Between Two Thorns

The Split Worlds, Book #1

By Emma Newman

ISBN# 9780857663207

Author’s Website: http://www.enewman.co.uk/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Valerie

Synopsis:

Something is wrong in Aquae Sulis, Bath’s secret mirror city.

The new season is starting and the Master of Ceremonies is missing. Max, an Arbiter of the Split Worlds Treaty, is assigned with the task of finding him with no one to help but a dislocated soul and a mad sorcerer.

There is a witness but his memories have been bound by magical chains only the enemy can break. A rebellious woman trying to escape her family may prove to be the ally Max needs.

But can she be trusted? And why does she want to give up eternal youth and the life of privilege she’s been born into? (Goodreads)

Review:

2014 marks the fourth year I’ve been reading YA literature. While I thought I’d always love certain genres and writing styles, I thought wrong. Sure, I’ve remained loyal to YA, but I stopped loving fantasy about a year ago. Between Two Thorns has been the first fantasy book I’ve read in a while. I can’t say that it was phenomenal, but the author definitely has potential.

Cathy, the main female character in the story, isn’t very likeable. She’s just too independent to the point where it gets annoying and dumb. She’s like many of the protagonists in YA literature. The author wants the protagonists  to be strong at the expense of the character’s smartness. Emma Newman fell victim to that trap, but for the most part I just didn’t care enough to make an extremely big fuss about it.

As for Max, he’s pretty forgettable too. Good-looking enough, smart enough, okay enough. He’s so forgettable that I can’t write anymore about him.

The plot is okay. It’s nothing mind blowing, but it does hold its own. In other words, just think about any random fantasy book and you’ve got Between Two Thorns. Once you’ve read enough fantasy novels, you’ll understand what I mean about Between Two Thorns. It’s pretty good, but lots of books are pretty good.

All in all, Between Two Thorns is an okay read. While it wasn’t an all-time favorite, I definitely will be reading the sequel. Definitely give Between Two Thorns a read!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*