Crown of Thorns

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

I'm pretty terrible with writing synopses, but here goes!Faerie's garden exists as an oasis of peace and tranquility in a land of savage beasts. Despite her small stature, she possesses immeasurable power, not that she's truly aware of it. She enjoys a peaceful life within the garden with her flowers and companions, but others not so peaceful seek to invade her sanctuary.Author's notes:To alleviate any confusion, our main character doesn't have much use for spoken words. Sure, she could probably speak if she tried... but speaking is pretty inefficient compared to how Faerie and those of her garden communicate.

The characters will at some point get actual names, but with no one speaking, it doesn't make sense to me for them to have names yet, especially with each character being more or less unique within the garden.

Current Schedule: New chapter ThursdaysSmall disclaimer: This is my first work, and I'm open to any criticisms or thoughts readers might have. Right now I'm doing my best not to go back and edit each chapter for the Nth time before posting them, though I will probably go back and make adjustments later based on readers' feedback.

Chapters(9 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(8)

  • Ekological ChimeraRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    A well thought out if demanding story that promises to reward the patient reader.
    Style: without any problems, everything flows together rather nicely.
    Grammar: good as well, though there are somewhat regular typos.
    Story: A grand story of the noble Astarre family trying to navigate the turbulent waters of a changing kingdom. As I wrote in the title, it is reminiscent of GoT or for an RR-friendly comparison, Eagle's Flight. The story seems well planned and the set-up is quite intriguing, leaving me wanting for more, though I find it bogged down by the multitude of characters.
    Characters: The weakest part of the story, in my opinion. Yet they are well-written and many of them are quite intriguing, so what is the issue?
    Quantity. In each of the 5 chapters I have read, there were 5-10 new characters introduced, with 5 POV characters so far. Even in chapter 6, I had trouble following who was who. I honestly struggle to recall more than 3 of the characters.
    To be fair, this is a legitimate strategy for writing a character-filled story, though one I dislike and find ill suited to web novels. Still, those who stick it out will most likely find it worth it.
    The other demerit is more personal, and it is the fact that the possibly main villain seems kind of bland. I should disclose that in the chapters I've read he's only had one scene, so it is quite possible that there is more to him or that he won't be the big evil.
    Overall, a story with great potential that promises to reward those willing to stick with it with truly epic world building.
  • Evra-KazeRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    The story aptly builds a world that fell real and lived in. While changing between narrators can be confusing in some stories or either simply disadvantageous, this wasn’t something that I felt with this story. Every characters help better understand the world around them with different perspectives and limitations.
    Something that I need to say is that I have a hard time remembering names but I was somewhat managing with this story as everyone fell distinct and have their own role that doesn’t step on someone else.
    The descriptions are extremely well done as they feel to be the focus. The author builds a world heavy with political intrigue and relation between characters matter a lot. This I feel is a double edge sword for the format this story is in. You need to read a lot or have a really good memory to really enjoy it (since at one point you need to wait for that next chapter, and you forget some things…). The start is heavy because the world and the number of characters is large. I honestly feel like this story would be more enjoyable if it was completed. The author seems to post regularly, so it isn’t that bad.
    There were a few grammar mistakes, but none that are major. At most, it might be a missing ‘the’ and such. It doesn’t break the flow at all unless you are only looking intently for them, which is weird.
    To simplify it, this is an interesting story that require the reader to actually pay attention. Although the start can feel like a wall at first, I think it should be easier after some time.
  • GateKeeperRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    At the time of this review, I've read the first three chapters of the story and about to embark on the fourth.
    The story itself is well written, comfortably paced and full of intrigue, lulling you from one chapter to the next as the author introduces you to important characters and setting the ground work for whatever will come next.
    The cast of characters are diverse and believable, some flawed and all likable in their respective roles.
    Will be giving this one a follow.
  • Jack0fheartRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Crown of Thorns offers a thrilling journey through a world of political intrigue and danger in a kingdom that has known peace for over a century. With multiple perspectives, readers are taken on a journey to navigate the challenges faced by the characters, including Lord Allard, as they try to keep their family and those they are responsible for safe.
    Overall score is 5/5: Crown of Thorns" is a compelling and intriguing tale filled with mystery, intrigue, and drama! The book keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.
    Style score 5/5: The writing style is atmospheric and engaging, creating vivid imagery that pulls the reader into the world of the Forelands. The pacing is well balanced, with enough action to keep the reader invested and enough downtime to let the characters breathe.
    Story score 5/5: The plot is rich with twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat as they try to piece together the events of the Forelands. The themes of family, loyalty, and power are expertly woven into the story, making for a captivating and thought-provoking read.
    Grammar score 5/5: The grammar is top-notch, allowing the reader to easily follow the flow of the story without being distracted by mistakes.
    Character score 5/5: The characters are well-developed and complex, each with their own motivations and desires that drive the story forward. Leo, Allard, Elsa, and the rest of the cast are fleshed out and relatable, making it easy for the reader to become invested in their journeys.
    In summary, Crown of Thorns is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and political intrigue. The rich world-building, engaging characters, and captivating story make it a standout in the genre. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an immersive and entertaining read! ♥
  • PrinceofPersiansRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Overall
    I really like this novel so far. I'm on Chapter 7 and feel the story gaining speed. There are a lot of fun characters, and I like the arcs and how they will interact or are already interacting. There are differences between them, and the personalities are structured well. The descriptions are great, and I feel like I'm in the room with them watching interactions between characters from the ceiling or something. Feels very classic low fantasy.
    Style
    The style is very true to the low fantasy genre and does well to fit in, while being different enough to keep interested. I feel like something is always brewing, whether it's intruege, an angry father, or war coming.
    Grammar
    Some issues, but comes with the territory of this writing style. It's tough to keep sentences short and concise with a flowly style, and I get that. Some tense issues, but I believe author going in and fixing.
    Story
    Awesome, fun story. Sucks you in, wanting to click the next chapter to see who is up next. Character arcs easier to follow than a GOT type book, which is awesome.
    Character
    Tons of them, all different, and you end up liking some, hating some (in like a bad guy villain way), etc. making for all the feels.
    All in all, great start so far!
  • sour_cigarRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    The author only has 7 chapters published, but they made my curiosity peak, wondering what's next.
    The writing and visual descriptions are great, and I love when it feels like I can see and feel what the MC is seeing/experiencing. I don't mind slow burns or fast paced stories, but this story is set where exciting things are happening yet you don't feel confused at any point. I'm able to keep up with what's going on while still getting some "action."
    The characters are very well written and I love how Lord  Allard is, I don't often see any reculsive or "hermit" style characters, but when I do I immediately fall in love with them.
    Overall, this story is well put together, and I can tell the author has every chapter well though out as the story unfolds. It reminds me of a classic fantasy and I love that feeling. If you consider yourself a fantasy fan I'd give this a read, even if you're not the biggest fantasy fan, this story might surpise you and change your mind. I'm excited to see where the author will take it and look forward to more chapters.
  • KonstanceKayRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    Crown of Thorns reads like a bit of a medieval-style story with a few fantasy elements in them. The world building, unique character voices, and history definitely draw me in!
    Style: The author has a gift of describing the setting without focusing on just the visuals and giving enough of a backstory both to the world and the plot that we are getting involved in. It took me a bit to get used to the specific language and word choices, but they fit the story so well that it was quicker than I thought.
    Story: I have to admit, this isn't my usual cup of tea when it comes to reading, but I am loving the growth and development of both the world and the characters. Only a few chapters in and I feel like I already have a pretty good understanding of both the world and the characters and, best part of all, the synopsis is dead on to get you into the story!
    Grammar: while I am a huge fan of the long and descriptive sentences, I found that there were too many missing commas and changed tenses for a smooth reading. Outside of that, I am liking the general structure.
    Character: Having met 4 of the (main?) characters already and so many minor ones, I have to admit I got a little worried about keeping track of them all. Having said that, the writer does a really good job of giving each character a unique voice and perspective so I don't feel that lost.
    Overall, the story is well put together though it could use the help of some proofreading it has great potential as it slowly builds up and takes the reader on an awesome adventure.
  • Miss NomerRoyal Road
    ★★★★ 3.5
    In Crown of Thorns, the author follows in the footsteps of similar medieval-style fantasy books. With strong world-building and varied characters, this is a well-written story that I would be happy to recommend!
    Style: Every chapter is written as if following one person. Each character's distinct "voice" is plainly heard, and it's interesting to see the interactions. The author favors longer sentences and larger vocabulary words.
    Story: The first seven chapters are mostly exposition, and seem to be building toward a conflict. The author demonstrates a good grasp of pacing. Character motivations seem to be clear, though I had a slightly difficult time keeping track of who was who. A family tree at the beginning of the book would be very helpful for me personally.
    Grammar and Vocabulary: The author uses a wide range of words, and shows their descriptive prowess. There are some spelling and punctuation errors, but they do not affect the readability of the story. Additionally, there are a few long/clunky sentences which could be split.
    Characters: The character's complex interactions make for an engaging read. Each character seems almost 3-dimensional.
    In summary, this is a good low-fantasy story with lots of promise. The description written by the author is accurate. OwenHG, thanks for writing!