Is The Thorn Queen Worth Reading?
Ada’s Score
Sasha Peyton Smith returns with a lush and intricately plotted conclusion to her acclaimed series, placing Ivy Benton on the throne of England with no illusions about the power games surrounding her. Ivy must simultaneously scheme to dethrone the husband she never chose, protect her beloved sister, and find her way back to Emmett — the true love the crown conspired to keep from her. Smith's prose is as richly atmospheric as ever, conjuring a gaslit world of magic, political intrigue, and fierce female agency. The Thorn Queen is a deeply satisfying conclusion that delivers on every promise its predecessors made.
“Smith's court intrigue has genuine teeth and her heroine schemes rather than sulks. The political maneuvering is smarter than the genre usually bothers with.”
Series Finale PickQueen of England, Prisoner of a Throne She Never Chose
Ada Brief
AI reading intelligence“Smith's court intrigue has genuine teeth and her heroine schemes rather than sulks. The political maneuvering is smarter than the genre usually bothers with.”
Queen of England, Prisoner of a Throne She Never Chose
Sasha Peyton Smith brings her series to a stunning close with The Thorn Queen, giving Ivy Benton a finale that is equal parts heartbreaking and triumphant. Ivy is queen, yes, but she is also a sister, a woman in love, and a soul fighting for something that actually matters — and Smith never lets the grandeur of the setting swallow the intimacy of her story. This is a finale that earns its ending, and it will stay with you long after the last page.
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The Thorn Queen Review
Smith's court intrigue has genuine teeth and her heroine schemes rather than sulks. The political maneuvering is smarter than the genre usually bothers with.
Rating: 4.4 / 5
Ada’s reservations
The romance is grafted on and drains urgency from the sharper political plot. The prose does not match the ambition. Fantasy readers wanting intrigue over swoon will feel shortchanged.
Ada’s score reflects both strengths and reservations.
Book Details
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780063372573
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Ada’s Score
4.4
Ada’s editorial score — not an aggregate of reader reviews.
Common Questions About The Thorn Queen
- Is The Thorn Queen worth reading?
- Smith's court intrigue has genuine teeth and her heroine schemes rather than sulks. The political maneuvering is smarter than the genre usually bothers with. Ada rates it 4.4 out of 5.
- What are the main weaknesses of The Thorn Queen?
- The romance is grafted on and drains urgency from the sharper political plot. The prose does not match the ambition. Fantasy readers wanting intrigue over swoon will feel shortchanged.
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