Title:  Blackthorn

Author:  Emily Eve

Published:  April 8, 2025 by Emily Ev

Source:  ARC received in exchange for a review

Type:  e-copy

Blurb: 

A brutal head wound left twenty-year-old Bonnie unable to read, write, or speak the languages of the continent.

Nursed back to health and trained as an assassin within the Amlucen rebellion, Bonnie has dedicated her life to removing the tyrannical King Aborn from his throne in order to avenge her murdered family.

When plans to plant damning evidence on the charming Lord Frederick Stonewood goes awry, Bonnie is forced to work alongside her enemy in order to save rebel lives.

But after a battle injury changes everything, how far will she go to learn the truth about the life she lost?

Check it on Amazon & Goodreads

Introduction

“Blackthorn” by Emily Eve is a quick and easy fantasy read, that will leave you wanting more from the author! This is her debut novel and I am already looking forward for her next story.

We follow Bonnie, navigating between being an assassin and stepping into her adoptive mother’s footsteps. Expected to one day lead the rebellion against the current king, Bonnie does her best to support the cause. Everything changes one night when she meets Lord Frederik Stonewood, son to the King’s advisor. He says he has valuable intel that he will only relate to the leader himself. The more time they spend together, the more intrigued each becomes with the other’s world. An unforeseen attack leaves Bonnie injured, but soon after she starts remembering things from her lost past.

Overview

I loved our characters a lot. Both are loyal to their cause and both try to find an ally in each other. Bonnie has not had the easiest of lives after her family was killed 12 years ago. Since being taken into the Blackthorn family, she has done anything to please her adoptive parents and to serve their cause. With no recollection of her past, she only knows the truths she’s been told. Freddie, on the other hand, has lived near the king, being called Lord of Libraries. When Bonnie threatens to kill him, he is willing to join her cause and share his valuable information about an upcoming attach on a rebel hideout.

Mostly based on trust issues, buried secrets and forgotten truths, the political system in Blackthorn is complicated and with more loss than gain. In a kingdom where magic has disappeared, the king struggles to regain it by any means necessary. His methods may be differently interpreted by each side.

The story is not romance or magic based. It revolves around Bonnie and her development, remembering her past and realizing the secrets people kept around her. Some of my favorite aspects were Bonnie’s relationship with animals and her frustration at not being able to read. I loved a lot how she dealt with her emotions, trying to often calm her anxiety.

However, some aspects felt a bit incomplete. I would have wanted a lot more political intrigue and I would have preferred a lot more pages with just worldbuilding. The story is a quick read and it didn’t feel like a full fantasy novel. An epilogue could have offered a glimpse into how things changed after the ending. I was not bothered by the predictability of some elements, but I wanted more substance to our main character (she did not feel as badass as I would have expected).

Cover Review: This is such a fitting cover. The dagger is a present weapon, being preferred by our main character. The color black is representative for the Blackthorn family, but it does make the book seem darker than needed.

Favorite Quote:  “Even those born in priviledge can live in cages. It may look different from yours, but I am no more free than you. “

Conclusion

All in all, I loved the book and I think it a great start for Emily Eve. She’s a writer with a lot of potential and I look forward to discover more of her work. If you’re looking for an easy read into Fantasy, this is the book for you 🙂 I look forward to hearing your thoughts, let me know below if you have read Emily Eve’s book or if this is something that would interest you 🙂

Until next time, happy reading!