Book Review: Girl, Serpent, Thorn

Synopsis:

There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story. 

As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison. 

Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming…human or demon. Princess or Monster.

Review:

Disclaimer: I received a free ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I have now been thoroughly trained to never get too comfortable with nice things.

The previous statement was not meant to turn you away from this book. Girl, Serpent, Thorn was a thoroughly entertaining read with wonderfully written characters and an immensely interesting plot.

Soraya was a wonderfully written character with real feelings and understandable motives and actions, even if those motives could be and are considered wrong by other characters. They way she interacted with other characters was completely understandable given her circumstances. What I’m trying to say is that she didn’t feel like a completely fictional character, she came to life with the story and that made her adventure all the more exiting to follow.

Melissa Bashardoust managed to get me to question my feelings. I mean, she wrote a villain whose actions I could never agree, whose thoughts I understand but would never have, who if he died I would be fine, if he somehow got a happy ending I would also be fine. Who does that!

This novel’s also inspired by and features aspects of Persian mythology and culture. It also features an LGBTQ+ protagonist and a f/f relationship.

Thank You to NetGalley for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

That’s A ll I Got, Danielle.