Book Review: Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen

Defiant, Charmed, and Vicious

Gina Chen came out swinging with this debut. I am here to happily take any other punches from here on out. As someone who enjoys fairytales being retold, nothing makes me happier than when a retelling is not only done with details but when a retelling is able to make quips about any and all fairytales! I am a HUGE fan of retellings loaded with “Easter eggs”. There were plenty of those in here that made my heart happy and dancing! This is a retelling most reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. Again, there are plenty of other fairytales that were hinted at in the book but these three were the most touched on.

Our MC is Violet, a Seer who was born to the streets (though her family life is very hazy and hints at being built upon in the future installments of the series). After dreaming of the child Prince's untimely demise, Violet- a child herself at the time- saves Prince Cyrus. After her use of the sight to save the prince's life, she then was then whisked away to the castle to live under the Kings rule as his own personal Seer. Though, we all know children are easily influenced. So did the king. He raised her but also formed her for his use. Learned and adapted to lie for the King and her own form of self protection, Violet is given to us as a morally grey heroine.

You guys, Gina Chen opens the book with a disclaimer on our heroine. I quote-

“This book is a fairy tale for those who choose head over heart every time...We often discuss representation in strictly positive terms, citing characters who are role models who try to make the right choices, but being human also means being wonderfully, terribly flawed.”

I loved her adding this aspect in before we get into the grit of the book. It wonderfully sets the tone and honestly made me way more eager to dive into the book! Violet was a terribly flawed MC. She reminded me of myself in some ways. Ways in which had me cringing at times. Like Chen mentioned, most MCs tend to always have their moral compass, unfailing to sacrifice themselves for the best of all; unflinching to make the right call. Violets compass is always aware of what actions may do to her. She’s number one and is always looking out for herself- as most honestly would. I love her flaws and her brutal honesty. She frustrated me, made me laugh, made me cringe…she made me feel and fully engage with this book.

Cyrus is the dazzling prince. Charming, bright and cursed with destiny. The entire kingdom rests on his shoulders. Heavy from that weight he is torn from duty and heart. That being said, he’s also got his own spunk which I adore in a love interest. I like the grumpy/sunshine trope but said sunshine has to have enough attitude to compete with the grump in my opinion. They have to know how to play the game and melt the heart. Cyrus is perfectly balanced in all those ways! Violet and his banter was plenty of entertainment and tensed heat to keep me enthralled.

I was fully enchanted in this book, finishing this book in just two days (between work and responsibilities). I never wanted to put it down and am only upset that it is finished and I now have to wait a year or more for a sequel. Gina Chen impressed me with such a wonderful debut. Big things are in her future and I'm excited to see her bloom as an author. With fantasy, enemies to lovers, and morally grey characters hot right now she is sure to break into the YA genre with ease. Like I said, she came out swinging and is fully equipped to come out champion. This is sure to be a new favorite series for us all!

This is a solid 4/5 star read. I loved it! This book releases this week so prep the wallets and hit the stores. You’re going to want to pick this one up, trust me! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.