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A review by mxhermit
A Treason of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth
5.0
Content Warnings: Animal injury (not a pet), blood, violence, repeated use of the word "s*v*ge", gorey imagery
Rep: SCs central to the MC who are Jewish & holidays that are celebrated throughout
Violet Sterling has grown up knowing she would be Caretaker of Burleigh House. When that destiny is twisted from her grasp, when the King attempts to warp her future and Burleigh itself is in danger, she must find a way to save itself and the Western Country form the magic that is overflowing and poisoning the land.
Betrayal, sacrifice, heartbreak.
Burleigh House encompasses everything. Welcome home.
_ _ _ _ _
I fell in love with Laura E. Weymouth's writing and the way she can draw you into the natural world with her debut The Light Between Worlds. In that moment she became an auto-read author and when I read the description for her sophomore novel about a sentient house, I knew it would be another adventure of epic proportions.
The depths of commitment, what it means to be loyal, to be chosen, and what destiny means...these questions and more are put to the characters of A Treason of Thorns, Violet Sterling most of all as she grapples with trying to save not only her beloved House, but all those it affects with its monumental power.
What I Enjoyed
Laura E. Weymouth has such a command of her writing when it comes to nature and how it interacts with humanity. Burleigh at the height of its power within the book and even during the worst of its decline is a thing of beauty and heartbreak, a bittersweet monument that loves the hero of the story, Violet, with as much passion as she loves it.
Burleigh isn't just the house one would think and a reader doesn't just get descriptions of bedrooms or sitting areas, but the whole of the property and the countryside that is Burleigh, warts and all. Whether it's the niceties of it or the mortar seeping from it and breaking your heart on the way out, it's easy to see how Violet, having lived her for the whole of her life, could be faithful to it. Seeing this place, seeing things grow and respond to her, it wasn't just words, it was a feeling.
Religion is a quiet undercurrent in A Treason of Thorns, but that makes it no less important, either to the reader or to the characters whose faith being read about. Jed and Mira practice their Jewish faith, even while in the road under less than ideal circumstances and concerned about others' eyes. Violet reminisces about Shabbats she spent with them, the light & the food. She too attends services for her own faith while on the road (Church of England).
The fight about familial duty versus personal destiny that manifested when Violet's parents were arguing over their daughter and her duty to Burleigh versus what was best for her personally. It was interesting to see a classic argument play out and what it meant: the sacrifices, how Violet chose even as a young child, how Burleigh influenced those around and in it.
Violet was a strong character from the start and I loved her: how she fought for her House, her wants, the destiny she believed in. She didn't suffer fools, whether they were a curate who wanted her hand in marriage or the King himself. She had her weaknesses, possible in the allowances she made when it came to Burleigh, but these were part of what made her human: she wasn't wholly angelic or devilish. She was, as she says herself:
What I Didn't Enjoy
(As this was a 5 Star read, Didn't Enjoy doesn't quite apply, so these are more "hm" things I came across while reading A Treason of Thorns.)
There were hints about other Houses around the world and how the handling of them is different from that of the situation in England, from their control to what happens when one grows out of control. There was an allusion to one in Italy whose magic I'm almost certain cause Mount Vesuvius to erupt. The sheer scope of magic around the world is tantalizing, but it makes me wonder at whether there are more details that we could see in the future. A Treason of Thorns is wholly encapsulated in England with only briefs asides to these other Houses and systems. I would have loved to hear more or even see chapters where someone visited them, even if it couldn't be Violet or present company for reasons.
Romantically, I wasn't wholly convinced of the relationship that developed between Violet and Wyn. I understand that a strong relationship could form and probably would, given how long they were together and the things they went through and the strong attachments that Violet formed to the people she took to herself, but I never really felt that romantic aspect of their relationship. Being told it, I kind of shrugged and said "okay, sure." It's not bad, so to speak, just "meh" for my part.
To Sum It Up
Laura E. Weymouth has done it again and crafted a story that I would like to live in. Seriously, sign me up to take care of an ancient House that may or may not have a portal to the Woodlands somewhere on the property and I will be a happy person.
The magic, the love of a monster/monstrous...thing?, sacrificing...omg, I'm just waiting to read this all over again.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Quotes included are from an advanced reader copy and may not reflect the finalized copy.
Rep: SCs central to the MC who are Jewish & holidays that are celebrated throughout
Violet Sterling has grown up knowing she would be Caretaker of Burleigh House. When that destiny is twisted from her grasp, when the King attempts to warp her future and Burleigh itself is in danger, she must find a way to save itself and the Western Country form the magic that is overflowing and poisoning the land.
Betrayal, sacrifice, heartbreak.
Burleigh House encompasses everything. Welcome home.
_ _ _ _ _
I fell in love with Laura E. Weymouth's writing and the way she can draw you into the natural world with her debut The Light Between Worlds. In that moment she became an auto-read author and when I read the description for her sophomore novel about a sentient house, I knew it would be another adventure of epic proportions.
The depths of commitment, what it means to be loyal, to be chosen, and what destiny means...these questions and more are put to the characters of A Treason of Thorns, Violet Sterling most of all as she grapples with trying to save not only her beloved House, but all those it affects with its monumental power.
What I Enjoyed
Laura E. Weymouth has such a command of her writing when it comes to nature and how it interacts with humanity. Burleigh at the height of its power within the book and even during the worst of its decline is a thing of beauty and heartbreak, a bittersweet monument that loves the hero of the story, Violet, with as much passion as she loves it.
Burleigh isn't just the house one would think and a reader doesn't just get descriptions of bedrooms or sitting areas, but the whole of the property and the countryside that is Burleigh, warts and all. Whether it's the niceties of it or the mortar seeping from it and breaking your heart on the way out, it's easy to see how Violet, having lived her for the whole of her life, could be faithful to it. Seeing this place, seeing things grow and respond to her, it wasn't just words, it was a feeling.
Religion is a quiet undercurrent in A Treason of Thorns, but that makes it no less important, either to the reader or to the characters whose faith being read about. Jed and Mira practice their Jewish faith, even while in the road under less than ideal circumstances and concerned about others' eyes. Violet reminisces about Shabbats she spent with them, the light & the food. She too attends services for her own faith while on the road (Church of England).
The fight about familial duty versus personal destiny that manifested when Violet's parents were arguing over their daughter and her duty to Burleigh versus what was best for her personally. It was interesting to see a classic argument play out and what it meant: the sacrifices, how Violet chose even as a young child, how Burleigh influenced those around and in it.
Violet was a strong character from the start and I loved her: how she fought for her House, her wants, the destiny she believed in. She didn't suffer fools, whether they were a curate who wanted her hand in marriage or the King himself. She had her weaknesses, possible in the allowances she made when it came to Burleigh, but these were part of what made her human: she wasn't wholly angelic or devilish. She was, as she says herself:
I’m not just Violet Sterling, Caretaker of a failing House. I am the sum of everywhere and everything I’ve been.
What I Didn't Enjoy
(As this was a 5 Star read, Didn't Enjoy doesn't quite apply, so these are more "hm" things I came across while reading A Treason of Thorns.)
There were hints about other Houses around the world and how the handling of them is different from that of the situation in England, from their control to what happens when one grows out of control. There was an allusion to one in Italy whose magic I'm almost certain cause Mount Vesuvius to erupt. The sheer scope of magic around the world is tantalizing, but it makes me wonder at whether there are more details that we could see in the future. A Treason of Thorns is wholly encapsulated in England with only briefs asides to these other Houses and systems. I would have loved to hear more or even see chapters where someone visited them, even if it couldn't be Violet or present company for reasons.
Romantically, I wasn't wholly convinced of the relationship that developed between Violet and Wyn. I understand that a strong relationship could form and probably would, given how long they were together and the things they went through and the strong attachments that Violet formed to the people she took to herself, but I never really felt that romantic aspect of their relationship. Being told it, I kind of shrugged and said "okay, sure." It's not bad, so to speak, just "meh" for my part.
To Sum It Up
Laura E. Weymouth has done it again and crafted a story that I would like to live in. Seriously, sign me up to take care of an ancient House that may or may not have a portal to the Woodlands somewhere on the property and I will be a happy person.
The magic, the love of a monster/monstrous...thing?, sacrificing...omg, I'm just waiting to read this all over again.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Quotes included are from an advanced reader copy and may not reflect the finalized copy.