Thorn by Intisar Khanani
Series: A standalone in the “Dauntless Path” world
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Release Date: March 24, 2020
Publisher: HarperTeen
Price: US $18.99 (Hardcover), US $9.99 (e-book)
About the Book
A princess with two futures. A destiny all her own.
Between her cruel family and the contempt she faces at court, Princess Alyrra has always longed to escape the confines of her royal life. But when she’s betrothed to the powerful prince Kestrin, Alyrra embarks on a journey to his land with little hope for a better future.
When a mysterious and terrifying sorceress robs Alyrra of both her identity and her role as princess, Alyrra seizes the opportunity to start a new life for herself as a goose girl.
But Alyrra soon finds that Kestrin is not what she expected. The more Alyrra learns of this new kingdom, the pain and suffering its people endure, as well as the danger facing Kestrin from the sorceress herself, the more she knows she can’t remain the goose girl forever.
With the fate of the kingdom at stake, Alyrra is caught between two worlds and ultimately must decide who she is, and what she stands for.
Advance Praise
“Thorn is a lovely atmospheric fairytale fantasy about a girl and her found family. I loved it!” - Gail Carriger, New York Times-bestselling author of the Parasol Protectorate series
“Intisar Khanani is in my top five favorite authors writing today. A stunningly talented storyteller whose lyrical writing just blows my socks off every time I read her.” – Grace Draven, USA Today bestselling author Eidolon
At the far end of the corral I spot the white. He watches me, head raised, bright eyes alert. My heart aches for him.
“I don’t know how I’m going to free you,” I say, resting my hand on the wooden rail. Tonight there’ll be a guard posted, and even now the kitchen staff pass the door at intervals, just enough of a presence that I dare not let him out. “Valka’s the sort that will send you to the knacker when she realizes she can’t ride you. I wish you’d gotten away when you could.”
“I chose to stay, princess,” he replies, his voice deep and gentle.
My mouth drops open. What? “Did you—did you just speak?”
The horse seems mildly gratified by my shock. “Yes,” he says.
I can see his mouth move, though his lips don’t quite shape the word that rings in my ears. He’s speaking, out loud, shaping sounds a horse’s mouth has no ability to make.
“But how?”
“I expect that should be obvious.”
I press my hand against the top of my head, as if I might thereby straighten my thoughts. Nothing makes any sense at all, except, perhaps: “Magic?”
He dips his head, for all the world as if he were a courtier.
“Are you cursed?” I demand, letting go of my head to catch the rail between us.
“No,” he says, his voice lightening with amusement. “Not at all. It is my nature to be able to speak. I merely prefer not to flaunt it before your kind.”
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About the Author
Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. She has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. Until recently, Intisar wrote grants and developed projects to address community health with the Cincinnati Health Department, which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy. She is the author of The Sunbolt Chronicles and Thorn (HarperTeen 2020).
Find the Author
The Author is giving away a THORN-inspired prize pack including a great snowy owl enamel pin, a gorgeous "quill" style calligraphy pen set, a hand-painted watercolor feather on a page from Thorn, and a "fairy dust" candle. The prize pack plus a $25 Gift Card will be awarded to one US winner. The Author also offering a $25 Gift Card to one non-US winner.
The Rafflecopter ends 7/18, so folks have 10 days to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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