THE PRICE OF THORNS

Susman’s fantasy novel features a resourceful thief, a mysterious woman, and a quest for a lost kingdom.

When the reader first meets Nivali al Tamsin (“Nivvy”), he’s tied to a large wheel in the nowhere-town of Plow. Nivvy is a thief. To really reap the rewards of the trade, those of his profession need to belong to a guild—and Nivvy no longer does. Though Nivvy has dreams of one day running his own guild, he has more immediate problems: A woman named Bella appears, looking to hire a thief. She needs to steal back a kingdom, explaining “It was taken from me a long time ago, but I have recently…found a way to restore myself to the throne.” It’s a strange request from a strange person, but it’s not like Nivvy has options. After Bella helps Nivvy escape, the two set out on a journey full of magic, brutality, and people getting changed into animals. But can Nivvy really trust Bella? Not only can she be off-putting, but she also seems willing to leave him behind whenever it suits her. To complicate matters, not far into the mission, Nivvy is turned into a weasel. From the outset, Nivvy is a likable, funny protagonist. He may be a thief, but he tries not to lie; during a moment of frustration, he finds himself stomping around “as hard as a little weasel could.” Bella is a complex figure who appears rather unkempt at first blush, described by Nivvy as resembling “Fine porcelain in disrepair.” As the reader learns bits and pieces about her past, her quest becomes ever more curious. It is this curiosity that drives the narrative; on the other hand, some aspects of the story (such as the business with the guilds, which wears thin) can muddle the pace. Nevertheless, with such multifaceted characters, the storyline makes for an entertaining journey.

Memorable main characters undertake a richly detailed, inviting quest.