Violet Made of Thorns (Violet Made of Thorns #1) by Gina Chen - Restarting February 3rd, 2023

[Ashley W]

A darkly enchanting fantasy debut about a morally gray witch, a cursed prince, and a prophecy that ignites their fate-twisted destinies—perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and Serpent & Dove.

Violet is a prophet and a liar, influencing the royal court with her cleverly phrased—and not always true—divinations. Honesty is for suckers, like the oh-so-not charming Prince Cyrus, who plans to strip Violet of her official role once he’s crowned at the end of the summer—unless Violet does something about it.

But when the king asks her to falsely prophesy Cyrus’s love story for an upcoming ball, Violet awakens a dreaded curse, one that will end in either damnation or salvation for the kingdom—all depending on the prince’s choice of future bride. Violet faces her own choice: Seize an opportunity to gain control of her own destiny, no matter the cost, or give in to the ill-fated attraction that’s growing between her and Cyrus.

Violet’s wits may protect her in the cutthroat court, but they can’t change her fate. And as the boundary between hatred and love grows ever thinner with the prince, Violet must untangle a wicked web of deceit in order to save herself and the kingdom—or doom them all.

[Maddie]

I'm joining this one! I'll be starting in the next few days!

[akacya ❦]

I hope you like it! I’m starting now.

[Maddie]

I hope I like it too! It's so pretty

[Ashley W]

Finally starting this one tonight. It sounds like something I will love but I haven't been too impressed with anything lately. This may bring me out of that.

[Maddie]

I hope so!

[akacya ❦]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[That chapter was very Cinderella-esque haha (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

Chapter 16
(view spoiler)[The real Raya is dead…mic drop! (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

Done
(view spoiler)[Ahhh this was a wild ride lol. I always thought Cyrus and Violet would get married but I wasn’t sure how it’d work out. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

wow that was fast!

[akacya ❦]

It was a really quick read!

[Ashley W]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ Already enjoying this story. I feel bad for Cyrus. He doesn't seem to have anyone that he trusts and it's so sweet that he really wants to love his future wife rather than marry whoever his father chooses. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Starting this now! It'll take me 2h40m on 3.5x from Audible :D

[Maddie]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[Okay so Violet's 18 but she acts like she's 15, and this is clearly a not-quite-enemies-to-lovers story (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[I like how this has inklings of the other fairy tales in it as well!

I'm curious to see how she will go about this prophecy and what she'll do with Raya, why she doesn't want to be seen (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

akacya ♡̷̷ˎˊ wrote: "Chapter 9
[spoilers removed]"

It's all a bunch of other fairy tales together haha inklings of them all, I really appreciated that!

[Maddie]

akacya ♡̷̷ˎˊ wrote: "Chapter 16
[spoilers removed]"

I was wondering what was going on with that! I thought (view spoiler)[that she was just evil, although it didn't explain why she hid all the time (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

akacya ♡̷̷ˎˊ wrote: "Done
[spoilers removed]"

Yes I loved the ending! :o I need more, I feel the second will be much darker!

[Ashley W]

Maddie wrote: "Chapter 3 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ That was my first thought as well. I'm on chapter 6, but it's clear she doesn't realize she has feelings for him and he is totally into her. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[ He keeps blushing around her and getting self-conscious. It's pretty clear he at least has a crush on her. I feel like the pledging loyalty thing was sort of a test.
And that message she just got was about her I'd bet. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Maddie wrote: "Starting this now! It'll take me 2h40m on 3.5x from Audible :D"

Well, that's speedy quick. I used to listen at that speed but I didn't enjoy the books as much. I felt like I missed things because I'd get distracted for just a minute and have to go back.

[Maddie]

Ashley W wrote: "Maddie wrote: "Chapter 3 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I never understand that, how can someone not realise they have feelings for someone. How do your thoughts not connect to your feelings... To me, I feel things because it's what I think about a situation. I can't feel things without knowing why I'm feeling a certain way. I don't know how to describe it haha

[Maddie]

Ashley W wrote: "Maddie wrote: "Starting this now! It'll take me 2h40m on 3.5x from Audible :D"

Well, that's speedy quick. I used to listen at that speed but I didn't enjoy the books as much. I felt like I missed ..."

Yeah I'm always pausing on 3.5x, especially with this book, but I got the gist of it. And I'll need to re-read before the sequel anyway, so I'm not too worried

[akacya ❦]

Ashley W wrote: "Chapter 4
[spoilers removed]"

I thought that was really sweet too!

[Ashley W]

Maddie wrote: "Chapter 13 I like how this has inklings of the other fairy tales in it as well!

I'm curious to see how she will go about this prophecy and what she'll do with Raya, why she doesn't want to be seen"

(view spoiler)[ I thought it was super strange that Raya wouldn't want to be seen. If she were some princess or whatever, it seems that she would want everyone to fawn over her and recognize her. Camilla was so right to be suspicious. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Maddie wrote: "akacya ♡̷̷ˎˊ wrote: "Chapter 9
[spoilers removed]"

It's all a bunch of other fairy tales together haha inklings of them all, I really appreciated that!"

It was. I was a little Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, and Rapunzel all mixed together. There are probably more that I just don't know.

[Ashley W]

akacya ♡̷̷ˎˊ wrote: "Chapter 16
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ That shocked me too. I thought maybe she was the real witch and just using the Nadiya or something. I just didn't expect her to be dead. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

akacya ♡̷̷ˎˊ wrote: "Done
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I wasn't sure. I thought it may have one of those bitter endings where they just can't be together or at the part where she stabs him, he would either just become a beast and go into hiding or die. I'm so glad they ended up together though. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I really liked this one. Even though it seemed like there were a few different fairy tales woven through the story, I thought it was pretty unique. Mostly due to the characters. I really like Dante(surprised by his part in the end!) and Camilla and wish we could have gotten more of them. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Damn you gave it 5 stars!

Yes I like Dante too! I'm excited for the second book, and how (view spoiler)[they didn't even really end up a couple. (hide spoiler)] I feel the sequel will be far darker.

[Ashley W]

Maddie wrote: "Damn you gave it 5 stars!

Yes I like Dante too! I'm excited for the second book, and how [spoilers removed] I feel the sequel will be far darker."

(view spoiler)[ It almost came off a marriage of convenience even though they clearly love each other. It's going to be complicated and I can't wait. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

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Date changed. Restarting February 3rd 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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[Alexandra]

I've read up to Chapter 8 because I'm trying to get ahead of my TBR.

(view spoiler)[I thought it was an interesting start. Violet is pretty different from your typical main character. Her relationship with Cyrus is intriguing; it's almost like they actually hate each other. I'm guessing they're going to end up falling in love but wow the animosity at the beginning is so strong so I'm wondering how they'll get there. Love the world and setting so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Ch 5
(view spoiler)[Damn I’m already so intrigued. Violet is apparently a seer, but she mostly lies. Is it weird of me to already think that the prince is in love with her? His comment about not choosing who he fell in love with sounded like he wanted her idk. Damn okay so either he dies or she will? I already love Camilla omg. Also already loving Dante, although he's also giving me bad vibes for some weird reason??? Yes the prince is definitely in love with her hehe. And the little drunk fairies lmao. Enjoying it so far!

Poor Cyrus, his father really does like Violet better. She shouldn't lie so much though, especially because she actually has the Sight?? The prophecy is clearly about her tbh, she can either go evil or good idk? Loved the little insight into her and Cyrus' past. Kinda liked Ziza, although she'll probably be trouble lol. The prophecy of the garden reminded me a lot of another book, I just can't remember which one? Possibly Malice or King of Scars? (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Ch 10
(view spoiler)[I'm totally shipping Camilla and Dante - although she might be into girls only? I don't understand why Violet hates Cyrus so much? Maybe because she already knows that she likes him? Her behaviour is just odd now idk.

Hmm, the midnight thing that the Fate told her seems like Cinderella, while the rest of the story reminds me of beauty and the beast? It doesn't seem smart to trust a fate again tho, since the last time she changed something, is the reason they are now asking for payment?

It really is a mix of beauty and the beast with his mask & the roses & Cinderella with the ball and midnight..? See omg the prophecies are all about her; she did the full Cinderella in running from the ball and losing her shoe. I don’t trust that other girl at all though omg I’m scared, she has already enchanted Cyrus and I don’t like it :( (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Ch 14
(view spoiler)[THEY KISSED HOT DAMN!!! No why is he acting like a dick, dammit can they just be nice to each other for one freaking second. Omg the beasts were intense, I immediately thought it was that Raya chick or the prince, but there were 2 and he was there fighting them? So now I’m confused. Balican ambassadors didn’t even know she was coming? She’s not really Raya is she omg, what are the chances of her being a Fate? She’s definitely the one behind the beasts, I don’t trust her ass.

Oh apparently fates don’t walk the earth so never mind that, but I really don’t trust the fate that has been ‘helping’ Violet, I’m sure they’re the evil part of the prophecy idk, is it even a fate?

Ah no they’re not really then. Glad Violet doesn’t trust them either, still doesn’t seem smart that she have it her blood idk. Glad Dante was there. I also really don’t trust the king for some reason?? Still don’t think Raya is Raya, especially bc the fate voice thingy said that she brought the beasts, but clearly said ‘the woman you know as Raya’ so it’s definitely someone else. Omg the thorn is here!! And she apparently has other gifts as well, can't wait to find out more about that. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Ch 19
(view spoiler)[I just still don't understand her need to see Cyrus fall, what has he ever done to you??? Bruh there's a golden necklace on your window sill and you just put it on?!?! She knows there's magic and evil people yet she just puts that on? It better not influence her argh. I’m guessing Raya is under the influence of whomever is speaking to Violet?

Damn that was a hot scene, but who came in?? Somebody definitely saw. Ah so Camilla is not into men at all. Was she the one who saw them? I don’t think so? And who gave her the necklace argh. Why do I feel like the king is behind the beasts to get war? She cursed the beast??? It was either the gloves or she's truly behind the beasts but idk?!!? See omg she isn't Raya, AAAAH!!! So her fairies were the one to temporarily heal the beast damn.

The Witch of Nightmares is DEFINITELY the voice talking to Violet - they said themselves that they were neither Fate nor human, so I'm sure of it. I do wonder if her powers are lessened because non-Raya (forgot her name lol) smashed her scepter, freeing the fairies? We were SO close to a sexy scene omg, I need her and Cyrus already :') I do hope it happens in this book aaaaah. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Alexandra wrote: "I've read up to Chapter 8 because I'm trying to get ahead of my TBR.

[spoilers removed]"

It seems quite promising indeed, they have a lot of chemistry already (even though it's hate lol) and the world seems promising!

[Danique]

Ch 24
(view spoiler)[That random comment about Cyrus and Dante being similar in their mannerism, are they secretly related? Brothers? I still don’t trust Dante tbh, especially because he seems so scared of Violet reading him.

Is her period somehow related to hearing that voice or something?? It keeps being mentioned so freaking randomly & I mean the witch does like blood so.. omg why didn’t her power work?? Does that maybe mean that Nadiya will die - her future is blank?? Another little hot scene that ended in them fighting dammit, get over yourselves guys. The prince truly hasn’t changed one bit since the beginning, Violet has at least some character development in slowly developing actual norms.

What the FUCK??? WHAT THE FUCK CYRUS???!! THAT DICK?? And I hate the witch so much too omg I kind of want Violet to burn the whole kingdom down, they all suck. Dammit this won’t end well and I hate it. I can't believe he did that. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Knew the king sucked, but damn, hitting Cyrus and all that?

Wait what the fuck she actually stabbed him? Does she not understand that that’s what the witch wanted???? Shit so that’s how the humans become beasts fuuuuck, Cyrus is a beast now too omg. The witch will be trouble still though.

I can’t believe Dante killed the king omg, all those seers and their divinations, they’re all just messing with peoples life and honestly they’re better off without them??

I truly don’t know what I’m feeling. The witch is still out there, and now Cyrus will make Violet his queen - their relationship really reminds me of Cruel Prince I guess, although they’re less annoying than the main characters in that one. I don’t know, I’m just feeling a bit unsatisfied? I feel like barely anything happened or something idk?? I just feel like nothing has really been resolved and they’re actually in deeper shit. I hate reading books that don’t have a sequel yet lmao. (hide spoiler)]

[Alexandra]

Danique wrote: "Ch 5
Damn I’m already so intrigued. Violet is apparently a seer, but she mostly lies. Is it weird of me to already think that the prince is in love with her? His comment about not choosing who he f..."

I think she (view spoiler)[mostly lies because the King asked her to? Which is why he likes her, because she follows his orders. (hide spoiler)]

I've been trying to finish another book but I'll catch up soon!

[Danique]

Alexandra wrote: "Danique wrote: "Ch 5
Damn I’m already so intrigued. Violet is apparently a seer, but she mostly lies. Is it weird of me to already think that the prince is in love with her? His comment about not c..."

Sounds good!! Take your time, I just had some time and thought let's do this lol(view spoiler)[Yeah that's true! It's just odd that she goes along with it, but it also makes sense tbh - I wouldn't deny the king either. (hide spoiler)]

[Alexandra]

Danique wrote: "Ch 10..."

(view spoiler)[I'm shipping Camilla & Dante too, since the moment they were both introduced. I actually thought he was going to be her boyfriend. But I also enjoyed Violet/Dante. And yeah, I was thinking this sounds a lot like Cinderella, but now there are beasts and I'm just confused.

I thought the prophecy was about Violet too (especially because his father wouldn't approve) but one minute they're kissing and the next he's telling her to go away from the kingdom and I'm just really confused by their dynamic. It doesn't feel like love/hate, it feels more like flip-flopping 180 degrees without nuances or hints to the other side of that feeling. (hide spoiler)]

[Alexandra]

chapter 17
(view spoiler)[ I did think Raya was suspicious but I didn't catch on that it was someone else entirely. I thought maybe there were two of them/twins or something but wow, the fairies actually can cure the beasts, even if not for long. I wonder who's changing them. why do I think this is all the king's plot so he can blame other countries and beat them in war? (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Alexandra wrote: "Danique wrote: "Ch 10..."

[spoilers removed]*."

(view spoiler)[I know omg they'd be great together! Can't wait to see who they end up with. I agree with you about the dynamic between Violet and Cyrus - they go from hot to cold so quick that I can't keep up (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Alexandra wrote: "chapter 17
[spoilers removed]"

Omg that was my theory too!! (view spoiler)[He just seems to want a war way too much (hide spoiler)]

[Alexandra]

I also finished!

(view spoiler)[Okay, these characters are just not making any sense. Why would Cyrus suddenly doubt Violet, let alone IN FRONT OF EVERYONE? I guess it was part of his attempt to 'ruin her' so the king can't use her but still? What the heck was that.

And Violet actually stabbed him with the intention of killing him?? WTF? I am so confused right now. Like I can't understand their way of thinking at all. That's what throws me off the most about this story, I think. And you're right, it feels like nothing much happened and they just made everything worse. DANTE, I didn't see that coming either.

The majority of this book is romance, which I didn't expect, and then after all that, we're treated to the couple betraying each other in the worst way and now they're going to get married?? Yeah, this is wild, lol. I'm left feeling just confused and bewildered. I don't know. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Alexandra wrote: "I also finished!

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I know that came out of nowhere???? I agree with everything you said, it was such a weird rollercoaster wtf (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Joining in on this one! =D

22%

(view spoiler)[I really like the world-building for this so far. I can't say that I understand everything yet fully but it is very interesting.

The dynamic between Cyrus and Violet is also interesting. It is very strange. They started out as friends after she saved his life but I wonder why it all went downhill. Why do they dislike each other so much? I think that the prince is secretly in love with Violet but I don't know why he outwardly dislikes her so much. I really like Cyrus's sister so far. She is so bubbly and happy. I wonder if she is secretly harboring any ill will though. She was born first but her brother is slated to become king. And then there is Dante. I am not sure how I feel about him yet. Something about him doesn't sit well with me. I think that he is hiding something.

So are the fates or gods or whatever talking to Violet? Telling her that Cyrus will die or she will? And what about the single fate that spoke to her and told her to tell Cyrus something? It's all very strange. I haven't really pieced it all together yet.

I am also wondering about the king. Why is he having Violet lie about her visions or predictions? And why is there such a divide between the king and Cyrus? The king seems to have a decent enough relationship with Violet. I think that the king is perhaps hiding something as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

41%

(view spoiler)[This is one of those stories where there are so many strange things going on that I can't figure anything out. =P

I am starting to see the fairytale parallels in this book. Especially Cinderella.

I am really wondering why the fates want Cyrus dead so badly. Is it just because she saved his life when he should have died when he was a child or is it something more?

Violet's blood working like that was weird. Is she part fae? Or do all seers' blood work that way? I am very interested in the fae and fae forest aspect of the story. I keep thinking that maybe the fae people were cursed into beasts or something and now they want revenge. Why else would Violet be able to see human memories in that beast that was killed? I'm not sure yet but my mind is whirling with possibilities.

Cyrus kissed Violet! And not just a little hesitant kiss but a raging hot one full of passion. Though, him acting like a dick right afterward by telling her to leave the kingdom and then threatening her was terrible. And then rescuing her from the beasts and her waking up to find out that he is engaged to be married? WTF, really? I wonder if the king would really object to them being together? I know that he seems to want Cyrus to marry for political reasons but I am not sure.

I am curious about the woman that Cyrus is supposed to marry. Where did she even come from? Is she hiding some nefarious goals?

And I was surprised that Violet spilled her guts to Dante about her visions and everything that has been going on. She seems like a solitary sort of person that doesn't trust anyone so it seemed odd to me that she did that. (hide spoiler)]