This is a splendid retelling of the Goose Girl, a Brother’s Grimm "false bride" plot, written in a more sophisticated style and with great depth of detail. The underlying themes of social justice, loyalty, and friendship are excellently portrayed in a first person narrative.

The narrative was well-paced and the characters engaging. However, the story became less convincing and felt artificially constructed towards the end of the adventure. Thorn (Alyrra) enters into a threatening struggle with ‘The Lady’, in her attempts to save Kestrin from his unjustifiable death. The dénouement was a bit too tidily abrupt, though some of the final reveals were satisfying. As a fully-involved reader, I wanted to know more about the developments with Thorn’s new-found friends and the fate of the villains. ( )

It is rare for someone who wants power to truly deserve it.

Thorn is a beautiful, rich, and incredibly close retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, The Goose Girl. Everything you would expect from the original story is there - the arranged marriage to a prince from a distant, more powerful land, the switch between the princess and a woman lower than her, the charm from her mother, the talking horse, a curse prohibiting the princess from telling her story, the wind coming to her aid, and so on.

It's been a while since I last read a fairy tale or a retelling of it. What makes me appreciate Intisar's work is her ability to take an original fairy tale and lovingly and respectfully build upon it while staying true to the original. She definitely adds new depth to the tale by creating her own characters.

Princess Alyrra is a very lovable character. Being cursed and thrown out of the palace, she finds herself in situations with no easy answers and yet she wholeheartedly embraces her circumstances. She relishes the time spent at work and seeks justice and safety for the people, even at a cost to herself. She's humble and loyal to her friends.

Prince Kestrin is a mysterious character. He seems abrupt and sometimes prideful, yet he is also kind, and desperately wishes for someone he can trust. I loved every scene he shared with Alyrra, leaving me wishing for more, even after I finished reading the book. The romance between the two central characters is a slow burn and chaste. The focus has been on Thorn’s personal growth, responsibilities and friendships.

I wonder if there's a sequel. I'd love to know more about certain characters, such as the Circle of Mages, Red Hawk, and the Snatchers. Let's get more scenes with Kestrin, too!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and finished it in two days.

Potential triggers in this book include physical abuse, mention of rape, emotional abuse, animal cruelty, sexual assault and violence. ( )

Very interesting book. I have not read the goose girl story so I did not have anything to compare it to. I liked it. I would have liked more information on the price's side of the story. You really only understand what is going on at the end of the book. ( )

Alyrra is a princess in a small mountain kingdom, valued only for the political benefits that might be obtained by marrying her off. When a prince from a large and prosperous kingdom shows an interest in her, her mother and brother warn her to try not to screw it up. They send her to the prince's kingdom, accompanied by a minor noblewoman who hates her because of a past humiliation. On the journey, assisted by a dark sorceress who holds a grudge against the prince's family, the noblewoman and the princess swap appearances, so that when they arrive at the palace, Alyrra is left helpless to the machinations of the other. Only she knows of the dark sorceress, and only she can warn the prince -- if she can be courageous enough...

This retelling of "The Goose Girl" does not shy away from the darkness in the original story, and indeed, compounds it. Themes of courage and justice are woven through the story. This book is geared towards a slightly older audience than Shannon Hale's [The Goose Girl], but both are excellent retellings. I listened to the audiobook, and as is often the case with first-person narratives, I couldn't always tell what was spoken aloud versus what was an unspoken thought. My only other quibble was that the ending came abruptly, when I was hoping for more story! I will be seeking out more books by this author. If you like fairy tale retellings, you should, too! ( )

A princess with two futures. A destiny all her own.

Between her cruel family and the contempt she faces at court, Princess Alyrra has always longed to escape the confines of her royal life. But when she’s betrothed to the powerful prince Kestrin, Alyrra embarks on a journey to his land with little hope for a better future.

When a mysterious and terrifying sorceress robs Alyrra of both her identity and her role as princess, Alyrra seizes the opportunity to start a new life for herself as a goose girl.

But Alyrra soon finds that Kestrin is not what she expected. The more Alyrra learns of this new kingdom, the pain and suffering its people endure, as well as the danger facing Kestrin from the sorceress herself, the more she knows she can’t remain the goose girl forever.

With the fate of the kingdom at stake, Alyrra is caught between two worlds and ultimately must decide who she is, and what she stands for.

Includes The Bone Knife, a bonus short story set in the world of Thorn.