Thornhedge - T. Kingfisher

 

There’s a princess trapped in a tower. This isn’t her story.

Meet Toadling. On the day of her birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies, but she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of faerieland. Once an adult though, the fae ask a favor of Toadling: return to the human world and offer a blessing of protection to a newborn child. Simple, right?

But nothing with fairies is ever simple.

Centuries later, a knight approaches a towering wall of brambles, where the thorns are as thick as your arm and as sharp as swords. He's heard there's a curse here that needs breaking, but it's a curse Toadling will do anything to uphold…

This lil 116-page novella held more lore, more character development, and more heart than some 400+ page novels.

I don't even know how to explain the plot to anyone because anything I say won't do it justice and it'll also spoil it. It's best if you read this without knowing much. The charm is in the slow discovery of all the book's secrets and quirks. 

The story will surprise you for sure. You'll think you know where this goes but you probably won't be correct. 😂

Toadling was truly one of a kind character. She's not entirely human, but also not entirely...something else. She's a gentle girl who loves her family and only wants to return to them. She doesn't consider herself very smart or capable, but she tries her best. Sometimes she thinks it's not enough and her struggle felt so real - she constantly felt powerless and like she failed in her task. I adored her and wanted to hug her like a million times ♥

The knight gave me similar feels - he's just a softie who had to become a knight because of his circumstances. He's more interested in investigating old legends and always tries to help others.

The way the story weaves the past and the present was truly fascinating. You slowly discover the whole truth about what lies behind the thorns and if the curse truly should be broken.