Glass Thorns, Book 3
Synopsis: The third book in Melanie Rawn’s superb new high fantasy series, that blends the worlds of magic, theater, art and politics!
Melanie Rawn returns to her rich high fantasy world in this sequel to Touchstone and Elsewhens.
Cayden is part Elf, part Fae, part human Wizard—and all rebel. His aristocratic mother would have him follow his father to the Royal Court, to make a high-society living off the scraps of kings. But Cade lives and breathes for the theater, and he’s good, very good. He’s a tregetour—a wizard who is both playwright and magicwielder. It is Cade’s power that creates the magic, but a tregetour is useless without a glisker—an elf who can spin out the magic onto the stage, to enchant the audience. And Cade’s glisker, Mieka, is something special too. So is their fettler, Rafe, who controls the magic and keeps them and the audience safe. And their masker, Jeska, who speaks all the lines, is every young girl’s dream.
They are reaching for the highest reaches of society and power, but not the way Cade’s mother thinks they should. They’ll change their world, or die trying.
Review: Firstly I must say that I did not know anything about the series and I usually avoid reading the last volumes of a fantasy series without knowing the story, but here I am! It is also the reason why I will not this time rate the novel since I was a little lost. I also admit that I was a bit scared when I saw the cover, because I immediately thought of battles and others things like that, but I was very surprised that this was not the case at all.
We discover in the novel an uncommon theater group as they present some unusual performances! We then follow Cade and his followers during their adventures. And while everyone has a special gift, the first character has the ability to foresee the future from time to time and so change it when necessary. But another person is very important to the story, and it is none other than Mieka the heart of the company who helps to stage each performance.
I admit that I was curious about the relationship between Cade and Mieka. The two seem very close and at the same time something always gets them away. They can easily switch from love to hate and we do not really understand why. But it was really interesting to see how they evolved together. The story is very well written and I enjoyed the pen of Melanie Rawn. But I think I would have been a little better if I had known the beginning of the story. It took me a while to understand that initially who the men and the women were and it is true that I needed more information to really understand the whole story. However, I enjoyed discovering each character and to understand the relationships that might exist between them. I do not suggest you to start with this novel, but if you want a slightly different fantasy, I recommend you the series. If I have the opportunity one day, I’ll try the other novels in the series to understand everything.
Never read a Rawn book but yes book 1 for me 😉
lol yeah, maybe better!
I’ve not heard of this series or author. I kinda have to read a series in order. I have done it once and accidentally read a book 5 in a series. I got a bit confuzzed, but I have since gone back and read the others 😀
The cover doesn’t really draw me in, but glad you read it and may possibly read more when you can.
mich
It’s not a problem for me to read out of order but it’s very difficult with fantasy…
Happy it was good mostly, not sure if it’s for me though.
I find it hard to start near the end of a series
it’s a little complex…
I get so angry when I pick up a novel, only to find out it’s not the first of a series. I can’t even watch a TV show anymore unless I can watch it from Season 1, Episode 1. I don’t know why…it just bugs me!
It’s not really a problem for me but being lost is more complicated to enjoy the story.
OMG you’re brave for starting a Fantasy series at book 3! I just couldn’t do it, because yeah, talk about feeling lost. It was nice of you to leave the rating out as a result. Such a good little blogger! Hehe 🙂
lol thank you. Yeah it wasn’t possible to review it otherwise.
I think the fantasy genre as a whole is a really tricky to start in the middle of a series. Some genres you can jump around with ease and not be overly lost, but I think I would be super confused in these big, sprawling fantasy worlds. Even though some things didn’t fully make sense to you given you didn’t have the whole story, I’m glad you enjoyed this story for what it was!
it’s true. Fantasy is the worst for that.
I do love fantasy reads, but I know it’s tricky and it may definitely be confusing to start those kind of stories from the third instalment… Of course, you have no fault here and I totally understand your restrain to give it a rating, but I’d like to give you kudos for finishing the book anyway!
lol thanks, I really wanted to see the whole story as I started it but well at the end it’s the same thing.
It would be super hard going into a series reading the very last book. It does sound like you might have liked it though and the series as a whole if you had read them all.
it was different from what I thought.
Wow, I commend you for taking the dare and jumping in like you did. When it comes to fantasy, I’m a big chicken to start a series later than book one, because I’m afraid of being epically lost. The only book I’ve read by Melanie Rawn is one she co-wrote with two other amazing fantasy gals called The Golden Key. Which I really did like, it was a big chunk of a book for sure, but really unique. I’ll have to check out book one of this series, I’m curious about now as well. Great and honest review, Melliane 🙂
I didn’t know this one but I’ll loot at the book to learn a little more. thank you!
Yeah, that must have been confusing. But, it sounds like fun anyway, haven’t read any to do with a theatre group, same with circus acts and stuff like. Really think it would be interesting, but I’m also kind of intimidated by them and Fantasy in general, but I’ll have to try one, one of these days. So I’ll probably check out the first of this one! 🙂
it was a first one for me too. It’s the same for me it’s why I don’t read a lot of them.
really do enjoy a good fantasy. Will have to look this one up
Cade and Mieka relationship sounds interesting Melliane. This series is new to me, but I do enjoy the occasional fantasy.
it’s a little weird and complicated but I think we know more with the others.
Very cool review, I too have not read the preceding books before being offered to look at this one which is why I declined. Good thing too, because if you were lost, I probably would have been too. Sounds kinda neat though, and I do love the classic throwback look of the cover.
I wasn’t asked but as I had it, I tried it.
Even though I often read out of order, Fantasy is one I do rarely. Often it is filled with a lot of detail that gets you so lost. So, I’ll do book 1 if I start this series. 😀
I agree I wouldn’t have read out of order but it was sent to me.
Sorry you didn’t get to read the series in order; it can be confusing with some series. That’s good you enjoyed it overall though. I don’t really read a lot of fantasy.
me neither I confess but one from time to time is ok.
I haven’t heard of this before but it definitely sounds like a unique fantasy. Great review Melliane!
yes really different!
Yes fantasy really has to be read in order. I would not pick up this book based on the cover either.