If you have been shopping for books anywhere of late, you cannot have missed the explosion in the "romantasy" genre that has taken over publishing. Fantasy romance series have been flying off the shelves and are all the rage on book social media, particularly targeted at the young adult market. Kiera Azara’s opening volume of a new romantasy series hits many of the same notes that are found across this genre without straying too far into the kind of overly adult content that makes many of these books unsuitable for younger teenage readers.
The story is set in the kingdom of Dardaron where the population is split into two types of people: Wholeborns, without abilities, and Wielders, people born with the ability to project and manipulate an invisible "spectre" self. Feared for their powers, Wielders are persecuted and hunted by a special class of assassins who come from one particular noble family. 17 year old Alissa is a member of the Hunter clan but she is also a Wielder herself, forced to hide her abilities since childhood in case her family turns on her.
As she approaches her 18th birthday, tradition dictates that she spend the social Rose Season at the King’s court, where she finds herself caught up in politics and intrigue wrapped around three men who could all spell disaster or salvation: her childhood friend turned Hunter killer, the enigmatic Ambassador from a neighbouring empire of free Wielders, and the dangerous King himself who is looking for a bride.
In a saturated market, it can be difficult to impress but there are some things that Azar has done very well in this novel. Alissa is a well drawn heroine and, despite the fact that a lot of the plot surrounds her relationship with men, she remains a very independent character. The question of "spice" in romantasy always comes up and I was pleased to find that this book keeps it at about the right level for a young adult audience – there are no sex scenes at all and the romance is kept to some heavy kissing.
Much of the story hinges on a detective-style mystery that is well paced and throws in some genuine surprises towards the end. It held my interest nicely and the ending sets readers up for the next book. This is a welcome addition to the young adult romantasy market and I look forward to seeing where this series goes in the next instalment.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥
Thorn Season by Kiera Azara is published by Harper Fire 11 September and is available from bookshops and Amazon.
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Elaine Hewlett is a secondary school librarian.
