Title: The Price of Thorns
Author: Tim Susman
Publisher: Argyll Productions
ISBN: 978-1614505808
Pages: 508
Genre: Fantasy
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington
Hollywood Book Reviews
The Price of Thorns by author Tim Susman is an intriguing novel which takes the readers on adventures and wild rides. This book is thrilling from the beginning, and gets better with every storyline development. Tim Susman understands the art of capturing the readers’ attention, thus the impeccable storytelling with twists and turns. The Price of Thorns is the novel you never want to put down once you start reading. I appreciate the author’s creativity and imaginative mind with every new chapter. Every mini-plot and new character introduced truly leaves readers dumbfounded or awed. Tim Susman’s skill in balancing the characters with extreme traits and those that had modest attributes is a terrific style.
We are introduced to Nivvy, a thief who was almost always unlucky. Nivvy is a special character, and not just because he is the main character. When following his story, one gets to see things from his perspective and even grant him a little grace when he blunders. Nivvy was a member of the Thieves Guild for a while before being forced out. He is a man with tons of secrets and is also complicated. Nivvy meets Bella, a woman who is as mysterious as they come. Bella appears conniving and has an agenda for everything she sets her eyes on. She wants Nivvy’s services of thievery. Bella persuades Nivvy to steal back a kingdom she claims to own. Now, Nivvy may have been experienced in this craft, but the task does not appear easy. With her conniving mind, Bella promises to get Nivvy back to the Thieves Guild.
As a protagonist, I enjoyed following Nivvy’s story because you get to connect with other characters through him. Nivvy’s story is distinct, as with every move he makes, you discover something new about the character. I like that the themes of trust, betrayal, solitude, and self-identity are presented through him. Bella, on the other hand, was a character the readers have a love-hate relationship with. Her mind was brilliant, her planning impeccable, but her moves appeared malicious more often than genuine. Other characters like Zein, D’alio, Scarlet, and Anzo were also interesting to follow. The most pleasing thing about Tim Susman’s characters is that all of them are felt and seen, even the minor characters are as paramount to the story as the major characters.
The Price of Thorns is an exceptional read because of the suspense, moderate drama, and ancient tales. You are never too sure what the author will give you, even when you have prior information about the characters. Nivvy’s mission is exciting to follow because of the uncertainty and unforeseen turns. As you read on, you start looking at the characters beneath the tasks they have been given, and analyze their general patterns. I enjoyed the reading experience also because of the simple language and diction.
The Price of Thorns can be relished by school-going children and young adults. The author does not complicate his expressions and sentences; rather, he is straightforward and uses friendly language.