I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tor Books (August 15, 2023)
Length: 116 pages
Author Information: Website
Thornhedge is a fairytale retelling by T. Kingfisher, the pen name of author Ursula Vernon, like you’ve never seen before. Prepare to be whisked away by this enchanting novella based on the classic Sleeping Beauty story with a wonderful twist.
Once upon a time, there lived a fairy called Toadling. As her name implies, she is a plain girl but also kind and guileless, unlike most of the stories they tell about the fae. She can also shapeshift into a toad at will, making her perfectly suited for the inconspicuous role of guard duty outside an ancient castle overgrown with thorns.
All this time, Toadling has done her job, keeping trespassers away from the old castle as well as its precious secret safe inside. That is, until one day, a shining knight on horseback approaches, starling Toadling out of her lonely contentment. Halim is the first person she has spoken to in centuries, yet the two of them hit it off right away. She even reveals to him her ability to transform, and of how she was from the human world but was stolen away by fairies as a newborn.
For his part, Halim is polite and fascinated by Toadling. He in turn tells her how he came to be here. For you see, he’s read stories about a castle holding a princess captive, and like others before him, has traveled far to see for himself if they are true.
Of course, like any good T. Kingfisher story, there are hints of horror as well. Gradually, readers will discover Toadling’s connection to castle and the princess through the revelations that come to light via her past and present narratives. Fans of the author will also know that Kingfisher hardly ever leaves her retellings without a major twist. In that sense, there was some predictability in the plot, but I found that it hardly mattered with this modestly sized novella, not when its overall vibe was nothing short of magical, with elements of fairy myths woven throughout.
Amazingly though, flying in the face of cliches and stereotypes, T. Kingfisher has also breathed new life into what for many is a familiar story. With vivid imagination and sharp wit, she has created in Toadling and Halim a pair of memorable characters whose charming and delightful qualities will endure. Neither are protagonists you would expect in a fairytale, but let’s face it, that’s precisely why I loved them—and I know others will as well.
Despite it clocking in at just over 100 pages, this novella also packs an emotional punch. Don’t let its short length fool you, as each page is filled with all kinds of extraordinary surprises. With so many fairytale retellings flooding the market these days, it’s understandable to want to read one that stands apart, and indeed, if that’s what you are looking for, then Thornhedge is perfect.
