Bramble Publishing Set to Release Jennifer K. Lambert’s New Romantasy Novel on July 14th
The literary world is buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming release of Jennifer K. Lambert’s latest novel, Among the Thorns, a romantasy set to debut on July 14th under the Bramble imprint. This highly anticipated work promises to immerse readers in a richly imagined world, further expanding the universe established in Lambert’s previous critically acclaimed novel, Never the Roses. The excerpt provided offers a compelling glimpse into the intertwined destinies of two young sorceresses, Rose of Northbrooke and Thorn, whose lives are poised on the brink of revelation and conflict.
Unveiling a World of Magic and Intrigue
Among the Thorns introduces readers to Rose of Northbrooke, a prodigy poised for greatness. As the sole known dream sorcerer of her generation, Rose possesses formidable power, striking beauty, and an undeniable destiny that has already attracted the attention of royalty. Her promising future, however, is cast into shadow by emerging rumors of dream magic gone awry, hinting at the existence of another iromancer—a dream sorcerer—who may rival, or even surpass, Rose’s own abilities. This revelation shatters Rose’s perceived uniqueness and suggests a more complex magical landscape than previously understood.
Parallel to Rose’s trajectory is the story of Thorn, a young woman living in profound isolation in a distant cottage. Her existence is confined by powerful magic that prevents her from venturing beyond the garden fence. Thorn harbors a deep yearning for the world beyond her secluded life, a desire to understand her own magical potential and to experience love and connection, particularly the romantic ideal of a prince’s unwavering affection.
A Tale of Two Sorceresses: Divergent Paths, Converging Fates
The narrative tension escalates as Thorn discovers the existence of another dream sorceress who seemingly possesses everything she has been denied: freedom, education, and the affection of a prince. This discovery transforms Thorn’s acceptance of her isolation into a potent hunger for the life she believes has been unfairly withheld from her—a life that mirrors Rose’s perceived advantages.
The excerpt vividly details Thorn’s unique magical gift: psychometry, the ability to perceive the history and emotions embedded within objects through touch. Raised in isolation by her guardian, Jada, Thorn has honed this ability to an extraordinary degree. She can trace the provenance of artifacts back to their makers, experiencing the joy, sorrow, and intent imbued within them. Her guardian, Jada, utilizes Thorn’s gift to identify and appraise valuable items, generating income for their secluded existence. However, Thorn’s deep dive into the emotional residue of objects, particularly those connected to romance, fuels her longing for a life beyond her current circumstances.
The Revelation of Deception and a Looming Conflict
The core conflict of Among the Thorns emerges when Rose and Thorn eventually meet. This encounter reveals that their lives have been far from organic; they have been meticulously orchestrated by unseen political schemers. The narrative posits a stark ultimatum: only one sorceress can exist freely, claim the kingdom’s accolades, and secure the prince’s love, while the other faces a fate of "perpetual non-existence." This revelation sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation, challenging the very foundations of their identities and motivations.
The Enigmatic World of Thorn’s Isolation
The excerpt delves deeply into Thorn’s solitary upbringing. Her cottage, nestled within a formidable rose hedge, serves as both sanctuary and prison. The hedge, with its honey-gold blossoms in summer and formidable black-emerald canes laden with blade-like thorns in all seasons, acts as an impenetrable barrier. Jada, her guardian, enforces this isolation, citing the dangers of the outside world. Thorn’s days are filled with domestic chores and the meticulous cataloging of objects Jada brings back from her excursions. These objects become Thorn’s windows into the world, offering glimpses of bustling marketplaces, familial affection, and declarations of love through treasured gifts.
Thorn’s psychometry extends beyond mere observation; she experiences the emotions attached to these objects, particularly the vibrant echoes of love and connection found in jewelry. These secondhand experiences provide both hope and despair, highlighting a world of intimacy she cannot access. Her longing intensifies as she realizes that escape is impossible without Jada’s ability to pass through the enchanted hedge.
A Seed of Rebellion and the Discovery of Truth
A pivotal moment occurs when Thorn, driven by an inexplicable restlessness and a growing curiosity, deviates from her routine. While examining a jeweled belt buckle, she experiences the vivid memories of a young prince. This encounter ignites a profound desire to experience the world and potentially find him. Her subsequent questioning of Jada about leaving the cottage is met with dismissive laughter and pronouncements of her being a "country mouse" unfit for the city. Jada asserts their fundamental difference, stating that some are permitted to leave while others are not, a decree Thorn finds increasingly unjust.
Thorn’s burgeoning defiance is met with Jada’s formidable magical power, manifesting as "giant white wings" that threaten to engulf her. This display of control, meant to instill obedience, instead fuels Thorn’s resolve. She begins to suspect that her isolation is not entirely rooted in safety but perhaps in deception.
Her suspicions are confirmed when, through a clandestine act of disobedience, Thorn steals a small jewel from the belt buckle, a tangible piece of the prince’s memory. She then secretly acquires a book on rune-breaking, a skill Jada never mentioned. Under the cover of night, using minor pyromancy for light, Thorn discovers a monumental truth: the wards surrounding her home can be manipulated. The book reveals that ward-making is not solely dependent on runes and that Jada’s consistent "reinfusion" of magic likely maintains the perimeter’s integrity. This knowledge empowers Thorn with the possibility of escape, a stark contrast to Jada’s narrative of insurmountable magical barriers.
The Confrontation at the Garden Gate
The narrative builds towards Thorn’s determined attempt to breach the wards. Armed with the knowledge from the rune-breaking text, she meticulously works to "thin" the protective magic around the garden gate. Her success allows her to open it just enough to glimpse the darkening forest and a path leading to a road—a pathway to freedom. In this moment of nascent triumph, she is met by Jada, who appears as if from nowhere, her rage palpable. The confrontation at the gate signifies the unraveling of Jada’s control and the imminent clash between Thorn’s newfound agency and the secrets that have kept her imprisoned.
Broader Implications and Context
Among the Thorns arrives at a time when the romantasy genre continues to experience significant growth and popularity. Readers are drawn to narratives that blend intricate world-building, compelling magic systems, and emotionally resonant romantic subplots. Lambert’s previous work, Never the Roses, established her adeptness at crafting such stories, making Among the Thorns a highly anticipated addition to the genre.
The novel’s themes of self-discovery, the nature of truth and deception, and the struggle against confinement resonate deeply. Thorn’s journey from an isolated, manipulated existence to a quest for freedom and self-determination mirrors universal desires for agency and authentic connection. The impending conflict between two powerful sorceresses, each with her own claim to a prince and a future, suggests a narrative that will explore complex moral ambiguities and the consequences of ambition and betrayal.
The excerpt hints at a larger political landscape where magic and destiny are tools of manipulation. The "political schemers" mentioned suggest a world where power is wielded through subtle, often cruel, means. The fates of Rose and Thorn are not merely personal tragedies but likely pawns in a larger game of influence and control within their kingdom.
The detailed description of Thorn’s psychometry offers a unique magical system that adds depth and originality to the narrative. This ability to connect with the past through objects provides a rich source of exposition and character development, allowing readers to understand the world and its history through Thorn’s unique perspective.
Anticipation and Release Details
Among the Thorns is scheduled for publication on July 14th by Bramble. The novel is available for pre-order through major booksellers, with further details and potential promotional events expected in the lead-up to its release. Jennifer K. Lambert’s continued exploration of complex characters and captivating magical worlds promises Among the Thorns to be a significant literary event for fans of the romantasy genre.
Excerpted from Among the Thorns, copyright © 2026 by Jennifer K. Lambert.
