Seven Deadly Thorns

SEVEN DEADLY THORNS is an engaging YA fantasy with romance and academia vibes. Viola is a student at their country's most prestigious university, where she must always hide her very nature. She is a miega, a witch, the punishment for her existence being death. When Roze, the prince and her enemy, is sent to kill her, they instead reach a bargain, where she will help him to discover who killed his father with the hopes that learning the answer will spare her life.

What I loved: The story is told from Viola's perspective, and I found her to be a really compelling and heartfelt character. She has spent a lot of time and effort rejecting her essence, but as she moves forward with her research, she will need to learn to embrace it. She is teetering at the edge of something bigger, but she does not trust herself enough to test it.

At the same time, there are larger mysteries about the mist that has tortured their country for years. It was said to be caused by their enemies in the war between them, but it seems unbreakable and relentless with everyone being trapped in the castle or caves. With the king's death and the queen's nature also seeming confusing and suspicious, there is a lot driving the plot forward. The deadline they have been given, where either she or Roze dies also raises the ante.

The romance was compelling with a bit of enemies-to-lovers and a touch of the forbidden. Ultimately, they come together slowly in ways that felt genuine, even under the time and outside pressures. With some surprising twists at the end, their feelings become a focal point for their decisions and future paths. Considering the romance elements and the deaths (particularly an early scene), this would work best for older YA readers.

Themes of grief/loss, power, danger/betrayal, anger, family, and self-recognition/determination were all really thought-provoking throughout. There is a lot to consider with corrupt people in power and the dangerous mind games they play (in addition to the moves to cement power) as well as politics and political decisions that change the fates of their country.

What left me wanting more: The end of the book felt a bit jumbled with so many reveals and twists. Not all of them played out smoothly and it felt like there were some leaps following those that felt a little too big. However, the book was still overall really consuming and ultimately one that I would be interested in following with the next.

Final verdict: SEVEN DEADLY THORNS is a consuming YA fantasy that I would recommend for people who like LAKESEDGE, HEIR OF STORMS, and ARCANA ACADEMY.