The Language of Thorns (YA Book Review)

The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo

I really loved this. It's dark and twisted in the vein of old, original fairy tales, and it is oddly delightful and creepy. Yet we are graced with both familiar human things (Hansel and Gretel, a nutcracker, mermaids and the like), as well as Grishaverse novelties (countries, cities, drinks, and mythology) that readers familiar with the world will recognize. The art is stunning and one of my favorite things was looking for the added details once I turned the page. The images expand every other page and converge at the end of the story leading to a full page illustration (with the exception of the last story which converges, diverges, and converges again). I was trying to think of which story is my favorite and I'm not sure I can choose. Each story is unique and liked for different reasons. My least favorite is probably The Too Clever Fox (it's the animal lover in me). I love the twistedness of The Witch of Duva (I did not see that coming), but then loved the story telling of both Ayama and the Thorn Wood and When Water Sang Fire. But if I had to choose, I think I enjoyed The Soldier Prince because it was a dark blend of The Nutcracker and The Velveteen Rabbit. Ah, so magical and amazing.