GIRL SERPENT THORN

"She had read enough stories to know that the princess and the monster were never the same. She had been alone long enough to know which one she was."Rating: 4.8By far one of the best YA LGBTQ+ fantasy novel I have ever read. This book had me by the hook. I thoroughly enjoyed every single part of it. It is gracefully written, the quotes are enchanting, the characters are authentic and the character development and world-building is incredible.It is set in a Persian - inspired setting. The reader along with the protagonist, Soraya is in this perplexing state of dilemma, with not only their own but the integrity of the other characters in question. Soraya is a reliable narrator but not necessarily "the knight in the shining armour, God-blessed sort of hero." And that is just one of the grasping points about this novel. Along the course of the novel, Soraya unravels the deep-buried lies and secrets which have shaped the lives of her family, kingdom, acquaintances and hers.It has betrayal, war, gory rites, hidden heists, treacherous characters and would utterly bewitch and invigorate you!!!Recommended to all the fantasy lovers seeking an LGBTQ read with a new and fresh narrative. This book definitely wouldn't disappoint you.Now my loves and hard to loves (spoilers sorry!!)[Loves1. The characters were so authentic like damn I fell for Azad and the moment he turned into Shahmar... didn't see that coming a bit. Although I was suspicious about his too perfect nature, it was still unexpected.2.Tahmineh: there were moments where I was furious at her, but in the end, I really sympathised with her. Her mistakes and past actions were understandable.3.The passageways of the castle(Golvahar)....these were nothing short of enchanting.4.The anthropomorphism with the roses and thorns in the Golestan.5.The divs being creatures with their own brains and not some dumb destroyers6. The emphasis on the balance between the concepts of "Creation " and "Destruction."7.The fact the author gives acknowledgement and mention to her inspirations from the Persian Culture in the Author's note section.8.Literally flawless writing9.The LGBTQ+ representation. It was written real well and one could really differentiate between the toxic Azad and the angelic Parvaneh, it made me really emotional.10.The empathy one feels towards Azad/Shahmar on some occasions owing to his treatment as an outcast and the subsequent troubles, but yes he was a terrible person, although it was his family that made him the monster he wasTrust me I could go on listing the entirety of this book, and this review wouldn't end, but since time is precious, if you wanna talk about this and hype with me of its awesomeness, drop in a comment below or you can dm me on Instagram.Hard to loves.......I really can't think of any, I just......*sighs* I really loved this book too much.Thanks for sticking till the end folks!!!

Loved this book!!!! If you are looking for a fairy tale-isq or mythology based fantasy then you should definitely try Girl, Serpent, Thorn.Why I loved Girl, Serpent,Thorn?1) Soraya : I loved Soraya. She was so relatable. I did get angry at her choices sometimes, but I was also able to put myself at her position, walk in her shoes and understand her choices. For me sign of a good character is not when I love everything that the person does, or when the person does only "good" things, but when the person does things that normal humans will do given the same set of circumstances. To me, Soraya was a really well developed and a very relatable character.2) The Villain : I am going to keep the villain's name confidential because it is a huge spoiler. I liked the fact that villain was not villainous without any rhyme or reason. You do understand why he did what he did. I am not saying what he tried to do or what he did was not wrong, I am saying that you understand him, you understand the circumstances that may lead a person to do these things. I also liked how parallels were shown between his and Soraya's life, their circumstances and their choices.3) The World : I loved the Girl, Serpent, Thorn's universe. It is not high-fi. It is a mix and match of various fairy tales and most importantly Persian Mythology. There were two reasons why I loved Soraya's world. First, I really like low on magic fantasy worlds. And the second most important reason for loving this world was it was non-western. I love non-western worlds. Hearing non-western names for both good and bad people really really warms my heart.4) The plot : Last but not the least, I loved the story. I loved everything about this story. And if you know me, you know I like twists, and this book didn't disappoint, I won't say it kept you on the edge of your seat throughout, but there were quite a few unexpected twists and turns here.That is all for this review, thank you for reading. As I had mentioned in the first para itself, if you enjoy fairy tale-isq or mythology based fantasy, you would love love love Girl, Serpent, Thorn.

A dark fairy tale with unexpected twists and turns.

First thing first, the cover is drool worth. This book was more than what I expected from it. Filled with magical creatures and lovely plot twists.We usually guess what's going into happen next but in this book I felt all my guesses went wrong.Loved, loved, loved it. Best book of the month.Rating- 4.5🌟

Entretenido de principio a fin!!!

"Girl, Serpent, Thorn" by Melissa Bashardoust is a remarkable fantasy novel that takes readers on a journey into a world enriched by Persian folklore and a beautifully intricate plot. The book's greatest strength lies in Bashardoust's poetic and evocative prose, which immerses readers in the vivid tapestry of this unique fantasy realm. The author's writing skillfully combines the mystical with the mundane, making it a compelling and often enchanting read.The characters in the story are a notable highlight. The protagonist, Soraya, is a complex and multi-faceted character who struggles with her own inner demons and her unique curse. Her journey of self-discovery and growth throughout the narrative is deeply engaging. Moreover, the supporting characters are well-developed and add depth to the story, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in their fates.While the book excels in many aspects, it does have moments of uneven pacing. At times, the story may feel a bit slower or overly descriptive, which could potentially test the patience of some readers. However, this slight drawback doesn't overshadow the book's overall appeal."Girl, Serpent, Thorn" is an excellent choice for readers who appreciate fantasy novels that embrace different mythologies and cultures. It offers a refreshing change from the more typical Western-inspired fantasy settings. The story's intricate blend of Persian mythology and its creative world-building provide a rich backdrop for the narrative.In summary, "Girl, Serpent, Thorn" is a solid four-star book that combines a captivating premise, well-crafted characters, and beautiful prose. It's a must-read for those who seek a fantasy novel with a touch of the exotic and a willingness to explore the depths of human nature through the eyes of a compelling and unique protagonist.

It was a great read, the characters were really compelling and nuanced and it's always great to have bi protagonists !

I loved this book so much!! I can tell that a lot of research went into this book. Initially, this was a cover-buy for me. However, the story itself did not disappoint. Bashardoust's writing style quickly engulfed me into this fairytale-like-world.The author did an excellent job of not only bring this world alive but also in writing complex characters. Soraya's journey is one of self-love and self-acceptance. As a reader, I could see, and pinpoint, her growth clearly throughout the novel. She went from being ashamed of herself to being proud of who she stands for as a person. She also went from being alone and craving acceptance, to finding people who accept her for who she is as a person. I also felt a lot of the side characters, and the antagonist was fleshed out well. I felt that most of these characters were very much 3d in writing. They all made choices, both good and bad, that affected those around them. My only critique is that I wished Ramin had a little bit more page-time and was fleshed out better.The plot was fast-paced and the chapters flowed nicely. I felt it wrapped up nicely at the end. This is the first time I've read a sleeping-beauty retelling. This book even has hints of Rapunzel in it.Overall, this book did disappoint me. Its plot, characters and fairytale world were as enchanting as the cover itself.