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!

This book reminded me a bit of House of Marionne by J Elle with being a person of high regard while also being a person hunted by society. The world building was interesting but I realized now that I hate love triangles.

This was an excellent rollercoaster ride through all emotions. I didn't want to put it down. The characters were fairly well thought through and I could connect with them. I also loved to hate the villain. I'm excited for future reads from Azar.

Holy Smokes! Talk about a twist I wasn't expecting. Thorn Season is a great book! I really think it is reminiscent of Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen and can't wait for the next book in the series.

The storyline for Thorn Season is good, and the second half of the book fully engages the reader in the action of the story. The reader can sympathize with Alissa throughout the book about what her troubles and challenges are. One can feel or sense the nature of conflicts experienced by the characters. There is an element of “who done it?” for those who enjoy puzzling out how, why and by whom something was done. The fantasy around the powers various characters hold is believable. For readers who like a book to end with the resolution of any mysteries or issues presented during the story, there is some resolution and also a set up for continuing the story in a second book.

For me, the first half of the book lacked sufficient energy to draw me completely into wanting to find out how Alissa resolved her dilemmas, or what might challenge her next. Initially, identifying relationships among people and sorting out who was who in Hunters, Wielders, Wholeburn detracted from being pulled into the moments of action during the first half. Past events seemed vaguely or partially described through a character’s memory of the event. I tired of hearing about Alissa controlling her specter and her thoughts alluding to past traumas and situations that were influencing her current decisions and actions. It wasn’t until Chapter 28 when she unleashed her specter that things started to become more interesting. I became more engaged in following the story to its conclusion.

I was surprised to learn that Erik is twenty-two. It felt as though he were older, maybe because he’s so evil and power hungry, and the king.

Until Chapter 40, references to the happenings at Opal were presented as Alissa remembering what happened, although the details of what she saw were not revealed during her remembrances. Suddenly in Chapter 40, the Opal incident is presented as a flashback and is fully explained. Having not used the flashback tool prior to this chapter, I was initially confused about the chronology of the storyline. This chapter didn’t feel like it fit until I realized it was a flashback. I think it was the only time a true flashback was used, as opposed to a character, mostly Alissa, thinking during her current time what happened in her past.

Chapter 40 also caused me to wonder if the Epilogue were another flashback or if it truly foretold what a future event was or might be. Is Marge still alive, or are we being taken back to what she endured before she died? An epilogue usually isn’t a flashback, but having one thrown into the story in Chapter 40 caused me to wonder what was going on in the epilogue. Why are we taken back to Marge, unless Alissa will be discovering in the next book that Marge is alive? Having the king survive and Alissa keeping the compass, about which she wants to find out more, does set up the story for a continuation in a second book. If the second book started with the energy of the first half of Thorn Season, I wouldn’t be eager to read another book. If it engages the reader more in the manner of the second half of Thorn Season, I’d be more inclined to try the second book. I keep wondering if a younger generation that craves instant gratification and results, or plays fast action electronic games, would stick with how Thorn Season unfolds during the first half of the book.

in a kingdom of persecution and mistrust, high society heiress alissa paine is hiding a dangerous secret - she is a wielder, able to exert a shimmering, physical power that extends beyond herself. while wielders have always been hunted, more begin to disappear, and alissa realizes there may be a much more dangerous game at stake.

recently eighteen, alissa is summoned to court for the debutante season, and finds herself caught in a web of hidden intentions and complex political schemes. in the midst of it all, two dangerous men vy for her affections - a brutal, handsome prince who would just as soon see all wielders eliminated, and an intriguing foreign ambassador who has secret agendas of his own. alissa must put the pieces together before it's too late - for her kingdom and her heart.

thorn season is full of political intrigue, romance, and complex, well-developed characters. the worldbuilding isn't overly complicated, and the magic system makes more sense as the book goes on and information is revealed. each character had an intentional purpose, and the side characters could stand on their own. while the beginning had me hooked, the middle slowed down and seemed to drag for a bit. however, the ending - the last quarter of the book or so - pulled me back in.

overall, I liked this one a lot, and it's a solid young adult debut. thorn season is perfect for fans of the rose bargain, the cruel prince, and shadows of perl.

thank you to netgalley and harper collins for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Now THIS is what a YA Romantasy should be like!
Magic, love interests, intrigue, and ruthless villains all abound in Thorn Season. It’s well written, which made it surprisingly hard to put down. I’m eager to read what comes next in this series!

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this eARC!

This book was really interesting! I wish we had learned a little more about how wielding and the specters work but I’m excited to see where everything goes in the next book. Also hoping for more of Carmen and Perla!