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Emma Newman
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Between Two Thorns (The Split Worlds) Kindle Edition

by Emma Newman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 387 ratings

“JK Rowling meets Georgette Heyer” in this series debut, a scintillating fusion of urban fantasy and court intrigue from the Hugo Award-winning author (The Guardian).

Between Mundanus, the world of humans, and Exilium, the world of the Fae, lies the Nether, a mirror-world where the social structure of 19th-century England is preserved by Fae-touched families who remain loyal to their ageless masters. Born into this world is Catherine Rhoeas-Papaver, who escapes it all to live a normal life in Mundanus, free from her parents and the strictures of Fae-touched society. But now she’s being dragged back to face an arranged marriage, along with all the high society trappings it entails. 

Crossing paths with Cathy is Max, an Arbiter of the Split Worlds treaty with a dislocated soul who polices the boundaries between the worlds, keeping innocents safe from the Fae. After a spree of kidnappings and the murder of his fellow Arbiters, Max is forced to enlist Cathy’s help in unravelling a high-profile disappearance within the Nether. Getting involved in the machinations of the Fae, however, may prove fatal to all involved. 

“Between Two Thorns shows the darkness beneath the glamour of the social Season. Learning to be a young lady has never seemed so dangerous.”—Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of the Lady Astronaut series

“Emma Newman has built a modern fantasy world with such élan and authority her ideas of why and how the seemingly irrational world of Fairy works should be stolen by every other writer in the field . . . This book of wonders is first rate.”—Bill Willingham, Eisner Award-winning author of Fables
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  1. Book 1 of 5
    The Split Worlds
  2. Print length
    375 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Diversion Books
  5. Publication date
    March 20, 2016
  6. File size
    6.1 MB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Emma Newman has built a modern fantasy world with such élan and authority her ideas of why and how the seemingly irrational world of Fairy works should be stolen by every other writer in the field.
Her characters are complex and troubled, courageous at times and foolhardy.
This book of wonders is first rate.”
- Bill Willingham, Eisner Award winner, and creator of Fables

“Emma Newman has created a reflection of Bath that reminds one that charming is not safe. Between Two Thorns shows the darkness beneath the glamour of the social Season. Learning to be a young lady has never seemed so dangerous.”
- Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo award winner, and author of Shades of Milk and Honey and Glamour in Glass

"With a feather-light touch, Emma Newman has crafted a very English fantasy, one brilliantly realised and quite delightful, weaving magic, mystery and parallel worlds together with ease. Newman may well be one of our brightest stars, The Split Worlds: Between Two Thorns just the beginning of a remarkable journey."
- Adam Christopher, author of Empire State and Seven Wonders 

“Emma Newman is an extraordinary new voice in SF/F.”
- Paul Cornell, Hugo Award winner, and author of London Falling and Saucer Country 

"The world building was done really well. I think that it helped to enhance the story and draw me in deeper. The different characters were interesting to read about. Cathy was my favorite main characters. Her determination and spirit made her a strong character with a unique voice."
-The Life & Times of a Book Addict

 “Between Two Thorns is a book that is packed with a ton of things to entice the reader … I can definitely recommend this to readers of urban fantasy if you are looking for something different”.
-Shadowhawk, Founding Fields

“This was a well-crafted fantasy novel which makes a great start to a new series … I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
-Rebecca, Book Chick City

If you like a bit of fairy magic, the juxtaposition between ancient and modern, here and there, and you don’t mind being left in suspense for a good few months, you’ll really enjoy it. 10/10
-Hierath, Fantasy Faction

“Between Two Thorns is an excellent read and I highly recommend it to fantasy fans looking for something a bit different, particularly in the form of merging modern day settings with fantasy worlds.”
-Tsana, Tsana’s Reads

"I really enjoyed the world building as well. The way the ‘mundane’ world and the nether co-exist, the politics of court life, and the machinations of the fae (who lurk in the shadows) all combine to make the Split Worlds such an intriguing place to visit, and one I’ll want to visit again when the sequel, Any Other Name, is released in June and again when the final book in the trilogy, All is Fair, come out in October."
-Bart's Bookshelf

 "JK Rowling meets Georgette Heyer"
-The Guardian

Review

"With a feather-light touch, Emma Newman has crafted a very English fantasy, one brilliantly realised and quite delightful, weaving magic, mystery and parallel worlds together with ease. Newman may well be one of our brightest stars, The Split Worlds: Between Two Thorns just the beginning of a remarkable journey." ―Adam Christopher, author of Made to Kill

“Emma Newman has built a modern fantasy world with such élan and authority her ideas of why and how the seemingly irrational world of Fairy works should be stolen by every other writer in the field. Her characters are complex and troubled, courageous at times and foolhardy. This book of wonders is first rate.” ―Bill Willingham, Eisner Award winner, and creator of Fables

“Emma Newman is an extraordinary new voice in SF/F.” ―Paul Cornell, Hugo Award winner, and author of London Falling and Saucer Country

"JK Rowling meets Georgette Heyer." ―The Guardian

"Newman brings an intriguing mix of modern world, Victorian/Regency England, and faery in her Split Worlds series, and this third volume brings a strong resolution to the conflicts between the worlds established in the first two volumes." ―LOCUS magazine

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B087X12DYD
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Diversion Books (March 20, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 20, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 375 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 387 ratings

About the author

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Emma Newman

Emma Newman

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Emma Newman writes short stories, novels and novellas in multiple speculative fiction genres. She won the British Fantasy Society Best Short Story Award 2015 for “A Woman’s Place” in the 221 Baker Streets anthology.

'Between Two Thorns', the first book in Emma's Split Worlds urban fantasy series, was shortlisted for the BFS Best Novel and Best Newcomer 2014 awards. Her most recent science-fiction novel, After Atlas, was shortlisted for the 2017 Arthur C. Clarke award.

Emma is an audiobook narrator and also co-writes and hosts the Hugo and Alfie Award winning podcast 'Tea and Jeopardy' which involves tea, cake, mild peril and singing chickens. Her hobbies include dressmaking and playing RPGs.

She blogs at www.enewman.co.uk and can be found as @emapocalyptic on Twitter.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
387 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's interesting fantasy world and find it highly imaginative, with one review highlighting its detailed world-building. The writing quality and character development receive mixed reactions - while some find it well written and like the characters, others find it slow-paced and hard to follow. Customers describe the book as fun to read.

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16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging with an interesting fantasy world, and one customer describes it as unique in their reading experience.

"...a gargoyle and the Elemental Lords and you have something unique in my reading experience, and I read a lot!..." Read more

"...but it all feels like it's building up to something worthwhile and interesting...." Read more

"...Mystery at the heart of the story was intriguing and the solution to it in keeping with the rules of the strange society...." Read more

"A very delightful tale of humans, fae and other species...." Read more

9 customers mention "Imagination"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the highly imaginative world of the book, with one customer noting its detailed world-building and another highlighting its interesting treatment of modern Fae culture.

"...I really loved the combination of ideas in this book and the next two...." Read more

"...craft and talent that was involved in putting together this highly imaginative world, the plot and characters did not appeal to me...." Read more

"...She skillfully weaves both a new reality and two new unrealities, leaving you simultaneously yearning for life in those more magical realms and..." Read more

"...The world-building is very detailed, but it doesn’t really make any sense...." Read more

5 customers mention "Fun"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fun, with one mentioning it has lots of interesting details.

"This was a funny sort of book...." Read more

"...The writing is solid, even fun at times. I liked the characters overall. They are interesting. Their problems are interesting...." Read more

"...A ton of readable, original, fantasy fun." Read more

"Well paced fun with truly like able characters and a twisty plot that doesn't rely on hokey coincidences or true love as the answer to all." Read more

16 customers mention "Character development"9 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with some enjoying them while others find the main character predictably disappointing.

"...I thought the character development over the three books was excellent, not only Cathy and Will (our romance pair) but also Sam (the mundane) and..." Read more

"...putting together this highly imaginative world, the plot and characters did not appeal to me...." Read more

"...a bit like reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman: there is a large cast of characters and a number of mysteries, but it all feels like it's building up..." Read more

"...One critic wore about some disorganization with the character Sam. It was hard to place his role in the story as the first character introduced...." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it very well and solidly written, while others report it being hard to follow at times.

"...It was very well written, and I am sure that many will be hooked, but unfortunately, not me." Read more

"Protagonist was too annoying for words with inconsistent character. In fact all the characters were annoying...." Read more

"...A definite 3.5 stars if they were permitted, because it was certainly readable, but it took me a very long time to feel any sort of investment in..." Read more

"Uninspired writing, barely there characters, but imaginative plot and word" Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive5 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book slow going.

"I was drawn to this novel by the positive reviews. For me, it was slow going...." Read more

"...Overall the book is super slow paced. Lots of words, not too much forward movement...." Read more

"...The story itself is okay but a bit slow going." Read more

"Very Slow Book. I almost did not finish it. I read a lot and it has to be very slow for me to want to put it down...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • K A McDowell
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unique world building
    Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I would actually give this four and a half stars (it is almost impossible to get five stars from me).

    I really loved the combination of ideas in this book and the next two. The three existences, modern noir sensibility, the Fae being confined to keep them from harming the Mundane world and it's inhabitants, the "regency" romance (actually Victorian), the sorcererers overseeing things and a mystery. Add in the arbiters and a gargoyle and the Elemental Lords and you have something unique in my reading experience, and I read a lot!

    I thought the character development over the three books was excellent, not only Cathy and Will (our romance pair) but also Sam (the mundane) and Max (the Arbiter), all four main characters.

    While this was advertised as a trilogy and the third book ended with a reasonable resolution it also left enough loose ends to make me think this series may continue. I have not yet had time to go to the author's website to read all of the short stories in this universe that she has placed there. Maybe some of my questions are answered in those stories.

    All in all, a really good read. This is an author and a universe I will be happy to return to.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Marilyn Maupin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book, highly recommended
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I was feeling kind of down, so I was looking for a book that would suck me in and make me want to stop eating and just read. And this book was it. I loved it. It feels a bit like reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman: there is a large cast of characters and a number of mysteries, but it all feels like it's building up to something worthwhile and interesting. I am extremely excited for the next book in the series, and I suspect I will be nagging others to read this one.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • joseph l calvarese
    3.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative, Well-Written, But Not For Me
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I was drawn to this novel by the positive reviews. For me, it was slow going. While it is impossible to ignore the craft and talent that was involved in putting together this highly imaginative world, the plot and characters did not appeal to me. Of the several subplots, the female protagonist’s kidnapping and impending arranged wedding was, in my opinion, the weakest, while the the parts with Max, the gargoyle and the Agency were pretty strong. It was very well written, and I am sure that many will be hooked, but unfortunately, not me.
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  • A. K. S.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative and compelling
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Great book. Strange world I didn't quite get the hang of yet with its twist to faes, and interesting characters. Mystery at the heart of the story was intriguing and the solution to it in keeping with the rules of the strange society. But more important than that were the personal struggles of each main character. Cathy was a great protagonist, if a bit too pathetic, and Max's gargoyle with all Max's emotions was my favourite. I'll definitely be reading the next book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Molly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Victorian Manners with Fae Magic Fun
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I adore this book. I immediately purchased the other two after reading a chapter of this first one. If you are a fan of C. Robert Cargill, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, or the Brontes, you'll adore this new world Emma Newman has created for us. She skillfully weaves both a new reality and two new unrealities, leaving you simultaneously yearning for life in those more magical realms and clutching gratefully to your mundane freedom. The intricacies of Victorian manners and propriety blend seamlessly with potions, charms, artifacts, and wizards; you will wish Jane Eyre had such powers at her disposal!
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Tehani Croft
    4.0 out of 5 stars This was a funny sort of book
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This was a funny sort of book. A definite 3.5 stars if they were permitted, because it was certainly readable, but it took me a very long time to feel any sort of investment in the story. I really think it is a set up book (and certainly the ending leaves me feeling that too). I liked the characters, and it's solidly written, but I had a lot of trouble engaging with it. Really can't put my finger on why! And having said that, I'm still interested in reading the next book, and will check out the author's short story series set in the world.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Mary Sweeney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Between two thorns
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A very delightful tale of humans, fae and other species. Yes, there is a lot of murder, but the lack descriptions of killings made it that more enjoyable. One critic wore about some disorganization with the character Sam. It was hard to place his role in the story as the first character introduced. But it's worth it
    I suspect he will play more parts in future books. Mary Sweeney
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  • Elaine M. Cohen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting fantasy world in which Fae society feels very like a slightly more restrictive regency area England
    Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting fantasy world in which Fae society feels very like a slightly more restrictive regency area England and humans are second-class citizens, a world parallel to and accessible from our modern world. Boundaries between the world are policed by arbiters, humans with split souls. Catherine, the main protagonist is a human from this fae world who longs to permanently escape into ours. I found Catherine to be a little unreasonable and annoying at times, but enjoyed it nonetheless and look forward to reading more.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kindle Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars Did not hold my interest for long
    Reviewed in Japan on April 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I'm not sure why this series was so highly praised. Yes, it is fairly well written, and it is not entirely devoid of originality, but it is nowhere near sufficiently compelling to warrant the raves that I've seen here on Amazon and elsewhere. I was able to get through the first 20% or so of this book before dropping it. To be fair, I've had the same reaction to a number of well-reviewed works in recent years. Maybe I've seen too much and my standards are too high - or, then again, maybe I've become yet another crusty, crotchety geezer!
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  • J. Carter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Original, engrossing, disturbing and brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A fascinating world(s), peopled by richly imagined people. Whilst this work is influenced a little by previous works of the intersection between fae and reality, I haven't read such an original and engrossing story before. Characters act on complex motivations and thus seem real, even in the midst of a fantasy novel. They grow and change throughout the books. The stifling social inhibitions of the nether world have allowed for the smart inclusion of gender politics, that raised my impression of the book still further.

    I have gone on to read the next two instalments: this series is a must read.
    Report
  • BookWorm
    4.0 out of 5 stars Decent fantasy novel with a good concept
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    In this modern-world-meets-fantasy novel, we're introduced to the concept of a separate world of fairy folk, effectively a prison to keep them away from us normal folk in the real world (charmingly named 'Mundanus'). In between the two is the Nether, populated by human families supported by fae patrons, who live a nineteenth century style existence.

    Cathy has escaped from the Nether and her oppressive family, who are determined to track her down. Will is from a Nether family but unlike Cathy is quite happy with being part of society. Meanwhile Max is a secret agent responsible for maintaining the status quo and keeping the fae away from the unsuspecting humans. Finally, Sam is an average human who stumbles upon something no mortal should have seen. Before long their stories intersect in a dramatic set of events.

    It's a good concept for a fantasy world, allowing the author to plausibly combine the 'real' world with the fantastical, and giving ordinary readers an easy way to identify with the characters. All four are interesting and likeable, and there are good supporting characters too. It sets up a strong grounding for the rest of the series. It's easy to read and quite compelling.

    If my review sounds a bit lukewarm, that's because I feel that way about the book. It's hard to pinpoint why I didn't totally love it - it's the sort of novel I enjoy, and Newman is a great writer whose other books I really like. I think one of the problems is having four point of view characters. It dilutes the narrative and makes it harder to form a very strong bond with any of them. It may also suffer from being a first book - there's a fair amount of setting up to get through. My hope is that it will find its stride more in the sequels.

    If you enjoy fantasy literature then this is a well written tale with a good central concept and a lot of promise in the books to come. If you're not a fantasy fan, it's probably not strong enough to win you over.
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  • pnorris14
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly Modern Fairy Tale
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This is a beautifully crafted story, the characters fit, the settings fit; everything fits. Reading it you’d expect it to be the author’s 4th or 5th book, but this is Emma Newman’s debut novel; and it doesn’t show. Emma’s been very ambitious leading up to the release of this book, she embarked on a project of releasing a short story a week for a year, all set somewhere within the Split Worlds. I signed up and received an email every week and really enjoyed them all. It was a taste of what was to come, but upon starting this book I realised she’d saved the best for these pages.

    Long ago there was a war between the Fae and sorcerers, the sorcerers won and the Split Worlds were created. The normal world (our world called Mundanus and humans are referred to as Mundanes) is devoid of magic and is off limits to the Fae. The Fae are trapped in Exilium, a prison from which there is no escape. Between the two, the Nether – neither here nor there – a world locked in time, its people living a strict caste system, a world where the puppets of the Fae live and plot and scheme. Great Families; all allied to one Fae Lord or another, all vying for power. But much like the Fae they too are trapped in their own prison. Making sure the Fae and Great Families behave – and do not interfere in Mundane life – are the Arbiters, soulless guardians immune to Fae magic, led by a sorcerer who has the power to force the Fae and their puppets to do as they are bid.

    This is the Split Worlds, each world unlike the other. It’s a nice twist that Exilium – the Fae prison – is seen as a beautiful world, full of colour, dance, music. Whereas the Nether is dull monochrome, a silver sky, no stars, no sun, no day, no night; its people ageless and trapped. Emma manages to bring each of these worlds vividly to life, no detail is left unclear, the worlds themselves characters as well.

    Emma’s work over the previous year with her weekly short stories means she is freed up here to get straight into the story. That being said you can read this without having prior knowledge of what came before; there is ample world building so you know what is what, and who is who. Several strands are started in the opening chapters that run the length of the book, and interestingly not all the strands are tied off in the closing chapters. There are a couple of late reveals that leave the book on a sort of cliff hanger. This bodes well for the future of the Split Worlds.

    I was pleasantly surprised by this book; I’ve recently got into stories about Fae and Fae magic. This adds a nice twist to that mythology and it’s obvious from the off that Emma knows and loves what she is writing about.
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  • Mark Tapley
    2.0 out of 5 stars Ideenreiche Fantasy Welt, aber schlecht umgesetzt
    Reviewed in Germany on September 6, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Die moderne Welt wie wir sie kennen hat noch eine von Feen regierte Spiegelwelt in der das viktorianische London weiterlebt. Inmitten dieser Welten lebt Catherine, welche zwar einer reichen Familie aus der Spiegelwelt entstammt, aber doch lieber in unseren normalen Welt ohne Feen und Magie leben möchte. Jedoch stehen diesem Vorhaben eine arrangierte Ehe und eine Verschwörung im Wege.
    Soweit ist die Idee der Spiegelwelt und deren Bewohner sehr spannend und weckt Neugierde. Jedoch ist die Erzählweise derart langsam, so dass sich die Handlung fast nicht vom Fleck bewegt. Viel dreht sich um die viktorianische Gesellschaft in der Spiegelwelt, deren Statussymbole und Soirees. Dies ist nicht wirklich spannend zum lesen, was aber auch an den relativ simpel gestrickte Charakteren liegt. Hier sind die Originale von Jane Austen sicherlich mehr zu empfehlen.
    Der Kern der Handlung kommt erst in den letzten vierzig Seiten richtig in Fahrt und endet in einem Cliffhanger, dessen Auflösung weitere zwei Bände in Anspruch nimmt. Jedoch habe ich keine Lust mich durch weitere 600 Seiten viktorianisches London zu quälen. Dafür ist die Haupthandlung doch zu uninteressant.
    Am Schluss bleibt es unverständlich, wie eine derart frische Idee durch eine völlig verkorkste Umsetzung eliminiert wird.
    Report

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