A magical world, an intriguing plot, and an excellent character arc are waiting inside this book. Nivvy is a great MC, and he changes a lot over the course of the book. Bella is interesting, and I was dying to know more about her story once she was introduced. The magic system is unique and well-developed, and adds to the richness of the world. A very big part of this story revolves around telling stories, and how those stories can impact and change things, which I found interesting. It all kept the plot moving along pretty smoothly from start to finish. I'd absolutely love to read more stories and adventures set in this world in the future!

I want to thank the Author, NetGalley, and Argyll Productions for providing this e-ARC. Witch, I will be giving my honest and sincere review.
This text introduces an enthralling fantasy story filled with magic, adventure, and redemption. It follows the journey of Nivali, a young thief known as Nivvy, who faces public humiliation in the town of Plow. When offered a chance at redemption by assisting Bella, a desperate woman, Nivvy embarks on a dangerous mission to reclaim a lost kingdom. Despite his dire circumstances, Nivvy sees this as an opportunity to restore his tarnished reputation within the Thieves Guild. The narrative promises an exciting tale of risks, challenges, and the pursuit of a second chance, drawing parallels to the timeless works of fantasy legends like Tolkien and Lewis.
The world-building and descriptions of the sceneries felt like I was travelling along with Nivali.
The book was a bit of a slow pace for me, slowing my attention to the story. I feel like the story could've been portrayed in a bit smaller length.

What a fun YA fantasy! I really enjoyed Tim Susman’s very immersive style of storytelling. The worldbuilding was done well and the magic system was so intriguing. Nivvy was a great protagonist. My favorite character though was the villain, I thought they had the best character arc and were fleshed out the best. The pacing was a bit all over the place and it did pull me out of the story at times. I think this would be a great read for anyone looking for a fantasy with assassins, thieves and an exciting adventure.

Thank you so much to Argyll Productions for providing this eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It has a magical and whimsical feel to it,
The worldbuilding, I really liked how stories were incorporated to the magic system. It made it feel more complete and finished as if it had developed over time and not just been thought up. It made this book so much more enjoyable for me.

it's amazing 10/10 characters and worldbuikfing but i still felt like smth was missing
thank you netgalley for the arc

I'd like to start thanking NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.25. If I had to describe this book down to its bare essentials, I would say it is like a dark Pixar movie. It has a magical and whimsical feel to it, especially with the talking animals. This book made me realize that, even if this is quite common in animation movies, I wouldn't say it is the same in literature, and I really liked the experience.

Back to the worldbuilding, I really liked how stories were incorporated to the magic system. It does feel like we're in a huge world and we're just following one of the many stories that have happened and will continue to happen. I also appreciated the conversation about stories, the different interpretations they have and how they can shape us and others.

I also LOVED the characters. They're all complex and interesting. Nivy is just trying his best and really needs to rest a little, he can't just take a break. Zane is my baby, I love how joyful and energetic they are while having realistic thoughts and reactions based on the world they live in. Basically, they aren't a child or a "uwu soft bean". I wouldn't say I loved Scarlet nor Bella, but they're both quite interesting and intriguing. And I also liked the queer rep. I wasn't expecting it, but it was appreciated.

My biggest complaint is the pacing. The first 20% was really slow and it wasn't catching my attention. It was bearable, but I couldn't understand what the book was trying to do at that point. It's not like every book has to explain everything about its plot in its first pages, but I still felt like it was going a little bit too slow for my taste. This may also be because english is not my first language, so it takes some time for me to read it and completely understand what's going on.

This book was delightful, whimsical, charming, fantastic, and heart warming. Nivvy and his friends remind me of hijinks had by the creatures of Mossflower or even Wind in the Willows.

the story is a bit slow to grab you, it took me the first 30% to get into it, and it falls a bit weak at the end. a lot of the dialogue feels… a bit clunky? this is not saying it wasn’t enjoyable, but it took me a bit to find the flow of the characters and begin to enjoy their dynamics.

the rep is nice! the mc is trans, along with the mention of others in their past, there’s at least two gay couples mentioned, as well as the sort of illusion to asexuality a few times? also, there’s a decent number of non white characters, including the mc.

also there is a lot of lore and storytelling involved that is interesting but can feel rather like reading a history book or an aesops fable. but all in all it’s sprinkled throughout and you see the reasons why these stories are included.

what is my one main sticking point, is the fact the trans mc spends quite a bit of time in an animal form. which??? isn’t bad. and i appreciate that the spell doesn’t negate their transness. but it does feel a bit like when disney turns black characters into animals or non-humans ( i.e. soul or princes and the frog ).

overall i enjoyed it, and if you’re looking for something that feels like, if wind in the willows went to ketterdam, and if jesper fahey were trans — then this is a good book for you.

there is no romance ( fine by me ), but there is the platonic bonds of found family, as well as the trauma of birth family.

thank you to tim susman and netgalley for offering me this copy to read as an ARC so i could review it!

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Argyll Productions for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of those YA fantasy novels that I like to describe as “perfect for when you’re 13 and 31,” in that, this is timeless and I think this would be a perfect fantasy novel to read, no matter what your age. It can be really hard to find novels like this, where I believe I would have liked it just as much if I had been able to pick it up while I was in middle school, as I do now as an adult reading it. I have very few novels I consider like this - Sabriel by Garth NIx being the biggest one, with A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge another one with a similar vibe.

We follow a thief named Nivvy, as he unintentionally begins a journey with someone who may or may not be, or will become, an evil Queen. He works with her to help her steal her kingdom back, but along the journey discovers that her success may not be the best thing in the long run - even if it potentially grants him great acclaim as the one who helped her. A large portion of this novel is his growth from focusing on his own selfish interests, to those of helping others, regardless if it benefits him directly.

The magic system in this novel is interesting, as it works by using magical objects - and telling the story of the object. I thought that was an interesting twist, especially given a large portion of this novel is about storytelling and the importance of both telling a story, but also how it is told.

This book also had a really cool concept of people who are turned into animals, but still maintain many of their human abilities, called former-humans. I thought this concept was really cool and interesting, as many fairytales have people being turned into animals - but less focus on how they then continue to live their lives after being changed (or are simply changed back). The concept of these “people” being both a person and an animal at the same time, while still having their autonomy and respect they should be given, was really interesting. When the novel first began, I saw many of these “former-humans” as being worthy of pity and hoped that they would all change back by the end - but as the novel went on, and we saw how many of them were happy and content with their lives, I realized the issue was more complex than simply surface level.

I was honestly a little wary with the 500+ page count, but to be completely honest at no point did the story feel like it dragged or should have been cut short. The journey and character developments of each of the characters worked, and even if not everything was “fixed “ by the end, I would consider this book to still have a happy ending of sorts. This is a kind of YA fantasy with growth and character developments that I would recommend to practically anyone, as I think anyone who likes fantasy would enjoy the journey this novel takes them on.

An unusual and interesting YA read that will certainly pull you in from the first page. Character development is one of the strongest features of this book! Susman does an excellent job of creating characters that are easy to relate to and and enjoy. The story line is unique and interesting - the setting is good. I think it is certainly worth picking up and enjoying on a cool winter weekend.
I just reviewed The Price of Thorns by Tim Susman. #ThePriceofThorns #NetGalley

Price of Thorns is a fairytale turned on its head. The story focuses on Nivvy, a young thief fallen on hard times who is approached by a woman claiming to need his help to reclaim her kingdom. A fairly straight forward start to a fairytale. However as Nivvy goes on his journey to help Queen Bella, a journey that involves fairies, talking falcons, and drowned cities, the story evolves and becomes more complex and layered than it seemed at first glance.

I enjoyed this story. I thought the magic system that was created (based around remembering and telling the story of a magical item to unlock its power) really helped hight the theme of the cultural importance of stories and how they can shift depending on the audience. Additionally, Nivvy's journey through his own demons and how it parallels the greater story of the queen and her kingdom is really well done. And the friendships that he developed along the way were heartwarming to say the least.

As a neutral note, this book skews quite young in its writing style, plot progression, characters, and character development arcs. If I were classifying this book I would put it firmly in YA rather than adult fantasy. That's not a strike against it, simply an observation. Nivvy is (I think) around 28 in the book, but feels and acts more like a 16-17 year old, with his character arcs feeling more like those of a teenager.
Content wise, there is some light references to adult content, but nothing explicit and nothing the characters are actively participating in, so I think a younger audience or those who enjoy YA novels might get more out of this.

For things that are going to be taste based, I would start with recommending that if you're looking for any romance, look elsewhere. This book does feature relationship developments and their importance, but platonically. I love this, but if you're on the market for hot and heavy romance, this isn't the book for you.

Additionally, if you don't enjoy stories where the main characters actions make you want to give them a good shake and ask what they could possibly be thinking, maybe give this one a miss. Nivvy is a very lovable protagonist, and his actions all make a sort of sense in context, but as an outside observer, it's very easy to see the mistakes he's making in real time, and it can be a bit infuriating.

For actual criticisms of the book, I found the pacing a bit off. It has quite a slow start, and if I hadn't put in the effort to push through the first third or so, I really wouldn't have gotten to any of the good stuff. Because the story begins by playing up the fairytale tropes before it starts to play with them, readers may find the first part of the story aggravatingly slow as it seems that our characters are simply going to dance to the prescribed tune. And if you start picking up on the breadcrumbs that will lead to the later plot elements, it can leave you feeling like Nivvy must be the densest, most unobservant (and/or self-involved) protagonist on earth.

All in all a solid (YA) coming of age fantasy story, playing around with fairytale tropes.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

I wanted to like this book a little more than I did, I have to say it dragged at some points but overall I did end up liking it. I am a sucker for Assasins and thieves. The Price of Thorns strongly reminded me of Assasian’s Creed meets Throne of Glass. I’d reccomend it to anyone who loves to read for plot alone!

I am surprised that I never heard of this author before. Thanks netgalley. The magical system in this novel is compelling enough to make you get immersed into reading it. It was like going on an adventure with our main character, Nivvy. The novel borrows stories from other tales but somehow makes it original. [Will update review later]

In Tim Susman's "The Price of Thorns," the currency of this captivating world is not just gold or silver but stories -- narratives that hold the power to shape destinies and unlock the most treacherous secrets. The story unfolds in a land where silence can be as valuable as speech, and secrets are the hidden threads that weave the foundations of destiny.

Enter Nivvy, a rogue and a thief, whose life is filled with secrets, having ventured from the comfort of his home to the Thieves Guild, only to be cast out against his will into a life of solitude. His fortunes take a fateful turn when Bella, a woman cloaked in an air of mystery and draped in an ancient dress, offers him an impossible heist -- to reclaim a kingdom she claims as her own. For Nivvy, the promise of this task is a potential return to the disreputable embrace of the Thieves Guild as well as a tantalizing challenge that tempts his daring spirit.

Yet, as with all things in this mystical world, there is more than meets the eye. Bella, too, harbors secrets that are mysterious. Her quest, Nivvy soon discovers, is not the straightforward tale it seems. The narrative twists and turns, leading him down a treacherous path where ancient stories come to life, and Bella's ties to these tales are not coincidental. The journey, both enchanting and perilous, unfolds into a quest of unforeseen danger and intrigue.

Susman blends fantasy and reality, where the very essence of stories and secrets is explored with an exquisite finesse. "The Price of Thorns" is an array of narrative threads, where each word is a spell, and each page is a portal to a world where stories come alive. Nivvy's adventure, if he survives, is not merely about pilfering a kingdom, but uncovering the layers of a narrative that stretch far beyond the imagination.

Susman weaves a narrative in a realm where storytelling is as potent as magic. He lures readers into the depths of intrigue, challenging us to unearth the mysteries of the world he has created. "The Price of Thorns" combines the allure of secrets, the power of stories, and the thrill of an epic adventure into a captivating atmosphere of wonder. In the world of literature, this book is a treasure trove of tales, where secrets have their own price and stories hold the key to destinies. Prepare to be enchanted, beguiled, and captivated by the magic.

"Tim Susman's 'The Price of Thorns' unveils a world where secrets are currencies and stories are spells."

"A mesmerizing journey through a realm where silence speaks louder than words."

"Enchanting secrets, stories, and spellbinding adventure."

"Susman casts a magical spell, inviting readers to a world where secrets hold the key."

"The power of narrative is woven with the thrill of epic quests."

"A treasure trove of tales, where every word is a key to a hidden door."

"Prepare to be captivated, enchanted, and transfixed by the magic of 'The Price of Thorns.'"

"A fantasy epic where secrets have a price, and stories shape destinies."

"An unforgettable odyssey through a world where silence is golden and stories are priceless."

First off I have to say the main character Nivvy is now one of my favorite wholesome "cinnamon" characters I hold dear to my heart. Without revealing main plot points (because what's the fun in that??) Nivvy's trials and tribulations he's dragged through does nothing but fortify him for whatever comes next. I just remember reading once certain point where he goes through a big change and yeah, he gets a little freaked out (which honestly, same.) but he IMMEDIATELY starts thinking about all the positives this change is going to bring him. I adore and cherish him as a character for sure and he is not one that I will forget for a long long time!
As far as the book goes overall, it felt more Young Adult than Adult Fantasy, which isn't a bad thing in my opinion but the voice the author used just feels more positioned to tell this as a Young Adult story. I do realize there are things in the story that won't fly with the book being considered Young Adult but over all it felt like the wording and the way the story was approached was YA.
Also, the book seemed a little slow for me in the middle, but it did pick up more towards the end.
I really really enjoyed this book and I respected the way the author discussed LGBTQ+ but it made me sad a little because it felt like something that was hidden, which is something that is very common bt the reason it makes me sad is the same reason most things LGBTQ+ make me sad. I don't want people to have to hide themselves and act as though a part of them is not considered normal.
BUT overall this book was a wonderful read and I will be looking for more of Tim's books in the future!

Another reviewer commented on the extraordinarily sympathetic protagonist this book contains and I went in hoping for this to be accurate. It really was: Nivvy is, in a word, adorable. He doesn’t strike me as an ace thief (not denying his talent of course, what I mean to say is that he is not defined by his chosen profession).

The characters in this book made it for me. They were so well defined and so believable. I was sceptical of the honesty of some of them early on and I was right to feel that way, but I also found myself surprised by the genuine nature of others who I expected to be deceitful. Overall a whirlwind of a ride working out which side I sat on!

The concept of stories within stories, and having magic only work with the stories of the item being told, was new to me, and I would have loved to have seen more of this shown in the book. It just… worked, and was clever. I love fairytales and that’s sort of what it felt like. I didn’t know what to believe when told these stories, and it was like being a little kid again.

The plot, though, lost me about half way through. It became a little meandering around this point, and it lost some of the gusto that carried the beginning 25-30% of the novel. Not enough to put it down, I hasten to add, but the middle was not nearly as strong as the beginning.

Overall, this was a fun and engaging read. It served its purpose well as a book I could lose myself in for a few days.

I really enjoyed reading this, it had everything that I wanted from the description. The characters were what I wanted from this type of book. Tim Susman has a wonderful writing style that grabs you and doesn’t let go until the end.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a weird one to rate for me! It’s probably more like a 3.5 stars, but going up to 4 didn’t feel accurate.

On the one hand, this book pulled me in and had me invested pretty immediately. From the opening scene, I was really curious about the characters, and as a writer, I obviously love the concept of stories being the trigger for magic. In general the world building and magic system was really interesting. Of course, I love seeing transmasc main characters, and I went into this book not even realizing there was going to be one, so that was a surprise! It was also refreshing to not have a romantic subplot going on. The storyline of the MC finding his chosen family and figuring out who his real friends are kind of took the place of that. Through the first half or so I definitely thought this was going to be a higher rating, but I hit a spot towards the middle where things started to drag a bit. The character development through these pages is very important, but that doesn’t change the fact that I found it slow to read. I went and read another book before coming back to finish this one because of it. Eventually it picked back up and I got reinvested in everything, but I did debate DNFing during that slow 100 or so pages. My second slight complaint is the final battle moment felt very rushed and glossed over. Because of the way it happens, I don’t feel the reader really gets to experience in it happening. It’s hard to explain without spoilers, but I think there could’ve been a way to give us more in that moment.

Despite that, this is a book a would recommend just with the caveat of the slow part really. Everything is so so good and I hope a lot of people pick this up! I really want to be able to rate it higher, but I just don’t feel it would be truthful.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Not a book that I would necessarily pick for myself and to be honest I did think about dnf up until about 40% in but I’m glad I persevered as I found it entertaining and I really wanted to know how it would all work out.
The world building was detailed and interesting, characters were explored and presented sympathetically and storytelling was enthralling.
Overall I enjoyed reading experience and recommend to readers.

Thanks, Netgalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
I am impressed by the unique premise behind the magic system. Very original and unique for the story! I am also impressed by the main villain character....it's amazing when "villains" grow on you more and more throughout reading the story that you end up actually sympathizing with them at the very end! Very good character development for the villain of the story! The main characters are pretty nice too and they have their sweet moments! Very well written and developed as well! Definitely a must-read!