I received this book for free from Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Seven Deadly Thorns by Amber Hamilton Published by Bloomsbury USA on November 4, 2025
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations, Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
Pages: 400
Format: ARC
ISBN: 9781547616596In the cursed Kingdom of Aragoa, the punishment for magic is death.
Even the students at Vandenberghe Academy aren't spared. When Viola Sinclair's deadly shadow magic is discovered, the queen gives her assassin a new assignment and a new cursed tattoo: seven-thorned rose on his arm for the seven days he has to hunt Viola down and kill her. If he doesn't, he will be the one to die.
The assassin is Roze Roquelart--entitled prince, arrogant fellow student, and the one person Viola hates more than anyone. Roze should revel in the chance to end her life, but he desperately needs something from Viola and her magic. And he's willing to spare her life--and fake their engagement--to get it.
Forced to work together, Viola and Roze must contend with deadly threats, dangerous secrets, and an impossible attraction. Will they give in to their deepest desires, even if it means destroying Aragoa--and risking both their lives?
Her worst enemy. His only change. Be swept away by the sizzling, irresistible enemies-to-lovers romantasy with magic more destructive than your darkest nightmares.
OH MY WORD!! To say I loved every moment of this book would be an understatement. Everything about this was perfect, from the plot to the characters to the romance.
Viola and Roze’s chemistry came right off the page. I always love a good enemies to lovers trope and how they have to put aside their differences to work together before one of them dies was perfect. The banter that they traded back and forth was on point, plus Saint Waffles was the bestest of gargoyles (and puppies). But even the side characters were so fleshed out, with Cerise and Belladonna and the Queen. They all had their own motivations and cares in the story that didn’t always revolve around the main characters.
The plot of the novel was so compelling. Viola is a magic wielder in the Kingdom of Aragoa where magic is strictly forbidden, so having to hide becomes not only necessary but vital to survival. Then Roze finds out that Viola’s a meiga, and not only that, but he’s forced by the Queen to kill her. Instead they strike up a bargain to figure out who killed Roze’s father, the King. The whole imbalance between the nobles and commoners was so on point, especially with everything going on politically. There’s also a secret society, a Belle like library, and a queer romance.
There were so many lines and quotes that resonated to me as a queer person and from growing up in the Church. So much trauma and hypocrisy from growing up in the South and in the closet, and I’m glad I don’t have to do that anymore. To all who still have to live in the closet, I see you, I love you, and I’m here for you.
For those of you who love romantasy, enemies to lovers, and an adorable gargoyle sidekick, I cannot recommend this book enough!!
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