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On the day of Toadling’s birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies. However, instead of meeting the traditionally horrible fate most children face at the hands of faeries, she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of faerie land. Once she’s an adult, though, the fae ask a simple favor of Toadling — that she return to the human world and offer a blessing of protection to a newborn child.
Nothing with faeries is ever simple, though.
Centuries later, a knight approaches a towering wall of brambles, where thorns are as thick as a man’s arm and as sharp as a sword’s edge. He’s heard there’s a curse that needs breaking, but it’s a curse Toadling will do anything to uphold.
Thornhedge is a bittersweet twist on the Sleeping Beauty tale, with dangerous, treacherous faerie and an unlikely hero. T. Kingfisher delivers a story that at once feels cozy while also touched with dark whimsy. It still has all the classic elements of the fairy tale — a princess, a prince, a curse, a castle — but don’t be fooled. This seemingly calm tale is built on startling heavy topics, such as guilt, regret, and a heavy-hearted resignation to fate.
Overall, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Thornhedge is the kind of novella that might slide under the radar of fairy tale readers, but it’s definitely worth the read.
Rated: Moderate, for darker themes, mention of animal torture, references to a suicide, and a child’s death. Violence also includes murder that comes across as morbid and cruel without being too detailed. Some blood and injury is featured. There are also three uses of mild language.
