Girl, Serpent, Thorn

A cursed princess lives in isolation within her family's palace, unable to touch anyone without poisoning them to death. While her twin brother prepares to take the throne, Soraya searches for answers about the div who placed this curse upon her as a baby. Her quest leads her to meet both a captured div and a young soldier who may hold keys to understanding her condition. The story draws from Persian mythology and folklore, incorporating magical beings called divs and elements of traditional storytelling from that region. The palace setting and political intrigue provide a backdrop for Soraya's personal journey of self-discovery and her struggle with questions of power versus humanity. The novel explores the gray areas between good and evil, asking what truly makes someone monstrous or heroic. Through its mythological framework, it examines themes of identity, belonging, and the choices that shape who we become.

Readers note strong Persian mythology influences and appreciate the bisexual representation in this YA fantasy. The complex morality and character development of protagonist Soraya draws frequent mentions in reviews. Likes: - Atmospheric writing style and descriptions - Fresh take on fairy tale themes - LGBTQ+ characters written naturally into the story - Persian cultural elements woven throughout Dislikes: - Pacing issues in middle sections - Some found the romance underdeveloped - Plot becomes predictable in later chapters - Secondary characters lack depth As one reviewer stated: "The writing is beautiful but the story drags significantly around the halfway point." Another noted: "The Persian mythology sets it apart but the character relationships needed more time to develop." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (26,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (850+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.2/5 (200+ ratings) The book receives consistent praise for its premise and writing style but lower scores for execution and pacing.

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🌹 The novel draws inspiration from Persian mythology and folklore, particularly incorporating elements of the divs (demons) from ancient stories 🐍 The main character, Soraya, was inspired by traditional fairy tale heroines like Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty, but deliberately subverts these classic tropes ⚔️ Author Melissa Bashardoust grew up reading both Western fairy tales and Persian stories from her Iranian heritage, which influenced her unique blend of storytelling styles 🌟 The book's romantic elements include LGBTQ+ representation, featuring a bisexual protagonist - something rarely seen in Persian-inspired fantasy 🏰 The story's setting is based on the historic Golestan Palace in Tehran, with its mirror-covered walls and elaborate gardens serving as inspiration for the novel's royal palace