17 new SFF books to get nice and cozy with this September
By Lacy Baugher
A Treason of Thorns – Laura Weymouth
This 19th-century fantasy follows the story of a girl in a very different England, one where five Great Houses govern the well-being of the entire country. These buildings are literally sentient, and looked after by a designated Caretaker whose sole job is to devote themselves to its care and happiness. (If buildings can experience such a thing.)
Violet Sterling is meant to take over as Caretaker of Burleigh House when her father retires. But instead she finds herself exiled when he commits treason. When she returns nine years later, her father is dead and the Great House in remarkable disrepair. And if she can’t bring it back to itself, the King will burn it to the ground.
Laura Weymouth’s previous effort, The Light Between Worlds, was beautifully written – full of lyrical language and a magical, otherworldly setting. Her style seems a perfect match for this haunting sounding tale of a magic that fuels that neighboring countryside.
The official synopsis for A Treason of Thorns is below:
"Violet Sterling has spent the last seven years in exile, longing to return to Burleigh House. One of the six great houses of England, Burleigh’s magic always kept the countryside well. And as a child, this magic kept Violet happy, draping her in flowers while she slept, fashioning secret hiding places for her, and lighting fires on the coldest nights to keep her warm. Everything shattered, though, when her father committed high treason trying to free Burleigh from the king’s oppressive control. He was killed, and Vi was forced into hiding. When she’s given a chance to go back, she discovers Burleigh has run wild with grief. Vines and briars are crumbling the walls. Magic that once enriched the surrounding countryside has turned dark and deadly, twisting lush blooms into thorns, poisoning livestock and destroying crops. Burleigh’s very soul is crying out in pain. Vi would do anything to help, and soon she finds herself walking the same deadly path as her father all those years before. Vi must decide how far she’s willing to go to save her house—before her house destroys everything she’s ever known."
A Treason of Thorns is available on September 10.