This 'Shadow and Bone' Alum Is Releasing A Must-Read Romantasy Book: 'Thorn Season'

What is 'Thorn Season' about?

Thorn Season has been described as a "sharp" and "twisty" YA romantasy tale that blends Shadow and Bone with The Selection. It's set in the Kingdom of Daradon, where a select group of people known as Wielders possess a rare power: the ability to manipulate a magical Spectre. This thread extends from their body to touch and even kill, which is why they've been relentlessly hunted.

Alissa Paine, the daughter of a powerful Hunter family, is hiding her own secret: the fact that she is actually a Wielder. At 18 years old, she's managed to stay alive only through fierce discipline and her father's protection.

"Summoned to the harsh and glittering royal court for the debutante season, Alissa finds herself caught in a web of intrigue and betrayal–and caught between two equally dangerous men: one a brutal ruler with the handsome face of a fairytale prince, who could destroy her if he knew the truth–and the other a beguiling foreign ambassador with secret agendas of his own," the book's synopsis reads.

"With the threat of discovery lurking around every corner–and romance becoming an increasingly dangerous temptation–Alissa will find that she has more to lose than her secrets. It's Rose Season at the palace, but to survive, she'll need to become the most vicious of thorns."

Thorn Season being publicized as "Shadow and Bone meets The Selection" seems extremely promising, given that both books climbed to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. Not to mention, it clearly has all of the iconic tropes that readers and overall literary communities (like #BookTok) love: secret powers, brushes with royalty, supernatural politics, and, of course, a love triangle.

The most exciting part? Thorn Season will hit bookstores this fall, just in time for spooky season. So, prepare to cozy up with a brand-new and exciting read soon.

How did 'Shadow and Bone' influence 'Thorn Season'?

Netflix's original show Shadow and Bone first premiered in 2021. The fantasy series, based on author Leigh Bardugo's Grisha trilogy and Six of Crows duology, follows a young woman who discovers she's a powerful Grisha with the potential to save her war-torn world.

In the Netflix series, Kiera played a healer and reportedly became inspired by the story's blend of fantasy and romance while filming in Hungary. And already, HarperCollins is offering a deluxe edition for preorder, something that's rare for a debut author at a Big Five publishing house. So, we have high hopes for Kiera's new work.