a bit. The character development through these pages is very important, but that doesn’t change the fact that I found it slow to read. I went and read another book before coming back to finish this one because of it. Eventually it picked back up and I got reinvested in everything, but I did debate DNFing during that slow 100 or so pages. My second slight complaint is the final battle moment felt very rushed and glossed over. Because of the way it happens, I don’t feel the reader really gets to experience in it happening. It’s hard to explain without spoilers, but I think there could’ve been a way to give us more in that moment.

Despite that, this is a book a would recommend just with the caveat of the slow part really. Everything is so so good and I hope a lot of people pick this up! I really want to be able to rate it higher, but I just don’t feel it would be truthful.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Not a book that I would necessarily pick for myself and to be honest I did think about dnf up until about 40% in but I’m glad I persevered as I found it entertaining and I really wanted to know how it would all work out.
The world building was detailed and interesting, characters were explored and presented sympathetically and storytelling was enthralling.
Overall I enjoyed reading experience and recommend to readers.

Thanks, Netgalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
I am impressed by the unique premise behind the magic system. Very original and unique for the story! I am also impressed by the main villain character....it's amazing when "villains" grow on you more and more throughout reading the story that you end up actually sympathizing with them at the very end! Very good character development for the villain of the story! The main characters are pretty nice too and they have their sweet moments! Very well written and developed as well! Definitely a must-read!

Overall: This book was nice! The world was developed nicely and the idea that magic can only be wielded if you know the story behind it is super interesting. I really liked the main characters Nivvy and Zein! Their friendship development was sweet and a nice break from all the evilness that goes on. The villain had a wild villain arc that was told through stories so that was super interesting and I even felt bad for her towards the end of the book.

Characters:
Nivvy- I loved Nivvy’s character development. He had a wonderful change of character and I love how much he values relationships with others towards the end. He changed a lot and it was nice.
Zein- Zein is wonderful and I love them. Wholesome and sweet. A serious cinnamon roll.
Bella- She was incredibly well developed and her journey was crazy! I love that we learned about her backstory and her motives through stories told between characters.

I had read this author’s previous series, so I was excited to try this new one. While books that aren’t contemporary or take place in the past aren’t my favorite, I really like this author’s writing, and this series started reinforced that opinion. Great writing and an interesting plot set the tone for this. There were many twists and turns, and I enjoyed the journey all the way until the end. And this is a doozy. It was a long book, not another of my favorites, and it was a wild ride getting there. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

"The Price of Thorns" by Tim Susman promises an intriguing blend of fantasy, secrets, and adventure set in a world where stories hold immense value. The book's premise, where stories are as valuable as currency, immediately piques curiosity and offers a unique and imaginative backdrop for the narrative.

The character of Nivvy, a thief with a past filled with secrets, serves as an engaging protagonist. His journey, from the Thieves Guild to a life of solitude and then back to thieving, hints at a complex character arc. Readers will likely be drawn to his character as he embarks on a seemingly impossible heist to steal back a kingdom.

The introduction of Bella, a mysterious woman with her own secrets and hidden agenda, adds depth and intrigue to the plot. The fact that her quest may not be what it initially appears to be sets the stage for unexpected twists and revelations.

The notion of uncovering ancient stories and the connections between those tales and the characters' quests adds a layer of depth to the narrative. It suggests that the novel will delve into themes of mythology, history, and the power of storytelling itself.

Overall, "The Price of Thorns" appears to be an enchanting and richly imaginative fantasy novel that explores the interplay between secrets, stories, and the characters' fates. Readers who enjoy immersive fantasy worlds and intricate plots are likely to find this book a captivating read, as it promises both adventure and the unraveling of mysteries within a compelling narrative.