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Among the Thorns
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26Two sorceresses of unrivaled potential clash to claim the greater fate and the heart of prince charming in this deliciously romantic fantasy set in the same world as the USA Today bestselling romantasy Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert.
This program features multicast narration.
"Love, magic, heartbreak, and healing." —Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop, on Never the Roses
Ambitious young sorceress Rose of Northbrooke is about to graduate. She’s the only known dream sorcerer of her generation and she's a remarkable one. No wonder she has a prince of the realm trailing her skirts.
But when rumors of dream magic gone awry reach her ear, Rose discovers she’s not the only oneiromancer of her generation. And she might not be the most powerful.
In a faraway cottage, Thorn has lived a simple and isolated life. She longs to be a part of the world and to be rescued by a prince who could love her with his whole heart. When she discovers there’s another dream sorceress out there who owns everything Thorn has ever wanted, she hungers even more for all she’s been denied. Everything Rose has.
When Rose and Thorn meet, the outcome is only one sorceress can live out in the open and claim the prince’s loving hand… Perhaps, only one can live at all.
Deliciously messy and lusciously romantic, Among the Thorns will pierce your heart.
- Love triangle
-Tragic romance
-Dark cottagecore
-Morally grey characters
-Animal companions
-Yearning
A Macmillan Audio production from Bramble Books
This program features multicast narration.
"Love, magic, heartbreak, and healing." —Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop, on Never the Roses
Ambitious young sorceress Rose of Northbrooke is about to graduate. She’s the only known dream sorcerer of her generation and she's a remarkable one. No wonder she has a prince of the realm trailing her skirts.
But when rumors of dream magic gone awry reach her ear, Rose discovers she’s not the only oneiromancer of her generation. And she might not be the most powerful.
In a faraway cottage, Thorn has lived a simple and isolated life. She longs to be a part of the world and to be rescued by a prince who could love her with his whole heart. When she discovers there’s another dream sorceress out there who owns everything Thorn has ever wanted, she hungers even more for all she’s been denied. Everything Rose has.
When Rose and Thorn meet, the outcome is only one sorceress can live out in the open and claim the prince’s loving hand… Perhaps, only one can live at all.
Deliciously messy and lusciously romantic, Among the Thorns will pierce your heart.
- Love triangle
-Tragic romance
-Dark cottagecore
-Morally grey characters
-Animal companions
-Yearning
A Macmillan Audio production from Bramble Books
Audible Audio
Expected publication July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Want to Read
December 13, 2025I was excited thinking this woulf be a contuniation of Oneira and Stearanos story. But this features new characters , though hoping we get some sliver of the previous characters
The author is a good writer though so despite my disappointment and that this is said tp feature a love triangle ( not a favorite concept of mine) I will give this a chance as the autors previous work was captivating
Suspicuom thst love triangle as its presented in the blurb might be misleading
The author is a good writer though so despite my disappointment and that this is said tp feature a love triangle ( not a favorite concept of mine) I will give this a chance as the autors previous work was captivating
Suspicuom thst love triangle as its presented in the blurb might be misleading
June 17, 2026
I went into Among the Thorns with certain expectations because I absolutely loved Never the Roses. If you’re coming from that book, it’s important to know that this is a very different reading experience. While Never the Roses swept me away with its romance, this story focuses much more heavily on character development, worldbuilding, and the journeys of its characters.
This is definitely a slower-paced fantasy. If you’re looking for nonstop action, this probably isn’t the book for you. The story takes its time unfolding, and much of the enjoyment comes from getting to know the characters and watching the pieces gradually come together. While the romance didn’t hit quite as hard for me as it did in the first book, I still found myself invested in the story and appreciated the thoughtful, character-driven approach.
One of my favorite parts was all the little callbacks and connections to Never the Roses. They added an extra layer of enjoyment for me, though I don’t think reading the first book is required. This absolutely stands on its own and new readers can jump in without feeling lost.
I also listened to the audiobook while reading along. Overall, the narration was very well done and the performances brought plenty of emotion to the story. My only real complaint was that the two female narrators sounded somewhat similar, which occasionally made it difficult for me to immediately distinguish between the perspectives. Because of that, I was glad I chose to tandem read.
Overall, this was a thoughtful, character-focused fantasy that won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy slower stories that take their time developing both the characters and the world around them, there’s a lot here to appreciate.
This is definitely a slower-paced fantasy. If you’re looking for nonstop action, this probably isn’t the book for you. The story takes its time unfolding, and much of the enjoyment comes from getting to know the characters and watching the pieces gradually come together. While the romance didn’t hit quite as hard for me as it did in the first book, I still found myself invested in the story and appreciated the thoughtful, character-driven approach.
One of my favorite parts was all the little callbacks and connections to Never the Roses. They added an extra layer of enjoyment for me, though I don’t think reading the first book is required. This absolutely stands on its own and new readers can jump in without feeling lost.
I also listened to the audiobook while reading along. Overall, the narration was very well done and the performances brought plenty of emotion to the story. My only real complaint was that the two female narrators sounded somewhat similar, which occasionally made it difficult for me to immediately distinguish between the perspectives. Because of that, I was glad I chose to tandem read.
Overall, this was a thoughtful, character-focused fantasy that won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy slower stories that take their time developing both the characters and the world around them, there’s a lot here to appreciate.
June 12, 2026
Slow, but oh so good. A solid, well-written story. Review to come.
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May 26, 2026Thank you Tor Publishing for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed Never the Roses, the first book in this series/world—enough so that I read it twice. I went into Among the Thorns excited to read more from Jennifer K. Lambert and to see what she’d do next. This book is very different in tone and structure from Never the Roses. I think that’s worth knowing going in so expectations are aligned with what this book is providing.
Where Never the Roses felt more intimate, witty, mature, and romantically focused, Among the Thorns is messier, younger, and more complicated, with three central characters whose stories are tangled together through dream magic, political maneuvering, captivity, secrets, and mistaken identity. Never the Roses felt like an adult romance full of witty banter, magnetic chemistry, and delightfully excessive magic use. Both Oneira and Stearanos felt like slightly older, more settled romance leads: people who were exhausted by what life had thrown at them and just wanted not to hurt anyone. Their romance felt earned and so deserved. Among the Thorns felt more like a young adult romance, with all the associated angst and lack of emotional/people/relationship skills, complete with an academy setting. Yes, it’s the same world, but these books feel so very different that I was surprised the marketing didn’t more directly frame Among the Thorns as a tonal shift: almost like Jennifer K. Lambert’s debut into a more YA-feeling corner of this world.
The characters were the strongest part for me. Rose, Thorn, and Sebastien all have distinct voices, and I appreciated how emotionally authentic Sebastien felt, especially in his confusion and uncertainty. Thorn’s story is heartbreaking, and the way her isolation and captivity shaped her understanding of the world made her both sympathetic and unsettling in an interesting way. Thorn being placed into the Eternal Sleep while locked in a basement felt a bit reminiscent of freezing up while being sexually assaulted, in ways that weren’t triggering but did bring up feelings.
I did struggle some with how many secrets everyone was keeping from each other, but I think a lot of this was because I expected the tone to be more similar to Never the Roses and because of my own personal tastes. This makes sense given the premise, but it also made the emotional relationships feel more fragile and frustrating for me. The love triangle/mistaken identity elements are intentionally messy, and while I found them interesting, they did not hit the same cozy, sparring, magical-library-romance feeling that I loved so much in the first book, especially with the added angst and poor communication of the characters being young adults. This book is objectively quite good and I did enjoy reading it. It’s just not at all what I was expecting, which made it a bit disappointing through no fault of its own.
I really liked the callbacks to Never the Roses, in part because Never the Roses caused me to eternally root for Oneira and Stearanos and to want them to live their well-deserved best life together while madly in love, growing esoteric roses, and using their powerful magic in ways that make them happy and better enable them to flirt with each other. I was rather heartbroken when I thought that Never the Roses stole my romance-promised HEA and instead gave me a dual-suicide tragedy. This book was worth reading if only to finally get closure that Never the Roses wasn’t a tragedy.
I listened to the audiobook for this, and Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso all did a great job bringing this story to life. While Among the Thorns has different narrators, they feel sufficiently similar that tuning in to it felt a bit like being embraced into the familiarity and safety of a well-loved sweater. Kishore Walker in particular did a delightful job voicing Sebastien’s animal friends. He did such a good job embodying Super Excited Doggos for Neena and Nonna the dogs and the over the top dramatics of “Oh My Goodness Is That A Tiger” for Kismit the horse. I’ve been around a lot of excited dogs and wound-up horses and can say with certainty that he captured the tone and vibes of both better than I ever imagined language could. His delivery conveyed an energy and experience that words alone could not. I felt like I was getting dog kisses on my face as he voiced the dogs and like I was on a horse that was one second from wheeling in a spook as he voiced Kismit afraid.
Overall, Among the Thorns is a younger, more tangled, and emotionally complicated read. I did not adore it the way I adored Never the Roses, but Jennifer K. Lambert’s character writing was just as strong, which made it still be compelling and enjoyable.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.
Where Never the Roses felt more intimate, witty, mature, and romantically focused, Among the Thorns is messier, younger, and more complicated, with three central characters whose stories are tangled together through dream magic, political maneuvering, captivity, secrets, and mistaken identity. Never the Roses felt like an adult romance full of witty banter, magnetic chemistry, and delightfully excessive magic use. Both Oneira and Stearanos felt like slightly older, more settled romance leads: people who were exhausted by what life had thrown at them and just wanted not to hurt anyone. Their romance felt earned and so deserved. Among the Thorns felt more like a young adult romance, with all the associated angst and lack of emotional/people/relationship skills, complete with an academy setting. Yes, it’s the same world, but these books feel so very different that I was surprised the marketing didn’t more directly frame Among the Thorns as a tonal shift: almost like Jennifer K. Lambert’s debut into a more YA-feeling corner of this world.
The characters were the strongest part for me. Rose, Thorn, and Sebastien all have distinct voices, and I appreciated how emotionally authentic Sebastien felt, especially in his confusion and uncertainty. Thorn’s story is heartbreaking, and the way her isolation and captivity shaped her understanding of the world made her both sympathetic and unsettling in an interesting way. Thorn being placed into the Eternal Sleep while locked in a basement felt a bit reminiscent of freezing up while being sexually assaulted, in ways that weren’t triggering but did bring up feelings.
I did struggle some with how many secrets everyone was keeping from each other, but I think a lot of this was because I expected the tone to be more similar to Never the Roses and because of my own personal tastes. This makes sense given the premise, but it also made the emotional relationships feel more fragile and frustrating for me. The love triangle/mistaken identity elements are intentionally messy, and while I found them interesting, they did not hit the same cozy, sparring, magical-library-romance feeling that I loved so much in the first book, especially with the added angst and poor communication of the characters being young adults. This book is objectively quite good and I did enjoy reading it. It’s just not at all what I was expecting, which made it a bit disappointing through no fault of its own.
I really liked the callbacks to Never the Roses, in part because Never the Roses caused me to eternally root for Oneira and Stearanos and to want them to live their well-deserved best life together while madly in love, growing esoteric roses, and using their powerful magic in ways that make them happy and better enable them to flirt with each other. I was rather heartbroken when I thought that Never the Roses stole my romance-promised HEA and instead gave me a dual-suicide tragedy. This book was worth reading if only to finally get closure that Never the Roses wasn’t a tragedy.
I listened to the audiobook for this, and Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso all did a great job bringing this story to life. While Among the Thorns has different narrators, they feel sufficiently similar that tuning in to it felt a bit like being embraced into the familiarity and safety of a well-loved sweater. Kishore Walker in particular did a delightful job voicing Sebastien’s animal friends. He did such a good job embodying Super Excited Doggos for Neena and Nonna the dogs and the over the top dramatics of “Oh My Goodness Is That A Tiger” for Kismit the horse. I’ve been around a lot of excited dogs and wound-up horses and can say with certainty that he captured the tone and vibes of both better than I ever imagined language could. His delivery conveyed an energy and experience that words alone could not. I felt like I was getting dog kisses on my face as he voiced the dogs and like I was on a horse that was one second from wheeling in a spook as he voiced Kismit afraid.
Overall, Among the Thorns is a younger, more tangled, and emotionally complicated read. I did not adore it the way I adored Never the Roses, but Jennifer K. Lambert’s character writing was just as strong, which made it still be compelling and enjoyable.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rose is regarded as the generation’s most promising oneiromancer, potentially rivaling Oneira. She even attracted the interest of a minor prince. Rose has always felt different from her classmates, as if something in her life was missing. She soon discovers the presence of an untrained oneiromancer bearing her likeness, who is causing havoc. When Rose confronts the other sorceress, she realizes they are both victims of a lie. Will she uncover the mastermind behind their separation? At what cost to herself?
Thorn spends her life isolated in a woodland cottage, unaware of her magical ability. She wishes for freedom and to be rescued by her dream prince. Thorn seizes her chance when her guardian leaves her unattended. She quickly realizes that she is ill-equipped to navigate the outside world safely. When a more refined version of herself arrives, Thorn learns they are involved in someone else’s plot. Is it possible for her and Rose to break free from the political agenda that confines them? Can Thorn learn to control her magical ability?
Sebastien is the seventh son of King Soren. When it becomes apparent his ability is zoopathy, he is enrolled in a school of magic. Sebastien’s father has an ulterior motive for sending him to that school: to persuade Rose to accept his contractual offer. When he is unsuccessful, he heads home and unexpectedly encounters a softer, fragile facsimile of the sorceress. Sebastien unintentionally helps the two women discover one another. Which sorceress will he choose? The sophisticated, aloof one? Or the vulnerable, guileless one?
In the beginning, I did not care too much about Rose. She came off too snobbish, too anti-social for my tastes. However, my opinion started to change once I learned more about her. Then her demeanor and attitude made sense. What I like the most about Rose is her willingness to help Thorn reclaim the life stolen from her. Yes, she was a little harsh towards Thorn sometimes. However, it was necessary to keep the other woman from doing involuntary harm.
My heart went out to Thorn. She has been mentally abused and taken advantage of by her guardian. And she has been deprived of the necessary tutelage of her abilities. It is understandable why Thorn’s personality is the total opposite of Rose’s. I admire the bravado it took for Thorn to take the initiative to learn about her magic in secret. Yes, she bumbled through it and made many mistakes along the way.
At first, Sebastien did not leave much of an impression on me. His upbringing in the royal court left him cynical about love, especially all that Sebastien had to endure. I am surprised he turned out as he did. I like Sebastien’s closeness with his two unpopular half-sisters. He wants nothing more than to improve their lives since they looked after him throughout the years. I believe they are the reason he turned out pretty decently instead of being ruthless jerks like their other siblings.
AMONG THE THORNS is the second book in Jennifer K. Lambert’s fantasy romance series, NEVER THE ROSES. The story can easily standalone. It features a completely new group of characters, basically picking up where NEVER THE ROSES leave off. Oneira appears twice in the book with Stearanos once. Mostly they are mentioned (or referenced).
I enjoyed this book way more than the first. Yes, the beginning did start off slowly. However, it was necessary to introduce the three main characters and their situations. Once things became established, the pacing picked up.
Thorn spends her life isolated in a woodland cottage, unaware of her magical ability. She wishes for freedom and to be rescued by her dream prince. Thorn seizes her chance when her guardian leaves her unattended. She quickly realizes that she is ill-equipped to navigate the outside world safely. When a more refined version of herself arrives, Thorn learns they are involved in someone else’s plot. Is it possible for her and Rose to break free from the political agenda that confines them? Can Thorn learn to control her magical ability?
Sebastien is the seventh son of King Soren. When it becomes apparent his ability is zoopathy, he is enrolled in a school of magic. Sebastien’s father has an ulterior motive for sending him to that school: to persuade Rose to accept his contractual offer. When he is unsuccessful, he heads home and unexpectedly encounters a softer, fragile facsimile of the sorceress. Sebastien unintentionally helps the two women discover one another. Which sorceress will he choose? The sophisticated, aloof one? Or the vulnerable, guileless one?
In the beginning, I did not care too much about Rose. She came off too snobbish, too anti-social for my tastes. However, my opinion started to change once I learned more about her. Then her demeanor and attitude made sense. What I like the most about Rose is her willingness to help Thorn reclaim the life stolen from her. Yes, she was a little harsh towards Thorn sometimes. However, it was necessary to keep the other woman from doing involuntary harm.
My heart went out to Thorn. She has been mentally abused and taken advantage of by her guardian. And she has been deprived of the necessary tutelage of her abilities. It is understandable why Thorn’s personality is the total opposite of Rose’s. I admire the bravado it took for Thorn to take the initiative to learn about her magic in secret. Yes, she bumbled through it and made many mistakes along the way.
At first, Sebastien did not leave much of an impression on me. His upbringing in the royal court left him cynical about love, especially all that Sebastien had to endure. I am surprised he turned out as he did. I like Sebastien’s closeness with his two unpopular half-sisters. He wants nothing more than to improve their lives since they looked after him throughout the years. I believe they are the reason he turned out pretty decently instead of being ruthless jerks like their other siblings.
AMONG THE THORNS is the second book in Jennifer K. Lambert’s fantasy romance series, NEVER THE ROSES. The story can easily standalone. It features a completely new group of characters, basically picking up where NEVER THE ROSES leave off. Oneira appears twice in the book with Stearanos once. Mostly they are mentioned (or referenced).
I enjoyed this book way more than the first. Yes, the beginning did start off slowly. However, it was necessary to introduce the three main characters and their situations. Once things became established, the pacing picked up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
AMONG THE THORNS
By: Jennifer K. Lambert
Never The Roses Series
Book 2
ARC/ALC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Star Review
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5 Spiciness Level
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 5/5 Audiobook Review
(Narrated in hybrid format, multicast narration in dual narration style just with 3 narrators instead of 2).
RELEASE INFO FOR ARC/ALC BOOKS:
Releasing in all formats on July 14, 2026.
RECOMMENDATION:
I do enjoy books that surprise me! After the cliffhanger from book 1, Never the Roses, I expected this book to be a continuation story of those main characters. However, this is not who Among The Thorns is about!
Among the Thorns is about two powerful sorceresses and a sorcerer. The two sorceresses were brought up with many secrets and lies which have, unknowingly to them, altered their lives in enormous ways. They both find themselves in the company of the sorcerer Prince Sebastian. The secrets and political maneuvering make the relationship between the three of them very complicated. Rose is a powerful sorceress who has the same magic as the FMC from book 1. Thorn is also a powerful sorceress but instead of being raised in court society, she was hidden & locked away in a magical cottage being raised by an abusive guardian with sort-of a Rapunzel feel. She gets herself out, though, then stumbles upon the Prince.
All of these characters are young and learning how to do life, trying to make the right decisions. The hard part is deciding on whether to make yourself or others happy because in this case, the pressure is on to do what their parents want and not what they want.
This story has much more of a college-age feel to it as compared to book 1 with older, more mature main characters. There is a completely different feel to it. The book 1 characters are talked about in this book but are not technically in it. So each book can be read as a standalone with very little overlap between the two.
TROPES:
Love Triangle
Enemies-To-Lovers
Forbidden Romance
Dark Cottagecore
Magical Academy
Hidden Identity
Forced Proximity
Only One Bed
GENRE, POV, PAGE COUNT:
Fantasy Romance
Written in 3rd Person
400 Pages
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW, NARRATORS & TIME LENGTH:
Audiobooks are magnificent. They have a way of immersing the reader further into the story and taking it to a whole new level. These narrators do an impeccable job of narrating their parts in this book. The transition of voice and pitch changes are seamless and each character is easily distinguishable. Wonderful job!!
Hybrid Multicast Narration - Switching between the 3 narrators by chapter who are narrating that whole chapter & all characters within it. Similar to dual narration, only with 3 narrators instead of 2.
13 Hours 58 Minutes
Narrators:
Imi Hasna
Kishore Walker &
Sulin Hasso
THANKS:
Thank you to Author Jennifer K. Lambert, Macmillan Audio, Tor Publishing Group | Bramble, and NetGalley for this amazing book! I loved reading it, look forward to the next book in this series and look forward to reading future books by this author and publisher! Thank you!
Happy Reading! ♥
By: Jennifer K. Lambert
Never The Roses Series
Book 2
ARC/ALC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Star Review
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5 Spiciness Level
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 5/5 Audiobook Review
(Narrated in hybrid format, multicast narration in dual narration style just with 3 narrators instead of 2).
RELEASE INFO FOR ARC/ALC BOOKS:
Releasing in all formats on July 14, 2026.
RECOMMENDATION:
I do enjoy books that surprise me! After the cliffhanger from book 1, Never the Roses, I expected this book to be a continuation story of those main characters. However, this is not who Among The Thorns is about!
Among the Thorns is about two powerful sorceresses and a sorcerer. The two sorceresses were brought up with many secrets and lies which have, unknowingly to them, altered their lives in enormous ways. They both find themselves in the company of the sorcerer Prince Sebastian. The secrets and political maneuvering make the relationship between the three of them very complicated. Rose is a powerful sorceress who has the same magic as the FMC from book 1. Thorn is also a powerful sorceress but instead of being raised in court society, she was hidden & locked away in a magical cottage being raised by an abusive guardian with sort-of a Rapunzel feel. She gets herself out, though, then stumbles upon the Prince.
All of these characters are young and learning how to do life, trying to make the right decisions. The hard part is deciding on whether to make yourself or others happy because in this case, the pressure is on to do what their parents want and not what they want.
This story has much more of a college-age feel to it as compared to book 1 with older, more mature main characters. There is a completely different feel to it. The book 1 characters are talked about in this book but are not technically in it. So each book can be read as a standalone with very little overlap between the two.
TROPES:
Love Triangle
Enemies-To-Lovers
Forbidden Romance
Dark Cottagecore
Magical Academy
Hidden Identity
Forced Proximity
Only One Bed
GENRE, POV, PAGE COUNT:
Fantasy Romance
Written in 3rd Person
400 Pages
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW, NARRATORS & TIME LENGTH:
Audiobooks are magnificent. They have a way of immersing the reader further into the story and taking it to a whole new level. These narrators do an impeccable job of narrating their parts in this book. The transition of voice and pitch changes are seamless and each character is easily distinguishable. Wonderful job!!
Hybrid Multicast Narration - Switching between the 3 narrators by chapter who are narrating that whole chapter & all characters within it. Similar to dual narration, only with 3 narrators instead of 2.
13 Hours 58 Minutes
Narrators:
Imi Hasna
Kishore Walker &
Sulin Hasso
THANKS:
Thank you to Author Jennifer K. Lambert, Macmillan Audio, Tor Publishing Group | Bramble, and NetGalley for this amazing book! I loved reading it, look forward to the next book in this series and look forward to reading future books by this author and publisher! Thank you!
Happy Reading! ♥
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had a really interesting premise, and I especially enjoyed the dream magic. The concept of oneiromancy was one of the most unique aspects of the story, and I would have loved to see even more of how it worked. The dreamwalking magic in particular gave me slight Inception-style vibes at times, especially in how dreams and reality begin to blur and influence one another.
The characters were the strongest part of the book for me. Rose, Thorn, and Sebastien all have distinct voices, and I especially loved Sebastien. He was easily my favorite character, emotionally authentic, especially in his confusion and uncertainty as he navigates expectations, duty, and his own feelings.
Thorn’s storyline was also very compelling. Her isolation and captivity shaped her understanding of the world in a way that made her both deeply sympathetic and, at times, unsettling in an interesting way. Her experience of being hidden away and essentially erased from the world gave her arc a strong emotional weight.
That said, my biggest issue was that the book wasn’t quite what I expected based on the synopsis. The blurb promises two powerful twin sorceresses clashing over fate and the heart of a prince, but that’s not really the story that unfolds. Rose and Thorn’s initial meeting is understandably tense, yet they never become true rivals, and I never felt like this was a genuine love triangle. The conflict centers much more on family secrets, manipulation, and the consequences of their father’s choices than on the sisters competing with one another.
The pacing also felt uneven. The middle of the novel introduces so many secrets and revelations that it became difficult at times to keep track of everything that was happening. Then, in the final quarter, the story speeds through several major developments and resolutions so quickly that I wished those moments had been given more time to breathe.
One thing worth mentioning is that I haven’t read Never the Roses, so it’s possible I was missing some world-building or context that would have helped me connect more deeply with the story. While this can be read on its own, I do wonder if starting with the first book would have given me a stronger sense of the world and its rules.
Overall, I liked the book, especially the dream magic and the themes of identity, family, and healing, and the characters were definitely the highlight. However, the marketing set expectations for a different kind of story than what I got, and the uneven pacing kept it from fully landing.
Thank you NetGalley and McMillian Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
The characters were the strongest part of the book for me. Rose, Thorn, and Sebastien all have distinct voices, and I especially loved Sebastien. He was easily my favorite character, emotionally authentic, especially in his confusion and uncertainty as he navigates expectations, duty, and his own feelings.
Thorn’s storyline was also very compelling. Her isolation and captivity shaped her understanding of the world in a way that made her both deeply sympathetic and, at times, unsettling in an interesting way. Her experience of being hidden away and essentially erased from the world gave her arc a strong emotional weight.
That said, my biggest issue was that the book wasn’t quite what I expected based on the synopsis. The blurb promises two powerful twin sorceresses clashing over fate and the heart of a prince, but that’s not really the story that unfolds. Rose and Thorn’s initial meeting is understandably tense, yet they never become true rivals, and I never felt like this was a genuine love triangle. The conflict centers much more on family secrets, manipulation, and the consequences of their father’s choices than on the sisters competing with one another.
The pacing also felt uneven. The middle of the novel introduces so many secrets and revelations that it became difficult at times to keep track of everything that was happening. Then, in the final quarter, the story speeds through several major developments and resolutions so quickly that I wished those moments had been given more time to breathe.
One thing worth mentioning is that I haven’t read Never the Roses, so it’s possible I was missing some world-building or context that would have helped me connect more deeply with the story. While this can be read on its own, I do wonder if starting with the first book would have given me a stronger sense of the world and its rules.
Overall, I liked the book, especially the dream magic and the themes of identity, family, and healing, and the characters were definitely the highlight. However, the marketing set expectations for a different kind of story than what I got, and the uneven pacing kept it from fully landing.
Thank you NetGalley and McMillian Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Last year, I read Never the Roses. I ended that review with a warning to romance readers that it was a tragic romance without an HEA (this was made clear in the marketing, but I just wanted to underline!). But … I thought the tragic ending might be just a little bit ambiguous. And when I saw that Among the Thorns was called a “Never the Roses” novel, I was both a) intrigued by another tragic romantasy and b) hoping for a little closure.
Among the Thorns introduces us to Rose, a young oneiromancer, who’s been studying her whole life to be able to walk the dream; to Sebastien, a handsome prince who just discovered he’s a sorcerer; and to Thorn, an isolated young woman with the powers of psychometry. As it turns out, the three of them are connected in ways they could never have imagined.
The book is marketed as being a love triangle and that it is a tragic romance. I was expecting, at best, that all three characters would be alive at the end of the book, but definitely no one would get a clear HEA. But, romance readers rejoice, it has an ambiguously happy ending! AND, if you liked Never the Roses, it promises a continuation of that story with - just possibly! - an eventual HEA.
You don’t NEED to have read Never the Roses before picking up this book. I will say that knowing about Oneira and Stearanos’s love story made the little hints so much more meaningful. I’ve really loved the contemplative, gently melancholic feel of the books without being overwhelmed by the tragedy. It feels a little different from other romantasy or romantic fantasy I’ve read, and I think that by the end of the series (I’m guessing 3 books?) it will form a really satisfying romantic arc set in a well-thought-out fantasy world.
I tandem read this one. The narration is well-done, with three different narrators (one for each main character). My only quibbles were 1) that the two female narrators voices were quite similar to each other (this might make sense narratively but didn’t make it easier to tell them apart!); and 2) that the narrators did not decide together on common pronunciations of fantasy names (especially Stearanos, who comes up several times in different POVs!).
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audiobook.
Among the Thorns introduces us to Rose, a young oneiromancer, who’s been studying her whole life to be able to walk the dream; to Sebastien, a handsome prince who just discovered he’s a sorcerer; and to Thorn, an isolated young woman with the powers of psychometry. As it turns out, the three of them are connected in ways they could never have imagined.
The book is marketed as being a love triangle and that it is a tragic romance. I was expecting, at best, that all three characters would be alive at the end of the book, but definitely no one would get a clear HEA. But, romance readers rejoice, it has an ambiguously happy ending! AND, if you liked Never the Roses, it promises a continuation of that story with - just possibly! - an eventual HEA.
You don’t NEED to have read Never the Roses before picking up this book. I will say that knowing about Oneira and Stearanos’s love story made the little hints so much more meaningful. I’ve really loved the contemplative, gently melancholic feel of the books without being overwhelmed by the tragedy. It feels a little different from other romantasy or romantic fantasy I’ve read, and I think that by the end of the series (I’m guessing 3 books?) it will form a really satisfying romantic arc set in a well-thought-out fantasy world.
I tandem read this one. The narration is well-done, with three different narrators (one for each main character). My only quibbles were 1) that the two female narrators voices were quite similar to each other (this might make sense narratively but didn’t make it easier to tell them apart!); and 2) that the narrators did not decide together on common pronunciations of fantasy names (especially Stearanos, who comes up several times in different POVs!).
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audiobook.
June 18, 2026
Going into Among The Thorns, I knew we weren't getting a continuation of Oneira and Stearanos's story from Never The Roses... but that didn't stop me from missing them every time they were mentioned 😭 Every callback felt like running into old friends, and I absolutely loved seeing those threads woven throughout the story.
This installment takes a very different approach than its predecessor. Where Never The Roses leaned heavily into the romance, Among The Thorns is much more character driven, focusing on Rose and Thorn as individuals and the circumstances that have shaped their lives. Rose has everything Thorn has ever dreamed of, while Thorn has spent her life trapped and hidden away, creating a fascinating dynamic fueled by longing, jealousy, and questions of identity.
However, while I enjoyed the journey, I kept waiting for a moment where everything would truly explode onto the page. There was a persistent feeling that something was missing, though I struggle to pinpoint exactly what. By the end, I wasn't quite as satisfied as I wanted to be. I found myself wishing the story had pushed a little further or delivered a more distinct climactic moment before wrapping up.
Technically, I don't think you have to read Never The Roses first, but I would still strongly recommend it. Having that foundation made the world, the magic system of oneiromancy, and all of the references to Oneira and Stearanos much richer and more meaningful. I also have a sneaking suspicion that this story isn't quite finished yet. Whether that's wishful thinking because I miss those characters or genuine foreshadowing remains to be seen, but I wouldn't be surprised if we revisit this world and its characters again in the future.
A special shoutout to the audiobook narrators, who did a fantastic job bringing both Rose and Thorn to life. The dual narration added so much personality and emotion to the story, making it easy to become invested in each character's perspective.
Overall, Among The Thorns is a thoughtful, character focused fantasy that expands the world introduced in Never The Roses. While it didn't quite capture the same magic for me as the first book, I still enjoyed my time in this world and would happily return if there's more to come. 🌹✨📖
This installment takes a very different approach than its predecessor. Where Never The Roses leaned heavily into the romance, Among The Thorns is much more character driven, focusing on Rose and Thorn as individuals and the circumstances that have shaped their lives. Rose has everything Thorn has ever dreamed of, while Thorn has spent her life trapped and hidden away, creating a fascinating dynamic fueled by longing, jealousy, and questions of identity.
However, while I enjoyed the journey, I kept waiting for a moment where everything would truly explode onto the page. There was a persistent feeling that something was missing, though I struggle to pinpoint exactly what. By the end, I wasn't quite as satisfied as I wanted to be. I found myself wishing the story had pushed a little further or delivered a more distinct climactic moment before wrapping up.
Technically, I don't think you have to read Never The Roses first, but I would still strongly recommend it. Having that foundation made the world, the magic system of oneiromancy, and all of the references to Oneira and Stearanos much richer and more meaningful. I also have a sneaking suspicion that this story isn't quite finished yet. Whether that's wishful thinking because I miss those characters or genuine foreshadowing remains to be seen, but I wouldn't be surprised if we revisit this world and its characters again in the future.
A special shoutout to the audiobook narrators, who did a fantastic job bringing both Rose and Thorn to life. The dual narration added so much personality and emotion to the story, making it easy to become invested in each character's perspective.
Overall, Among The Thorns is a thoughtful, character focused fantasy that expands the world introduced in Never The Roses. While it didn't quite capture the same magic for me as the first book, I still enjoyed my time in this world and would happily return if there's more to come. 🌹✨📖
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Stars rounded up.
First, thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer K. Lambert, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this ALC.
Starting with the audio itself—this was done incredibly well. The narrators, Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso, brought so much emotion, tension, and yearning to the story, which is especially important in fantasy-driven books. The audiobook experience itself was easily 5 stars for me.
Story-wise, this landed around a 3.5-star read.
Going into this, I immediately got Rapunzel/Tangled retelling vibes with the whole hidden away in a cottage deep in the woods, kept from the truth of her identity, and controlled by a hateful guardian setup. Unfortunately, while I really wanted to connect with this story, I struggled to for most of it.
My biggest issue was predictability. Much of the story felt fairly easy to anticipate, which made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself. That said, the strongest part of the book was definitely the reveal surrounding Rose’s father, the more diabolical aspects of the plan, and discovering the truth about Rose herself.
I wanted more uniqueness and more moments that surprised me. While the story was cute and enjoyable at times, not much truly stood out because I often felt like I already knew where things were headed.
The animal companions were adorable, and I did enjoy learning more about Rose, Thorn, and their magic—it added some interesting layers to the world.
One thing that disappointed me slightly was the marketing versus execution. When I see tropes like love triangle and morally gray characters, I expect those elements to have a stronger presence. Personally, I didn’t feel like either of those aspects delivered with the intensity I was expecting.
There is a small amount of spice, heaviest at the end of the book but not in detail, more like a few comments then fade to black.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read by any means—it simply didn’t hit as strongly for me as I had hoped. However, if you enjoy fairy tale retellings, hidden identities, magical mysteries, and fantasy with strong audiobook performances, this may still work really well for you.
First, thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer K. Lambert, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this ALC.
Starting with the audio itself—this was done incredibly well. The narrators, Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso, brought so much emotion, tension, and yearning to the story, which is especially important in fantasy-driven books. The audiobook experience itself was easily 5 stars for me.
Story-wise, this landed around a 3.5-star read.
Going into this, I immediately got Rapunzel/Tangled retelling vibes with the whole hidden away in a cottage deep in the woods, kept from the truth of her identity, and controlled by a hateful guardian setup. Unfortunately, while I really wanted to connect with this story, I struggled to for most of it.
My biggest issue was predictability. Much of the story felt fairly easy to anticipate, which made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself. That said, the strongest part of the book was definitely the reveal surrounding Rose’s father, the more diabolical aspects of the plan, and discovering the truth about Rose herself.
I wanted more uniqueness and more moments that surprised me. While the story was cute and enjoyable at times, not much truly stood out because I often felt like I already knew where things were headed.
The animal companions were adorable, and I did enjoy learning more about Rose, Thorn, and their magic—it added some interesting layers to the world.
One thing that disappointed me slightly was the marketing versus execution. When I see tropes like love triangle and morally gray characters, I expect those elements to have a stronger presence. Personally, I didn’t feel like either of those aspects delivered with the intensity I was expecting.
There is a small amount of spice, heaviest at the end of the book but not in detail, more like a few comments then fade to black.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read by any means—it simply didn’t hit as strongly for me as I had hoped. However, if you enjoy fairy tale retellings, hidden identities, magical mysteries, and fantasy with strong audiobook performances, this may still work really well for you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So very grateful to have had the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of the audiobook. I really enjoyed Never the Roses and have already preordered a physical copy of Among the Thorns.
While set with different characters in the same world as Never the Roses, I do recommend reading the first book before this one as the main characters are mentioned frequently and the events of the first book do influence the second.
I did really enjoy this story. I loved the dynamic of three main characters in Rose, Thorn, and Sebastian. From the blurb I was expecting a lot more tension and conflict between the main characters than actually appeared in the book. While there is a sort of love triangle, I was surprised with how easily it was resolved. Also less conflict between Rose and Thorn than I was expecting, but without spoilers things are revealed quickly to the characters that I feel mitigates that conflict.
Despite my expectations going in not fully matching, there still was drama and excitement and some really good twists. This world sets up a lot in terms of the magic system, and how society/people try to capitalize and use those with magical abilities. There is also a good bit of family drama too which I really enjoyed.
For the audiobook specifically I found it very easy to listen to. I kept it at a comfortable 2x speed, but even testing it out at the standard speed I didn’t find it too slow. I also loved for the audiobook that each character’s chapters had a different narrator. While this could have been done satisfactorily with one narrator, the separate voices really enhanced the listening experience. Especially only having access to an audio copy it really helped me differentiate characters in the early stages and set up their personalities. That extra attention to detail while I am assuming it costs more money really makes a better product for the listener in the end.
Overall I gave this book 4/5 stars. It is a great cohesive story that builds upon an already interesting world, and leaves the ending open for more story opportunities in the future. I am very thankful to Macmillian Audio for allowing me to listen to this story early to review.
While set with different characters in the same world as Never the Roses, I do recommend reading the first book before this one as the main characters are mentioned frequently and the events of the first book do influence the second.
I did really enjoy this story. I loved the dynamic of three main characters in Rose, Thorn, and Sebastian. From the blurb I was expecting a lot more tension and conflict between the main characters than actually appeared in the book. While there is a sort of love triangle, I was surprised with how easily it was resolved. Also less conflict between Rose and Thorn than I was expecting, but without spoilers things are revealed quickly to the characters that I feel mitigates that conflict.
Despite my expectations going in not fully matching, there still was drama and excitement and some really good twists. This world sets up a lot in terms of the magic system, and how society/people try to capitalize and use those with magical abilities. There is also a good bit of family drama too which I really enjoyed.
For the audiobook specifically I found it very easy to listen to. I kept it at a comfortable 2x speed, but even testing it out at the standard speed I didn’t find it too slow. I also loved for the audiobook that each character’s chapters had a different narrator. While this could have been done satisfactorily with one narrator, the separate voices really enhanced the listening experience. Especially only having access to an audio copy it really helped me differentiate characters in the early stages and set up their personalities. That extra attention to detail while I am assuming it costs more money really makes a better product for the listener in the end.
Overall I gave this book 4/5 stars. It is a great cohesive story that builds upon an already interesting world, and leaves the ending open for more story opportunities in the future. I am very thankful to Macmillian Audio for allowing me to listen to this story early to review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley.
Among the Thorns was a great read that kept me invested.
The story follows two sisters, Rose and Thorn. Rose is known as one of the most powerful oneiromancers of her time, and because of her abilities, she has caught the attention of Prince Sebastian. His goal is to create a love match between them so that her gifts can ultimately serve the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Thorn has been hidden away in a small cottage for most of her life. She endures both physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her guardian, who often leaves her trapped in a magical sleep for days or even weeks at a time. Thanks to her own powerful abilities, Thorn eventually manages to wake herself and finds herself crossing paths with Prince Sebastian, who initially mistakes her for her sister.
As Sebastian gets to know both women, he begins to realize that his connection to Thorn runs much deeper than the one he feels toward Rose. The more time they spend together, the stronger their bond becomes, and it was wonderful to watch their relationship develop naturally throughout the story.
I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, but this book was an enjoyable read filled with mystery, magic, and emotional depth. What I loved most was its focus on character growth, self-discovery, and uncovering the truth about who you really are. If you enjoy fantasy with strong character development, family secrets, and a slow-building romance, I would definitely recommend giving Among the Thorns a try
Among the Thorns was a great read that kept me invested.
The story follows two sisters, Rose and Thorn. Rose is known as one of the most powerful oneiromancers of her time, and because of her abilities, she has caught the attention of Prince Sebastian. His goal is to create a love match between them so that her gifts can ultimately serve the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Thorn has been hidden away in a small cottage for most of her life. She endures both physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her guardian, who often leaves her trapped in a magical sleep for days or even weeks at a time. Thanks to her own powerful abilities, Thorn eventually manages to wake herself and finds herself crossing paths with Prince Sebastian, who initially mistakes her for her sister.
As Sebastian gets to know both women, he begins to realize that his connection to Thorn runs much deeper than the one he feels toward Rose. The more time they spend together, the stronger their bond becomes, and it was wonderful to watch their relationship develop naturally throughout the story.
I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, but this book was an enjoyable read filled with mystery, magic, and emotional depth. What I loved most was its focus on character growth, self-discovery, and uncovering the truth about who you really are. If you enjoy fantasy with strong character development, family secrets, and a slow-building romance, I would definitely recommend giving Among the Thorns a try
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5-⭐️
This second installment in the interconnected standalone series completely exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed Never the Roses and gave it 4 stars, but Among the Thorns took everything I liked about the first book and expanded on it. The world-building is richer, the political intrigue runs deeper, and we get a much better understanding of the magic system and the forces shaping this world.
The story follows two sisters whose lives couldn’t be more different, one seemingly blessed with every advantage, while the other is hidden away with her magic suppressed until she finally breaks free. Alongside them is a charming prince with the delightful ability to communicate with animals. What started as a story I thought I could predict quickly surprised me, taking the plot in directions I never expected. Compared to the first book, this one carries much more emotional weight, weaving heartbreak, sacrifice, and difficult choices throughout the narrative.
I was especially drawn into the relationships between the characters and the way their personal struggles tied into the larger political and magical conflicts. The connection back to the original story was also a nice touch, adding another layer of depth to the series as a whole. Thoughtful, emotional, and far more engaging than I anticipated, Among the Thorns left me eager to see where this world and its characters go next.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this amazing ALC!
This second installment in the interconnected standalone series completely exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed Never the Roses and gave it 4 stars, but Among the Thorns took everything I liked about the first book and expanded on it. The world-building is richer, the political intrigue runs deeper, and we get a much better understanding of the magic system and the forces shaping this world.
The story follows two sisters whose lives couldn’t be more different, one seemingly blessed with every advantage, while the other is hidden away with her magic suppressed until she finally breaks free. Alongside them is a charming prince with the delightful ability to communicate with animals. What started as a story I thought I could predict quickly surprised me, taking the plot in directions I never expected. Compared to the first book, this one carries much more emotional weight, weaving heartbreak, sacrifice, and difficult choices throughout the narrative.
I was especially drawn into the relationships between the characters and the way their personal struggles tied into the larger political and magical conflicts. The connection back to the original story was also a nice touch, adding another layer of depth to the series as a whole. Thoughtful, emotional, and far more engaging than I anticipated, Among the Thorns left me eager to see where this world and its characters go next.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this amazing ALC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.
I was immediatly drawn to this as I loved Never the Roses (NTR), the first book in this series also written by Lambert. However, Among the Thorns (ATT) was very different in tone and pace though and, while I still enjoyed the story, it was different from what I was expecting. If there are other readers picking this up based on how much they oved Never the Roses, I think they need to understand that this story will be different; they are interconnected, but still manage to be completly seperate.
I enjoyed the overall story and seeing how it finally converged all the characters together in a much larger plot. Lambert does an excellent job of fleshing out her characters and their development, and continues to do a wonderful job of building on the world first created in NTR. This story focuses on younger characters, so the social and emotional development of Rose, Thorn, and Sebastian is very different and also sets the tone for ATT.
Probably my favorite part of this whole book was the animals and their individual thoughts (this is partially enhanced based on the audio narration). It breathed a touch of humor into the overall story. Okay, I did love the story as whole, but the romance sometimes felt a little flat and rushed between particular characters. Given the ending, there is definitely a possibility for more stories to take place. I may have been a little let down that this wasn't quite the same as ATR, but still felt the story was well done and left me wanting more.
I was immediatly drawn to this as I loved Never the Roses (NTR), the first book in this series also written by Lambert. However, Among the Thorns (ATT) was very different in tone and pace though and, while I still enjoyed the story, it was different from what I was expecting. If there are other readers picking this up based on how much they oved Never the Roses, I think they need to understand that this story will be different; they are interconnected, but still manage to be completly seperate.
I enjoyed the overall story and seeing how it finally converged all the characters together in a much larger plot. Lambert does an excellent job of fleshing out her characters and their development, and continues to do a wonderful job of building on the world first created in NTR. This story focuses on younger characters, so the social and emotional development of Rose, Thorn, and Sebastian is very different and also sets the tone for ATT.
Probably my favorite part of this whole book was the animals and their individual thoughts (this is partially enhanced based on the audio narration). It breathed a touch of humor into the overall story. Okay, I did love the story as whole, but the romance sometimes felt a little flat and rushed between particular characters. Given the ending, there is definitely a possibility for more stories to take place. I may have been a little let down that this wasn't quite the same as ATR, but still felt the story was well done and left me wanting more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Like many other readers, I had to get over the initial disappointment that this is not in fact a direct sequel to Never the Roses, but a novel in the same universe with different characters. Once this was out of the way though, I let myself fall into the story, and it wriggled its way into my heart just like Never the Roses, to live there eternally.
And also...not to spoil any anything.... but this book is also not not about Oneira....
Among the Thorns carries that same dreamlike, slightly unsettling fairy-tale quality that made its predecessor so memorable. And all the while it shows so much heart and depth, not afraid to touch on darker themes as well.
The mysteries of Rose and Thorn slowly unravelled throughout the book, and I for sure didn't see the plot twists coming. The relationship between the two women is definitely the real anchor of the story.
There is a slower burn to this book, and at times I did wish for a bit more momentum, but the payoff lies in how everything eventually comes together in a way that feels both inevitable and strange.
I loved the audiobook with its perfect triple POV narration. The voices for Rose and Thorn highlighted all the differences and also similarities between the two FMCs. And the rest was highly enjoyable as well.
4.5/5 stars
Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the eARC!
#AmongTheThorns #NetGalley #Bookstagram #MacAudio2026
And also...not to spoil any anything.... but this book is also not not about Oneira....
Among the Thorns carries that same dreamlike, slightly unsettling fairy-tale quality that made its predecessor so memorable. And all the while it shows so much heart and depth, not afraid to touch on darker themes as well.
The mysteries of Rose and Thorn slowly unravelled throughout the book, and I for sure didn't see the plot twists coming. The relationship between the two women is definitely the real anchor of the story.
There is a slower burn to this book, and at times I did wish for a bit more momentum, but the payoff lies in how everything eventually comes together in a way that feels both inevitable and strange.
I loved the audiobook with its perfect triple POV narration. The voices for Rose and Thorn highlighted all the differences and also similarities between the two FMCs. And the rest was highly enjoyable as well.
4.5/5 stars
Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the eARC!
#AmongTheThorns #NetGalley #Bookstagram #MacAudio2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝘼𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚: 7/14/2026
𝘼𝙇𝘾 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 🎧🎧🎧🎧
𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 🥀🥀🥀.75
𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚: 🌶️
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨: Slow Burn
Semi Love Triangle
Romantasy
🎧🄰🄻🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆: 👏🏼👏🏼The narration was excellent overall, though I found the two female voices somewhat similar, which made it a bit challenging to distinguish between them. However, aside from that, the performance was impressive.
📖🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆: I approached this story with the hope of revisiting elements from book one, as I absolutely loved Never the Roses. This expectation, however, led to a slight disappointment on my part, which was entirely my own doing and not a reflection of the narrative itself. It's worth noting that reading Never the Roses is not a prerequisite for enjoying this tale.
Among the Thorns possesses its own unique charm, though I typically prefer faster-paced narratives. The beginning unfolds slowly, but this deliberate pace is essential for character development. Once I got past that initial phase, I was captivated by the enchanting storyline, featuring a prince who communicates with animals and a strong, fierce female lead. The conclusion left me eagerly anticipating what comes next!
🎧𝙶𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗 𝙰𝙻𝙲 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 & 𝚕𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝, 𝚗𝚘𝚗-𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠. 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 netgalley and macmillan audio 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢.
𝘼𝙇𝘾 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 🎧🎧🎧🎧
𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 🥀🥀🥀.75
𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚: 🌶️
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨: Slow Burn
Semi Love Triangle
Romantasy
🎧🄰🄻🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆: 👏🏼👏🏼The narration was excellent overall, though I found the two female voices somewhat similar, which made it a bit challenging to distinguish between them. However, aside from that, the performance was impressive.
📖🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆: I approached this story with the hope of revisiting elements from book one, as I absolutely loved Never the Roses. This expectation, however, led to a slight disappointment on my part, which was entirely my own doing and not a reflection of the narrative itself. It's worth noting that reading Never the Roses is not a prerequisite for enjoying this tale.
Among the Thorns possesses its own unique charm, though I typically prefer faster-paced narratives. The beginning unfolds slowly, but this deliberate pace is essential for character development. Once I got past that initial phase, I was captivated by the enchanting storyline, featuring a prince who communicates with animals and a strong, fierce female lead. The conclusion left me eagerly anticipating what comes next!
🎧𝙶𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗 𝙰𝙻𝙲 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 & 𝚕𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝, 𝚗𝚘𝚗-𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠. 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 netgalley and macmillan audio 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢.
July 6, 2026
Firstly, thank you to Tor and Bramble for the e-arc, and to the lovely author herself who handed me a physical copy at an event earlier this year. I absolutely LOVED Never the Roses and I have been so excited to read this.
This feels quiet and magical with a beautiful new story - darkly romantic, tragic, and dreamlike, just like the Dream is described. It has the echoes of a fractured fairytale and is slow, character driven, and beautiful. There are threads from Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, and other recognizable tales but they are woven to create something incredibly unique. The main characters are younger and finding their way in the world, and we get to watch them figure things out and grow up. There is a love triangle, animal companions, unique magic, and so much more. The banter with companions is honestly some of my absolute favorite I've ever read.
This is set in the same world as Never the Roses and while it can technically be read alone, I think you would miss out on a great deal of nuance. Plus, the references to the characters from NtR feels like seeing old friends, I am hopeful we'll get another story in this world - NtR ended on a tragic note, this is a HEA (or HFN), and I would love to get more closure in the future - and new stories in this universe.
This feels quiet and magical with a beautiful new story - darkly romantic, tragic, and dreamlike, just like the Dream is described. It has the echoes of a fractured fairytale and is slow, character driven, and beautiful. There are threads from Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, and other recognizable tales but they are woven to create something incredibly unique. The main characters are younger and finding their way in the world, and we get to watch them figure things out and grow up. There is a love triangle, animal companions, unique magic, and so much more. The banter with companions is honestly some of my absolute favorite I've ever read.
This is set in the same world as Never the Roses and while it can technically be read alone, I think you would miss out on a great deal of nuance. Plus, the references to the characters from NtR feels like seeing old friends, I am hopeful we'll get another story in this world - NtR ended on a tragic note, this is a HEA (or HFN), and I would love to get more closure in the future - and new stories in this universe.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 Stars. A beautifully written, quiet, sweet fantasy.
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Jennifer K Lambert for the opportunity to review this advanced audio copy.
Not a big world-building story, but still whimsical, curious, and character-driven. I do feel that the synopsis was a little misleading. It gave the impression that the tension between the two sorceresses, and even between the sorceresses and the prince, would be a major focus, but neither created much angst.
Thorn is sweet in her ignorance but determined in her pursuit of experiencing more of the world. She reminded me of Rapunzel. Rose is a headstrong, straightforward character whose candor you can't help but appreciate. And Sebastian is an underappreciated prince who is eager to "do his duty" but is a true romantic at heart. His interactions with Thorn were just so endearing.
The narrators were absolutely fantastic. Each voice was clear and smooth, and they portrayed the characters beautifully.
I understand this is the second book in a series of interconnected standalones, and I'm intrigued enough by the dream magic in this world to go back and read the first.
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Jennifer K Lambert for the opportunity to review this advanced audio copy.
Not a big world-building story, but still whimsical, curious, and character-driven. I do feel that the synopsis was a little misleading. It gave the impression that the tension between the two sorceresses, and even between the sorceresses and the prince, would be a major focus, but neither created much angst.
Thorn is sweet in her ignorance but determined in her pursuit of experiencing more of the world. She reminded me of Rapunzel. Rose is a headstrong, straightforward character whose candor you can't help but appreciate. And Sebastian is an underappreciated prince who is eager to "do his duty" but is a true romantic at heart. His interactions with Thorn were just so endearing.
The narrators were absolutely fantastic. Each voice was clear and smooth, and they portrayed the characters beautifully.
I understand this is the second book in a series of interconnected standalones, and I'm intrigued enough by the dream magic in this world to go back and read the first.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC of this book.
Jennifer K. Lambert delivers a beautifully atmospheric and enchanting story with Among the Thorns. As a companion novel set in the world of Never the Roses, it does an incredible job with blending elements that give that fairytale vibe, expanding on oneiromancy, and adding in dashes of political intrigue and emotional depth. The story follows two powerful sorceresses—Rose and Thorn—whose lives have been shaped by secrets, manipulation, and fate.
Although I was expecting a continuation of the first novel, I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I especially love the dual perspectives and its immersive dreamlike atmosphere. While the middle section of the book was a little slower, the emotional payoff, the buildup, and rich character development make the journey worthwhile. I thoroughly enjoyed when the book focused on the relationships between its new central characters; especially between Thorn and the prince. Their insta love was very cute and perfectly set up — especially after Rose’s declination of marriage — as they really were not a good match.
This author does an excellent job at combining fairy-tale wonder with darker themes of power, sacrifice, and belonging. Her descriptions were vivid and detailed and I really enjoy the author’s writing style. Also, Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Simon Hasso definitely brought this story to life with the audiobook! Definitely give it a listen.
Jennifer K. Lambert delivers a beautifully atmospheric and enchanting story with Among the Thorns. As a companion novel set in the world of Never the Roses, it does an incredible job with blending elements that give that fairytale vibe, expanding on oneiromancy, and adding in dashes of political intrigue and emotional depth. The story follows two powerful sorceresses—Rose and Thorn—whose lives have been shaped by secrets, manipulation, and fate.
Although I was expecting a continuation of the first novel, I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I especially love the dual perspectives and its immersive dreamlike atmosphere. While the middle section of the book was a little slower, the emotional payoff, the buildup, and rich character development make the journey worthwhile. I thoroughly enjoyed when the book focused on the relationships between its new central characters; especially between Thorn and the prince. Their insta love was very cute and perfectly set up — especially after Rose’s declination of marriage — as they really were not a good match.
This author does an excellent job at combining fairy-tale wonder with darker themes of power, sacrifice, and belonging. Her descriptions were vivid and detailed and I really enjoy the author’s writing style. Also, Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Simon Hasso definitely brought this story to life with the audiobook! Definitely give it a listen.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved Never the Roses, but i was so sad that this was new characters and not a continuation. I started reading Among the Thorns and it was initially hard for me to get into. I couldnt get myself immersed into the story enough to be invested. It was a nice story where the fmc had rapunzel vibes and was supposed to be one of the ones with the strongest magic.
When I got about 30% in, I was considering DNFing the book because I was struggling. But then I got approved for the audiobook on netgalley. The narrators did an amazing job and made so that I was actually able to put myself in the story. They made it come alive and I was able to feel the characters emotions and follow the plot a lot easier.
I would still recommend this book to fantasy lovers! Jennifer Lambert is a great author, i think I was just disappointed it was new characters when i started. I definitely plan on giving this another try in the future!
When I got about 30% in, I was considering DNFing the book because I was struggling. But then I got approved for the audiobook on netgalley. The narrators did an amazing job and made so that I was actually able to put myself in the story. They made it come alive and I was able to feel the characters emotions and follow the plot a lot easier.
I would still recommend this book to fantasy lovers! Jennifer Lambert is a great author, i think I was just disappointed it was new characters when i started. I definitely plan on giving this another try in the future!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I enjoyed Among the Thorns even more than the first book in the Never the Roses series! This sequel features a fresh group of characters and a self-contained arc that makes it very easy to jump into, even if you haven't read the first book recently. While the beginning is a "slow burn" in terms of pacing, the character work established in those early chapters pays off immensely as the story progresses.
The highlight for me was the audiobook. The performance by Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso was masterful. They captured the "yearning" that is so central to Lambert’s writing, making the tension between the characters feel palpable.
Whether you’re returning to this world for the cameos and lore or starting fresh with this new group, Among the Thorns is a must-read for romantasy fans.
Thank you NetGalley, Jennifer K. Lambert, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this ALC.
I enjoyed Among the Thorns even more than the first book in the Never the Roses series! This sequel features a fresh group of characters and a self-contained arc that makes it very easy to jump into, even if you haven't read the first book recently. While the beginning is a "slow burn" in terms of pacing, the character work established in those early chapters pays off immensely as the story progresses.
The highlight for me was the audiobook. The performance by Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso was masterful. They captured the "yearning" that is so central to Lambert’s writing, making the tension between the characters feel palpable.
Whether you’re returning to this world for the cameos and lore or starting fresh with this new group, Among the Thorns is a must-read for romantasy fans.
Thank you NetGalley, Jennifer K. Lambert, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this ALC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Beware a dream come true…”
Among the Thorns was a truly beautiful book.
We follow Rose and Thorn, two very different young women, throughout the book. Rose is a very gifted sorceress (one of the best of her time) and has known so since birth, while Thorn doesn’t even realize the power she possesses. Thorn lives with a guardian who keeps everything a secret, while Rose attends one of the top schools in the country to train her magical ability. The two could not be more different.
As the book goes on, we learn so much about Thorn, Rose, and their backgrounds. The magic system in this books is so interesting, as well as the politics and society. This book transported me to another dimension altogether. The imagery was so powerful that I could picture myself in every scene. This book truly grabbed my attention and didn’t let it go.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Jennifer K. Lambert for my audiobook ARC of this book for my honest review.
Among the Thorns was a truly beautiful book.
We follow Rose and Thorn, two very different young women, throughout the book. Rose is a very gifted sorceress (one of the best of her time) and has known so since birth, while Thorn doesn’t even realize the power she possesses. Thorn lives with a guardian who keeps everything a secret, while Rose attends one of the top schools in the country to train her magical ability. The two could not be more different.
As the book goes on, we learn so much about Thorn, Rose, and their backgrounds. The magic system in this books is so interesting, as well as the politics and society. This book transported me to another dimension altogether. The imagery was so powerful that I could picture myself in every scene. This book truly grabbed my attention and didn’t let it go.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Jennifer K. Lambert for my audiobook ARC of this book for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I fnished Among the Thorns last week, and what a treat it was to take my time enjoying Jennifer K Lambert's writing again! It felt like stepping into a fairytale, following the paths of two powerful dreamwalkers- one who grows up like Rapunzel, and one who grows up in wealth and power.
Both cross paths with a fop Prince whose only magic is talking to animals, and fate quickly shows that it has very different ideas of how their lives should progress and intertwine.
After pushing myself to read a lot lately, this book just felt easy in the best way.
I loved all the subtle nudges to Never the Roses, and how the characters were woven in without the reader needing any prior knowledge. I really enjoyed Rose as a character in particular, she is so autistic-coded and has a lot of depth.
The first 75% of this book I was completely enthralled, and again in the last 5% but the penultimate 20% dragged a bit in my opinion. Not that I minded having some extra time to hang out with our trio!
That ending has me so excited for the next book in Never the Roses, and I will keep devouring anything Jennifer puts out in this universe!!
Thankyou to Bramble and the author for sending me an advanced copy in return for my unbiased review.
Both cross paths with a fop Prince whose only magic is talking to animals, and fate quickly shows that it has very different ideas of how their lives should progress and intertwine.
After pushing myself to read a lot lately, this book just felt easy in the best way.
I loved all the subtle nudges to Never the Roses, and how the characters were woven in without the reader needing any prior knowledge. I really enjoyed Rose as a character in particular, she is so autistic-coded and has a lot of depth.
The first 75% of this book I was completely enthralled, and again in the last 5% but the penultimate 20% dragged a bit in my opinion. Not that I minded having some extra time to hang out with our trio!
That ending has me so excited for the next book in Never the Roses, and I will keep devouring anything Jennifer puts out in this universe!!
Thankyou to Bramble and the author for sending me an advanced copy in return for my unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
I adored Never the Roses. I was beyond excited to pick up another book by Jennifer K. Lambert. I'm disappointed to say that I didn't enjoy this one as much. I was enjoying the first 45% of the audiobook, but I wasn't as invested in the rest. I couldn't connect to the characters at all. I'm not sure how this book could be better for me. Maybe it just ended up not being for me. I will read another book by Jennifer K. Lambert in the future. I hope this book finds its audience.
The audiobook was excellent. I fear I would have DNFed this book if not for the audiobook. Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso did a great job at bringing this book to life. I highly recommend this audiobook!
Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer K. Lambert, and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I adored Never the Roses. I was beyond excited to pick up another book by Jennifer K. Lambert. I'm disappointed to say that I didn't enjoy this one as much. I was enjoying the first 45% of the audiobook, but I wasn't as invested in the rest. I couldn't connect to the characters at all. I'm not sure how this book could be better for me. Maybe it just ended up not being for me. I will read another book by Jennifer K. Lambert in the future. I hope this book finds its audience.
The audiobook was excellent. I fear I would have DNFed this book if not for the audiobook. Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, and Sulin Hasso did a great job at bringing this book to life. I highly recommend this audiobook!
Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer K. Lambert, and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2026
Another trip into the world of Never the Roses and it doesn't disappoint. We follow the lives of Rose and Thorn as they reach young adulthood, ready to become their own people. I enjoyed getting to know each of the main three characters separately and together. The switching of POVs was well done and added a nice layer to the story.
I listened to this as an audiobook and thought the narrators did a great job with the different voices. Yes, Rose and Thorn's narrators were similar, but they should be. The differences in inflections were well done to help understand who was talking at each point.
My favorite parts were the little tidbits from Never the Roses that we got. A little bit of continuation of Oneira and Stearanos' story that gives me hope. I want more in this world. I want to know more about Rose and Thorn and Oneira and Stearanos. Please give us another installment wrapping it all up!
I received a free copy through NetGalley, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I listened to this as an audiobook and thought the narrators did a great job with the different voices. Yes, Rose and Thorn's narrators were similar, but they should be. The differences in inflections were well done to help understand who was talking at each point.
My favorite parts were the little tidbits from Never the Roses that we got. A little bit of continuation of Oneira and Stearanos' story that gives me hope. I want more in this world. I want to know more about Rose and Thorn and Oneira and Stearanos. Please give us another installment wrapping it all up!
I received a free copy through NetGalley, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 5, 2026
NetGalley ALC Review
Thank you Macmillan Audio for giving me an opportunity to listen to this book.
I don’t think I’ve listened to any of these narrators before, but I think they did a great job narrating their characters’ chapters. I think their performance helped boost my rating of this book.
I enjoyed this story and felt it was unique. Things started to get entertaining at about the 40% mark and I stayed engaged listening to everything unfold.
There were a few parts, like the animal companion dialogue that felt like filler. I also thought this was a standalone, but felt a little unsatisfied with the ending. Maybe if I had read Never the Roses it would have helped, since I believe it follows Oneira’s story.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for giving me an opportunity to listen to this book.
I don’t think I’ve listened to any of these narrators before, but I think they did a great job narrating their characters’ chapters. I think their performance helped boost my rating of this book.
I enjoyed this story and felt it was unique. Things started to get entertaining at about the 40% mark and I stayed engaged listening to everything unfold.
There were a few parts, like the animal companion dialogue that felt like filler. I also thought this was a standalone, but felt a little unsatisfied with the ending. Maybe if I had read Never the Roses it would have helped, since I believe it follows Oneira’s story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.5 ⭐ (rounded up to 4)
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I went in expecting a dark, political, emotionally heavy story, but found the pacing uneven with a slow start and a somewhat muted emotional payoff. That said, the audiobook production is excellent—new-to-me narrators who truly elevate the experience.
While Among the Thorns can be read as a standalone, I did feel the lack of context from Never the Roses, especially in the forced-enemies dynamic between Rose and Thorn.
An intriguing story that didn’t fully land for me, but one I’d still recommend in audio format—and I’m interested in going back to the first book for more depth.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I went in expecting a dark, political, emotionally heavy story, but found the pacing uneven with a slow start and a somewhat muted emotional payoff. That said, the audiobook production is excellent—new-to-me narrators who truly elevate the experience.
While Among the Thorns can be read as a standalone, I did feel the lack of context from Never the Roses, especially in the forced-enemies dynamic between Rose and Thorn.
An intriguing story that didn’t fully land for me, but one I’d still recommend in audio format—and I’m interested in going back to the first book for more depth.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Among the Thorns
(Book 2. Never the Roses Series)
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️
I really enjoyed Never the Roses, so I couldn’t wait to see where this one would go. Let’s say I was so confused to start off with. I thought it would be a continuation of book one. It’s really not. Characters from book one are mentioned but it’s completely different characters. The pacing is a lot slower as well. At times I felt myself wondering a bit. But in the end, it kept my attention and was curious to see where the story leads. We had:
•Magic Academy
•Forbidden Romance
•Love Triangle
•Forced Proximity
•Backstabbing
•Plotting
I’m curious to see how the story ends! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
(Book 2. Never the Roses Series)
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️
I really enjoyed Never the Roses, so I couldn’t wait to see where this one would go. Let’s say I was so confused to start off with. I thought it would be a continuation of book one. It’s really not. Characters from book one are mentioned but it’s completely different characters. The pacing is a lot slower as well. At times I felt myself wondering a bit. But in the end, it kept my attention and was curious to see where the story leads. We had:
•Magic Academy
•Forbidden Romance
•Love Triangle
•Forced Proximity
•Backstabbing
•Plotting
I’m curious to see how the story ends! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fantasy
Love triangle
Forbidden magic
Hidden Identity
Forced proximity
He falls first
3rd POV
Dual narration - Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, & Sulin Hasso
Great performance. Their voices were pleasant to the ear.
This was a good listen. It was not among my favorites however it is good and for the right audience it will be a fabulous listen. I struggled just a little to get into this book. There is so much potential, perhaps I wasn't in the right mindset for love it.
The story is good, the characters are written well, and it was enjoyable. I did enjoy the narrators performance they all did a wonderful job bringing this romantasy to life.
Love triangle
Forbidden magic
Hidden Identity
Forced proximity
He falls first
3rd POV
Dual narration - Imi Hasna, Kishore Walker, & Sulin Hasso
Great performance. Their voices were pleasant to the ear.
This was a good listen. It was not among my favorites however it is good and for the right audience it will be a fabulous listen. I struggled just a little to get into this book. There is so much potential, perhaps I wasn't in the right mindset for love it.
The story is good, the characters are written well, and it was enjoyable. I did enjoy the narrators performance they all did a wonderful job bringing this romantasy to life.
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