Review: The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic (The Grisha #0.5, #2.5, #2.6) by Leigh Bardugo

Title: The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic

Series: The Grisha #0.5, #2.5, #2.6
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Macmillan/Imprint
Publication Date: September 26, 2017
Pages: 281
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Short Stories
Source: Hardcover, preorder)

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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.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales 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.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.

MY REVIEW

This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

The way that Leigh Bardugo captivates her readers is nothing short of magical. Her stories are not mere words, but creatures that take on a life of their own. The stories in this compilation are dark and whimsical. Each one tells a truth, ever so twisted as the truth may be. 

I simply adored these stories! I will be honest, the only reason that I purchased this compilation was because it was written by one of my favorite authors. Ordinarily, short stories are just not my jam. I hate reading any book less than 300 pages, let alone short stories. But these stories really captivated me. Leigh Bardugo weaves a little bit of magic into the words she puts on paper. Her short stories are no different from her novels in that respect. 

The hardcover copy of this compilation has gorgeous illustrations on every page. They build up page by page to reveal the moral of each story by the story's end. They are simply lovely. And I have to mention that the cover and dust jacket are breathtaking as well.

The added bonus to these stories is that they take place within the Grishaverse- the world that most of Bardugo's books are set in. I adore the world that she created in her books, and I couldn't have enjoyed the fairy tales from this world more! Even if you have not read any of her books, I do recommend these tales. 

The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic was one of my most anticipated reads of 2017? What were some of yours? Did they meet your expectations?