Fake engagement. Forbidden magic. An assassin prince and a girl with shadows in her blood. I devoured this.

This book was like stepping into a dark fairytale where the thorns are sharp and the kisses burn. Viola Sinclair is on the run for a power she didn’t ask for, carrying grief and fire beneath her skin. Roze Roquelart is the Queen’s monster on a leash—beautiful, bitter, and deadly. And when they’re forced into a fake engagement to play nice at a deadly academy, well... cue the slow-burn chaos I live for.

The tension? Immaculate.
The banter? Sharp as a poisoned dagger.
The vibes? Dark academia meets magical revolution.

What really pulled me in was the emotional depth beneath all the politics and curses. Viola isn’t just powerful she’s human. Her grief felt real. Roze, too, has layers beneath his cold exterior, and watching those peel away, bit by bit, was just chef’s kiss.

The pacing hit a sweet spot, never dragging, always pulling you toward some secret or kiss or betrayal. The world-building is rich but not overwhelming, with whispers of rebellion, secrets in the shadows, and a haunting magic system that feels both dangerous and sacred.

This is one of those books that reminds me why I love YA fantasy: found power, reluctant allies, enemies-to-lovers that actually make sense, and a world where even the broken things bloom.

Final thoughts:
A beautifully written, sharply plotted, emotionally rich fantasy. If you like your romances tangled in curses and thorns, and your heroines soft but strong, Seven Deadly Thorns deserves a spot on your shelf.

Really enjoyed this Snow White fantasy retelling, think dark academia, secret societies, deadly romance and forbidden magic.

Don’t even get me started on Saint Waffles the adorable little gargoyle. I also really liked the story twist and that the main characters fell for each others darkness.

Where it lost a star for me was the world building which felt a little under developed but this is a debut from the author so the work was still great I just wanted more from it.

Overall it was a really enjoyable read.

WOW I fear this book is going to become a new obsession for me 😆 5 stars isn’t a high enough rating for this book, I LOVED it SO MUCH! I was so incredibly excited to have received this book as an ARC as I already thought I’d would be something I’d love, and was waiting patiently for the release- I adore books with an academy setting, dark magic, court dramas and a great enemies to lovers romance’s so I had high hopes. But this book far exceeded any expectations I had! 🥀

🖤 ‘You’re no monster Viola. Although, as someone who’s been on the receiving end of your right hook, you are rather vicious.’ 🖤

Viola Sinclair has a secret. A secret that would get her killed. In the cursed kingdom of Aragoa, the punishment for magic is death. Viola has been fighting to keep her shadow magic hidden her entire life. Until one day, she lets her composure slip, and her most hated enemy Roze Roquelart- the entitled Prince, the Queen’s assassin and her arrogant fellow student, sees what she truly is. Roze should revel in his chance to end Violas life, but first, he desperately needs something from her. However, he needs this get it fast, because the Queen has given him a new task as her assassin to kill Viola. Marking him with a cursed rose tattoo to ensure he gets the job done, the seven thorns on the tattoo each count for a day he has left to end Viola’s life. If the job isn’t complete by the time all of the thorns have faded away, his life will end instead. Forced to work together, Viola and Roze must contend with deadly threats, dangerous secrets, and an impossible attraction. Will they give in to their deepest desires, even if it means destroying Aragoa and risking both their lives? 🥀🗡️

🖤 ‘Knowing what I know now, I wish I could have warned her about how perilous it can be to fall in love with a Roquelart.’ 🖤

Amber Hamilton creates enemies to lovers PERFECTLY in this book. You can tell that the main characters hate each other, for valid reasons too, but not for any reason that is so despicable that the reader can’t see how they could ever move past it. Without spoiling anything, the characters uncover that they really aren’t so dissimilar as they originally believed, in fact, as two people who have always felt misunderstood and outcast because of what they are, this is the first time in their life they have ever felt truly seen by another person. Roze and Viola have so much depth as characters- they are the perfect examples of how both good and evil based on perspective and are closely intertwined- no person is truly good or truly evil. 🗡️

I absolutely LOVED Viola and Roze’s relationship- I loved them as individuals, I loved their banter and I love that they helped each other so much to embrace who they truly are, without the hate, guilt and disgust over themselves that others around them have taught them to feel. Also I loved that their romance was very slow burn and the marriage of convenience aspect of the book. Also, the idea of Roze’s tattoo was so creative- it add so much tension to the book, putting an urgent time pressure on them uncovering information and them learning to trust one another. Roze and Viola have become two of my new favourite MC’s. 🥀🖤

🖤 ‘I put a ring on your finger, and I felt… monstrous. Possessive. Like if I ever saw another’s ring on your hand, I’d rip it off and make them choke on it.’ 🖤

I immediately needed to go and preorder a physical copy of this book after I finished reading it- this has become one of my favourite books! If you love books with an academy setting, dark magic and heart wrenching enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, you NEED to read Seven Deadly Thorns! 🥀🗡️

Thank you very much to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for allowing me to read this book early! I loved it so much! 💗

A dark academia meets Snow White romantasy with two strong main characters that were perfect for eachother!

Prince Roze has been tasked by his mother, the Queen, with eliminating Viola, his classmate and a magic user in a court where magic is forbidden. The Queen marks his body with a rose tattoo with seven thorns for seven days, which is how long he has to carry out his task.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was fully immersed in the world. The forbidden (and even deadly) romance was slow burn and perfect, with plenty of yearning, even if it did start out as a fake romance. There were strong friendships, with a badass bestie for Viola and a secret society for Roze. Also, the greatest character of all, the gargoyle Waffles, who just seemed like an adorable overeager puppy most of the time until he had to protect Viola. The magic was complex and interesting to read about and I could’ve had plenty more of it! I was happy with the ending (which I won’t say more about!)

WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!

Highly intrigued by the synopsis and drawn by the gorgeous cover and title. Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me, and I struggled to connect with it. So many references to other books like Snow White (the apple, the mirror, the vengeful queen who hates her), Harry Potter (the diary, different houses, etc.), and Beauty and the Beast with the rose that serves as a countdown that it was too much and too messy. The magic system wasn't explained properly and was underdeveloped, leading to more questions and confusion as the mystery around the poison mysts and the queen unraveled in the end. The magic was explained simply as good and bad and that they balance each other, and that's it. Which leads to the feeling that all the things were made up in stride out of convenience—Viola's locket was mentioned out of nowhere when it was convenient, and to be honest, I still can't understand what role it played in the last scene. Moreover, what exactly were Viola's powers? Only shadows that kill or more? The Queen's magic was fueled by fear, but what fueled Viola's power? Honestly, I was confused a lot with the mirror's powers and the queen's powers. How they were tethered to the queen and shattering the mirror, it seemed, did nothing? What exactly happened with the Queen after she was killed, and what was the thing that held her there? The mirror or Roze? I couldn't figure it out?
As for Viola's character, she felt a bit childish, always rushing things without thinking of the consequences. Honestly, I couldn't bring myself to redeem her in my eyes. After the revelation, she killed Roze's father. It was too out of nowhere, and how she acted with Roze like nothing happened and investigated the murder with him was too much for me.
The secret society was another thing that was introduced without meaningful impact on the story at all. I was curious about Waffles, how he came to her life, and other information about him, but sadly, he was used only as a convenient tool when Viola needed saving.
Really tried to like this book, but bits here and there piled up and prevented me from liking it.

I loved this book, until the last 50ish pages. I feel like the ending was a bit rushed and the big plot twist from the main character just felt a bit.. off.

We were in her POV the whole time so for the twist to come out the way it did with no prior warning just felt a bit odd to me. I’d have liked the book to have been longer to elaborate on that further. But that’s just my opinion.

I’ve seen there is meant to be a sequel so maybe it’ll be expanded on, but I was left feeling a tiny bit dissatisfied.

The pace was fast and I enjoyed the fanfic vibes of Dramione and Snow White.

I’ll read book 2 for sure, but I will be a bit cautious based on the ending of this one.

This was a riveting read from the very first page! Honestly, un-putdownable.

I loved the dynamic between the MC and the MMC - the author puts us (the reader) into the story when it's already started. This horrendous tragedy has befallen a kingdom, and the residents have been living with the consequences of that tragedy for 20+ years.

I loved that it was also set in dark academia, whilst also set inside a royal palace. So many layers.

An exceptionally well-written book. I cried in so many places and was so invested in the story of not only the MC and MMC, but also of our fringe characters too.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND if you love - dark academia, strong MCs, very interesting magical systems and an intriguing political world.

A dark, deceitful, deadly delight.

Incredible. Snow White x Harry Potter vibes. Dramione vibes. Dark academia. Incredible plot. Sensational writing. Gorgeous romance. Interesting characters. Witch hunter x witch. Both MCs hiding dark secrets.

Everything in this book was perfect for my taste in reading. The only thing I would want more of is seeing Roze and Viola's relationship truly blossom after the events of this book. With the way this ended this could be a standalone but I'm hoping for a second because I already miss them!!!

I don't want to write a lot in fear of spoilers, but truly this book was everything I could hope for. Dark, funny, romantic, incredible banter between the two MCs, an interesting plot that had me needing to know more. Secret societies, a murder to be investigated AS WELL as figuring out how to overcome the mists that plague their kingdom.

Amber Hamilton, I devote my life to you now. I will be reading many more of your books to come.

Seven Deadly Thorns was a really fun read! I loved the dark school setting and the magic system, even though some parts were a little confusing. Viola is a strong main character with a dangerous secret, and Roze, the assassin prince, was such an interesting love interest. Their enemies-to-lovers relationship kept me hooked.

The story has mystery, danger, and romance, with some great twists (specially the fake engagement). The pacing was a bit slow in the middle, and I wish a few of the side characters had more depth. But overall, I really enjoyed it and definitely want to read the next book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was such a lovely retelling of Snow White, the cruel prince and also a bit of Cinderella. It made me think and remember these three books.
The setting was nice and mysterious and I could vividly picture what the author was describing. The writing was nice and fluid ans easy to follow, I never struggled to understand anything and every twist and turn was well written.
The two main characters were really nice, they had a nice feel to them and I loved how their story evolved: and that ending was absolutely stunning!
I really want to read book two, this one ended on such a a nice cliffhanger that I am delighted to read the next one.
The front cover is stunning, that bue is just so deep and brings a lot to the whole picture I have of this book.

I took a star off because although I really enjoyed it, sometimes the pacing was a bit off, it was sometimes too slow and sometimes too quick and I wanted more depth to the story. It felt like the words had been put there and I had so many more questions around this book.

Thank you netgalley, the publisher and the author for an arc of this book in exchange of my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury for an advanced copy of Seven Deadly Thorns by Amber Hamilton!

This book has all the tropes I love.

Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Fake engagement
Snow White retelling with a twist

Just all the things. This is a debut novel and it does feel that way. I enjoyed that it was a fast paced story with an interesting mystery. I love being in an academic setting but I do feel like the world building could have been fleshed out a bit more and at times it could be confusing. The two main characters have the fun witty banter that we’re used to seeing in romantasy books nowadays. I love that neither of our 2 main character are perfect and have some dark sides to them. Seeing them come together was so fun and I couldn’t put it down! Ahhh my heart. And little st. waffles has my heart.

Wayyyy too much going on in this hodgepodge of bits borrowed from other books. OUABH apples? Chamber of Secrets diary? Slightly modified but still there. The book was overwhelming with how much was happening and most of it didn't make any sense. It's a shame because I was quite enjoying it up until SPOILER the Queen died but from there it went downhill and by the 90% mark I was done

Seven Deadly Thorns is a compelling debut that sinks its claws into you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Set in the cursed kingdom of Aragoa, where magic is forbidden and punishable by death, the book blends dark academia, forbidden romance, and high-stakes fantasy into an addictively readable story.

Viola Sinclair is a magic-wielder hiding in plain sight at the elite Vandenberghe Academy. When her powers are discovered, she's marked for death by the queen, but her executioner is none other than Roze Roquelart, the arrogant crown prince, assassin, and fellow student. Instead of killing her, Roze proposes a fake engagement and a shaky alliance to solve a deeper mystery that ties both their fates together.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Viola and Roze is one of the book’s strongest elements. Their banter is sharp, the slow-burn tension is satisfying, and their relationship unfolds with just the right balance of distrust, grudging respect, and growing affection. Both characters are flawed, complex, and hiding painful secrets, and watching them navigate their attraction amidst political scheming and personal danger is a treat.

The world-building is rich without being overwhelming, and the story maintains a quick pace without losing depth. The magic system is unique, and the atmosphere of the academy (full of secrets, shadows, and suspicion) adds to the sense of urgency. Also, Saint Waffles, the fiercely loyal gargoyle companion, is an unexpected but delightful standout.

If anything, the ending felt a little rushed, and I was left with a few unanswered questions, but the setup suggests there’s more to come, and I’ll definitely be reading the next installment.

Amber Hamilton has crafted a romantasy that delivers on both the romance and the stakes. If you're a fan of The Cruel Prince, this one belongs on your shelf.

“If their peace is disturbed by your existence, then they never deserved peace.”

If The Cruel Prince collided with Powerless in a world laced with fairy-tale shadows and dark magic, you’d get Seven Deadly Thorns - an enchanting new fantasy romance from Amber Hamilton.

Due out in October 2025, this YA/NA debut is set in a cursed kingdom where the punishment for magic is death.

When Viola Sinclair's forbidden shadow magic is discovered, the Queen sends her assassin - none other than Prince Roze, Viola’s arrogant classmate - to kill her within seven days. If he fails, then he’ll be the one to die. But when Roze discovers he needs the help of Viola’s magic, the pair strike a bargain, and what follows is a race against time to unravel the long lost secrets of their world.

You can expect:

📜 Immersive world - set in the halls of Vandenberghe Academy, surrounded by a cursed mist, the dark academia vibe is luscious, eerie, and totally enchanting.

🕯️Mystery and intrigue - a murdered King, a secret society, a magic mirror, and an enchanted book that somehow holds all the answers? Yes please.

⚡Dramione vibes - Viola is top of her class, while Roze is all sharp features, entitlement, and icy hair. While his attitude may be cold, the tension between them is definitely not!

🖤 A pet gargoyle - Saint Waffles has my whole heart.

This book had me hooked from the outset. It's the first in a planned duology and I can’t wait for the sequel!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Say Hello to Amber Hamilton, the newest star to join the romantasy genre club. Seven Deadly Thorns is a captivating descent into a world where deadly magic intertwines with forbidden desire, creating a romantasy experience that will leave you utterly mesmerised.

Hamilton has masterfully crafted a narrative brimming with high-stakes intrigue, exquisite world building, brilliant characters (Saint Waffles!) and a sprinkle of spice.
The standout of Seven Deadly Thorns lies in its immersive world-building, a rich tapestry woven with intricate details that transport the reader to Vandenberghe Academy, a place where cursed destinies, deadly mists and thorned hearts are commonplace.

Enemies to Lovers fan? Well, Hamilton has you covered. Is this Combat or Courtship? Desire or Destruction?
The very air crackles with the palpable tension between Viola and Roze, whose enemies-to-lovers dynamic is as thorny as it is irresistible.
Viola and Roze’s romance simmers under layers of betrayal, trauma, and suspicion. The emotional push and pull between these two, highlights how attraction can blur lines between enemy and ally.
The portrayal of love, not as a healing force, but a volatile weapon capable of manipulation, redemption, and ruin, was utterly delicious.

Hamilton's prose is sharp and witty, particularly in the banter between the protagonists, injecting levity into the dark undercurrents of the story. However, at its core, the novel is a slow-burn romance, a controlled inferno of passion that ignites gradually, promising an explosive payoff.
You will find yourselves completely enthralled by the dark allure and addictive nature of Seven Deadly Thorns. Be warned, however, this is a story that will sink its thorns deep into your heart and leave you yearning for more.

The absolute best enemies to lovers is Jude and Cardan, and I’ve yet to find something that even remotely compares. This is by far the nearest and best I’ve found.

The romance is just delicious. 100% enemies, he’s the arrogant prince and she’s a mere commoner, she thinks he tried to have her killed, it really is giving Cruel Prince vibes, and I love it. The way their relationship develops is perfectly done, not at all rushed or forced. And the dialogue between them is just stunning.

The side characters were great, and an attack gargoyle called Waffles is iconic tbh.

There were a few Snow White elements in there, but it doesn’t feel like a Snow White retelling at all. The world building was great - I really liked the idea of the entire city being indoors, and the Mist was a great touch.

My only criticism is the ending. It felt quite abrupt and rushed. The final battle was just finishing and I was on 99%. I would expect another chapter or two after the big confrontation to really wrap things up, and this just didn’t have that - it had 2 pages, which isn’t enough for me, we went from being in the thick of the action to finished in literally 2 minutes. For me there needed to be a bit more at the end.
(As far as I can tell, this book is a standalone? However it could very easily be book one in a duology, in which case I would happily overlook a slightly abrupt ending)

Absolutely solid 5/5, what a debut.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

A deliciously dark and addictive romantasy that blends deadly magic, forbidden love, and high-stakes intrigue. Thorned hearts and cursed destinies collide at Vandenberghe Academy, where Viola and Roze’s enemies-to-lovers tension crackles on every page.

With rich world-building, sharp banter, and a romance that burns slow and fierce, this is a must-read for fans of The Cruel Prince and Powerless. Utterly unputdownable.

3.75*

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the ARC. I am leaving this review of my own free will.

Viola, a magic wielder (meiga) living in a world where magic is punishable by death, is in her final year of studies at Vandenberghe. Unfortunately, she’s shadowed by the cruel and loathsome prince—known for executing meigas—who seems determined to make her life miserable.
When Viola is discovered as a meiga and brought before the prince, she expects the worst. Instead, he saves her life, proposing an unlikely alliance: he needs her help to solve the mystery of his father’s death. To keep her safe during their seven-day truce, Roze suggests a fake betrothal. But as feelings surface and secrets begin to unravel, it becomes clear that nothing is quite as it seems.

This was a really easy read, and I really enjoyed the originality of the premise. The magic system was unique and well thought out, and the plot kept me gripped throughout. It was well-paced, with a few twists I genuinely didn’t see coming—which made it even more enjoyable.

I liked Viola; she’s determined and steady, although I did find it a little frustrating how quickly she wavered in her opinions of the prince without all the facts. Roze, on the other hand, was a really interesting character. Watching his truths slowly come to light and seeing his growth was one of the highlights of the book for me. Their relationship is a true slow burn, and it was so sweet—especially that letter he left. I was welling up!

And can we talk about Waffles? Easily the best character. Though I have to ask—why the name Waffles for a deadly gargoyle? It doesn’t exactly scream “fearsome creature,” but maybe that was the point. Either way, he was a delight.

My only real gripe was the ending. I found it a little hard to follow and a bit lacklustre compared to the rest of the book. That said, it feels like the door’s been left open for a sequel—and if there is one, I’ll definitely be reading it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it

I really enjoyed this book and loved the spin on the snow white aspect, It was a really quick read and once I started I couldn't stop i just wanted to know what was happening.

I always love enemies to lovers and this one was perfect and gave me everything I wanted and more between the two main characters, they reminded me a lot of Jude and Carden in the way they acted towards the other. The star for me though was the cute little sidekick in waffles!

Overall this was a really engaging and fast paced thought out story with beautiful writing!

Thank you so much to Publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.