I had been looking forward to reading this book, and it didn't disappoint. Highly enjoyable read, which I highly recommend

<i> The fate of an era rests on our lips. I speak prophecies that could crown kings, and his kiss could decide empires when bestowed on the right person.</i>
I went into this book blind. Read the blurb, thought it sounded right up my street and my gosh did I absolutely LOVE it.

<i> Violet Made of Thorns </i> is a dark fairytale with a morally grey main character who is flawed and messy, selfish and cynical. But oh-so incredible in every way. This story is absolutely perfect for fans of fairytale retellings, as Gina Chen expertly sprinkles well known fairytales throughout this story, crafting them into something new and wholly unique. The world set up gave me big Ella Enchanted vibes (the Ann Hathaway movie) with the set up of universities and gossip mags, fan clubs and politics. <i> Everyone has heard of the miller's kind daughter who marries richly, or of the maid who coaxes the man out of the beast, of the faithful girls locked in towers waiting for their knights. </i> It was fun and rich, layers of beautiful world building and politics and a Enemies-to-Lovers storyline I am in awe of.

I adored Violet, her sarcasm and her outlook on life <i>' I'm not kind either. Kind people get eaten alive in this world. </i>  Having grown up on the streets, then taken in at the age of 11 to be the Royal Seer, witch Violet knows how to tell people what they want to hear, how to lie and grapple and claw to get herself on top.<i>Better to run with wolves then be devoured by them </i> She is opportunistic, stubborn and proud.
And there is no one she is more stubborn and prideful around then the not-so- charming Prince Cyrus. The chemistry between these two is INTENSE, and it takes enemies-to-lovers to a whole new level - they are absolute enemies whilst they are lovers, and they aim to ruin each other however they can <i> 'I understand now how he wants me as much as he hates me: I'm the splinter in his heart, digging deeper with every attempt to remove me.' </i> Cyrus is noble and stubborn, hating the way his father is trying to expand their kingdom, how there is a curse resting on his shoulders that his (still need to find her) bride will either save or damn their kingdom. He dislikes the frivolity and vanity of the socialites, but most if all he hates what his father has turned the orphan Seer Violet into.
The relationship between them is unpredictable and dangerous. Nothing like a sprinkling of forbidden love and the edge of betrayal to spice up an already precarious situation.
<i> I don't know how to be soft. I barely believe in love. But I am the worse thing in Cyrus's life and nothing has tasted sweeter.</i>

This incredible story has prophecy's and deception, princes and witches, magic and politics, curses and romance. What more could you possibly want?

A Violet made of thorns follows Violet a Seer, one who can see the lines of fate and use them to tell the future, or the past. She is in charge of prophesizing the fate of Prince Cyrus. Who she hates. And the feeling is entirely mutual. The king is watching her every move, and she may have lied in her last prophesy about the prince finding his true love.

To start with, the cover for this book is absolutely stunning. The plot is equally as spellbinding. I love the dark tension that fills this book. The pacing was excellent and kept me on my toes throughout.

The story is deeply based in fairytales. You can see their influence throughout the plot and the world building. The magic blended in well with the rest of the universe and fed into the mysterious tension of the overall book.

Violet was an interesting main character. I get the feeling that people will either love her or hate her — I was a little bit in between. She is presented as morally grey, which is technically true, but it did feel like she was flip flopping from good to bad, trying to decide on one of them, rather than being a true blend. Despite that she is witty and cunning and, at least for me, thoroughly enjoyable.

The romance fell a little short for me. I often have mixed feelings about enemies to lovers, and for me Violet an Cyrus are much more convincing as enemies. That is of course not to say that there isn’t a lot of angsty sexual tension. The romance was a little rushed, but the backstabbing and betrayals kept their relationship interesting throughout. I would say this is a love story for the cynics, who believe in love as something messy and imperfect.

I would say, that this isn’t really an ‘asian inspired romance retelling’ the society its in is white and western based. Violet is the only real ‘asian’ character, and even she doesn’t have a strong connection to her heritage. It does touch on some of the racism that Violet encounters, but it was closer to commentary than true representation.

Overall this is a very entertaining book, and I will be looking to for the sequel.

Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an eARC. It was much appreciated.

Violet is a seer, brought up in the palace with the royal family and guiding the country and the king through the application of prophesies and a few outright lies. When she is asked to provide the prince a love story, she sets a curse in motion – one that has unexpected results for her and the boy she loathes.

There was a lot to like about this book. It was well-written and the plot itself was strong, and I’d definitely like to know how the curse resolves itself. I also liked how inspiration was drawn from several fairy tales. That was enjoyable. I also loved Violet. She was a fantastic, prickly heroine. She kept herself so distant from the rest of the world, keeping people at arm’s length because she doesn’t want to be hurt and I loved her for that.

I also enjoyed the side characters – particularly Camilla. She was a lot of fun! Though I did wish that there had been more of an equal society, as Camilla, despite being the eldest wasn’t the heir.

Unfortunately, this was not a book for me; however, that’s not to say that it’s a bad
book. There were elements there that I think a lot of other people will enjoy, and it’s more me than it is them. I’m finding it a lot harder to enjoy YA these days – though that might be my age – and its rare that first person works for me. I’m also not the greatest fan of enemies to lovers, and this is very much that. You feel the loathing between Violet and Cyrus, and you can also see the lust, but for me the loathing was just too strong to believably tip over into love. Like I said, that’s a me thing – I think anyone who likes enemies to lovers will enjoy this a lot more than I did.

I couldn't stop reading this book! I loved how open they were with the romance and the characters didn't batter an eyelid over being with anyone regardless of sex (was more seer and royalty shouldn't date) and how the main character was so morally grey, she was doing things that she thought was right and wasn't always striving to be a saint. The romance was explosive and fun without being too explicit, the plots and magic were well done and I enjoyed digging deeper into the world. Looking forward to book 2!

Unfortunately this wasn’t for me. Whilst it was written well, it seemed very stereotypical and the characters were easy to forget. Really enjoyed the concept though

Of course, is this only my personal opinion on the book and just because I give this rating to the book doesn’t mean, that everyone will have that opinion. I received this ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own!

This book immediately gave me Cardan and Jude in Wicked King Vibes and I am here for it! But please don’t mistake this comparison for lack of originality. This story is still fantastic on its own.
The writing style is comfortable and easy to read. I would say that you can also read this book if English is not your native language and you want to dip your foot into reading English fantasy. I really enjoyed my reading time.
I had some problems with the world-building at the beginning. The world is not overly complex like a high fantasy book, but I like to know where I am while reading, so: Thanks for the map!
The plot was really good and fast-paced and if I didn’t need sleep that night, I would have devoured it in one sitting.
I like the characters a lot, especially Violet, because she is a strong female protagonist, who isn’t a mindless mess in terms of men.
Yes, there is some spice in this book but nothing overly erotic so I think it still fits into the YA Genre.
I am excited for the next book in this duology and also to see what other book ideas Gina Chen will come up with.

Conclusion
Perfect for Fans of Cruel Prince in need of a nice Enemies to Something Fantasy Story.

If you want to read more of my reviews check out my blog ( https://paulajosina.wordpress.com/ ) or my Instagram ( @bloggerinthejogger)

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen is the start of a new ya fantasy duology.

Violet is a prophet and seer in this world. This gives her a special position that provides her a good life. But she is kind of an anti-heroine who doesn’t always tell the truth. This was so unique and seeing Violet‘s flaws from the beginning made her so much more relatable.

She works for the kingdom and the king really likes her. But the prince is the exact opposite and can’t stand her and Prince Cyrus would rather get rid of her immediately. Cyrus was also such a fascinating character and I loved him as well.

Violet and Cyrus just know how to push each other’s buttons, but at the same time there are sparks between them. However, that is the last thing they need as the land is under a curse and no one can mess with fate. I just loved every page of this book and I already can’t wait to buy a physical copy and reread it while waiting for the next installment. Also one of my favorite stories is the folk of the air series and this book kind of gave me the same vibes and I was all for that.

Overall, Violet Made of Thorns not only has amazing characters, but also an enemies-to-lovers and dark fairytale vibe and that made it my new favorite. 5 stars.

(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

This was an okay read. The writing felt bland and a little inconsistent at the times. I really liked the pitch for the romance but it ended up falling flat for me. The characters were a little annoying and bland except for Violet. I really liked her character as an antiheroine and was a fresh change from the usual young adult heroines. The world building was interesting but also confusing and needed a bit more work. I think the idea for this book was great and had potential but ultimately the execution wasn't too great.

"To be remembered as someone good, you have to do good.
To be remembered as someone great, you have to get elbow-deep in bullshit and come out looking spotless".

"Violet made of thorns" was a very enjoyable read. The characters felt real and envoked vivid emotions from compassion to irritation to heartfelt sympathy again.
The plot took lots of unexpected turns – and inspiration taken from famous fairytales (Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast and definitely some others!) didn't make the story predictable at all! Up to the last page I wasn't sure how the book was going to end.

The main heroine is truly a person with gray morals, which she proves every step of the way. I disagreed with her a lot but it was as if I disagreed with a real person, and it was such an invigorating feeling to get from a book character.
The prince is obviously appealing, and it isn't a bad thing. I felt like the main two make a good couple, and they could form a nice team once they get used to working together more. Especially Violet.
Thus far, as it was wisely noted in the book, "more sparks fly from friction, not cooperation".
I'll be glad to know what the autor has in store for them in the sequel.
Side-characters, Dante and Camille, felt thought-through and stood out with their curious opinions and tastes. I wonder how their destinies unravel in the second installment.

You'll love this book if you enjoyed "The Cruel Prince" and the hate to love dynamics between Jude and Cardan.

Big thanks to Gina Chen, her publishers and NetGalley for letting me read this marvelous romantic fairytale! #VioletMadeOfThorns #NetGalley

Violet & cyrus are literally goals, I loved this books and can't wait to see where the next book takes us.
Thank you to both Hodder & Stoughton publishers and Netgalley for providing this ARC for review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of "Violet Made of Thorns" by Gina Chen

I loved this book! It felt very YA to me and the characters were fab. As the blurb says, it is perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince. However, I don't think it really needs a sequel, the book truly speaks for itself. I am excited to see what Chen does for the sequel and how this duology develops.

Wow!!

Violet & Cyrus are probably 2 of my fave characters to read about this year. The story is gripping and very easy to read, I cannot wait for the second one

Violet is a prophet and a liar, influencing the court as Seer 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 her of her title once he's crowned.
After the king asks her to falsely prophesy Cyrus's love story for an upcoming ball, Violet awakens a dreaded curse about the prince's future bride. Her wits may protect her in the cutthroat court, but they can't protect her against fate - nor the doomed attraction growing between her and the Prince. BRILLIANT… If I could I would give it more than 5 stars. Excellent.

I’m so sad I didn’t enjoy this one!! I adore The Cruel Prince so I thought I would eat this book up! But sadly, it fell flat for me. The whole book felt a bit childish, and I didn’t really get a sense of the world, and when I did it felt very random and out of the blue. I couldn’t connect with Violet or care about Cyrus, and overall I didn’t really enjoy the characters. I do think that I somehow picked up this book at the wrong time because I kept feeling like I SHOULD enjoy it, I SHOULD love the story and the characters, but I just couldn’t. I do have to say though, that for a debut novel this was really well written. I might reread it later at another time, because I feel like I really missed out on something good.

Oh man I loved it!! You had me at enemies to lovers .I loved every single thing about this book. Not my usual style so when I come across a gem like this I appreciate it. Would definitely recommend and can't wait for the book 2.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

A dark whimsical fantasy with morally grey ambigious characters? Yes, please!
Once again I consumed Violet Made of Thorns in a day, I just could not put it down. I loved how deliciously cunning and selfish each character was, it really satisfied the part of me that had been craving a dark political fantasy filled with hatred and royalty.

Violet Made of Thorns has come up in a lot of much-anticipated 2022 lists thanks to this tantalising blurb: Violet is a prophet and a liar, influencing the court as Seer 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 her of her title once he's crowned.
With a premise like that it went straight onto my wishlist so I was delighted when it turned up on Netgalley. But did it live up to expectations?
As promised Violet is a Seer living in an ambitous, fractious court with an ambitous king who plucked Violet from the streets after she saved his son's life and placed her in the Seer's tower. After twelve years in orphanages and on the streets, Violet will do anything to keep her life of luxury and so if the king wants her to lie at times, so be it. But one person she doesn't fool is the prince whose life she saved, the prince under a curse, the prince who she loathes but is also drawn to even though she knows he's fated to fall in love with another - and has to if he is to save the kingdom.
It's an intriguing mix of Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella with some clever world building and a heroine who takes her chosen one status and exploits it which is a nice change. However, the book is written in first person present which means the reader is never freed from Violet and, as in 99/100 cases, I think that's a mistake. I loathe 1st person present especially in YA (those 1/100 cases excepted) and the book would have been much better third past or even first past. The imagery was also overblown and I wish the endless rose scents, thorns and tastes of blood had been pruned by at least a third, the love hate felt cliched rather than genuine, and Violet herself less amoral and independent than promised. And less clever, as, knowing the present king had only a short time left before abdicating would she really so openly antogonise the prince?
A good idea with a lot of potential but one that for me, missed more than it hit.

If you love fantasy intrigue and cutthroat court politics, this one is for you. Excellent world building, fast paced plot and great characters. Really enjoyed this one.

Loved this! Amazingly written and kept me reading even when I had to stop I wanted to read more !! Can’t wait to read more from this author !!