Wednesday 1 November 2017

The Language of Thorns - Book Review


The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic (The Grisha)
by Leigh Bardugo & Sara Kipin (Illustrator)


What is it about:
Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.


What did I think of it:
This is such a gorgeous book!

My copy was an extra book in the October 2017 FairyLoot box and as I understand it differs from the regular version in that the text on the cover has another color.

That explained: Just look at the beautiful illustrations within this book:


Even if the stories had turned out to be mediocre or worse, I'd have kept this book just for the illustrations alone.

Luckily the stories are also amazing!

They all read like Fairytales or Fables. In some the fairytale that inspired the story is still faintly recognizable, but Bardugo has taken them in new directions and made them her own. I understand these are the tales people in her Grishaverse books tell each other, and these stories made me curious about this world. You can bet I'll read more of her books in the near future.

There are six stories, and I loved them all - The way Bardugo tells them paints a vivid picture and the beautiful illustrations in the margin build up to a climax along with the story - but my favorites are The Soldier Prince and When Water Sang Fire. Both of these have a certain melancholy that spoke to me.

All in all this book was more than what I had expected and it is a definite keeper. I can advice this to anyone who loves a good fairytale.

Why should you read it:
It has gorgeous illustrations and beautiful stories.


Buy from bookdepository

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