Four beastly princes. One awkward bookworm. An enchanted world of fae, magic, and danger.
I’ve always loved fairytales. I never imagined I’d actually be in one.
When my father wanders into the enchanted realm of the fae, I know I have to go after him. And when he gets imprisoned, I’ll do anything to save him… Even trade my freedom for his. I had no idea I’d end up imprisoned by four sexy fae who turn into beasts at night.
I have to win my freedom, and that means making a bargain with them. They must find their mates in order to break the curse. If I can help them do that, they’ll set me free. Sounds simple, right?
It’s not. Because against my better judgment, I’m starting to fall for these beastly princes. One is smart and sweet, the other mysterious and deadly, another flirty and confident, and the last prince… He’s handsome, strong, has a wicked temper, and is dead-set against breaking the curse. Why does he want to keep me here forever?
But it’s not just my freedom on the line. If I don’t break the princes’ curse soon, all the magic in the Enchanted Vale will be stolen by the evil—and stupidly hot—Prince of Thorns. And I’m not letting my princes stay cursed.
Not after I’ve fallen in love with them.
BONDED BY THORNS is a steamy adult Beauty and the Beast retelling set in a fantasy fae realm. In this version, our beautiful bookworm doesn’t have to choose between the four sexy fae princes. It is a full-length novel that ends on a cliffhanger. It includes MF and MM content. It is intended for mature readers only.
Introduction
I first came across the book when the author shared about it on TikTok, and that moment ignited an immediate urge within me to dive into its pages. Admittedly, there might be a slight exaggeration in that statement, as my initial exposure to it happened through the frequent mentions on Booktok. The book had made its presence felt numerous times, and it was during one such instance that a particular quote about fated mates caught my attention. At that point, I couldn’t help but give in to the intrigue and declare, almost playfully, “FINE!” I’m going to read it.
“A mate bond is very rare and sacred. It’s said to be the calling out of your soul for another; the melding of hearts; the quintessence of life itself.”
Overview
Rosalina embodies our equivalent of “Belle.” A 25-year-old woman, she spent her upbringing in a small town within the human realm. Her mother’s disappearance during her infancy and her father’s persistent quest to locate the fae realms, where he believes her mother was spirited away, have left him labeled as “eccentric.” Due to the ridicule surrounding her father’s fixation on a fairy realm, Rosalina decides to stay behind, taking up work in a local bookstore to provide for both herself and her father during his prolonged absences on his quest for the fairies.
On the other hand, our “Gaston” is a less-than-pleasant character named Lucas. Although he left Rosalina behind for college, he conveniently reappears in her life for his own desires whenever he returns to town. Although Lucas remains mostly in the background, his portrayal paints him as a self-absorbed young man who uses Rosalina solely for his convenience. It’s likely he will have a more significant role to play in the second book.
Let’s move on to the “Prince”(s), you did know this was a reverse harem, right? Kel, the brooding winter Prince; Farron, the introspective autumn Prince; Dayton, the self-indulgent summer Prince; and Ezryn, the contemplative Spring Prince. Each of these Princes has been cursed by an enchantress to transform into a wolf every night when dusk falls. The only means to break this curse is for them to find their destined mates.
Adding to the intrigue is a mysterious fae Prince, a substantial figure within the storyline yet shrouded in limited appearances – the enigmatic Prince of Thorns. He has also cast a curse upon the palace, encasing it in brambles and thorns.
In the timeless fashion of Beauty and the Beast, Rosalina’s search for her father inadvertently leads her into the heart of the fairy realm. She locates her father and strikes a deal to take his place. This pivotal shift occurs relatively early in the narrative, leaving the remainder of the tale to unravel the layers of Rosalina’s character, the evolving connections between her and the Princes, and the quest to discover their genuine soulmates.
““And every moment I am not touching you, it eats my soul inside out, tearing me apart, until merely looking at you is an anguish I would only wish upon my worst enemy.”
Trigger Warnings
Content warnings in the realm of fantasy literature often tread a curious path, yet I find it necessary to illuminate aspects that could serve as potential triggers for fellow readers. Be advised that these warnings should be taken with care as I am not a licensed therapist and in no way could I identify everything. The following is what stuck out to me and other readers and might contain spoilers.
Violence
There a violent scenes dealing with different fae fighting.
Emotional/Physical Abuse
Rosalina suffered abuse from her ex boyfriend Lucas and it is brought up and described. Be advised.
Tropes in the Story:
- Emotional Scars
- Forbidden Romance
- Morally Grey MMCs
- Reverse Harem
- Good Girl/Good Boy
- M/M and F/M
- Fated Mates
“It’s not a spark. It’s an eternal fire that burns from deep within my heart and reaches out to you.”
Thoughts
Yes, this is a fairytale retelling, and when executed well, I thoroughly enjoy them. However, I’m not sure whether I’m growing weary of Beauty and the Beast retellings or if the reverse harem aspect just didn’t captivate me as much. From the outset of the story, the fact that the main character was meant to be a “Belle” is repeatedly thrown in our faces, and to be honest, this approach irked me.
Do the authors doubt my ability to draw conclusions without being reminded of it every few paragraphs? And yes if you didn’t know there are two. This was checked by two people and presumably editors as well.
I understand that it’s a retelling, but was it necessary to adhere to the original story’s structure so rigidly? In that case, I might as well have picked up Beauty and the Beast itself. I fear I’m veering into a rant, so I’ll refrain.
Upon Rosalina’s arrival in the fae world, we encounter our male fae characters, all of whom curiously keep referring to themselves as “men.” Are they not supposed to be non-human? This inconsistency leaves me puzzled.
Nonetheless, the WHOLE reason I picked up the book was for one quote and I kid you not that quote wasn’t until the end of the freaking book. Now, I find myself torn. Should I proceed to the next installment, still enticed by that quote, despite my prevailing notion that this book was rather laborious?
Conclusion
Now, you might be wondering why, with all these qualms about the book, I still slapped a three-star rating on it. Well, my friends, it’s all about that ending and that single quote. It’s been echoing in my mind, and I’ve got this feeling that I won’t be able to escape picking up the second installment. Once I get through that one and see how things pan out, I might swing back here and tweak this review. But for the time being, it’s staying at a solid three stars. All I can really say is, dive in at your own risk.
