Unfortunately I have tried to enjoy this book several times and just can't seem to get through it. Great concept, beautiful cover, just didn't hook me.

I was not sure this would be much more than a silly read because the cover looks rather dull but it really is a lovely story. There is a great hook that kept me reading and i wasn't just reading to learn about it but to enjoy it.

Irinya is a flower hunter, one of the young men and women who venture into the Rann (desert) to find rare magic flowers, a difficult and potentially deadly task. The flowers are powerful — jasmine can heal, hibiscus can make others obedient, the spider lily can help win wars. The Gujarat sultanate desperately needs those flowers. The sultan is dying, there is infighting over who will succeed the sultan, and the sultanate is being threatened by the Portuguese navy, which has been capturing territory on the Indian coast.

To free her kul (nomadic group) from an oppressive moneylender and to save the sultanate she will give a very rare spider lily to a government official. However, the spider lily was not hers to give away; in fact, she had sworn to her friend Fardan, who found the spider lily, that she would not harvest it. The promised payment for the spider lily doesn’t come, so Irinya will sneak off to Ahmedabad. This journey will expose her to people and lifestyles very different from hers, and she will find herself enmeshed in royal politics, facing unexpected threats as she tries to right her wrongs and protect her kul.

I liked the mythology around the flowers, including that use of the flowers’ magic came at a cost if the user was selfish or abused the power. I also enjoyed the contrast between life and the leadership structure in the kul compared to Ahmedabad.

This was a historical fantasy set India. However, I did not really connect to the main character. She seemed very whiny. I also did not like the love story because it was more an instant attraction than love. Nevertheless, I recommend this for fans of Rokshani Chokshi!

In 2019 my health started going down hill and I didn't take into consideration what that would mean for my book reviewing. Sadly, I've been trying to play catch up for years and it's been affecting my ability to keep up with present day tasks. So I greatly apologize for this but I am going to clear out all these older review books and focus on present day. I will come back and update this review if I end up reading the book, which is very possible as a lot of these books are still ones I would like to read, I just don't think the pressure looming over me is helpful. Thank you for giving me a chance to early read these books and I am so sorry I wasn't able to provide what was needed.

This was a fun reimagining of 16th century India if it had magic, but it read as too young adult for me, but since I'm not the intended age demographic, that's okay. I'm sure if this was new adult or older, I would absolutely love this book.

This is a wonderful book full of magic. So many twists and turns, with a garden full of surprises. In a world where magic is alive our heroine deals in flowers, magic flowers. This book is full of interesting characters that interact to make a wonderful story. So much imagination!

"Flower and Thorn" by Rati Mehrotra is a captivating young adult fantasy set against 16th-century India. The story follows Irinya, a seventeen-year-old flower hunter, whose life takes a perilous turn when she inadvertently hands over a rare and powerful magical flower to the wrong person. Determined to rectify her mistake, Irinya embarks on a treacherous journey filled with danger, political intrigue, and self-discovery.

Mehrotra's vivid descriptions bring the harsh desert landscapes and mystical flora to life, immersing readers in a world where magic and reality intertwine seamlessly. The novel's strength lies in its unique premise and the author's ability to weave historical elements with fantasy, creating a setting that is both authentic and enchanting.

The character development is commendable, particularly in portraying Irinya's growth from a determined yet naive girl into a resilient young woman. Her relationships, especially with her hunting partner and childhood friend, add depth to the narrative, offering a blend of camaraderie and subtle romantic tension.

While the pacing is generally well-maintained, some readers might find certain plot developments predictable. However, it does not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. This is a standalone adventure that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Mehrotra's storytelling prowess ensures that readers are kept intrigued throughout, making it a highly recommended read for those seeking a novel that combines historical richness with magical allure.

Wonderful characters and a great change of pace, this was a beautiful book!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher!

The description is pretty and the characters are well-written. Unfortunately, this book was archived before I could finish reading it, but I hope to come back to it soon!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!!

Flower and Thorn by Rati Mehrotra is a captivating YA fantasy that reimagines 16th-century India with a touch of magic and wonder. The novel’s unique approach to magic—conveyed through enchanted flowers—adds a delightful layer of natural beauty to the story. As a dedicated YA book, it delivers a refreshing change of pace and reignites a love for reading. Mehrotra's storytelling truly captivated me and made this book a standout in the genre.

The main characters in this book kept doing out of character things which got the story out of whack. The main plot twist was clear from a mile away, if not its extent.

Thank you so much for the chance to read an ARC copy of this book before it's publication date.
This book was enjoyable to read, with a unique plot. Looking for more from this author.

3.5/5

I've enjoyed Rati Merohtra's books in the past, and I liked how this reimagined a historical India with magic. I liked the characters and the plot, but the book did struggle to keep my attention fully. I found myself accidentally skimming sections.

"Flower and Thorn" by Rati Mehrotra is a thrilling adventure filled with magic, intrigue, and danger. Irinya's journey as a flower hunter is captivating, and the richly imagined world of the Sultanate adds depth to the story. Mehrotra skillfully weaves together elements of fantasy and politics, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. With its engaging characters and gripping plot, "Flower and Thorn" is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Certain flowers have magical properties and only flower hunters can find them in the Rann. Irinya is a flower hunter. Her naivete leads her to betray a friend when she hands over a rare magical spider lily to a handsome stranger, believing he will use it to save the kingdom. To protect her clan and to win back her friend's trust, she will have to find the stranger and make him keep his promises.

Flower and Thorn's magic system is what kept me going even as the story required a fair amount of patience. I was intrigued by the magical flowers and even moreso by Irinya's unexpected gift. The Rann was also an interesting place with the amount of supernatural danger lurking in it. It helped immensely that the writing was descriptive because the vivid depictions of places made it a transportive read.

Patience was needed because the book was slow-moving and Irinya was not the most likeable character (at least not in the beginning). She was naive and the choices she made did not endear her to me. I appreciated her desire for redemption and attempts at saving her clan. Eventually I became invested enough in her journey to stop thinking about the pace, which helped me enjoy the book much more.

This story sounded so unique, and I am so happy I gave it a chance.

It was an absolutely beautifully written world with such a cool plot. And honestly I enjoyed it being a standalone.
We have so many epic fantasy series out lately. And it wa just kind of nice to have a 1 and done story for once.

I absolutely loved Irinya. She was such a well written character, and I found her so relatable at times even too.

This book was paced just right, and offered a good story while staying new and fresh.

Totally a 5 star read for me

I love reading historical fantasy books because I always learn while reading. FLOWER AND THORN is set in the Gujarat Sultanate in early sixteenth-century India at the time of the Portuguese invasion and the beginning of European colonization of the Indian subculture, according to the author Rati Mehrotra. So, while the book is heavy at times, the author used fantasy to ask ‘what if?’ and change the narrative of the past with magic, which I found alluring and to make a fantastic story. Plus, it’s nice to have a satisfying standalone fantasy novel.

I love Mehrotra’s descriptive writing. I could easily visualize the colors, scenes, and each flower in my mind, and the descriptions helped enhance the story for me.

I enjoyed the history mixed in with the fantasy, and for an actual book nerd like me, it was neat to look up things afterward to learn more about what FLOWER AND THORN introduced me to.

Thanks, Wednesday Books and Netgalley, for the arc!

Content warnings: gore, body horror, familial death, grief, misogyny

This was a good YA novel, that I would recommend to those who think it sounds interesting!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.