I think writers often get so wrapped up in putting words into their computer that they forget how gorgeous the final product can be. All they see is words and a blinking cursor, no beauty in sight.
But in a finished book, there will be touchable, textured pages, an illustrated, colorful cover, and solid, unmovable words. As any book-lover knows, these things are beautiful.
It can be easy to lose sight of the final product, especially during writing slumps. Sometimes you need a particularly lovely book to remind you of the potential of words on a page. Leigh Bardugo’s collection of short stories The Language of Thorns is just such a book.
The Language of Thorns is set in the Grisha-verse (I’ve talked about other books from that collection: Shadow and Bone, and both Six of Crows books), but these stories are largely standalone. They are the fairy tales from that world- dark, creepy, and truthful.
Every story is decorated with gorgeous illustrations that grow along the page as you read, and culminate in a full two-page picture at the end. This makes reading even more enjoyable than normal, because of the beauty on the page.
Here’s what I thought about each story. Half of the fun of reading them was seeing the illustrations unfurl, so I don’t show any full pictures of them. However, there are sneak peeks, because they’re so gorgeous I have to share.
Ayama and the Thorn Wood
This probably has my favorite illustrations. The story is beautiful as well- almost Beauty and the Beast, but unique and… life-like. The characters acted like real people. 4 stars
I love the fox. I swear, he’s a better developed character than half of the ones in most books. He’s sweet and prideful and lonely and clever and ruthless. 4 stars
The Witch of Duva
Super clever twist on Hansel and Gretel. It’s pretty disturbing, however. The author’s note at the end explains that she often felt dissatisfied with fairy tales. She cited Hansel and Gretel, and how she never wanted the kids to go back to the father because he passively let his wife send the kids into the woods. With this in mind, I see what a genius move that ending was. Didn’t make it easier to read though. 3 stars
Pretty to read, everything flowed well and the illustrations (as always) were gorgeous. I liked Yeva. This is definitely a filler story, though (the only one in the book). 3 stars
The Soldier PrinceDreamy and eerie. An unsettling retelling of The Nutcracker, though retelling is too light of a word. Says a lot about how we make ourselves a real person, not passively going along with what’s ‘wanted’ from us. 4 stars
When Water Sang Fire
This one definitely ties in with the rest of the Grisha-verse (not saying the Darkling… but the Darkling). It’s the only story that needs knowledge of the world to completely appreciate, but it could still be a standalone. This says a lot about the dangers of seeing people as something besides people. For Signy, Ulla was a rock, a protection. Although it seems okay, she still sees her as inhuman. 4 stars
“Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.”
This quote shows how perfect the title The Language of Thorns is. The popular version of fairy tales are flowers- romanticized good and evil where the stepmother is evil and the prince is noble.
But these stories are truthful. Interesting things happen to girls who have courage, no matter what they look like, and princes can be cruel. The nutcracker doesn’t know who he is and friends can betray you. Just because you’re clever doesn’t mean you’re wise, and your home may not be your refuge.
This book is beautiful, in its stories, its writing, and its artwork. I bought the hardcover, and do not regret it. The stories deserve its quality, and its quality deserves the stories.
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