Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Series: Blackthorn & Grim #2
Published by Roc on November 3rd 2015
Genres: Fantasy
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads





Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn’s bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim.
Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada’s help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land—one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim.
As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it’s apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle—a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides.
I always think I don’t really like regular fantasy since it’s more like a historical fantasy rather than urban fantasy, but now reading these Ace Roc books I find I love it, some of it. I read somewhere recently about the genre being timeless and that is true enough. It doesn’t have the changing technology issues of urban fantasy or futuristic science fiction.
But to get to the point, this book and its predecessor, Dreamer’s Pool, are interesting, wonderful, well-written books. The main characters, Blackthorn, and Grim have their strengths and their horrid pasts they are hiding. Yet they can still be kind and supportive to others.
These are thought – provoking books, not the romantic books with humor I favor for comfort reads. Tower of Thorns kept me engaged anyway. I was happy Blackthorn found an old friend. I enjoyed the comfort it gave her, but I didn’t like him.
The one note I will make here, without giving away the story, is what a pack of liars! Nobody seems to tell the truth – even the “good” guys! Of course, it is in the name of what is best for everyone. *Snorts* This is a different situation from the first book. There are those who actually work hard and sacrifice for the greater good; and those who only care about themselves no matter how it affects others. Such is life.
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