I love a good fairytale retelling, and Bonded By Thorns absolutely delivered! Rosalina, a human unexpectedly dumped into the fae realm, brings all of her very human problems straight into the lives of four cursed princes, and chaos, tension, and intrigue naturally follow.
Each prince rules as a High Prince of a seasonal court, and I loved how distinct their personalities and realms felt. The Castle of Thorns itself is such a strong atmospheric element; the details woven into its design really enhance the magical, slightly dangerous tone of the story. The spice level was just right, enough to deepen the relationships and move the plot forward without overwhelming the story, which felt perfect for a first book in a series. It leaves room for both character development and plenty of anticipation for what’s to come. And for anyone who has seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail, I have to say: the Prince of the Spring Court gives serious Black Knight energy. I won’t spoil anything, but more than once I caught myself thinking, “’Tis but a flesh wound!” Overall, this was a fun, romantic, and magical start to a series that clearly has much more in store. If you enjoy fae romance, fairytale retellings, cursed princes, and a story that balances humor with intrigue, this one is definitely worth picking up. I’m excited to see where the series goes next!