THORN

Great book by a great writerInteresting and keeps the reader engagedLooking forward to more from the author and the stories they create

Beautifully written, the ending is both sweet and sad. Not my usual read but I was intrigued when I saw the blurb and I'm glad I picked it up."Ignorance, she had learned, was the behaviour of fools, and those that were uneducated in real life and the realities of the world they lived in. They were too afraid of what they did not understand, so, rather than try to learn, they cast those with differences out."

This was a beautifully written book with a story that pulled me in from the start. The main character Violet was so well drawn I was rooting for her and hoping she would overcome all the hurdles thrown her way. It was an eye opening story of discrimination and the power of love and resilience. I’m not usually a reader of fantasy, but in this book the fantasy worked really well with the historical and added a lot to the plot. Overall a wonderful read that I highly recommend! Five stars!

The most phenomenal book I have read in a long time,I was completely hooked from the first page. It's always a fantastic feeling when you are able to immerse yourself into the book your reading and really imagine how the characters thoughts and feelings are playing out page by page. If your reading this review right now.....what are you waiting for....order it now and see for yourself!!

This book is a must have for all those readers that like to have a diverse taste in books. Not only does it include historic views/facts abot how disabled people were faced with but it tells the story on two different views. The ending blew me away and wasnt expected. A must read

This book is very thought provoking. Takes you back to a times of 'freak' shows when people with differences were treated so cruel. It is an eye opener to the feelings and turmoil of what they truly went through and what people go through today when they have to endure ignorance. It is a beautiful story of a young woman who wants what any woman would but has to fight her way out of a current situation to have it. Beautiful love story as well as one of strength and determination.Highly recommend.

I was lost in this book for 2 days . Fantastic fantasy advenve with romance. Definitely one to read

Great read, thank you

The story of Violet Hall, born with a spinal deformity that makes her an object of ridicule, is one of romantic sweetness and galling injustice. Set in the nineteenth century, orphaned Violet endures the abuse of her despicable grandmother for the sin of being ‘different’. However, fate and a bit of magic, open a new world of kindness and love when it enables her to meet the gentle and open-hearted Emil Merriwether. Yet, her grandmother’s greed tears the lovers apart when the wicked woman sells Violet to a traveling ‘freak show’. From there, the story follows Violet’s struggles to maintain her hope and return to Emil. Tina Abbott manages to create a highly sympathetic protagonist and some truly horrendous villains that portrays in somber detail the life of people the most of society considered less than human. There is some ambiguity to the reality of Violet’s time with Emil that is never truly resolved even as he is shown setting out to search for her when she disappears. Though that may be a stylistic approach I’m missing out on. That point along with the fact we don’t get to see if the grandmother ever really gets her comeuppance prevented me from granting a 5-star rating. I so very much wanted to see her grandmother get exposed for the wretch she was. There was also a couple of times modern expressions were used despite the historical setting. However, none of it was enough to prevent me from enjoying this story and I would very much recommend it.

This book was so incredibly beautiful and moving. Tina Abbott’s writing is romantic in nature and she possesses a connection to her characters that causes the reader to feel for them and know them, too. Abbott knows from personal experience what it is like to live with the scoliosis and kyphosis as the main character does, and she shares with readers an emotional experience through that depth. It was unexpected, stunningly written, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I love the gothic tropes and touch of magic, I wanted Violet to get her happy ending, one she deserved. Tina is amazing, and I will be reading more from her!

Read it! Love it!!!