Description
Stories and Secrets
In this land where stories are as much a currency as gold or silver, secrets-the stories you don’t tell—also have their price. Nivvy the thief keeps many secrets, having left his home for the Thieves Guild, then having left the Thieves Guild-involuntarily-for a life alone. His fortune changes the day Bella, a mysterious woman in an ancient dress, hires him for a nigh-impossible theft: to steal back the kingdom she claims is her own. If Nivvy is equal to this epic task, surely he will be admitted back to proper disreputability in the Thieves Guild.
But Bella has secrets of her own, and her quest is not what it appears to be. As Nivvy uncovers some of the truths behind what he’d dismissed as ancient stories and Bella’s improbable connection to those tales, he realizes that this journey is more dangerous than he could have dreamed. If he survives this adventure, merely stealing a kingdom couldn’t hold a candle to the rest of the story…
Author: Tim Susman
Style: Literary Work
Content: Novel
Pages: 508
ISBN: 978-1-61450-580-8
Parental Rating: PG-13
Publication Date: November 2023
Anonymous –
It’s only human to resist change, but Tim Susman braves unfamiliar territory in his epic fantasy novel, proving he can captivate loyal furry fans and new mainstream readers alike.
The Price of Thorns tells the stories of Nivvy, a lovable but flawed young man hired to help a mysterious old woman steal back her kingdom. The back cover synopsis ends there, revealing nothing past chapter one. Subsequent pages are full of surprises as Susman turns common, escapist furry and fantasy themes on their heels, daring to ask: what if being an animal weren’t so much fun? What if magic caused more harm than good, and people might be better off without it? Perhaps readers won’t dream of visiting Nivvy’s world as they do Middle-Earth or Narnia; magic as a tool is limited and often grim (just wait til you see what djinn do with it) and the cities feel like real metropolises: striking and full of history, but also smelly, seedy, and a bit dangerous (at least, the parts Nivvy tends to frequent). But there’s no need for a return visit to Spire or Copper Port, not when Susman’s crafty world building makes the stories heard, lessons learned, and friends made feel real long after the last page.
Don’t be fooled by the human protagonist; as long-time Susman fans will hope, there are indeed anthropomorphic animals in Nivvy’s world, and The Price of Thorns holds some of the best furry writing found in any genre. Far from just being human-smart animals who can talk, these characters’ species write their experiences in vivid detail. Birds of prey, with their sharp long-distance eyesight, enjoy the scenery on long trips. Rodents and mustelids navigate using shadows made by leaves and grasses on the forest floor, ever aware of their own mortality. Even the speed at which small bodies use up energy from food factors into characters’ day-to-day lives.
Without a doubt, the greatest strength of The Price of Thorns is its humanity. Susman writes humans, animals, and magical beings alike with such empathetic detail that everyone, no matter how gray their morals, feels nuanced and goes through a meaningful transformation. Notably, LGBTQ+ characters’ stories are told with modern sensitivity, empowering readers and making them feel seen. With its countless brilliantly human moments, everyone will find something to relate to, whether it’s the sinking loss of a future that once seemed promised; the disappointment of trying to see the good in people who continually show darkness; or crippling grief after a preventable tragedy. Ultimately, the heartfelt message of The Price of Thorns is the same for everyone: whatever has befallen you—and no matter if it’s a result of your own decisions or plain-old bad luck—life is always worth living and making great.
art –
The Price of Thorns was a fantastic book! It managed to enjoy the nostalgia of my exploration of the YA and fantasy stacks as a kid without feeling like it’s any of them in particular. The world-building in particular on this book was really what caught me. Characters are what makes or breaks books for me, and this one does have fantastic characters, but the world here was incredibly compelling as well. It had enough aspects of ‘fairy tale’ without going overboard on tropes you hear over and over. Highly recommend you check it out!
Industry Reviews –
Loved loved loved this.” –Kij Johnson, Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award winning author
“Nivvy is an unforgettable character as full of charm as he is secrets. If any rogue can steal a kingdom, Nivvy can.” –J. L. Worrad, author of Pennyblade and The Keep Within
“Susman has crafted a true fantasy adventure … deftly told with thoughtful inclusiveness, heaps of charm, and complex relationships, all carried by a clever and highly relatable protagonist.” –Jess E. Owen, author of The Summer King Chronicles and the Dragon Star Saga
“Tim Susman’s shelf-bending secondary-world fantasy-about a disgraced thief’s epic adventures while attempting to restore his reputation-is nothing short of a stand-up-and-applaud storytelling tour de force.” ―Bluelnk Reviews* STARRED REVIEW
“Memorable main characters undertake a richly detailed, inviting quest.” ―Kirkus Review * ✅ GET IT
“Humans and supernatural beings have complex interpersonal dynamics in the rich, exciting fantasy world of The Price of Thorns.” ―Foreword Clarion Reviews * Star Rating: 5 / 5
“Fans of epic adventure fantasy will not want to miss this well-crafted tale of magic and madness, spells and stories, and humans and former humans ensorcelled into animals.” ―The US Review of Books * RECOMMENDED
“The Price of Thorns became an instant classic for me the second I finished reading it.” ―San Francisco Book Review * Star Rating: 5 / 5
“Memorable, captivating, and engaging, author Tim Susman’s The Price of Thorns is a must-read LGBTQ+ and Dark Fantasy read!” ―Pacific Book Reviews* NOTABLE BOOK
“This is an entertaining epic fantasy story following a thief looking for redemption and personal acclaim who stumbles across a larger cause worth fighting for.” ―LoveReading * Indie Books We Love
“I highly recommend this book to anyone who, like me, has loved stories from their earliest days.” ―Los Angeles Book Review
“The Price of Thorns is the novel you never want to put down once you start reading.” ―Hollywood Book Review
“Filled with unexpected revelations and satisfying twists and turns, the story represents a powerful synthesis of action and intention that leads readers into a world replete with wizardry, unexpected truths, and legends that drive nations.” ―Midwest Book Review