Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark, so-so fairytale mashup has a strong-girl antihero.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
VIOLET MADE OF THORNS is the story of 18-year-old Violet, a poor street urchin who as a young child saved Prince Cyrus's life, and in gratitude was taken to live in the royal palace of the Sun Capital. Her gift of Sight was quickly realized, and she began training with the king's official Seer. The old Seer's dying words were a prophecy of war and death that could only be averted by Prince Cyrus's bride, so a search to find the right one has been on ever since. Now that Violet's the king's Seer, and just as the prince returns from a long journey to find a bride, the Fates demand from Violet a life in return for the one she robbed them of all those years ago. By summer's end, Cyrus must die, or Violet will.
Is It Any Good?
This dark fantasy blends elements of several fairy tales into an intense story that fans of the genre will likely enjoy. The strongest influences in Violet Made of Thorns draw from "Beauty and the Beast," with "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," and others peeking through, too. Many readers will admire Violet as a headstrong, confident, powerful young woman who doesn't back down. But others may find such a cynical antihero hard to like.
The world of the story is richly imagined, if mostly familiar. Elements of deadly prophecy, mysterious beasts, palace intrigue, and an intense love-hate relationship add tension and suspense. But some events are predictable, and there are some gaps in details and storytelling. This may put some readers off, but should be easy for fans to forgive.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Violet Made of Thorns. Is it too much? Is reading about fantasy violence different from reading about real-world violence?
What about the sexual content? Is it too much? What about the times when it gets violent?
Is there too much strong language? Is it realistic? Does that make a difference?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : July 26, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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