When I requested this, I did not realize it was a prequel short story to Intisar Khanani’s Thorn series. I was a tad nervous to read it for that reason since I had no knowledge of the characters or the plot line. However, I read this with absolutely no issues and now I must get her other work because WOW. I absolutely love the caring and empathetic character of Alyrra and I want to know more about her story. Also, can we talk about that cover!? Gorgeous!!!!! I cannot wait to learn more about this world. Thank you for the opportunity to read an early copy!

I will post my review to my instagram, @bookworm.mckenzie, on Monday, November 23rd.

I haven't read Thorn, but I very much enjoyed this short story and the world it introduces. I can understand fans of book series wanting prequels and that they can be helpful, but usually I prefer to go forward rather than backward when I'm reading a series. I'm glad I got to read this now and am looking forward to reading Thorn.

It'll be interesting to see how these characters develop in Thorn. They seemed just a bit 2 dimensional here - either very good or very bad, but there's a limit to what you can do in a short story. As well, if these characters are already introduced in Thorn, that also explains why they aren't as fleshed out in Brambles. Still, an engaging introduction to this world.

I just read Thorn a few weeks ago and LOVED it! After doing a little searching to see if there was anything else in the same world I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of Brambles (THANK YOU!!) I REALLLY wish I would have read this before Thorn. I feel like Brambles adds so much to the story that is necessary. There were a few times at the beginning of Thorn that I felt like Princess Alyrra being so disliked was unrealistic and Brambles makes the storyline make sense 100%. They allude to what happened but never in a satisfactory way. I think this beginning makes Thorn go from a 4star book to a 5star book. It's the little bit that was missing and I am so thrilled to have gotten to read it!! I HIGHLY recommend reading this prior to Thorn as you will enjoy Thorn way more in my opinion.

Brambles is a prequel novella to the full length Thorn which I've read and loved. It shows the seminal event that set things in motion later on in Thorn and contains all the major players. Princess Alyrra defends a servant against false accusations, because she can't stand to see her executed and makes enemies both of her brother and Valka, the spoiled daughter of a powerful lord who is also her brother's fiancé. It is short and satisfying and fleshes out the characters' back story for Thorn. I enjoyed revisiting this world and having read this in one sitting hope to get a proper full length sequel to Thorn.

Thanks to NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#BramblesStory #NetGalley

Brambles is exactly what I wanted it to be. The pacing and characters of this short story are perfect. Even not having read any other books in this series, the characters were clear and so alive. I flew through this story and immediately wanted more. Alyrra is a wonderful mix of innocent and strong - a mix that will make for a fantastic character to follow and enjoy. I have not yet read Thorn, and I wanted to use this glimpse of the story before Thorn to see if I would like it. Turns out I cannot get a hold of Thorn fast enough. Even in the middle of reading other things as well, I am ready to drop all of them and pick up all the books that Intisar Khanani has ever written. This story reminds me of all my favorite fantasy books that I read growing up and still love to this day. I get a little feel of Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles and a little bit of Tamora Pierce's books. I can even feel a little bit of Charlie N. Holmberg. Even with all of those, this story is something all it's own. It fits in perfectly with all of my favorite books from over the years, and I can't wait to read Thorn!

It's a novelette following Alyrra known to readers of Thorn. It fleshes her character and gives readers insights into her past and origin story (of sorts). That said, it felt slightly redundant. I found nothing new here. All told, a solid quick read.

“I’d rather be sweet and useless than sharp and dangerous.”

🌹 Brambles is a quick glance into the life of Alyrra before the events of her main story in Thorn. In Brambles we get to see Alyrra make a choice out of kindness, and see the consequences that come along with that.

Brambles is a great short story, and if you’re a fan of Thorn I would definitely suggest this little snippet for more of the world you already love! This one gets 4 stars from me and has me itching to reread Thorn! 🌹

“I’ve got a secret…wouldn’t you like to know it?”

Brambles reveals the origin of princess Alyrra, and how she came to be reviled by her family and her court. What they consider to be betrayal, others consider an act of bravery and honesty. Life at court is perilous, full of secrets and schemes, and Alyrra doesn’t seem cut out for it, unlike her mother and brother. She will learn quickly that in Adania, all actions have consequences, and something as small as an act of integrity has the power to change the course of her future forever.

Consider me hooked! Right from the first sentence, Intisar Khanani had my attention, and she kept it the whole time I was reading. I went into this book blind, drawn in by the simple but pleasing cover. I didn’t realize until the last page that it was a short prequel to the main book, Thorn, which was released earlier this year.

Brambles is a succinct introduction to the kingdom of Adania, and provides a glimpse into young princess Alyrra’s life and the people that surround her. For a short story, the characters are well developed, and you can see Alyrra’s growth over the course of five chapters. I appreciate how the author lets the story flush out her characters as it develops. We get insight into the princess’s personality by her thoughts and actions, rather than a few simple descriptors thrown out at the beginning of the first chapter. I was impressed in the depth that Intisar Khanani was able to create in only 40 pages.

Brambles unfolds quickly and, while a bit predictable in its story arc, is a satisfying read that made me bond with Alyrra and feel disappointed when it ended all too soon. It left me wanting more, which is exactly what you want from a prequel. As soon as I was finished I added Thorn to my Reading List.

If you like Young Adult Fantasy and want to sample a new author without committing to a full novel, I recommend reading Brambles.

I loved Thorn so much and it was wonderful being back in this world and especially being able to see exactly what happened which led to to the events in Thorn. Despite it being a short story it gave the main character a lot more depth and we can see why later she would be so conflicted about things.
It's a great story and i highly recommend reading this after you read Thorn.

I needed to read a novella at the moment and I was so happy when reading this. I mean I enjoyed the book and definitely think it’s a great prequel that will help people understand the backstory of Thorne.

After reading Thorn earlier this year and really loving it I was really excited to read more in this world. I really loved the characters and learning where they started and how they came to get to where they were at the beginning of Thorn was really intriguing. I did think overall it was a little short and I would have liked for it to be a little longer and delve a little deeper into where the characters were at that point in the story however it was a short quick read that was sweet to find out more information about this world. I don't think this is necessary but it was good fun.
4 out of 5 stars.

3.5 stars

This short Novella follows Alyrra, many years before we start following her in Thorn and gives a good insight into her psyche and how she came to be who she is. The writing as in thorn is stunning and so atmospheric, and alyrra is such an easy character to care about.

I feel like this would be a really good thing to read if you are unsure about reading Thorn and want to get a taste of the writing and the characters, however having read Thorn myself I thought it was slightly redunant as we didn't really find out anything new and it was very short - I would have loved for it to be a bit longer to get to know a bit more about Alyrra and her past.

I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh wow, I do love a good prequel novella. And for one of my favourite books of the year too. This really sets up the relationships between Alyrra, her family and Valka that we see in Thorn.

This perfectly shows why Alyrra is so disdained and abused by her family, and how she comes to hide with the servants, or even how she meets the wind. And the back story for the relationship between her brother and Valka was fascinating. I have loved to have seen a little into Valka’s full plan and motivations, what her friends mother caught her doing, and what her brother’s motivations were as well, even though this works as a single point of view. I basically just want all the stories told multiple times! I love this universe so :D

Short and perfectly sweet. A must read if you loved Thorn. 4 stars.

This is a little bite of a story that shows the crucial events that happen before THORN. A central event in the main book is Alyrra shaming noblewoman Valka over a theft, and this historical event impacts their entire interaction.

While THORN does explain what happened, BRAMBLES brings more emotion to it, as it's no longer a recounted tale. It also does a good job of also setting up her isolation and the coldness of her family.

It's very difficult to rate a short story, especially one that fits into a larger series. When I requested this e-arc, I didn't realise this was the case, so it's my fault. I got so intrigued by the description, the fantastic setting, and political intrigue, that I didn't realise it was a sort of prequel. while I was not already familiar with these characters, the story felt quite interesting and intriguing and I might go on to read the full-length novels soon, lets see!
#NetGalley

After reading Thorn, I was a little surprised. The story was simple and not too profound. It was enjoyable and beautiful to read. I always like to read retellings of fairytales and this story was no exception. When I found out there would be a short prequel, I really wanted to read it. It'll come out this December, a few months before the second book in the Daunthless Path will be released.

This prequel tells the story of Alyrra, a few years before everything that happened in Thorn. It was an enrichment to read about this character, several years younger and how her brother and mother turned against her. Alyrra’s kindness and loveliness are very well written and forthcoming. Despite her losing everything due to her honesty, she’s not all alone after all. This prequel makes me long to read the next book soon!

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Brambles is a novella set before the book Thorn by Intisar Khanani, which is based on the tale of the Goose Girl. The novella seemed to be an in-depth character study, particularly focusing on Princess Alyrra, and how she came to be disgraced in her family.

"Know this," my mother says softly. "You have chosen your future. I must keep the throne for your brother, and if that means you fall for your stupidity, then fall. There is no one here who will catch you."

I went into this novella not really knowing what to expect, but I was hooked in straight away! I haven't read Thorn, but I was able to understand everything and I think this is a good introduction into the fantasy world. The characters all have such vivid personalities, especially Valka and Alyrra's brother. I hated Valka so much! Intisar Khanani portrays court politics and scheming very well, which is one of my favourite parts of a fantasy book. Alyrra shows herself to have a heart of gold - she is so young but she knows she should use her privilege to stand up for what is right. I felt so much sympathy for her, especially at the end of the novella. I'm definitely intrigued to learn more about her.

"I may have fallen, fallen from my family and, no doubt, from the court's favor - but I am far from alone."

I will say that even for a novella, this is extremely short. I read it in one sitting - it only took me about 10 minutes to read it. So it's a fun quick read, but I would have liked it to be a bit longer to see even more plot and character development. At times, it was hard to read about Alyrra's mistreatment and the schemes of Valka and Alyrra's brother. It seemed to end quite abruptly as well, and I was expecting a little more. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this novella and now I do want to check out the author's books.

3/5 stars

I read Thorn many years ago and truly enjoyed it. Brambles is a prequel to the novel Thorn and is a very insightful book. For anyone who has read or will read Thorn, this book is definitely worth the read!!



Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

I was a big fan of Thorn which is the story that follows this and always did wonder at the background story between Alyrra and Valka.

Alyrra in this story is exactly how we first meet her in Thorn. Though in this, she has a good relationship with her mother, brother and Valka.

There’s not so much needed in terms of world building as you will have presumably read Thorn first but it’s nice to see some other people that are friendly with Alyrra. Even her first encounter with the wind that helped her in Thorn.

I think this story reinforces Thorn in showing Valka as a manipulative character and is willing to hurt people to make a point, even before the incident. The same goes with her brother, he is cruel and callous.

Alyrra on the other hand, not trained in politics or malice, shows kindness and while that ostracises her from her family, she gains the love and respect from those deemed less than her.

Loyalty through love is much stronger than loyalty through fear and malice.

Thank you Intisar for giving us this little insight into Alyrra’s life pre-Thorn. It filled a little gap and it was lovely to dive back into her world.

The story of a princess who, through one act of kindness, finds herself at the mercy of her cruel and merciless brother.

This is pitched as a prequel of sorts to Thorn, which I haven't read. I don't think that took anything away from my reading experience however, as I found Alyrra to be a well rounded protagonist who has strong moral values. For such a short read, I felt drawn to her as a character and wanted her to escape her brother's wrath. I could also see the early formation of loyalty and friendship between Alyrra and her servants. She's kind, and honest and good. Everything you should want in a princess, but not in this kingdom. In this kingdom, it pays to be cruel.

We get hints of world building, and it really had me intrigued to read Thorn with all the talk of political machinations and alliances that dictate how the court and outside kingdoms work. It was very easy to read too. I flew through this little story in under an hour, and was hooked in from the start.

A great introduction to a fascinating fantasy fairy tale with strong villainous characters and a sweet protagonist.