The Price of Thorns
LGBTQIA+
by Tim Susman
In this land where stories are as much a currency as gold or silver, secrets–the stories you don’t tell–also have their price. Nivvy the thief keeps many secrets, having left his home for the Thieves Guild, then having left the Thieves Guild–involuntarily–for a life alone. His fortune changes the day Bella, a mysterious woman in an ancient dress, hires him for a nigh-impossible theft: to steal back the kingdom she claims is her own. If Nivvy is equal to this epic task, surely he will be admitted back to proper disreputability in the Thieves Guild. But Bella has secrets of her own, and her quest is not what it appears to be. As Nivvy uncovers some of the truths behind what he’d dismissed as ancient stories and Bella’s improbable connection to those tales, he realizes that this journey is more dangerous than he could have dreamed. If he survives this adventure, merely stealing a kingdom couldn’t hold a candle to the rest of the story…
REVIEW
5 out of 5
A magical world, an intriguing plot, and an excellent character arc are waiting inside this book. Nivvy is a great MC, and he changes a lot over the course of the book. Bella is interesting, and I was dying to know more about her story once she was introduced. The magic system is unique and well-developed, and adds to the richness of the world. A very big part of this story revolves around telling stories, and how those stories can impact and change things, which I found interesting. It all kept the plot moving along pretty smoothly from start to finish. I’d absolutely love to read more stories and adventures set in this world in the future!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tim Susman studied chemical engineering, business, and zoology before working as a database analyst and then a product manager in California’s Bay Area. After being laid off, he turned to writing full time with the support of his husband. He’s attended Clarion in 2011 and has had short fiction published in Apex, Lightspeed, and ROAR, among other places. He also co-founded Sofawolf Press and continues to work with them as a board member and editor.
He’s traveled around the world and loves to experience restaurants, concerts, and new places with his husband. In 2015 they adopted a rescue German Shepherd, who unfortunately has to stay home for most of those adventures.
