Wow! I was in a slump and decided to pick this one up and I’m so glad I did. It absolutely had me hooked. The romance, the backstabbing, the twists… just perfect. The magic system and the world building were incredibly interesting. I’m really looking to see where the next book takes us after that ending!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kiera Azar, and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this eARC!

This book needs to be on your TBR if you’re into: unique magic systems, fierce yet imperfect heroines, and fantasy stories that feel both fresh and familiar in the best way. It’s technically YA, but it reads so well that I think any fantasy fan will be hooked.

Oh, and if you’re the kind of reader who ends up rooting for the villain… trust me, you’ll be all in.

I’m already eagerly waiting for the sequel, and I’ve been recommending this to all my book-loving friends!

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this! The selection was one of my favorite series so hearing this book was a mix between that bridgerton and shadow and bone I knew this wouldn’t disappoint. This is perfect for readers looking for unique magic, political/court drama, and enemies to lovers. While I wish there was more romance I am looking forward to reading the next book

Born into a family of Hunters whose job is to eradicate all magic from the land, Alissa has been hiding her identity as a Wielder her entire life. When she discovers the compass that reveals specters is missing, she goes undercover in the King’s court to try to save her people. With a childhood best friend, a foreign ambassador, and a power hungry king, she must navigate Rose Season with all thorns out.

I was so excited for this romantasy debut by Kiera Azar! She weaves together a bustling, mysterious court so well. I loved learning about the families, side characters, and lore behind Daradon’s kingdom. The magic system was easy to understand and dive into, and the love SQUARE?? Keeping us on our toes, I will say I had to root for different men at different times. The only frustration I had was with the FMC, who swung so extremely on the pendulum of her emotions and actions. However, as she is 18 years old and dealing with major transitions and grief, I think it painted a rather realistic picture. Honestly, the king was written VERY well and with great complexity, and I can’t wait to see Azar develop the rest of her characters in a similar manner. I am very curious to see where the next book brings us!

Thank you to HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Man the ARC gods must be on my side because this is another banger!

Thorn Season is full of court politics, secret missions, betrayal, and a reallllllly well written villain (who I was kind of into??).

This was a suspense filled, fast paced read. Alissa is a great FMC. She’s strong, but makes mistakes and is deeply flawed. The two love interest MMCs are written just as well, one morally grey, the other more gentle and kind. Side characters added a lot of depth to the story, and I’m looking forward to learning more about them in book two.

I do wish that we got more world building for the magic system, rebellion, and royal family. I am hopeful that what was revealed in book one will be built upon in book two. I took notes so that I’m well prepared for when we book two comes out ☺️

This was a slow start but the second half of the book had me on my toes. I just could not stop reading. There was a lot of worldbuilding in beginning and Alissa (our heroine) just trying to figure out the puzzle pieces of the theft she was trying to solve. So bear with it because it's worth it when things start to make sense!

If you liked Crimson Moth/Heartless Hunter with political castle intrigue, check this out. It's not exactly the same, but people having some sort of magic ability and being persecuted is the main theme.

Can't wait for the next book! Let's be honest here, I can't wait to see the Alissa with her potential love interest!

3.5 stars rounded up

There’s a lot to love about Thorn Season! Alissa Paine is both a noblewoman but she’s also secretly a wielder of specters. If the wrong people found out about her magic, she would be killed. This existential threat paired with conniving court drama made for a solid backdrop for a story of mystery and betrayal.

Alissa’s certainty about the world around her was frustrating. Her vocabulary and scheming felt much more mature than an 18 year old, but her self-assuredness was VERY age appropriate. Despite being so headstrong, I never really could get a solid read on Alissa as a character.

Overall, I enjoyed this enough that I will plan to read the next book in the series when it comes out! It was a good read with lots of twists and turns. Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Don't hesitate to preorder this book!!!

I received this book as a NetGalley ARC and I loved it so much that I preordered it as soon as I was finished reading.

I am keeping this as spoiler free as possible. The book has a magic system like I've never read about, usually magic is describe as an elemental power that a person can wield but in Thorn Season the magic (referred to as a specter) is described as an additional part of a person's body, like a limb that can be controlled and used as needed. I really enjoyed seeing how the specter was portrayed throughout the book and how it was different based upon the person wielding. For Alissa it was conceal and control, and that only worked for so long especially after seeing and interacting with another wielder from a different realm.

The storyline itself was so intriguing and as the mysteries unraveled and the plot thickened my heart wouldn't stop pounding.

Alissa is a wielder, one of the hunted few possessing magic in the kingdom of Daradon. After a harrowing kidnapping, she decides to infiltrate the Palace to try and solve an old murder, and ends up in the most dangerous situation imaginable for one of her kind...

This book was so good! I was totally gripped right from the start and absolutely could not put the book down. I've already pre-ordered the special edition and I cannot wait to get my grubby hands on it to read the book again!

Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy to review

This book was so well written! The pain was poetic, the tension palpable. I was obsessed and stayed up way past my bed time to devour this book in one night. The power struggle between those with magic and those without is not new, but the way Thorn Season absolutely redefined an entire trope for me is the type of reading high I chase in every new book. This one has it.

I enjoyed this book. This book really reminded me of heartless Hunter and the Rose bargain, set in a Victorian style world with debutantes and high society. I enjoyed the little slivers of romance weaved in throughout the story, but the main plot was definitely political intrigue, and court politics. I’m excited for the next book and hope for more romance in the sequel. This book had some funny moments, banter, and was slightly darker than what I expected for a YA, overall it had a little bit of everything.

4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book and the world the author built. The characters were well fleshed out and they were all very interesting. I went into this one blind and didn't know where the plot was going to take me or who the actual love interest was and I kept getting pulled in different directions as the story went on but I really enjoyed the not knowing for sure up until a certain point. I like a book that I can't predict.

One thing I wasn't a fan of in this book is when the FMC knew about something/found something/heard something but we, the readers, don't found out about it until later in the book. Like come on girl, don't be shy, tell us everything.

Overall I thought that Thorn season was an amazing debut, I liked Kiera Azar's writing, would read more from her and I absolutely can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy and for book 2.

In this romantasy debut, Wielders have always been hunted and killed in the kingdom of Daradon. Alissa is one such Wielder, keeping her powers hidden, even though her noble family are Hunters. Alissa is summoned to court for debutante season, where she encounters an enigmatic ambassador with lots of secrets and the kingdom’s brutal king. She’ll have to use her wits to survive this Rose Season.

This book was extremely interesting, with its court intrigue, romance, betrayals. It literally has a little bit of everything! Alissa was a likable FMC, she was so funny and clever. I absolutely loved the witty banter between her and the ambassador, Keil. The magic system was also super unique.

Huge thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy and allowing me to review this early. Everyone who loves romantasy should preorder this before it releases in September!

After receiving an eARC from Netgalley, I immediately started the book and why not? I loved the Shadow and Bone series and the magical elements in this book pulled me in just like that series did. Once I picked up the book, I was hooked!
I'm not always drawn to books about court life unless there is another intriguing element and this story definitely has a couple mysteries going for it outside of court shenanigans. The downside of reading this as an ARC, I am so excited for the next book to come out (but first this book needs to come out). I'm adding this to my list to re-read at publication and await the next book to join the lineup.

First of all, this was incredibly well written. There were so many plot twists throughout this story and I ate every single one up. The magic system is very unique and I appreciate the fact that when our FMC. Alissa, is coming up with a plan it wasn't always revealed right away. Only once it was executed. It kept me on the edge of my seat and made me appreciate her character more. Each character plays a very strong role in the story, and I liked how unexpected some of the encounters were. There are some very emotional moments and of course, a good dose of yearning and banter between love interests. I'm ready for book 2 already!

This book captivated me from the very beginning. Alissa, keil, and even Carmen intrigued the hell out of my I had to know their story. The twists and turns got me and that's such a big feat because I am usually the annoying one in the group guessing (correctly) everything that is going to happen. I had to know what was happening with who was responsible for the Hunters' unsanctioned murders and the reveal shocked me and was so worth the wait. I cannot wait for the second book!

I cannot recommend this book enough!! I didn’t want it to end, but NEEDED to know how everything would play out. Every character is scheming and has something planned… I cannot wait for everyone to read it when it releases and eventually for the next one!!

★★★★☆ – A Razor-Edged Debut Full of Magic, Intrigue, and Swoon-Worthy Danger

Thorn Season is the kind of romantasy that pulls you in with the force of a spell and refuses to let go. Kiera Azar delivers a stunning debut that feels like a wickedly addictive blend of Fourth Wing's page-turning tension and the lush, dangerous world-building of A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Alissa Paine is a compelling heroine – fierce, clever, and constantly treading the knife’s edge of survival. As a secret Wielder born into a family of Hunters, her internal conflict crackles with tension, and the stakes only rise when she’s thrust into the political snake pit of the royal court. The romantic entanglements are deliciously tense – think slow-burn chemistry with a touch of enemies-to-lovers danger – and the two central male leads are both charming and ominous in their own right.

Azar’s writing is sharp and cinematic, with standout moments of dark humor and emotional depth. The Wielder abilities are both beautiful and terrifying, and the magic system feels fresh and full of promise. That said, the pacing occasionally stumbles in the middle, and a few twists, while juicy, felt a bit predictable. Still, the tension never truly lets up, and the climax pays off in a big way.

For fans of high-stakes court drama, morally gray characters, and power dynamics that sizzle, Thorn Season is an irresistible new entry in the romantasy canon. I’ll definitely be lining up for the sequel.

I can see this book doing very well! Unfortunately, it was simply not for me. This was well written I just struggle with romantasy. I do think many readers will enjoy this book.

I absolutely loved this book!!! The court drama, magic and even danger were very intriguing! I was finding myself able to get into the world and character views. I really liked the main character Alissa, but sometimes the story even had me swayed by the villain (only briefly!). I was not able to predict what happened and the ending has me needing book 2 now!! This is for ACOTAR, Selection, Fourth Winter type fans. Thank you so much NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!