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Heart of Thorns
(Heart of Thorns #1)
by
Inventive and heart-racing, this fierce feminist teen fantasy explores a dark kingdom in which only women can possess magic—and every woman is suspected of having it.
In the ancient river kingdom, where touch is a battlefield and bodies the instruments of war, Mia Rose has pledged her life to hunting Gwyrach: women who can manipulate flesh, bones, breath, and blood. The sam ...more
In the ancient river kingdom, where touch is a battlefield and bodies the instruments of war, Mia Rose has pledged her life to hunting Gwyrach: women who can manipulate flesh, bones, breath, and blood. The sam ...more
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Start your review of Heart of Thorns (Heart of Thorns, #1)
There have been many times when I've disagreed with Kirkus reviews, but whoever wrote the review for this book and said:
nailed it.
Heart of Thorns needed more editing and fewer tropes. It needed more memorable characters and fewer info-dumps. And it really just needed to be a bit less... polite. There's absolutely zero juicy goodness in this book, and as ...more
"This winsome debut novel goes down like a vegan, gluten-free cupcake: sweet and good for you but entirely lacking in satisfying decadence."
nailed it.
Heart of Thorns needed more editing and fewer tropes. It needed more memorable characters and fewer info-dumps. And it really just needed to be a bit less... polite. There's absolutely zero juicy goodness in this book, and as ...more
ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
“Once upon a time, in a castle carved of stone, a girl plotted murder.”
Hello, friends! This is going to be a hard one to review. I honestly feel like this is a solid 2.5 star read, but some aspects make me want to raise that rating and others make me want to lower it. I will say the end of this book is phenomenal. Like, easily the best part. And it was so good that I want to continue on. But the rest, especi ...more
"Your clavicle throws the most beautiful shadows"
"If she had understood the way blood flowed through the vena arteriosa to the heart's left chamber, or known how to invoke the subtle rhythm of the cariac systole- she might have saved her mother's life."
"She dug her fingertips into the bridge of her nose. 'The sphenoid bone. It's like my whole cerebrum is on fire.'"
DNF
As a medical student, I can assure you that no one speaks like this. Such phrases generally never come out of one's mouth oral c
...more
"If she had understood the way blood flowed through the vena arteriosa to the heart's left chamber, or known how to invoke the subtle rhythm of the cariac systole- she might have saved her mother's life."
"She dug her fingertips into the bridge of her nose. 'The sphenoid bone. It's like my whole cerebrum is on fire.'"
DNF
As a medical student, I can assure you that no one speaks like this. Such phrases generally never come out of one's
![destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1557144778p2/15335689.jpg)
I heard "bi male love interest" and "fiercely feminist", so, uh... here we are.
...more
Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton is the first book in the young adult fantasy series by the same name, Heart of Thorns. This one is a darker fantasy that would be best for an older crowd as there is a lot of violence and even rape involved in the story.
The series is set in a world in which some women possess magical abilities but having these abilities causes fear in those that don’t. With only a touch those known as the Gwyrach can manipulate a victims body and steal their life and to protect fro ...more
The series is set in a world in which some women possess magical abilities but having these abilities causes fear in those that don’t. With only a touch those known as the Gwyrach can manipulate a victims body and steal their life and to protect fro ...more
Thank you Katherine Tegen Books for providing me with an arc of this!
2.5 stars
This was a bummer for me, you guys. I was really looking forward to this one and it just really fell short for me. The premise of this book was SO good, and when I read the synopsis I was instantly sold. But unfortunately, this one just didn't do it for me.
For starters this was SUPER trope-y, and don't get me wrong I love a good trop ...more
2.5 stars
tw: attempted sexual assault, mentions of self-harm
This was a bummer for me, you guys. I was really looking forward to this one and it just really fell short for me. The premise of this book was SO good, and when I read the synopsis I was instantly sold. But unfortunately, this one just didn't do it for me.
So where did it fall short, you ask?
For starters this was SUPER trope-y, and don't get me wrong I love a good trop ...more
Sep 24, 2018
Jessi ♥️ H. Vojsk
added it
I’m so sorry, but I just can’t get into this book.
The first sentence was so catching, first it was okay, but then it got freakin bad and I hated it.
The last thing I know they were on an air balloon - and I thought this was a book in a medieval world - and I was like: what?
I just couldn’t get into the whole magic system - I couldn’t really understand it.
It was so plain and basic.
I read a few reviews so I would know if I should continue and many people said the last 30 % were the best. But I ...more
2.5 RTC
It was going to be a solid 3 until this lovely line:
"You're beautiful when you lie." He quickly added, "Not to diminish you or suggest that beauty is an indicator of your worth."
FOR. PETE'S. SAKE. Just tell the story and stop trying to shove your microwaved feminism down my throat. ...more
It was going to be a solid 3 until this lovely line:
"You're beautiful when you lie." He quickly added, "Not to diminish you or suggest that beauty is an indicator of your worth."
FOR. PETE'S. SAKE. Just tell the story and stop trying to shove your microwaved feminism down my throat. ...more
Feb 12, 2018
Lea (drumsofautumn)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arcs-done,
most-anticipated-2018
♦
Video Review
♦
3.5 stars. Heart of Thorns was exactly the kind of Fantasy book that I love. And while I found especially the first half of it very slow, there's nothing about it that I actively disliked.
This book has incredible world building and for me it's the thing that stands out the most. The writing is sometimes a little bit much but when it comes to describing the world it works perfectly. I thought it was so easy to imagine the setting and I had really vivid pictures in mind. But ev ...more
3.5 stars. Heart of Thorns was exactly the kind of Fantasy book that I love. And while I found especially the first half of it very slow, there's nothing about it that I actively disliked.
This book has incredible world building and for me it's the thing that stands out the most. The writing is sometimes a little bit much but when it comes to describing the world it works perfectly. I thought it was so easy to imagine the setting and I had really vivid pictures in mind. But ev ...more
Aug 09, 2018
Alice
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Alice by:
Messyloot
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Oct 01, 2016
Cindy ✩☽♔
marked it as to-read
Trust your heart. Even if it kills you.
OMG, the cover!!! I love it!
---
Hmm...title changed from Black Rose to Heart of Thorns? Alright, not bad. I like it. Now if only I could get an official release date.
---
Wait I thought this was suppose to come out in 2017? Why does it say 2018 now? Ugh...
...more
OMG, the cover!!! I love it!
---
Hmm...title changed from Black Rose to Heart of Thorns? Alright, not bad. I like it. Now if only I could get an official release date.
---
Wait I thought this was suppose to come out in 2017? Why does it say 2018 now? Ugh...
...more
Expected Pub Date: July 31st,2018
Review
You an also read it on my blog!!
1 Star
DNF @30%
I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Spoilers Somewhat
Yep I'm gone. I'm bailing quickly
After it started off with such premise I found myself being disinterested by 25% in.
Let me give a run down of the plot.
It's about a 17 year girl Mia, who is an arranged marriage with Prince Quinn which is the last thing she wants to do. She wants to be a hunter who hunts Gwyrachs, magical beings ...more
Review
You an also read it on my blog!!
1 Star
DNF @30%
I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Spoilers Somewhat
Yep I'm gone. I'm bailing quickly
After it started off with such premise I found myself being disinterested by 25% in.
Let me give a run down of the plot.
It's about a 17 year girl Mia, who is an arranged marriage with Prince Quinn which is the last thing she wants to do. She wants to be a hunter who hunts Gwyrachs, magical beings ...more
#heartofthorns was an action packed first book in a new YA series. I did enjoy the talk of feminism in this book & the strangeness of women. .
It did move somewhat slow for me and I did more a little more backstory of the magic in this series. If your looking for a new ya fantasy series to start, I would recommend this one.
I don’t know if I’ll continue on with the series because there’s just so many ya fantasy series out there but I did enjoy this one.
.
It did move somewhat slow for me and I did more a little more backstory of the magic in this series. If your looking for a new ya fantasy series to start, I would recommend this one.
I don’t know if I’ll continue on with the series because there’s just so many ya fantasy series out there but I did enjoy this one.
.
ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Ok for me this was 2.5 stars but I think I've been prejudiced by the travesty that was chapter 53. The book probably deserves 3 stars so I've rounded up.
I'm not going to rehash the blurb here. This is a very linear story of a young noble woman being forced into an unwanted marriage when she'd rather be a Gwyrach (witch/ demon) hunter like her father (who incidentally is who is forcing her into marriage.) Things go sideways and our MC, Mi ...more
Ok for me this was 2.5 stars but I think I've been prejudiced by the travesty that was chapter 53. The book probably deserves 3 stars so I've rounded up.
I'm not going to rehash the blurb here. This is a very linear story of a young noble woman being forced into an unwanted marriage when she'd rather be a Gwyrach (witch/ demon) hunter like her father (who incidentally is who is forcing her into marriage.) Things go sideways and our MC, Mi ...more
4.5 STARS ⭐️
This book broke me in so many different ways. Both when it comes to the plots and the way women are treatened in a way not that different from ours (minus the magic).
I quickly got swept into the story and couldn't put the book down, I found it very interesting and unique. In the beginning my mind (that is full of past fantasy books I've read) was kind of making me think that this would be like some other fantasy books I have read. But no. Absolutely not.
Barton writes in a way that ...more
This book broke me in so many different ways. Both when it comes to the plots and the way women are treatened in a way not that different from ours (minus the magic).
I quickly got swept into the story and couldn't put the book down, I found it very interesting and unique. In the beginning my mind (that is full of past fantasy books I've read) was kind of making me think that this would be like some other fantasy books I have read. But no. Absolutely not.
Barton writes in a way that ...more
"Once upon a time, in a castle carved of stone, a girl plotted murder."
And here another book with great potential but poorly developed.
From the line above I was so sure Heart of Thorns would have been an interesting story but, alas, it was bland and with the same old YA tropes.
Dear author, if you wanted to impress the reader you should have tried harder. ...more
And here another book with great potential but poorly developed.
From the line above I was so sure Heart of Thorns would have been an interesting story but, alas, it was bland and with the same old YA tropes.
Dear author, if you wanted to impress the reader you should have tried harder. ...more
Well, someone is jilted by science and logic. Yes, you read correctly.
I Dont really know how to rate this, so I will settle in the middle with three stars 🌟 🤔.
Synopsis: "In the ancient river kingdom, where touch is a battlefield and bodies the instruments of war, Mia Rose has pledged her life to hunting Gwyrach: women who can manipulate flesh, bones, breath, and blood. The same women who killed her mother without a single scratch.
But when Mia's father announces an alliance with the royal family, she is forced to trade in her knives and trousers for a sumptuous sil ...more
Synopsis: "In the ancient river kingdom, where touch is a battlefield and bodies the instruments of war, Mia Rose has pledged her life to hunting Gwyrach: women who can manipulate flesh, bones, breath, and blood. The same women who killed her mother without a single scratch.
But when Mia's father announces an alliance with the royal family, she is forced to trade in her knives and trousers for a sumptuous sil ...more
Sep 22, 2019
Shelley
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2018-releases,
young-adult-fantasy
*Source* Library
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Heart of Thorns is the first installment in author Bree Barton's Heart of Thorns series. This is a world that is separated into four Kingdoms. River, Glass, Snow, and Fire. 17-year old Mia Rose lives in the River Kingdom. She wants one thing out life; she wants to be the one to kill the Gwyrach that killed her mother and set her on her own path to becoming a Circle of the Hunt Hunter like her own father who trained her for the pas ...more
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Heart of Thorns is the first installment in author Bree Barton's Heart of Thorns series. This is a world that is separated into four Kingdoms. River, Glass, Snow, and Fire. 17-year old Mia Rose lives in the River Kingdom. She wants one thing out life; she wants to be the one to kill the Gwyrach that killed her mother and set her on her own path to becoming a Circle of the Hunt Hunter like her own father who trained her for the pas ...more
Mar 13, 2017
Amber ~ The Reading Addict
marked it as to-read
Graceling
and
Pride and Prejudice
?!?!?
...more
...more
Heart of Thorns is a YA fantasy book, but you don't have to be a fan of YA or of fantasy to love this book: Barton fills every page with playful language, thoughtful characters, and thrilling adventure. This book offers one reward after another, right up until its (surprising!) end.
Heart of Thorns tells the story of Mia Rose, a rational-minded young woman who thinks she's *sooooo* smart—until life throws her a few curves, and she sees that the world—and her emotions!—are more complicated than sh ...more
Heart of Thorns tells the story of Mia Rose, a rational-minded young woman who thinks she's *sooooo* smart—until life throws her a few curves, and she sees that the world—and her emotions!—are more complicated than sh ...more
dnf page 242 because the book is so predictable and the characters are getting really boring. I literally can’t force myself to read more
Anyone else having a hard time rating and reviewing this book? Because I am...I have to think about this review for a few days...
4.5
oh my god. i didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did but HOLY SHIT this was good. I honestly couldn’t put it down.
oh my god. i didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did but HOLY SHIT this was good. I honestly couldn’t put it down.
I liked this less the more I thought about it
First off, I cannot deny the fact that this was a fairly enjoyable read for me before I really thought about what I'd read. It wasn't written terribly and I really liked the dialogue and moments between Mia and Quin. And while I did notice quite a few tropes, I wasn't really bothered by them because I was enjoying the read.
"Tree," she said, shoving Quin toward the closest one. "Can you climb?"
"I'm not a kitten. I know how to climb a tree."
"So do ki ...more
First off, I cannot deny the fact that this was a fairly enjoyable read for me before I really thought about what I'd read. It wasn't written terribly and I really liked the dialogue and moments between Mia and Quin. And while I did notice quite a few tropes, I wasn't really bothered by them because I was enjoying the read.
"Tree," she said, shoving Quin toward the closest one. "Can you climb?"
"I'm not a kitten. I know how to climb a tree."
"So do ki ...more
ARC kindly provided by Edelweiss.
All right. Okay. So...
I'm still really torn on my opinion on this one. There were some good things that I really liked, but a couple of things really didn't work for me.
The good
- A strong female protagonist that doesn't need anyone to protect her. (In theory, that is. She didn't seem to do much protecting of herself either but it was implied a lot that she didn't need anyone to..)
- Interesting side characters - our Prince is not a soft cardboard cut out and one ...more
All right. Okay. So...
I'm still really torn on my opinion on this one. There were some good things that I really liked, but a couple of things really didn't work for me.
The good
- A strong female protagonist that doesn't need anyone to protect her. (In theory, that is. She didn't seem to do much protecting of herself either but it was implied a lot that she didn't need anyone to..)
- Interesting side characters - our Prince is not a soft cardboard cut out and one ...more
DNF at page 218.
I’m DNF’ing this for the time being. I was too premature in assuming this book was going to be brilliant.
The opening section really intrigued me but somwhere along the way...it just fell flat :( This book unfortunately doesn’t offer anything new; it uses the same old tropes, the same old formula and it’s a struggle to get through. I’m just not excited nor do I feel compelled to continue with it.
Who knows, I may pick this back up in the future which is a shame as I feel like mos ...more
I’m DNF’ing this for the time being. I was too premature in assuming this book was going to be brilliant.
The opening section really intrigued me but somwhere along the way...it just fell flat :( This book unfortunately doesn’t offer anything new; it uses the same old tropes, the same old formula and it’s a struggle to get through. I’m just not excited nor do I feel compelled to continue with it.
Who knows, I may pick this back up in the future which is a shame as I feel like mos ...more
I absolutely loved Heart of Thorns for the most part, and if I'm being completely honest, I'm actually kind of surprised by just how much I enjoyed this book. I thought that Mia Rose was a great protagonist and a very well written character for the most part. However, the only genuine complaint that I have about this book is that I felt like Bree Barton hammered in the fact that Mia has a very scholarly and scientific view of the world a lot more than I think she actually needed to in order to c
...more
3.5 Stars!
Feb 19, 2018
Hailey
rated it
it was ok
Shelves:
fantasy,
romance,
full-review,
kings-and-queens,
magic,
arc,
young-adult,
lgbt,
read-in-2018,
worst-villain
SEE THIS REVIEW AND MORE AT LITERATURE DREAMS!
"Once upon a time, in a castle carved of stone, a girl plotted murder."
Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton is book one in the "Heart of Thorns" series and will be published on July 31, 2018.
Story in a Sentence: Mia Rose, a seventeen-year-old Huntress that has pledged to hunt the Gwyrach, is engaged to Prince Quin against her wishes by edict of her father and the King, but after an attempted assassination at their wedding, Mia and Quin have to run for ...more
"Once upon a time, in a castle carved of stone, a girl plotted murder."
Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton is book one in the "Heart of Thorns" series and will be published on July 31, 2018.
Story in a Sentence: Mia Rose, a seventeen-year-old Huntress that has pledged to hunt the Gwyrach, is engaged to Prince Quin against her wishes by edict of her father and the King, but after an attempted assassination at their wedding, Mia and Quin have to run for ...more
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| YA Buddy Readers'...: Heart of Thorns (Heart of Thorns #1) by Bree Barton - Starting July 24th 2018 | 9 | 15 | Jul 27, 2018 05:49AM |
Readers also enjoyed
Bree Barton is a writer in Los Angeles. When she's not lost in whimsy, she works as a ghostwriter and dance teacher to teen girls. She is on Instagram and YouTube as Speak Breely, where she posts funny videos of her melancholy dog.
Bree is not a fan of corsets.
Y O U T U B E: http://bit.ly/2gm8OPO
W E B S I T E: www.breebarton.com ...more
Bree is not a fan of corsets.
Y O U T U B E: http://bit.ly/2gm8OPO
W E B S I T E: www.breebarton.com ...more
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