Gr 9 Up—Set in a well-drawn fantasy kingdom that is home to humans, fairies, ogres, and witches, Princess of Thorns chronicles the early life of Princess Aurora, the briar-born child next in line to inherit her deceased father's kingdom of Norvere. Unfortunately, Aurora's grandfather chose an ogre as his third wife. After conspiring to bring about the demise of her husband and her son, Queen Ekeeta imprisons the rest of the family. Aurora's mother sacrifices herself so that Aurora and her brother Jor can escape, and they spend 10 years in hiding with the fey, but a disturbing ogre prophecy requiring a briar-born child makes the ogres hunt them tirelessly. When the prince is captured, she'll stop at nothing to save him, but doing so requires a risky journey across lands rife with spies and traitors. Using her fairy blessings, the princess is as strong as any warrior, but her blessings come with a dark side as well, and she fears that she'll never be able to enjoy a happily-ever-after. Compelling and action-packed, Princess of Thorns weaves in elements of classic fairy tales, such as "Sleeping Beauty," "Rapunzel," and "Swan Lake," while still telling a unique and compelling story of its own. The combination of adventure; lovable, complex characters; and a touch of romance make this a book that teens will be drawn to, especially those who appreciate strong female protagonists. The message of empowerment is well developed, and this cleverly conceived novel is a highly recommended first purchase.—Sunnie Lovelace, Wallingford Public Library, CT