The Language of Thorns

"The Language of Thorns" is a collection of six short stories set in the Grishaverse, a fantasy world created by author Leigh Bardugo. Each story is accompanied by intricate illustrations by Sara Kipin, and features themes of love, betrayal, and darkness.

The first story, "Ayama and the Thorn Wood," follows a young girl who is chosen to be sacrificed to a monster in the woods. However, Ayama proves to be cunning and resourceful, and discovers that the monster is not what it seems.

The second story, "The Too-Clever Fox," features a wily fox named Koja who sets his sights on a powerful and cruel mage. Through a series of clever tricks and cunning schemes, Koja manages to outsmart the mage and take his place.

In "The Witch of Duva," a young girl named Nadya discovers that her village is haunted by a witch who kidnaps and devours children. As she investigates the mystery, Nadya uncovers secrets about her own family and must confront the darkness within herself.

"The Soldier Prince" is a haunting tale about a young soldier who is brought back from the dead to fight in a war. As he becomes more and more disillusioned with the violence and bloodshed around him, he begins to question his own existence and the true nature of the war.

"The Demon in the Wood" is a prequel to the Grisha trilogy, and explores the backstory of the mysterious and powerful Darkling. As a young man, the Darkling was known as a hero and a savior, but his quest for power and control ultimately leads to his downfall.

Finally, "When Water Sang Fire" is a fable-like story about a mermaid named Ulla and her quest for power and revenge. As she allies herself with a human prince, Ulla learns that true power comes at a great cost.

Overall, "The Language of Thorns" is a beautifully written and illustrated collection of dark fairy tales that will appeal to fans of the Grishaverse and those who enjoy complex and evocative storytelling.