Thorn | 
Another re-telling of 'The Goose Girl'. I tend not to pick up re-tellings but I was hit by a BB for this. Oddly, I was expecting an Eastern slant, given the author's name, but it's not there. The writing is decent but, so far, the plot meanders and I don't fully get the protagonist. She actually prefers her substituted life. At the moment, 3.5 stars but I'm still reading.
pickI really enjoyed this young adult fantasy. I received it as a gift and it wasn‘t on my TBR, so I wasn‘t sure what to expect.
It‘s quite dark and definitely needs trigger warnings for sensitive readers.
A complicated story of sorcery and politics and found family, I fell for Alyrra and her good heart.
(Sietje doesn‘t realize there‘s a book behind her. She‘s being a good model for a treat. 🤍)
@KristiAhlers I will be finishing Thorn over the next week and send it on its way to you! I'm sorry it's taking me a little longer!
so-soPrincess Alyrra is dreading her arranged marriage to a far away prince. When a sorceress switches Alyrra and her companion‘s bodies, Alyrra is ready to start a new life as a goose girl. Her plans are disrupted when she has to decide if saving the prince is worth her new life.
This was a fun twist on the Goose Girl! Lovely world building, great 2ndary cast, & a romance I can get behind. But Alyrra is inconsistent & a bit passive for me. 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
so-soI really liked the way this took a simple fairy tale and expanded it into a much more complex novel. Unfortunately, I didn‘t much like the protagonist. She was a lovely person but too wishy-washy.
@ozma.of.oz I‘ll probably send this off to you next Saturday, since that‘s the only day of the week I can get to the post office while it‘s open! #LMPBC
@Clare-Dragonfly book happiness is in its way! Happy reading!
pickI‘ve got to say I loved this book more than I thought I would! I read this as part of the Litsy Markup Postal Book Club. It will be sent off in the mail tomorrow! @ozma.of.oz @wordslinger42 @Clare-Dragonfly
I‘ve selected this one #groupa if that‘s all right with y‘all. @ozma.of.oz @Clare-Dragonfly @wordslinger42
It‘s a very cold day up here in Upstate NY 🥶 but we have the electric fireplace on, cozy blankets, coffee, and a good book; happy I‘m feel loads better today as well so all in all it‘s been a great start to the weekend! #tbr #snowdayreads #thorn
(Stole this idea from @readwhenthebabyreads on @literally.bookish)
My top 5 and worst 5 of 2021.
The "worst 5" are hard for me to sort because I easily DNF books that aren't promising.
Have you read any of these? Do you agree with my list?
#bookstagram #bookgirl #igreads #bookish #booklife #bookishlifestyle #fantasy #ebooks #goodreads #worstbooksof2021 #bestbooksof2021 #bookcommunity #instabooks #booksbooksbooks #bookclub #booklist
bailedI wasn't all that interested in this one but kept hearing amazing things so I thought "why not?" I got almost all the way through but couldn't take it anymore. Great story but there was zero character connection and I was just bored and annoyed. I'm sure something exciting happened closer to the end but I don't care enough at this point to bother trying.
#Next
11hrs #LittenListen
#bookspinbingo
@aperfectmjk @TheAromaofBooks
Doing some #audiobuilding this morning. 😑
Retail stores: instead of asking me if I want to buy an extended warranty on a $20 DVD, how about you start asking if I want to pay a premium for toy building services. The answer will always be YES! ALWAYS
#LittenListen #JoysofJune
@aperfectmjk @Andrew65
pickI almost didn't read this book (because the blurb sounds very similar to other books I've read) but that would have been a shame since this book was AMAZING! ❤ I almost shouted and cried at one point of the story (if you read it, you might know which part). The MC is chock-full of humility, honor and courage. Engaging, enthralling and entertaining, earning a whole-hearted 5 stars from me and a spot on my favorites shelf.
so-soAlyssa has been betrothed to a man she has never met, Prince Kestrin.
Though she intends to do her duty she sets out for her new kingdom and is tricked by a sorceress and transformed into her escort Valka.
Now the roles are reversed Valka intends to take her revenge OK Alyssa and makes her a goose girl.
Alyrra is surprisingly happy but Kestrin is in danger from Valka.
Now Alysaa wrestles with her conscience as to warn Kestrin..
pickI really enjoyed this retelling of The Goose Girl, although it did drag a little in spots. Thorn herself frustrated me sometimes as she tended to hide from what needed to happen, but I felt like the author did a good job giving Thorn a background that made Thorn's actions make sense. Part of this book does involve physical abuse, but it is handled well, I think. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings, you'll probably like this one. Engaging but not⬇️
On the whole, I actually like the trend of putting content information on YA books (violence, language, etc) kind of like is done with movies. But this one for a retelling of The Goose Girl is cracking me up.
pickThis had all the hallmarks of an excellent fairytale retelling: a breathtakingly compelling protagonist, lots of court intrigue, villains who were sympathetic & villains who weren‘t, twists in a familiar plot, magic, &, of course, romance. Actually, what I appreciated most was that the romance was sincere without overpowering the main themes of the book: a story about finding your path & having the courage to to step into it, come what may. ★★★★☆
#currentlyreading | returning to base with this good old fashioned fairytale retelling ✨
About to start on this one!
pickGoodreads Rating: 4.01/5
My rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Pages: 458
Pacing: Perfect
Ngl it's by far one of the best books I‘ve read this year. I AM ABSOLUTELY, TREMENDOUSLY IN LOVE WITH THIS! It has everything in it, from a brave as heck heroine to a jealous nemesis & an evil sorceress also last but not least a mysterious prince.
READ. THIS. BOOK.
#thorn#intisarkhanani#goosegirl#fantasy#retelling#bookflatlay#booksbooksbooks#ilovebooks
pickThis is such a beautifully written fairytale. Princess Alyrrah has always been treated cruelly by her family, who are happy to give her to the prince of a neighboring kingdom. While traveling there, she's betrayed by a spiteful sorceress and her companion, and her appearance is changed. She is given a chance at a different life as a goosegirl and grows to love those around her. However, the prince is in danger and only she can help.
"There is justice for the rich here and justice for the powerful. But for the rest of us, there is very little of anything."
pickI love the classic fairytale feel mingled with middle eastern culture, in a world uniquely its own. I would absolutely recommend Thorn to any lover of classic fairytales and their retellings. I would rate it above Throne of Swans and just a speck below Stepsister. It is perfect for fans of Gail Carson Levine and Robin McKinley.
Princess Alyrra has always longed to escape the confines of her royal life, but when her mother betroths her to a powerful prince in a distant kingdom, she has little hope for a better future.
Until Alyrra arrives at her new kingdom, where a mysterious sorceress robs her of both her identity and her role as princess—and Alyrra seizes on the opportunity to start a new life for herself as a goose girl.
Reading this Goose Girl retelling next.
pickBOYYYYYYYY this is an impressive first read from an author. It's so polished and used its time so effectively to develop the characters and plot. There's actual dialogue and a point to everything in here! I was shocked to see this wasn't a seasoned author with dozens of publications. I will absolutely be following this author and anything else that comes out in this series.
Next up!
I have seen a few people here on LItsy already reading this. I love this cover. I hope it's good.
Out 3.24
#CoverLove
#MGedition
pickAlyrra is betrothed to Prince Kestrin and has to leave her homeland for her new kingdom.
On the way her companion Valka helps an evil sorceress switch places between her and Alyrra so now Valka is poised to reign in her stead unbeknownst to the prince.
She makes her the local goose girl and is made to live among servants.
Alyrra is very happy but she hits a moral dilemma when she learns they are still scheming to get rid of Kestrin.
A high fantasy based on The Goose Girl. It‘s thick! #currentlyreading #preview #aprilrso2020 #yafantasy #fairyretelling
A small #tbrpile for #aprilrso2020 some are already out internationally, but will be out in 🇦🇺 in April. Some YA and some MG. #readingpile
pickI initially hesitated to read this retelling of The Goose Girl, a story I both loved and hated as a kid (especially the bit about Falada) but oh how I loved Thorn. She was such a great character and so were the many other characters in the book, like the prince and her new friends. I like how it stayed largely true to the fairy tale but turned it into a well thought-out wonderful read.
#marchintoreading day 15: #shepersisted
I wish I had something proper to say about these books but to be honest my brain is frazzled after a long day with the kids. And one of them is whining about something and I cannot think (very much a #hepersisted moment). I'll let the books speak for themselves. Hopefully
pickFriendships, full review up on blog. Check it out!
https://theshrinkette.com/2017/01/25/review-thorn-by-intisar-khanani/
#DiverseBookBloggers #ReadDiverse2017 #Recommendsday #DiverseAThon
Late start this morning. Andy Murray is out of the Aussie Open which means my boy Federer has a fighting chance. Oh also, happy #DiverseAThon! #24in48
As much as I want to finish this book tonight, my eyes are starting to hurt. I'm off to bed, but happy reading to the rest of you! ❤️ #24in48
panA disastrous start, Littens! I just didn't like it. The first-person present-tense narrative should be used with caution and it needs more skill than this to pull it off. I found the plot and the characters weak, possibly a consequence of the fairy tale source material but I was actually half-watching Harry Potter while I slogged through. I finished but I didn't enjoy it. Don't do this to me 2017!
NB That cover though.
Looking forward to *finally* reading Thorn (and heading back to New Zealand)!
#photoadaynov16 day 19: #onewordtitles
Playing catchup as yesterday was such a busy day of house-related activities! I don't think I even picked up a book at all, not even before bed. Was too tired and ended up watching Gilmore Girls instead (am rewatching for the umpteenth time). Anyway here's my post for yesterday's prompt and a reminder that I've not finished Thorn nor have I cracked open Hild!
