Mythology & Folk Tales
![JJA Harwood - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B087BGBTP1.jpg)
The Thorns Remain
From the Sunday Times bestselling historical fantasy author of THE SHADOW IN THE GLASS comes a tour-de-force of faerie bargains, perfect for fans of THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LA RUE, MEXICAN GOTHIC, and TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY
A dance with the fae will change everything
1919. In a Highland village forgotten by the world, the young people who remain after war and flu will soon head south to make something of themselves.
Moira Jean and her friends venture to the forest for a last night
of laughter before parting ways. Moira Jean is being left behind. She too planned to leave once – but her lover died in France and, with him, her future. The friends light a fire and dance. But, with every twirl about the flames, strange new dancers thread between them, music streaming from the trees.
The Fae have joined the dance.
Suddenly Moira Jean finds herself all alone, her friends spirited away.
For the Fae feel left behind and forgotten too. Led by the darkly handsome Lord of the Fae, they are out to make themselves known once more. Moira Jean must enter into a bargain with the Lord to save her friends – and fast, for the longer they spend with the Fae, the less like themselves they will be upon return. If Moira Jean cannot save her friends before Beltane, they will be lost forever…
Bewitching, threaded with Highland charm, and sparkling with romance, this fairy tale will carry you away.
A dance with the fae will change everything
1919. In a Highland village forgotten by the world, the young people who remain after war and flu will soon head south to make something of themselves.
Moira Jean and her friends venture to the forest for a last night
of laughter before parting ways. Moira Jean is being left behind. She too planned to leave once – but her lover died in France and, with him, her future. The friends light a fire and dance. But, with every twirl about the flames, strange new dancers thread between them, music streaming from the trees.
The Fae have joined the dance.
Suddenly Moira Jean finds herself all alone, her friends spirited away.
For the Fae feel left behind and forgotten too. Led by the darkly handsome Lord of the Fae, they are out to make themselves known once more. Moira Jean must enter into a bargain with the Lord to save her friends – and fast, for the longer they spend with the Fae, the less like themselves they will be upon return. If Moira Jean cannot save her friends before Beltane, they will be lost forever…
Bewitching, threaded with Highland charm, and sparkling with romance, this fairy tale will carry you away.
Editorial Reviews
PRAISE FOR HARWOOD
‘An un-put-downable historical fantasy drawn from border ballads and myths of the fae… The author has a knack for building tension, keeping the pages flying throughout. This is not to be missed.'
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review
‘Deliciously dark'
WOMAN MAGAZINE
‘A gothic twist on Cinderella that is truly exquisite. Chilling and beautiful – I devoured it in one sitting'
Katie Lowe, bestselling author of THE FURIES
‘A thought-provoking take on a classic'
SFX
‘An impresive debut'
DUNDEE COURIER
‘An un-put-downable historical fantasy drawn from border ballads and myths of the fae… The author has a knack for building tension, keeping the pages flying throughout. This is not to be missed.'
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review
‘Deliciously dark'
WOMAN MAGAZINE
‘A gothic twist on Cinderella that is truly exquisite. Chilling and beautiful – I devoured it in one sitting'
Katie Lowe, bestselling author of THE FURIES
‘A thought-provoking take on a classic'
SFX
‘An impresive debut'
DUNDEE COURIER
Readers Top Reviews
Jackie Miller
It took me a few days to compose my thoughts after reading this book. I went in expecting a romantasy book since those are all the rage right now. You know the type - the scary fae lord ends up being the perfect match for the plucky teenaged villager, and through trials and tribulations, they live happily ever after. That did NOT happen in this book. The Thorns Remain is a more classic take on fae/human interactions. The Dreamer is cold and calculating. He has no human emotions and isn't looking for his destined mate. That doesn't mean he doesn't develop emotions after time. In fact, watching him do just that is my favorite part of this book. He knows the words pain, hurt, and love, but has no basis for what they truly mean. He's like a large, powerful child trying to operate within their confines with no guidance, and I adore him for it. The Thorns Remain is deceptively slow in the beginning, but once it picks up, it ensnares you and doesn't let it go! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Donna Bull
The Thorns Remain scratches that dark, creepy forest magic and fae itch that I didn't realize needed scratching!! JJA Harwood has a way of setting a time and place for you to get comfortable in and then she starts weaving in magic that soon becomes sinister and dark. Thorns is a slow dance with a powerful fae lord who you know you shouldn't trust but you really want to see beyond the beautiful facade. The setting in rural Scotland post WW 1 and in the midst of the Spanish flu epidemic is wonderfully laid out as the tenants are always in fear of being evicted. The characters are well rounded and it's easy to care about what happens to them. The story is populated with a myriad of fae creatures, some benevolent, many not and I certainly felt pulled along by the events. Thorns is a thoroughly enjoyable fae tale with just the right sense of danger and longing combined.
