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  • The Language of Thorns

  • Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic
  • Written by: Leigh Bardugo
  • Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
  • Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (79 ratings)

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The Language of Thorns

Written by: Leigh Bardugo
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
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Publisher's Summary

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, number one New York Times best-selling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Enter the Grishaverse.... Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms, and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price.

Perfect for new listeners and dedicated fans, the tales in The Language of Thorns will transport you to lands both familiar and strange - to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

©2017 Leigh Bardugo (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

What listeners love about The Language of Thorns

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Fairytale Heaven!

This is such a great collection of stories, it really brings the Greishaverse to life. A great addition to Leigh’s other books!

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I'm in love

absolutely loved this set of stories and I'll probably read it again right away :)

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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It was ok

I thought that the whole little story things was pretty annoying otherwise it was pretty good

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  • JB
  • 2021-08-18

This is very important!

These stories mean more to me than almost anything I’ve read. Having these stories have prominent queer character were something I would have loved to have seen when I was growing up. Thank you so much for this experience. And omg, that last story!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A Bit Disappointing

I liked some of this but other parts I found myself having to listen to over and over again. I'm not sure I would have picked this up if it hadn't been an Audible Daily Deal. Truly, more and more I have been disappointed by Leigh Bardugo's work which makes me sad because I loved the Grisha series and even SIX OF CROWS. In fact, I named my car Zoya because of it. But we'll see what happens and if I continue reading. I just think this is the downfall for me, personally.

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  • Overall
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every story chills

I absolutely love all the little short stories that are in this audiobook so good

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love it.

wonderful. hope to hear many more stories like this.ive listened more then once. always enjoy the stories.

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a beautiful listen

the stories are interesting with just enough wonder and mystery to scratch that folklore itch. The Language of Thorns gives wonderful depth and breadth to the world Leigh Bardugo has created.

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  • kgage
  • 2018-01-22

Like a Sister Grimm

I loved the first story, but could barely finish the next two. It is very well written, but dark. These fairytales teach lessons in the old grim way but for this day and age. The overall moral seems to be: be careful who you trust because even the people you love and count on the most can be hiding a monster inside. These stories haunt me unpleasantly. I don't think I'll finish them.
If you are a fan of Grimm fairytales, where the witch is rolled down the hill in a barrel studded with nails or are cooked in their own ovens, you'll probably love these.
***Spoiler alert***
The thing is, the innocent are harmed dreadfully in these stories too. I guess that makes it more like real life, and is a lesson in itself. The happily ever after in the stories I read left the protagonist almost as battered and scarred as the antagonist.

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115 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Felicia J
  • 2020-03-21

Dark fables with unexpected twists

4.5 stars.

You don't need to have read any of the Grishaverse novels to enjoy the six fables in this collection, all of which borrow elements from familiar stories and serve them up with a twist. The stories are dark and chilling, exploring themes of female empowerment, loyalty and being careful what you wish for.

Lauren Fortgang was a wonderful narrator, with a note of childlike wonder in her voice that enhanced the feel of fairy tales being told around a fire on a chilly night.

Ayama and the Thorn Wood, 4/5: A story about two rejected outsiders that draws from Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and the myth of the Minotaur.

The Too-Clever Fox, 4/5: This is a fable about a clever fox, traps, loneliness and friendship - but not in the ways you'd expect. I figured out the twist early on, but I have to admit it was a great twist!

The Witch of Duva, 5/5: A decidedly adult fairy tale, the story revolves around evil hiding in plain sight and the subversion of expectations. I can't say much more without giving everything away ... so dig in & enjoy the shivers down your spine.

Little Knife, 5/5: A cautionary tale about the power of nature, the arrogance of men, and the danger of treating women as commodities.

The Soldier Prince, 5/5: An ingenious twist on all the tales of toys come to life through the power of a child's imagination. What happens when the toy develops desires of its own?

When Water Sang Fire, 4/5: This story meandered for awhile and I had trouble staying focused on it, but when it found its footing, it turned into a dark, rewarding take on a familiar childhood story.

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40 people found this helpful

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  • dlnshort
  • 2019-05-28

Folk Tales as they were meant to be

I love story telling. I love fairy tales. I love hearing different iterations of fairy tales. I've always been drawn to the darker classic versions. And I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Grishaverse. This book brings all those things together. These stories are dark and human and fantastical and raw.

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17 people found this helpful

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  • Brittacakes20
  • 2017-11-02

Another Amazing Book for Leigh Bardugo

Ayama and the Thorn Wood: 5/5
WHOA! This story was great, it hit Cinderella with a touch of the Greek Myth of the Minotaur, and just whoa, It blended amazing. The artwork was very cool, I loved how it took over the page.

The Too-Clever Fox: 5/5
This is one of my favorites that Leigh has Written, The artwork added in was a huge bonus!

The Witch of Duva: 5/5
AHH. I listened to this one through the audiobook and it was amazing! Holy Crud! A+++ Artwork yet again was amazing.

Little Knife: 10/5
Let me just say the Artwork blew me away, this is my Favorite Leigh Bardugo Short Story. Just AMAZING!

The Soldier Prince: 4.9/5
This is the only story that fell a little short for me, It took me awhile to get into it but it was still really great! The Nutcracker aspect was great!

When Water Sang Fire: 10/5
I think I might have a another favorite! GO LEIGH! AGH. I loved this! I loved the Mermaids and just. GAH. I can't even tell you how much I loved this!



Overall:
Leigh Bardugo knows how to write, man. The Language of Thorns is certainly amazing, The Narrator was amazing and her voice hit Leigh's writing perfectly!

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  • Victoria Araiza
  • 2020-02-06

More!

A collection of short stories about the myths and folklore in the Grishaverse. What's really great about this book is that you don’t need to read any of the previous books in this universe to be captivated by each tale. If you get a copy of this book you are in for a real treat since there are lovely illustrations that change with each page turn. They really add to the unfolding mystery in each tale.
There's so many great things to say about this collection of short stories. Mostly I want to express how these tales really add an important aspect of world building to the Grishaverse. It had its own history which is as rich as it is dangerous. The audiobook is a really fun listen, even if the lessons in each story are a bit dark. I really like how this reflects with the hard lives that these people have had to live. Some lessons are cruel or harsh only because they are important to portray. The audiobook is also really well narrated, the voice actor really adds her flair to each tale. One thing about the tales were they really were a league of their own. Not following any standard and bringing something truly unique for each reader to take away as a lesson or insight.
I think the only thing I didn’t like about this collection was that it wasn’t longer. I hope Leigh Bardugo writes some more tales for us. We can only hope that all her future short stories follow the same standards.

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11 people found this helpful

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  • R. Froode
  • 2020-08-21

Absolutely loved and wished it didn’t end

Fairy tales for adults, like being a kid again but with the knowledge of an elder .. you will not regret if you have an ounce of soul and wonder

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9 people found this helpful

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  • Karen W. Lam
  • 2017-10-06

Fairy Tales Done Perfectly

I absolutely loved this collection of fairy tales, reimagined classics that are beautifully written and completely unexpected. I would want to revisit these again and again. Highly, highly recommended. Brava!!

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9 people found this helpful

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  • 26Kldray
  • 2020-02-24

Great 💕

Really enjoyed the Narration of this 📖 The Narrator was great at changing her voice to different characters

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  • Rachel Eldridge
  • 2019-10-11

I couldn’t stop listening

I don’t often enjoy short stories or write reviews but every single one of these had me completely invested in plot. Leigh Bardugo’s writing and ingenuity in this blows me away. I only want more of these to listen to.

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5 people found this helpful

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  • g
  • 2019-07-03

I like the writing style

I listened to these one story a day. The stories are a little dark. Great old-style fairy tale feel. I am likely to listen to these again at some point.

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4 people found this helpful