Violet Made of Thorns
Violet Made of Thorns Series
on Goodreads (16,622)
What’s inside...
A darkly enchanting fantasy debut about a morally gray witch, Violet, a cursed prince, Cyrus, and a prophecy that ignites their fate-twisted destinies. Violet is a prophet and a liar, manipulating the royal court with her cleverly phrased—and not always true—divinations. When asked to falsely prophesy Cyrus's love story for an upcoming ball, she awakens a dreaded curse that will bring either damnation or salvation to the kingdom, depending on the prince’s choice of future bride. Violet faces her own choice: seize control of her destiny at any cost or give in to the growing attraction between her and Cyrus. With her fate intertwined with the prince, Violet must navigate a web of deceit to save herself and the kingdom—or doom them all. In another story, Jo Montfort, a beautiful and wealthy young woman, secretly dreams of becoming a newspaper reporter rather than marry a wealthy bachelor. But her life takes a tragic turn when her father is found dead, supposedly from accidentally shooting himself while cleaning his revolver. Jo suspects foul play and, with the help of reporter Eddie, uncovers secrets about her father's death that could jeopardize her future. Despite the dangers, Jo is determined to unearth the truth, even if it means unearthing dirty secrets that were meant to stay buried.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-12
Length
482 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Violet
Princess Seraphina
Prince Cyrus
King Emilius
Discussion points
What do you think motivates Violet’s actions throughout the book, and do you agree with her decisions?
How does the relationship between Violet and the prince change over time? What do you think caused those changes?
The book explores themes of truth and deception. Can you think of a time when telling the truth was difficult but necessary?
Violet is often faced with complex moral choices. What would you do in her place when faced with similar situations?
How do the characters in the book confront their own flaws and strengths? What can we learn from their journeys?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences to the book’s themes, supporting them to draw parallels and deepen their understanding. Discuss each character’s decisions and the outcomes, prompting your child to consider alternate choices and potential results. Use the book’s magical and fantastical elements to ignite creativity in your conversation, asking your child how they might use magic to handle certain situations. Foster empathy by exploring each character's motivations and emotions, discussing how understanding differing perspectives can lead to better outcomes in real life. Reinforce the value of honesty and integrity found throughout the book, relating these virtues to everyday situations your child might encounter.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Consequences
Explanation: This book portrays the importance of understanding the consequences of one's actions through the protagonist's decisions and their ripple effects.
Real-World Application: Children learn that their actions have outcomes that affect themselves and others, teaching them to think before they act.
Example Lesson: Value of Honesty
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters face challenges that highlight the importance of being truthful, even when it's difficult.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to practice honesty in their daily interactions and understand that trust must be earned through truthful behavior.
Example Lesson: Navigating Moral Dilemmas
Explanation: The protagonist encounters various complex situations requiring moral judgments, demonstrating the complexities of right and wrong.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that not all decisions are straightforward and that moral reasoning is important.
Example Lesson: Importance of Personal Integrity
Explanation: Characters in the book face tests of their personal integrity, underlining the theme that staying true to oneself is crucial.
Real-World Application: Children learn to uphold their values and beliefs consistently, even when faced with peer pressure or challenging circumstances.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The narrative explores relationships between characters with differing viewpoints, fostering a sense of empathy.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to consider and respect different perspectives, fostering empathy and better interpersonal relationships.