Zacharias O'Bryan

I wish I could give half-stars, because while Spirit Thorn doesn't quite merit three stars for me, I feel kind of bad giving it only two.

So, story synopsis: Braden's parents, who were world-renowned physicists working on incredibly complex and provocative research regarding the physics behind parallel universes, disappeared without a trace year ago. Determined to find out what happened to them, Braden concocts an elaborate plan to recreate the exact conditions of the night his parents show more vanished, hoping to join them. Instead, he is pulled into a race to save not only his own world, but possibly all worlds.

I loved the premise of this story and kept hanging on, hoping that eventually things will start making sense, but it just didn't.

Maybe I'm just not the intellectual target of the book? This book assumes a basic knowledge of complex physics and physics theories, like String theory. Braden himself is intellectually superior to anyone else his age and his parents had tutored him in these matters since he was little, so there isn't really anyone to explain the foundations of these concepts to those of us who do not, in fact, understand basic physics.

While the plot and pacing are carefully executed and maintained throughout, it was difficult for me to follow along with the action. The writing, while beautifully evocative at some places, was quite abrupt at others and to me it felt a little heavy on the dialogue and a little light on the exposition.

It was easy to identify with Braden, though Kestrelle remained distant and alien to me (which may have been the author's intention). Braden's growth throughout the events is not really shown, though, and the unfolding of the plot was just too staccato and abstract for my personal tastes.

Who would like this book? Young adults and adults with a love and understanding of physics and sci-fi or fantasy. show less

This book combined elements of nature and science to bring together a epic fantasy that drew me in from the first page.It sent my mind reeling about possibilities of other worlds. It made me think about our own reality. All these realities each moving in time with one another. Any book that can draw me in from the first page and make me keep reading is a 5 star book to me. His world weave is very descriptive and I can almost feel his world in my fingertips. Bravo..looking forward to more show more reads.
If you like a book that makes you think, this is the one for you:)

Sometimes you come across a book that is an absolute gem. This is one of them. It moved me and made me think about our reality and other worlds just beyond your fingertips. If I could give it 10 stars I would. show less