I will update the review with a link to our blog closer to publication date.
I'd like to thank the publisher Hodder & Stoughton and netgalley for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially very excited to start reading violet made of thorns, and when my arc request was approved, I dropped my entire tbr list and the book I was currently reading, because dark fantasy and enemies to lovers? yes please.

It took a while for me to become invested in the book, as the story didn't grab me immediately, and there were a lot of issues with the writing style. The author focused too much on random dumps of information, and neglected the world building. It was difficult to visualise anything, even the character's appearances were blurry to me. The character's had no real depth to them, and it made it hard for me to care about any of them. The only character that was well written was violet, and even then, I didn't really have an opinion on her.

It was obvious that violet was written to be morally grey, but on page, that didn't translate to me. There were occasions where she would make snappy remarks, or react impulsively when there was a crowd, but there was nothing groundbreaking about her attitude, or her character, and it just felt like she was trying too hard. I appreciate that her character wasn't wholly good or bad, and despite her manipulating people, and making choices that benefitted her, she maintained her character the whole way through, but still cared for those around her.

The story risked becoming repetitive, however there were moments that I really liked and found funny, and the chemistry between violet and cyrus had potential. However, I didn't feel like the enemies to lovers dynamic was as strong as it could have been. I didn't feel a connection, as again, the prince wasn't really developed as a character. For the majority of the story, he seemed to just ignore violet's taunting, or dismiss her, as opposed to war with her, like the enemies violet kept telling us they were.

I liked the ending a lot, there was a pick up in the pace, and the plot was a lot more dramatic, and perfectly sets up the second book, which I would be open to reading, as there was enough in the book to keep me interested.

3⭐️- An enemies to lovers romance filled with sizzling tension, but at times a little rushed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the Advanced DRC in exchange for an honest review :-)

I’d like to start by saying that this was an enjoyable read, and I am intrigued to see how the duology will be concluded in the future. Our protagonist, Violet, a prickly & plucky orphan who is blessed with the sight, never quite fits into royal court life after she saved the life of the Prince and became the kingdom’s seer as a child. Despite her icy and defiant nature you can’t help but like her, and the chemistry between her and Prince Cyrus was by far my favourite thing about this. I could not get enough of them together! Kudos to the author for managing to portray an enemies to lovers that felt genuine and I was compelled to root for.

Unfortunately, this book did not get a higher rating from me because, while it was an enjoyable read, there was a few issues I had with it. Firstly, the pacing felt quite rushed and at times i was left a little confused or wishing that there had been a bit more detail into the logistics of what was happening or just that the author had explored things a little bit more so that I felt really immersed in what I was reading.There was a lot going on and I think things became a bit lost or their impact was reduced because there wasn’t enough depth and it felt a little undercooked.

Without being too spoilery (but the slightest spoilers so read with caution)there were multiple occasions throughout the novel where Violet hears a voice/voices and this conversation plays out on the page. However, I found this very confusing to read, mostly because, whilst what violet says is punctuated in speech marks, what was being said to Violet by the voice(s) wasn’t and so it melded into other text and was difficult to distinguish it as being ‘spoken’ to her. My guess would be that this is done because violet is hearing these voices in her head not out loud (that only she can hear them) but it was still difficult to comprehend as a reader.

Despite this, i would still like to read the second book and find out what happens next as the concept of this book is really interesting and I loved the relationship between Violet and Cyrus. I currently have lots of questions and theories and there are things I would love to see explored further so I’m excited (and hopeful!) for book 2!

Violet is a Seer, but she often lies about her visions to suit the King who gave her a home. His son, Prince Cyrus, doesn't trust her and the dislike is entirely mutual - until the Kingdom comes under threat and it seems they may not hate each other so much after all...

I was really excited about this book, but it didn't quite live up to what I'd hoped. Violet is a very brash and arrogant character, and I definitely fell on the side of disliking her. Unfortunately, there weren't any characters that I particularly liked, and that spoiled my enjoyment to an extent. The plot was also very choppy - it felt like events were bouncing around disjointedly and nothing was really connecting up. As a result, by the end I wasn't particularly invested in the betrayals or the outcomes.

I did like the world building and the magic system was interesting (if a little vague and unexplored), but this probably isn't a book I'd go back to again.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A fun romp that cuts through the glittery fairytale tropes with a cynical knife.

Violet Made of Thorns is the beginning of a duology that follows our titular Violet, a seer working for the Auveny royals and who has had to deal with the demands of a cutthroat court through mastering the art of lying and shielding her heart from others. However, a prophecy delivered by the previous seer's dying breath about Prince Cyrus, his bride, a curse and the kingdom's fate has left the kingdom anxious. As a "solution," she's delivered a fake prophecy by the order of the king about Cyrus's love story, only to be haunted by dreaded dreams and different prophecies. Fate does not seem to be on her side, nor Cyrus's; they defied it once, can they do it again?

The writing voice is very Violet: straightforward with little glamour, reflecting her cynical outlook and pride. There's a chance that Violet might be an "unlikable" protagonist but it doesn't matter: I have enough love for her to balance out the hatred.

From the very beginning, Violet and Cyrus have been drawn to each other except with teeth bared and sharp comebacks. It was quite enjoyable to read their banter and seeing how, slowly, the layers of their hatred were peeled back to reveal their true feelings. Ugh, all the brief but stolen glances and snarls and will-we-burn-each-other-or-save-each-other thing is addicting to read.

Quick-fire notes:
- I love how self-aware the book is about a couple of the tropes it's using, to the point that it's purposeful on the characters' end (ahem, for example, "happens to pose the right way, which highlights the beauty of the character's features, which enchants the POV character"). Again, quite fun to read, especially mixed in with deadpan humor!
- The book pulls elements from several fairytales, notably Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, but the way it twists and remixes them feels fresh and intriguing.

I'm excited to see what's next in store!

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well written with an enchanting storyline and well developed characters who e like marmite and I totally fell in ,love with them. The world building is also excellent with vivid descriptions and rich imagery that made me feel like I could jump into the pages - and if I could have - I would. A really enjoyable read that makes me excited for what is to come.

Violet Made of Thorns follows Violet who is a seer. The story is told in first person from Violet's point of view. It is Gina Chen's debut novel and the first part of a duology. Violet is a seer so the court believes her prophecies but she has been manipulating the people by changing the wording of her divinations. There is a dreaded curse surrounding Cyrus which will make or break the kingdom. Tensions build between Cyrus and Violet. The kingdom needs to be saved amid the attraction between Cyrus and Violet. The writing is easy to read and enjoyable. I can easily see many people loving this young adult fantasy novel. The map is gorgeous too. However, I cannot give it more than three stars because it did feel a little flat to me and I suspect that is because I am not the audience for this novel.

Actual rating: ★★★★.75

Well shit. Now I have to wait until 2023 for the sequel. This cover! 😌👌 Violet made of thorns is a great and very entertaining debut. As a major fan of morally grey characters, enemies to lovers and dark fantasy this book was perfect for me. People who hate and kiss each other? 😈 Yes please.

Cyrus, a cursed prince who's kingdom's fate relies on him choosing a bride, wants to marry for love. He has been stalling for too long so the king, with the help of his seer, sets him up with a noblewoman. But the seer–Violet– has dreams and visions. The prince's bride is not who she seems to be. Together they work to unravel the secrets to prevent something terrible from happening.

The burning question: Is Violet made of thorns similar to The cruel prince? Not really in my opinion, other than the enchantments and intense love/hate relationship between Cyrus and Violet. I'd say it's a bit more romance focused.

The story is inspired by multiple fairytales. I noticed subtle references to Cinderella, Beauty and the beast and Sleeping Beauty.

I loved Violet for being brutally honest and an unapologetic liar at the same time. Cyrus is a pretentious ass lol. He and Violent were always bickering at the beginning. Later they start to get along better. Sometimes. He wants to have her gone but Violent, well... She's determined to keep her position as the kingdom's seer. Then we have Dante, Cyrus' best friend and confidant,who was also a favorite. He's the neutral middle ground between them. And lastly Camilla, Cyrus' twin sister, a supportive sapphic queen. 😏

The pacing was moderate from the beginning the 2nd half however was packed with twists.

What I was missing were the ✨fantasy names✨ (at least for the main characters) . The names were flowery (and modern?) It felt weird. Then again roses, vines, thorns were significant to the story so maybe it was going for that kind of vibe

Received this books as an ARC in exchange for an honest review so here we go 💕

Rating: 5/5⭐️

Violet sees the world to clearly - and that’s not only because she has some seer talents. She’s a prophet and a liar, influencing the royal court with her cleverly phrased divinations. She’s there to save herself and no one else. Cyrus is our oh-not-so Prince Charming who plans to strip Violet of her official role once he’s crowned king and holds a few secrets of his own - including his own heart. But when the king asks Violet to falsely prophesy Cyrus’s love story, Violet awakens a dreaded curse - one that will end in either damnation or salvation for the kingdom. After all, there’s always a price for defying destiny.

I absolutely devoured this really well and beautifully written book! It was so captivating and entertaining, that every single free moment I had were quickly devoted to continue reading. This is a great YA fantasy debut for Gina Chen! And I want to say that I love the book cover! It’s absolutely stunning!

Violet is not your typical heroine and Cyrus much less your typical Prince Charming but together they do form a good team - even if they don’t want to! Most of the time it’s full of mischief and lies and it would be very helping if for once they were just honest with each-other…! And of course with lot of forbidden romance in the mix!

What a delightful surprise! Beauty and the beast has always been my favourite fairytale and it was just beautiful the way this magical tale gets it’s own spin and twist in this amazing darkly enchanting story! All the little details between a beast mask with horns, rotten and poisoned thorns full of prophesies and curses, dark red roses that resemble blood and a war that seems inescapable!

I cannot wait to see the rest of Violet and Cyrus’s story unfolded! And the next book cannot come quick enough!

Keep an eye on my bookstagram (@maria_bookshelf) as I’ll be posting this review and a lovely photo to go along, in the middle of April!

This book title and cover drew me in i'm not going to lie. I love it all so much - its right up my street. I loved how witty and sassy the main character Violet was. She took no prisoners and instantly took over the story. I love protagnists who don't scare away/
I enjoyed the romance wholeheartedly. I loved the love to hate relationship and i cant wait to see what happens with them in book two. The plot was exciting and intriguing and i loved the worldbuilding. Id say this was a unique dark fantasy with a protaganist you'll either hate or love.