Thorn Season

Shadow and Bone meets The Selection in this first book in Kiera Azar's sharp, sexy, and twisty debut YA romantasy trilogy!

"Dark, sexy, and completely addictive, romantasy lovers will devour Azar's Thorn Season. With epic betrayals, shocking twists, and delicious tension, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. An absolute thrill of a novel."-Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches

In the Kingdom of Daradon, a persecuted few are Wielders, in possession of a magical Spectre-a shimmering thread that can extend beyond their visible body to give a loving caress, pick a lock ... even kill. Feared for this ability, Wielders have always been Hunted.

Alissa Paine, heiress and daughter of a Hunter family ... is also a Wielder. At eighteen, Alissa knows she's escaped execution thus far only due to painful self-control and the efforts of her beloved father.

Summoned to the harsh and glittering royal court for the debutante season, Alissa finds herself caught in a web of intrigue and betrayal-and caught between two equally dangerous men: one a brutal ruler with the handsome face of a fairy-tale prince, who would destroy her if he knew the truth-and the other a beguiling foreign ambassador with secret agendas of his own.

With the threat of discovery lurking around every corner-and romance becoming an increasingly dangerous temptation-Alissa will find that she has more to lose than her secrets. It's Rose Season at the palace, but to survive she'll need to become the most vicious of thorns...

From the publisher

Harper Collins/Storytide | Sep 2, 2025 | 464 pages | ISBN-9780063427792 | YA Fantasy/Romance |

"A gripping, gorgeously written debut that refuses to play it safe." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Using lush, polished prose, Azar balances high stakes with tight pacing to present steadily unfolding political intrigue and slow-burn romance. Across Alissa's impassioned first-person narration, the debut author deftly explores themes of suppressed identity, friendship, love, and loyalty in the face of violent persecution, making for a confident fantasy trilogy opener." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Evocative writing laced with romance, rebellion and rose petals. Sexy, hilarious, and completely addictive. I need more!" - S. F. Williamson, New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of A Language of Dragons

"Sharply written and utterly gripping, Thorn Season ensnares with its tangled vines of political schemes, its breathtakingly alluring yet dangerous romances, and fiercely clever protagonist who is in turns charming and prickly like the titular thorn. Azar is one to watch in the YA fantasy landscape; readers won't want to put this one down." - Amelie Wen Zhao, New York Times bestselling author of The Scorpion and the Night Blossom

"A glittering, gorgeous book full of intrigue, intricate world building, and thrilling romance. I absolutely loved it and cannot wait for the sequel. Thorn Season is destined to be a romantasy sensation." - Katherine Webber, Sunday Times bestselling coauthor of Twin Crowns

"With its sizzling romance, dangerous court intrigue and twisting-turning plot, Thorn Season is a dazzling romantasy debut that had me desperate to turn the next page. I'm obsessed!" - Lauryn Hamilton Murray, author of Heir of Storms

"Dark, sexy, and completely addictive, romantasy lovers will devour Azar's Thorn Season. With epic betrayals, shocking twists, and delicious tension, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. An absolute thrill of a novel." - Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches

"Thorn Season is a heady mix of propulsive plot, decadent court intrigue, deadly mystery and thrilling romance. I devoured it and cannot wait to see where Azar takes it next. Sure to be the romantasy debut of the year." - Rachel Greenlaw, Sunday Times-bestselling author of The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells and Compass and Blade

"A tension-filled, twisty journey full of surprises. Azar's vivid, compelling writing and cleverly unfolding magic system make this a smart, sexy, and dark addition to the romantasy genre, ideal for readers hungry for complicated love triangle and lots of juicy drama." - Booklist