Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton - OPTIONAL

Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton, 464 pages.  Harper, AUGUST 2018.  $19.

Language: PG (14 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (attempted rape); Violence: PG-13 (murders, blood)

HS - OPTIONAL

Mia Rose dreams of avoiding her fate by escaping the castle with her younger sister Angelyne.  On the day that she is forced to marry Prince Quin, in fact, during the ceremony itself, Quin almost dies when he is shot with an arrow. The pair barely escape and Mia uses previously unknown powers to heal him.  Now there is really trouble, because magic is forbidden in their country – in fact the women who are found with magic are killed and their hands are hung as trophies by the King.  Mia and Quin must flee, but is there anywhere safe?  Are they headed to salvation or betrayal?

For me, the journey while they are fleeing drags on at least twice as long as it needed to.  While I understand the pair need a chance to get to know each other and fall in love, 15 chapters is quite a bit.  The rest of the story is the danger, intrigue,  and action that will keep a reader’s attention, along with plenty of character development.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian