First of all, we would like to thank Lili Wilkinson for writing “A Hunger of Thorns”; we love the book and we love Nan, may she rest in peace. This dark fantasy book was published on the 18th of April, 2023, and within that short period of time has since gone on to win the “Writing for Young Adults, Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards” of 2024. The book details the journey of Maude, a witch who lost her magic going on a quest to save her friend – well, ex-friend. When Maude lost her magic, she lost her friend too. And now, that very friend has gone missing looking for forbidden magic to replace what Maude could no longer give her.
Lili Wilikinson’s evocative, raw, descriptions render every scene that much more gut-wrenching with the gritty and honest emotions of the characters laid bare, allowing the reader to understand the characters intimately. Every character is beautifully intricate and authentic, and they are at the heart of why “A Hunger of Thorns” is so captivating. That, and the delicate worldbuilding which balances the dark, the chilling, and the nearly grotesque with fairytale-like, whimsical, nostalgic elements that make for such a rich dynamic world that lures you right in. The magic system is deceptively simple and down-to-earth, yet unique in the ways it can be applied from glamour patches to puppets and so, so much more. The subversion of the stereotypical classic fairy tale plot of a “shining knight in armour saving the damsel in distress” further enhances the realistic complexity of the book in comparison to your usual sugar coated fairytale.
But what really makes this book special is its message that hits close to home for many: that girls can be wild and fierce, and no one can take that away from them. Thank you Lili Wilkinson for dedicating this book to “every good girl who has a wild girl inside”.