There was and there was not…a girl named Soraya who was locked away in a tower of the castle where she could do harm. Cursed soon after birth, Soraya’s parents kept her out of view so the kingdom wouldn’t lose faith in the family and their royal lineage. When a magical being presents an opportunity to reverse the curse, Soraya has to decide what’s more important – being normal and accepted, or keeping her family safe.
Melissa Bashardoust’s Girl, Serpent, Thorn received a nomination for the Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fantasy in 2020 and has been critically acclaimed since. This sophomore release from the Southern California writer showcases family drama and her unique approach to building a fantasy world. Weaving Disney-worthy princess fairytales and Middle Eastern folklore, Bashardoust presents a compelling tale of grief and determination following our heroine’s drive to find her own purpose in the world. This coming-of-age story shows the dangers of romance scams and the importance of finding who you can really trust.
I give Girl, Serpent, Thorn 4 out of 5 stars. I loved this book both for how similar it is to fairytales I love and but also how different. Reminiscent of One Thousand and One Nights, especially stories about Aladdin, Barshardoust’s writing transports readers to another time and culture with remarkable descriptions making scenes leap off the page. Elements of the plot also felt akin to Disney fairytales like Tangled and Frozen – a heroine, locked away for most of her life, looking for purpose in her life. It also delivers Elsa vibes as Soraya wears gloves so that her touch won’t kill someone accidentally. I did find some of the later plot points a little troublesome and the same-sex relationship aspect felt forced. Also, some names and terms are based in Arabic languages which made it difficult to pronounce or keep up with. With that said, this was a great audiobook with both mystery and romance.
I would recommend this book to readers who love young adult fantasy novels and are looking for something a little more mature than the Disneyesque stories we grew up with. With violence and hints of forced marriage/relationships, this book may be best directed to more mature audiences over 13. If you have a teen at home who likes this sort of read, this would make a great partner read for parent and teen to enjoy together!
I chose Girl, Serpent, Thorn for the Read With Lindsey Reading Challenge prompt “with a snake”. This prompt is in honor of the Lunar New Year – 2025 is the year of the snake! This book has been on my TBR list for a few years – I love the female-centric power dynamic throughout. Are you looking for a list of other great reads with snakes? Check out our agenda post from Sunday for other ideas!
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: The Only Woman in the Room, Marie Benedict
- Current audio book: Heirs of the Founders, H.W. Brands
- Book I’m most looking forward to: Tom Clancy Line of Demarcation, M.P. Woodward
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