Thorn is a magical book. More than a fairy story, more than a conspiracy, more than a romantic fantasy, it tells the tale of an unloved princess being betrothed to a prince from a faraway land. Used to doing as she's told by her royal family & the court she embarks on a journey she could never have expected. Betrayed and cheated, frightened and despairing, she accepts the servile position of goose girl after being robbed of her identity by a wicked sorceress. Here finding real friends for the first time she notices and experiences the injustices meted out to the poor. Confused & having to hide the magic she knows, (I loved the beautiful talking horse), she finds her place in the world eventually, ending the revenges of previous generations by proving her strength of character & sense of fairness. Thorn is escapism for grown-ups.