Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence-heavy debut with cool forbidden magic and romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In THORN SEASON, Alissa scrubs the Hunters' mark off her friend Marge's door and nearly gets caught doing it. It's worth it to Alissa, to rebel against the Kingdom of Daradon that kidnaps and murders secret Wielders of magic, because she's a Wielder, too. Also, as this is Alissa's 18th year, she's expected at court for the Rose Season where ruthless and charming King Erik has already made his interest in her clear. Alissa feels trapped, but hopeful that she can use her cunning at court to find out why there are suddenly so many Wielders dying and what it has to do with a missing compass that can magically locate Wielders. But after the first night of Rose Season festivities, Alissa is kidnapped and suspects she's in the hands of Hunters—until she realizes they're Wielders like her.
Is It Any Good?
With layers of mysterious court intrigue, romance, a cruel king, and unique and forbidden magic, this trilogy by a debut author is off to a promising start. Sometimes there are too many layers of deception to track, and some passages of reflection could have been downsized and packaged within the story's action or omitted entirely, but neither issue gets in the way of Thorn Season's overall impact. Alissa is a fascinating character to root for. She's been closed off from Wielders her whole life and living in secret, but is in so deep with the nobility that she's courted by the king. She's also caught the attention of an ambassador from the Wielder nation of Ansora, a much better prospect, even though—for one night to secure the release of Wielders—he was also Alissa's kidnapper. The juggling of these beaus is masterfully done and courses with conflict. No one like Alissa would ever follow her heart or compromise her mission to save Wielders, which is why the few romantic moments she allows herself feel precious and the moments with the king, who appears more sinister by the page, are so suffocating. With new surprise allies and even bigger enemies made by story's end, there's a lot to look forward to in the next book.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Alissa's magic in Thorn Season. Who knows she's a Wielder? Why does she hide her powers from other Wielders who would show her empathy? How does she use her courage and considerable sway at court to protect other Wielders in secret?
Why are the Wielders being oppressed? Alissa thinks the Wholeborns are standing back and letting the Wielders get slaughtered, even if they don't agree with the government. Is this true? What are ways real oppressed people in history have fought back from discrimination?
What do you think is next for Alissa in Book 2? Who are her allies? Who are her fiercest enemies? How will she fight them?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Family Stories , Friendship , Royalty
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Storytide
- Publication date : September 2, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 464
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 25, 2025
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