A review by lavdisy
Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The thing I praised the most about this book is the writing style. It felt magical, dreamy, and fairy-like, with lyrical words that enchanted in every chapter. It started off very slowly, which initially bored me, but it was worth the wait because the plot became so interesting. The multiple points of view, the intertwined storyline and history, the angsty romance, and the portrayal of books and magic were all quite well done. I liked how everything finally connected, although I felt a bit sad about the bittersweet ending. There were some aspects that bothered me, such as the magic not being fully explored. It was present in a significant amount, but some elements appeared suddenly without explanation of their origins. I understand that the book is short and under 300 pages, but I had hoped for more suspense and drama, which turned out to be lacking. Additionally, the ending should be in jail because Kane deserved better in every way. She should have received an epic ending to match the sacrifices she made. Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot and devoured it for the vibes as well as the engaging plot. I would definitely read another book by the author, as I had received a recommendation for a different title, but starting with this one was the perfect choice.