I’m proud to be hosting a tour stop for Thorn by Intisar Khanani today. I’m in the middle of reading the book, and loving it so far. You can read an excerpt from Thorn here. I’m also glad to host a giveaway for a signed bookmark for Thorn, and one lucky commenter during the tour will win a fantasy cloak! Scroll down to participate in the giveaways. I’m going to review this book tomorrow.
Title: Thorn
Author: Intisar Khanani
Genre: YA Fantasy
Walking away from a prince whom she doesn’t know should have been easy. But from the moment she sets eyes on him, Alyrra realizes that her freedom could cost him his life. Without any magical defense of her own, she is plunged into a lethal game of sorcery and deceit. Now Alyrra must decide whom she can trust and what she’s willing to fight for—before her silence proves fatal.
Book Excerpt
I reach to scoop up more water from the river and then pause, staring. There is something odd about my reflection but I cannot make out what, for the water does not run smoothly but in ripples and eddies. I dip my fingers in, breaking the image. But it does not break.
A hand reaches up and closes around my wrist. I choke on a cry of terror, jerking away, but it pulls down—hard—and I lose my footing on the muddy bank, falling headfirst into the rushing waters. The world is strange, blunted, beneath water. I twist, striking out, but cannot quite find my attacker. The hand still holds my wrist in an iron grip. I kick, desperately trying to tear myself away, push my way to the surface. The air burns in my lungs, spots dancing before my eyes. Something touches my throat—a knife? I flail away from it, feel a slicing pain, and abruptly I am released. I find myself on my hands and knees, coughing up water, gentle waves lapping around my chest.
I look up in terror, my hair sending an arc of droplets flying over the quiet waters. The river runs clear. But the birds are silent.
Author Bio
Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and traveler. Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. She first remembers seeing snow on a wintry street in Zurich, Switzerland, and vaguely recollects having breakfast with the orangutans at the Singapore Zoo when she was five. She now resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and young daughter. Intisar writes grants and develops projects to address community health with the Cincinnati Health Department, which is as close as she can get to saving the world. Her approach to writing fantasy reflects her lifelong passion for stories from different cultures. She is currently writing a trilogy set in the same world as Thorn. This is her first novel.
Giveaways
There are two giveaways for this tour. One is limited to US/CA only, and the winner will get chosen from participants over all tour blogs. He/she will win a fantasy cloak! The other contest is for this blog only, and the winner will get a signed bookmark for Thorn. The second contest is international.
Thanks for posting about Thorn – I’m so glad you’re enjoying reading it!
All the best,
Intisar