A Treason of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth – a Review

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Description:
Violet Sterling has spent the last seven years in exile, longing to return to Burleigh House. One of the six great houses of England, Burleigh’s magic always kept the countryside well. And as a child, this magic kept Violet happy, draping her in flowers while she slept, fashioning secret hiding places for her, and lighting fires on the coldest nights to keep her warm.

Everything shattered, though, when her father committed high treason trying to free Burleigh from the king’s oppressive control. He was killed, and Vi was forced into hiding.

When she’s given a chance to go back, she discovers Burleigh has run wild with grief. Vines and briars are crumbling the walls. Magic that once enriched the surrounding countryside has turned dark and deadly, twisting lush blooms into thorns, poisoning livestock and destroying crops. Burleigh’s very soul is crying out in pain.

Vi would do anything to help, and soon she finds herself walking the same deadly path as her father all those years before. Vi must decide how far she’s willing to go to save her house—before her house destroys everything she’s ever known.

Review:

A Treason of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth is a fantasy YA standalone novel.  We meet our heroine, Violet Sterling, who is living in a small fishing town, when she sees someone from her past.  Violet was banished 7 years ago by the King, as her father, who was the caretaker of their home,  was punished for high treason and forced to live in their home unable to leave until he died.  When Violet sees the King, she knows her father is dead, and it is time for her to return to Burleigh House, a sentient home filled with magic.  When Violet returns, she finds Burleigh in deep disrepair, including the lands surrounding the house, and is given a few months to bring Burleigh back to its former glory, or the King will burn it down.  Violet also finds her friend Wyn, who was forced to stay with her father during those 7 years, and was shocked at his haggard appearance. 

Violet as a child was brought up by her father to love the house and its magic, to devote her life to Burleigh, especially when she is older and becomes the caretaker.  She loved everything about Burleigh to the point of obsession, as well as loving the house.  With 7 years having passed, with no contact, Violet finds everything changed, and is determined to help the house regain its freedom, but fears for Wyn’s safety, as well as her own, as Burleigh has also changed for the worse.

Violet is determined to find a way to free the house from its binding that is destroying Burleigh, and possibly both her and Wyn’s life.   What follows is an exciting and emotional story, where we go back into Burleigh’s memories of the good days when Violet was a child, and the sad changes during those 7 years, and when her father dies; looking for clues that will reveal the true hidden secrets.  Violet and some friends will desperately try to find the hidden secret that is needed to save them all.

This is a difficult review to write, as you really need to read this book to understand.  A Treason of Thorns was a different type of story about a sentient house with magic, the family that lived there in a somewhat gothic theme, with a great heroine and very good secondary characters. I suggest you read A Treason of Thorns.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher