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erikawastaken's review
4.0
Really more of a 3.5, but last quarter was a sold 4.
Overall, I liked that we are back in the same world as Angelview Academy. Though, there are a couple of references to Saint and Phoenix getting into that I don’t remember, and wish there had been some clarity on.
I know that reading anything relies a bit on suspension of disbelief, but this had my usual gripes of “why the F would you not just go to the police?” I have hard time believing that the FMC would just give herself over to two teenagers to save a brother who is never around and kind of a jerk.
Overall, I liked that we are back in the same world as Angelview Academy. Though, there are a couple of references to Saint and Phoenix getting into that I don’t remember, and wish there had been some clarity on.
I know that reading anything relies a bit on suspension of disbelief, but this had my usual gripes of “why the F would you not just go to the police?” I have hard time believing that the FMC would just give herself over to two teenagers to save a brother who is never around and kind of a jerk.
caldreads's review
4.0
4.5 stars.
This book contains bullying, messed up (and hot) sex scenes, and mystery.
Joss is a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She ends up being Ghost’s sister (from EM’s Saint series), which is an interesting twist. Joss is a poor student at a posh school, where she’s an easy target for bullies. When Joss’ brother takes something that isn’t his, Joss gets pulled from the shadows (where she can get by unnoticed) and into the light, which makes her life even more miserable.
Phoenix gets Joss to do with as he will, since Ghost stole something from his family. While Ghost works to repay the Townsend family, Joss is moved into their extravagant mansion with some truly sociopathic characters.
That reveal at the end… OH MY GOSH.
This book contains bullying, messed up (and hot) sex scenes, and mystery.
Joss is a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She ends up being Ghost’s sister (from EM’s Saint series), which is an interesting twist. Joss is a poor student at a posh school, where she’s an easy target for bullies. When Joss’ brother takes something that isn’t his, Joss gets pulled from the shadows (where she can get by unnoticed) and into the light, which makes her life even more miserable.
Phoenix gets Joss to do with as he will, since Ghost stole something from his family. While Ghost works to repay the Townsend family, Joss is moved into their extravagant mansion with some truly sociopathic characters.
That reveal at the end… OH MY GOSH.
dona_m0's review
4.0
Cowns of thorns, a brand new NA enemies to lovers by e.m. snow
E.M. Snow has been my rare find author whose Angelview Series has been one of my top bully/enemies to lover read in this year.
Crown of thorns introduces us to Phoenix and jossylyn, and from the instant Phoenix is just so so much and more.
The push and pull and the chemistry between them is so so hot.
I loved reading the plot twists that keep coming and that end had me speechless because I didn't see that coming.
I suggest you all to start with angel view series as this book features mention and some of the characters from this series!
E.M. Snow has been my rare find author whose Angelview Series has been one of my top bully/enemies to lover read in this year.
Crown of thorns introduces us to Phoenix and jossylyn, and from the instant Phoenix is just so so much and more.
The push and pull and the chemistry between them is so so hot.
I loved reading the plot twists that keep coming and that end had me speechless because I didn't see that coming.
I suggest you all to start with angel view series as this book features mention and some of the characters from this series!
mrsflorzak's review
5.0
HOL-Y cliffhanger! This book was amazing! I love how it took me back to Saint and Mallory. I missed those two. Boy did this book take a turn at the end and I can’t wait to see how it plays out! The anticipation is going to kill me. Phoenix don’t break my heart!!!
totalsassreads's review
5.0
BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE. I strongly recommend you read Angelview Academy before reading this book or the series.
After a lot of delays, the next bully saga from EM Snow is here. We had no idea what we were in for with Phoenix Townsend, and it is immensely satisfying to see him crumble beneath his want for Jos. Angelview feels a little tame compared to the drama of Thornwood - there's more interconnection, more cruelty, more betrayal...the betrayal runs so deep. This book makes you fiercely protective of Jos, I love her as a main character, and you will want to be part of her journey through this series. She's so very alone at some points in this story that it's almost a relief when she and her tormentor, Phoenix, start to connect.
Phoenix is a bag of feral cats. He is all the more dangerous because he's beautiful, and it hides his cruelty and depravity even better than Saint. He's possessive, controlling, secretive, and manipulative. Surprisingly he's surrounded by people who are loyal to him, and some of it's because he's got a leash on their secrets as well as his own, and some of it is because every once and awhile something golden shines beneath the asshole layer. Phoenix is alone too - although some of his isolation is self-induced and some of it we learn is because of the plot twists in this story.
There is a cliffhanger, and it is a DOOZY. The threads that connect Phoenix and Jos, and connect them to the final events of Angelview, are beyond tangled. I have no idea how Jos will escape this intact and I can't wait to see how EM keeps us guessing.
After a lot of delays, the next bully saga from EM Snow is here. We had no idea what we were in for with Phoenix Townsend, and it is immensely satisfying to see him crumble beneath his want for Jos. Angelview feels a little tame compared to the drama of Thornwood - there's more interconnection, more cruelty, more betrayal...the betrayal runs so deep. This book makes you fiercely protective of Jos, I love her as a main character, and you will want to be part of her journey through this series. She's so very alone at some points in this story that it's almost a relief when she and her tormentor, Phoenix, start to connect.
Phoenix is a bag of feral cats. He is all the more dangerous because he's beautiful, and it hides his cruelty and depravity even better than Saint. He's possessive, controlling, secretive, and manipulative. Surprisingly he's surrounded by people who are loyal to him, and some of it's because he's got a leash on their secrets as well as his own, and some of it is because every once and awhile something golden shines beneath the asshole layer. Phoenix is alone too - although some of his isolation is self-induced and some of it we learn is because of the plot twists in this story.
There is a cliffhanger, and it is a DOOZY. The threads that connect Phoenix and Jos, and connect them to the final events of Angelview, are beyond tangled. I have no idea how Jos will escape this intact and I can't wait to see how EM keeps us guessing.
amberkeehn's review
5.0
This book was great! I highly recommend reading the Angelview Academy books first as there are spoilers and character crossovers. The FMC, Josslyn, was one of my favorites in these two books because she was totally real and unapologetic about her humble background. And if you like bully romance, which you would if you read these types of books, Pheonix is the perfect alpha-hole with an enormous chip on his shoulder. The book is fast paced but not so quick that we lose sight of the plot, which has plenty of twists and a good dose of spice. I am so excited for the next in series!
tattooedlibrarian's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
morebooksforever's review
5.0
Just when you thought EM Snow couldn’t get any better she goes and drop Mother freaking Phoenix on us. This guy is a straight a** lets be honest and the amount of crap he puts our girl Josslyn through is unreal. Joss has been through so much in her life and still manages to keep her head held high. These two have some off the charts hot sexual tension and the build up is everything. I am here for it. EM Snow has this way of capturing your attention from page one and keeps you hooked all the way to the end. Lets not even get started on that ending like WTF didn’t see that coming. If a true bully romance with some drama sprinkled with some explosive chemistry is your jam then I would suggest you grab yourself a copy of Crown of Thorns. I cant wait to get some answers in book 2!!!
nikitapurkayastha's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content
kerasalwaysreading's review
5.0
Good lord, this book!! I need a minute after finishing this…
Josslyn Luna is starting her senior year in a new school, sort of... Ravenwood and Thornhaven merge and become the coed Thornwood, but Joss isn't worried about getting distracted by boys. She can't stand the girls that fall all over themselves and throw themselves at boys. She just wants to get through her senior year and be there for her seriously ailing grandmother.
But, fate has other plans for Joss. When her brother, Jasper steals from one of the area's most prominent families, the Townsend patriarch strikes a deal with Jasper. He has three months to repay what he has stolen... and Joss is held as collateral. Phoenix Townsend is making it his mission to sink his claws into Joss. He will make her pay for what her brother did, even if she had nothing to do with it.
Crown of Thorns is the first book in what I know will be an AMAZING series from E.M. Snow. She has created Phoenix to be the villain you love to hate. I loved seeing the connection to her previous Angelview Academy series, as these are rival schools and that always creates the most wonderful tension. I am DYING to read the next book, Crown of Roses, set to release in September!
Josslyn Luna is starting her senior year in a new school, sort of... Ravenwood and Thornhaven merge and become the coed Thornwood, but Joss isn't worried about getting distracted by boys. She can't stand the girls that fall all over themselves and throw themselves at boys. She just wants to get through her senior year and be there for her seriously ailing grandmother.
But, fate has other plans for Joss. When her brother, Jasper steals from one of the area's most prominent families, the Townsend patriarch strikes a deal with Jasper. He has three months to repay what he has stolen... and Joss is held as collateral. Phoenix Townsend is making it his mission to sink his claws into Joss. He will make her pay for what her brother did, even if she had nothing to do with it.
Crown of Thorns is the first book in what I know will be an AMAZING series from E.M. Snow. She has created Phoenix to be the villain you love to hate. I loved seeing the connection to her previous Angelview Academy series, as these are rival schools and that always creates the most wonderful tension. I am DYING to read the next book, Crown of Roses, set to release in September!