Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman

Synopsis:

Something is wrong in Aquae Sulis, Bath’s secret mirror city.

The new season is starting and the Master of Ceremonies is missing. Max, an Arbiter of the Split Worlds Treaty, is assigned with the task of finding him with no one to help but a dislocated soul and a mad sorcerer.

There is a witness but his memories have been bound by magical chains only the enemy can break. A rebellious woman trying to escape her family may prove to be the ally Max needs.

But can she be trusted? And why does she want to give up eternal youth and the life of privilege she’s been born into?

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Between Two Thorns starts off with Sam who is a Mundane being in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessing a dead body being carried out of a building by otherworldly creatures He is caught before he has a real chance of escaping, and because the perpetrators cannot kill him, they instead bind his memory, so he will not remember anything. Sam ends up playing a vital role in the story, though his presence is scattered throughout the story.

And then there is Max, who is an Arbiter. What makes Max interesting is the fact that he lack emotions because his soul was taken from his body. So everything that Max would normally feel is felt instead by the carrier of his soul. Max is assigned with trying to find the missing Dignitary. His job is made ten times harder seeing as the witness to the crime cannot recall anything…enter Sam.

The picture perfect world of the Nether is not so prefect, and beneath that seemingly perfect façade lies a big struggle for power.

This is the home that Cathy comes from. She is tired of living in the Nether, and by rules laid out by the Fae Lords. In an attempt to escape and live a normal life, she uses a spell to help her blend in as a normal college student in Mundanus. However, this life for her is short lived because she is soon discovered and forced back into her old live in the Nether. But she does not give up and will try just about anything to gain her freedom, including offering her help to Max.

Final thoughts:

The world building was done really well. I think that it helped to enhance the story and draw me in deeper. The different characters were interesting to read about. Cathy was my favorite main characters. Her determination and spirit made her a strong character with a unique voice.

I thought this was fun story to get into. There seemed to be a lot going on and I had some questions regarding the reason behind certain things that were not answered. I am not sure if the writer did that on purpose or not.

All the loose ends do not get tied up in this story because there is a sequel in the works. Hopefully the big questions get answered in the next novel.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

** I received this book from Angry Robot / Strange Chemistry in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you!**

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