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Pathfinder Tales: Queen of Thorns

4.30/5 (based on 26 ratings)
Pathfinder Tales: Queen of Thorns
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Secrets of the Elves

In the deep forests of Kyonin, elves live among their own kind, far from the prying eyes of other races. Few of impure blood are allowed beyond the nation’s borders, and thus it’s a great honor for the half-elven Count Varian Jeggare and his hellspawn bodyguard Radovan to be allowed inside. Yet all is not well in the elven kingdom: demons stir in its depths, and an intricate web of politics seems destined to catch the two travelers in its snares. In the course of tracking down a missing druid, Varian and a team of eccentric elven adventurers will be forced to delve into dark secrets lost for generations—including the mystery of Varian’s own past.

From fan favorite Dave Gross, author of Prince of Wolves and Master of Devils, comes a fantastical new adventure set in the award-winning world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.

400-page mass market paperback
ISBN–13: 978-1-60125-463-4
ePub ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-464-1

Queen of Thorns is also available as a digital edition on the following sites:

Queen of Thorns is sanctioned for use in Pathfinder Society Organized Play. Its Chronicle Sheet and additional are a free download (193 KB zip/PDF).

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4.30/5 (based on 26 ratings)

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Elves done right! Just a bit scattered in plot and twists.

4/5 —

Another Great Varian & Radovan Tale

4/5 —

NO SPOILERS

Radovan and Varian return for their third book-length tale in David Gross' Queen of Thorns. Having previously set books in Ustalav and Tian Xia, Gross continues to keep things moving by setting this tale in Kyonin--the forest homeland of the elves of Golarion. There isn't a lot of Pathfinder fiction about Kyonin, so this novel is indispensable for players and GMs who want better insight into it. The story itself is fantastic, full of strong characterisation, clever story beats, fantastic integration of world lore, and plenty of humour. I did find the ending a bit of a let-down, but all in all this is a worthy entry in the chronicles of Radovan and Varian, and there are plenty of nice threads set up for the next book in the series.

SPOILERS

Radovan and Varian have come to Kyonin in the hopes of having Varian's once-exquisite carriage repaired. A gift from his long-departed father, the carriage is a masterful piece of worksmanship but was wrecked during the events of Master of Devils. Varian, as a half-elf, receives a chilly reception in Kyonin, but the elves allow him to proceed in search of the craftsman along with an escort: a Paladin of Iomedae, an Inquisitor of Calistrae, and a ranger. Finding the craftsman turns out to be easy, but a revelation is far more interesting: Varian's father is alive! The makeshift adventuring party set off through the forests of Kyonin to find him, and eventually track him to a lost city shielded from intruders by illusions. Only, Varian's father isn't alone, as the true power in the city is an ancient dragon.

My summary probably isn't doing a great job of making the book sound interesting and appealing, but it's definitely worth reading. Gross has a smooth, wry writing style that makes great use of the different perspectives of his two main characters (each chapter alternates between their points of view). Each member of the group is characterized well, and there's some great insight into how a Calistrian thinks and acts, for example. Varian's father and the dragon are full three-dimensional personalities. There's strong continuity with Gross' previous Pathfinder novels and with Pathfinder lore in general, but it's quite readable and exciting. My only complaint is that the book culminates in a big battle against invading demons that, although done well, felt jarring and unnecessary. Sometimes big isn't always better, even in sword-and-sorcery fiction. Still, there's so many exciting things set up in this book: a return to Cheliax, Radovan having a son(!) and a new devil in his body, etc. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next one.

Elves at last

4/5 —

I’ve always loved elves, even though they can be arrogant and xenophobic (and the elves of Pathfinder are no exception). Thus, I was excited to read Queen of Thorns. I am still fairly new to the Pathfinder setting, having been a long-time resident of Forgotten Realms.

I am not a huge fan of Calistria (I prefer the Seldarine from FR), and I wish she wasn’t a favored goddess among the elves. What I did like however, was that elven society doesn’t seem to care much about the gender of a lover (I am always looking for books with inclusiveness). Half-elves are looked down upon, though that doesn’t stop elves from having romantic relationships with humans. While the racial choice of lover can be frowned upon, or at least regarded with skepticism, the gender doesn’t seem to be. We first get a hint of this in the beginning at the Midsummer Masquerade. Varian notes that the masks and the gender mingling would be viewed as “scandalous” in Chelix. Varial is also bisexual, and while this doesn’t mean all elves are, there is no mention of his “preferences” being abnormal. He and Fimbulthicket (who I thought was rather charming, in a cute, gnome sort of way) may just be friends, but I at least, got the impression they were more than that.

Based on the summary, I initially thought more of it was going to take place within the elven city, but such is not the case. I wanted to learn more about the elves. While there are certainly lore bits, it wasn’t what I was expecting. Still, the adventure was exciting.

Radovan’s witty comments made me laugh, as usual, though I am starting to tire of his womanizing ways. Even though hellspawn are viewed with derision throughout Golarian, many women seem willing to sleep with him. In Queen of Thorns, we learn more about his fiendish heritage, and the more we learn, the more plot points open up for future tales. While the previous Varian and Radovan books seem fairly self-contained, this one leaves an opening for future events and stories.

And finally, as a dog lover, I must say, I adore Arnisant.

Another great read!

4/5 —

I'm reviewing this shamefully quite a while after having read it, but now that I'm back in reading mode again, I'd like to go back and catch up w/ all the PF Tales I've read to date.

I've been a fan of this duo, Jeggare & Radovan, since the early short fiction in PF. Having read all 5 of the novels, this one arguably might be my favorite. They're all a ton of fun, and I continue to enjoy both the growing relationship between the two friends, as well as advancements in personal abilities (level increases??) as time passes on. I'm glad the world does not stay static in the ongoing tales of their adventures.

As with all the PF fiction, short or otherwise, I find the best of it really draws me into an area (well, various areas, really, as they travel around the map) and helps flesh out the Inner Sea (and beyond, like in Master of Devils) like the best of the fluff pieces in the other PF products.

5/5 —

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Dark Archive Contributor
Kajehase wrote:
Fimbulthicket... Long-winded with a hard to get through personality?

A valiant guess, but no, not quite what I was going for. It'll make sense after you've read a few chapters.

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

I hope there's at least one gnome/Arnisant conversation.

Preferably with "Hi there!"

As long as it don't end with Arnisant going om-nom-nom!
Dark Archive

Would love to see this dragon as a reaper mini
Dark Archive Contributor
Mazlith wrote:
Would love to see this dragon as a reaper mini

That is an outstanding dragon image.

Curious will this one be set before or after the events with the prince of wolves? If after I wonder the following. I.e will Varian have developed his scroll magic further? What will Radovan's relationship be like with Varian since Varian has come to see him more as his friend than his bodyguard? Will any of the characters beside the main two from POW make an appearance? Like Azra?
Sovereign Court
Pharier wrote:
Curious will this one be set before or after the events with the prince of wolves? If after I wonder the following. I.e will Varian have developed his scroll magic further? What will Radovan's relationship be like with Varian since Varian has come to see him more as his friend than his bodyguard? Will any of the characters beside the main two from POW make an appearance? Like Azra?

Have you read Master of Devils?

Varian and Radovan are the most storied characters on Golarion, so far I think the list below is everything. It is also in my best guess at chronological order.

Hell's Pawns
The Lost Pathfinder
Prince of Wolves
A Lesson in Taxonomy
A Passage to Absalom
Husks
Master of Devils
Dark Archive Contributor
Pharier wrote:
Curious will this one be set before or after the events with the prince of wolves? If after I wonder the following. I.e will Varian have developed his scroll magic further? What will Radovan's relationship be like with Varian since Varian has come to see him more as his friend than his bodyguard? Will any of the characters beside the main two from POW make an appearance? Like Azra?

Queen of Thorns takes place over a year and a half after the events of Prince of Wolves. Master of Devils occurred over the course of about a year between these stories.

Yes, there have been some changes to Varian's understanding and use of his riffle scrolls, but most of that comes to light in Master of Devils. What he faces in Queen of Thorns is a much more personal challenge. That said, the end of the new book involves big, big magic, and that's all I can tell you without being a big, big spoiler.

Yes, Varian and Radovan's relationship has evolved. More importantly, they're together for almost the entire story, unlike in the previous two books. (Since you asked this question, I'd encourage you to check out Master of Devils, since you seem especially primed to dig what happens by the end of that one.)

Azra does not appear in this novel, although she's "present" in the thoughts of those who do. Apart from the boys, the only character from Prince of Wolves who appears in the flesh in this one is Arnisant.

For a taste of Queen of Thorns, keep an eye on the web fiction page, where James Sutter is preparing to post the first chapter in which you see the book's "adventuring party" assemble and take on their first fight together. I hear the inimitable Eric Belisle will paint one of the characters. Eric's the genius who made this insanely perfect image of Count Jeggare, so I'm excited to see his new creation.
Dark Archive Contributor
2 people marked this as a favorite.
GeraintElberion wrote:
Pharier wrote:
Curious will this one be set before or after the events with the prince of wolves? If after I wonder the following. I.e will Varian have developed his scroll magic further? What will Radovan's relationship be like with Varian since Varian has come to see him more as his friend than his bodyguard? Will any of the characters beside the main two from POW make an appearance? Like Azra?

Have you read Master of Devils?

Varian and Radovan are the most storied characters on Golarion, so far I think the list below is everything. It is also in my best guess at chronological order.

Hell's Pawns
The Lost Pathfinder
Prince of Wolves
A Lesson in Taxonomy
A Passage to Absalom
Husks
Master of Devils

That's a good reading order, although chronologically "Taxonomy" comes first. Don't read it first, though.

Speaking of "Taxonomy," now would be a very good time to catch up on that one before October's web fiction prequel to Queen of Thorns. The story stands alone, but you'll get a smile if you've read "Taxonomy" and Master of Devils.
Sovereign Court
6 people marked this as a favorite.

Dave Gross = best thing to happen to Pathfinder Tales
Liberty's Edge

Love Radovan and Jeggare but I haven't read the non novels. I am certainly about to now.
Dark Archive Contributor

Laschoni, of the non-novels, I recommend "Husks." Since the boys are together the whole time, and it's full of action and intrigue, it's the nearest in style to Queen of Thorns.

For completely different reasons, I encourage everyone to (re)read "A Lesson in Taxonomy."
Contributor
1 person marked this as a favorite.

I love Radovan and Jeggare, but this is my favorite story yet. In addition to being a well-told, deftly paced fantasy adventure, it's...fun. That's not something that can rightly be said about a lot of fantasy books.

IMO, if you liked the first two books, you've going to love this one.
Sovereign Court
Elaine Cunningham wrote:

I love Radovan and Jeggare, but this is my favorite story yet. In addition to being a well-told, deftly paced fantasy adventure, it's...fun. That's not something that can rightly be said about a lot of fantasy books.

IMO, if you liked the first two books, you've going to love this one.

I completely agree, and think I sais something similar about the first book: Gross writes fantasy books which are witty without being spoofs or satires. That is a copasetic gift for which we should all be grateful.

Dark Archive

You've done it again! Great read.

Argh! One more day for the ebook version! Can't wait to read it at work.
Silver Crusade

Woot! Mine just shipped! Digging in now!

I'm back, boys!

Mine too shipped few hours ago, can't wait; pity it'll took about a week to get to me.
Dark Archive Contributor
Gandal wrote:
Mine too shipped few hours ago, can't wait; pity it'll took about a week to get to me.

Keep an eye on the Paizo Blog tomorrow. Something tells me you might be able to get a big head start on reading the novel this week. A big one.

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

I laughed out loud at

Spoiler:
"you winsome, you lose some"

I am so ashamed. :)
Dark Archive Contributor
2 people marked this as a favorite.
mordion wrote:

I laughed out loud at ** spoiler omitted **

I am so ashamed. :)

When more than one person laughs at that point, I know the reading is going well.

Dark Archive Vendor - Fantasiapelit Tampere

Oh my god, I'm almost at the end, chapter 19 or something, and it has been amazing! Best Varian/Radovan book yet! Amazing characters and bold decisions about the past of the main characters! Like the one reviewer said, you just made the elfs cool again! I'm going to write longer post when I have finished the book. Thank you Dave for the best fantasy novel of the last few decades!
Dark Archive Contributor
Rosgakori wrote:
Oh my god, I'm almost at the end, chapter 19 or something, and it has been amazing! Best Varian/Radovan book yet! Amazing characters and bold decisions about the past of the main characters! Like the one reviewer said, you just made the elfs cool again! I'm going to write longer post when I have finished the book. Thank you Dave for the best fantasy novel of the last few decades!

If you feel the same way after finishing the book, I look forward to the review, especially if you write it in Finnish so I can play with Google translator some more.

Dark Archive Contributor

The many nice things readers are posting on my various sites give me a warm glow.

If you have a few minutes to post a review at amazon.com, that'd be an especially good boost while everyone is still doing their holiday shopping. The same is true for all the Pathfinder Tales novels, not just Queen of Thorns. Even if you've posted your review elsewhere, taking the time to put it up at Amazon helps reach a lot of eyes that might not have seen Pathfinder Tales before.

As the Geek Squad told me while describing their feedback form, "We like five stars!"
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