A Lesson in Thorns

3.5

Really wish we'd been given more backstory of the connection between all six of the main protagonists. It would have made the tension and struggle between their strained relationships a whole lot sweeter to read and the climax scene (no pun intended) a whole lot more deserved and gratifying (again, no pun intended).

The writing was lustrous and vivid, and it brought to life the manor and chapel with great ease. This is a short first installment of the series and could have been fleshed out with more historical context and less secrecy but I understand it fits the tone of the narrative. And I don't mind when the main character(s) has secrets from other characters, but when the secrets being withheld from the reader are so obviously being dangled in front of your face that waiting for anything pertinent to come to light becomes the sole reason you continue reading, then it's no longer giving credit to the story, just a plot device that's pushing the story forward.

I hope we get more of their background in future installments to greater invest in the seemingly unbreakable connection they all have because right now, it's style without substance.