Title: A Treason of Thorns

Author: Laura E. Weymouth

Pub. Date: September 10, 2019

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Violet Sterling has spent the last seven years in exile, longing to return to Burleigh House. One of the six great houses of England, Burleigh’s magic always kept the countryside well. And as a child, this magic kept Violet happy, draping her in flowers while she slept, fashioning secret hiding places for her, and lighting fires on the coldest nights to keep her warm.

Vi would do anything to help, and soon she finds herself walking the same deadly path as her father all those years before. Vi must decide how far she’s willing to go to save her house—before her house destroys everything she’s ever known.

This will be a spoiler free review.

My expectations were not met for this book. I don’t think they were exceedingly high, but this book just fell so flat. I thought the concept was really cool, hadn’t read anything else like it, but the execution was just lacking. I didn’t care about the main character, her journey, her fears, anything. In fact, I thought she was really annoying – her whole ‘I live for my house and will do anything for it’ was super tedious. She didn’t exist beyond what her father drilled into her head.

There’s being focused and there is being obsessed and Violet is obsessed. She sees nothing beyond the needs of her house, and it costs her everything. She actually made me angry that everything she does is never for her best interests.

Besides the overall concept, her friends were far more likable characters. And no, I’m not talking about Wyn – I didn’t like him. But the other two, the writer and the Princess (?), I enjoyed them and their relationship and how they interacted with Violet. I also liked the two adults in Violet’s life, who raised her during their exile from The House.

*I don’t have the book with me while writing this review, so forgive me.

Despite my lack of enjoyment for the story as a whole, I can admit that the writing was pretty, and I didn’t hate it. It was very atmospheric, and Laura does have a way with words. I was able to picture the world she created very easily, as well as the characters.

I could go on and on, but I’d have to change this review from spoiler free, to spoiler filled, so I’ll stop here. I didn’t read Laura’s debut, so I can’t say if this is better or not, but probably if you enjoyed, The Light Between Worlds, you should check out this release, out September 10, 2019.