Thorn, written by Intisar Khanani, is a wonderful young adult fantasy that hit the shelves on March 24, 2020. Published by Key Hot Books (UK) and Harper Teen (US), this story is a retelling of the goose girl and probably one of my favorite reads so far in 2020. A good-hearted princess with two fates and an impossible choice.

Thank you so much, HarperTeen and the author, for the gifted e-copy! I devoured this book in one sitting. The book review expressed my own opinion and this tour is hosted by the FFBC Tours.

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Synopsis – Thorn by Intisar Khanani

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.

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Review

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Book Excerpt

“Princess Alyrra,” the king says. I rise and lift my eyes to his. He studies me as if I were a prize goat, his gaze sliding over me before returning to my face, as cold and calculating as a butcher.

“We have heard tell of you before.”

“My lord?” My voice is steady and calm, as I’ve learned to make it when I’m only half frightened. For all my prayers, there’s no sign of softer traits in the man before me.

“It is said you are honest. An unusual trait, it would seem.”

Dread curls tight in my belly. I force some semblance of a smile to my lips. There is no other answer I can give that my family will not despise me for. My brother has gone rigid, his hands pressed flat against his thighs.

“You are most kind,” my mother says, stepping forward.

The king watches me a moment longer, leaving my mother waiting. Just when I thought I might finally escape my history, how my family sees me, I find I am mistaken. There is no better future to hope for now. The king has come for me, knowing full well I am nothing to my family.

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About the author: Intisar Khanani

Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. She first remembers seeing snow on a wintry street in Zurich, Switzerland, and vaguely recollects having breakfast with the orangutans at the Singapore Zoo when she was five. She currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and two young daughters.

Until recently, Intisar wrote grants and developed projects to address community health with the Cincinnati Health Department, which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy. Intisar’s debut novel, Thorn, was picked up by HarperTeen and will be re-released in Winter 2020. In the meantime, she’s hard at work on the remaining books of The Sunbolt Chronicles.

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On March 24, 2020, Hot Key (UK) and HarperTeen (US/CA) released Thorn! To celebrate, the author is offering some amazing Thorn goodies to everyone who …

• pre-orders/orders a copy of Thorn before March 31st at 23.59.
• OR requests it from their library (library hold / suggested purchase) before March 31st at 23.59.

Here’s what’s up for grabs:

Physical goodies (US/UK):

• A Thorn Bookmark
• A set of Chibi Stickers featuring Thorn characters
• A Signed Bookplate

PLUS Digital goodies (worldwide):

• A PDF of Brambles – a Thorn prequel short story so you can jump into Alyrra’s world now!
• A PDF of The (Annotated) Goose Girl – the original fairytale with annotations from yours truly in the margin
• A coloring page of three Thorn-themed bookmarks

All you need to do to enter is send a proof of purchase (or screenshot of your library hold), your name and address to khananipreorder@gmail.com. T&Cs apply!

UK entrants: Hot Key Books rocks can mail you physical goodies as well as the digital. Check it out here!

Non-US/UK entrants: The author really, really wanted to offer you the physical goodies, but postage is a bear. If you would like to cover the cost of an international stamp ($1.20), she can absolutely mail you the goodies as well. E-mail in your proof/screenshot for your digital goodies, and she’ll link you up so you can do that.

Original link: http://booksbyintisar.com/thorn-pre-order/

You can purchase Thorn right HERE.

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March 24, 2020 – April 7, 2020

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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