The Thorn Queen by Sasha Peyton Smith: Why This Romantasy Sequel Belongs on Your Shelf
If you fell in love with The Rose Bargain, the wait is finally over.
The Thorn Queen is the highly anticipated sequel to The Rose Bargain, written by Sasha Peyton Smith, a New York Times bestselling author whose debut book quickly became a viral sensation among romantasy readers.
This Victorian-inspired fae fantasy delivers everything readers loved about book one—court intrigue, forbidden romance, and dangerous bargains—while raising the stakes in every possible way.
Whether you’re new to the series or returning to Ivy’s world, here’s why The Thorn Queen (and the LitJoy Edition) is a must-read.
What Is The Thorn Queen About?
The Thorn Queen picks up after the crown is won.
Ivy Benton is now Queen of England, bound in marriage to the fae king she never loved. With his ascension, the fae have been unleashed into the human world, turning glittering ballrooms into battlegrounds and bargains into weapons.
Behind carefully practiced smiles, Ivy plots to survive her reign, save her sister, and reclaim the love she was never meant to have. But power comes with consequences, and in a court ruled by magic and manipulation, even love can be treason.
This sequel explores what happens after the fairy-tale ending—when ruling costs more than it gives, and every choice carries a price.
Why Readers Love The Rose Bargain Series
If The Rose Bargain hooked you, The Thorn Queen deepens everything that made the first book unforgettable.
Readers are drawn to this series for its:
Victorian-inspired alternate England filled with fae magic
Dangerous court politics where beauty is strategy
Forbidden romance with real emotional and political stakes
High-tension storytelling without relying on explicit spice
Often described as Bridgerton meets The Selection meets The Cruel Prince, this series blends romance, fantasy, and intrigue into a story that feels lush on the surface and razor-sharp underneath.
Why You Should Read The Thorn Queen
1. It’s a Story About Consequences
Winning the crown isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of the reckoning. The Thorn Queen leans into the cost of power, making it perfect for readers who want their romantasy emotionally honest and politically sharp.
2. The Forbidden Romance Cuts Deeper
Wed to one brother. In love with the other.
In this sequel, desire isn’t romantic, it’s dangerous. Every stolen moment risks betrayal, and every feeling threatens the crown itself.
3. The World Feels Bigger—and More Dangerous
With the fae fully unleashed, the world Ivy must rule is more volatile than ever. Bargains escalate, alliances shift, and survival becomes a daily calculation.
4. It’s the Conclusion Readers Have Been Waiting For
The Thorn Queen completes Ivy’s story, delivering a darker, more intense continuation that doesn’t soften the stakes or shy away from hard choices.
The Thorn Queen — LitJoy Edition
For collectors and immersive readers, The Thorn Queen LitJoy Edition is designed to honor the story’s weight and atmosphere.
This special edition includes:
Signed by New York Times bestselling author Sasha Peyton Smith
An exclusive author letter
A custom-designed casewrap cover paired with the original publisher dust jacket
Digitally designed page edges
Character endpapers illustrated by @mspencerdraws
A ribbon bookmark
A trim size that matches The Rose Bargain LitJoy Edition
It’s a collector-worthy sequel made to sit beautifully beside book one.
✨ New to the series?
The Rose Bargain LitJoy Edition is available in our shop now, making it easy to start Ivy’s journey from the beginning.
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Vellum Page Overlays: A Deeper Reading Experience
To accompany The Thorn Queen, LitJoy is also offering exclusive vellum page overlays.
Illustrated by @mspencerdraws, these overlays are designed to layer directly into the book at key moments. Drawing readers deeper into ballrooms and bargains, forbidden love, deceptive marriages, and lethal courtly games.
Rather than interrupting the story, the overlays invite readers to slow down, linger, and sit with the moments that carry the most emotional weight. They’re a striking companion for readers who love immersive, tactile storytelling.
Overlays reveal coming soon
Who Should Read The Thorn Queen?
This book is perfect for readers who love:
Romantasy with political intrigue and emotional depth
Stories where power and love are in conflict
Fae worlds that are beautiful, cruel, and dangerous
Special edition books that feel intentional and collectible
If you loved The Rose Bargain, The Thorn Queen delivers everything you were hoping for and then sharpens it.
Final Thoughts
With The Thorn Queen, New York Times bestselling author Sasha Peyton Smith delivers a sequel that doesn’t just continue the story, it transforms it.
This is romantasy for readers who want tension, consequence, and characters forced to choose between the crown and the heart. And in the LitJoy Edition, it’s a story designed not just to be read, but to be experienced.
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