Meet My Story
Crown of Thorns series weaves themes of survival, resilience, and the thin line between oppression and the desperate pursuit of freedom into its narrative fabric. Book One, Desert Rose, introduces Waris, whose name—like the series—is rooted in Somali flora, symbolizing beauty and danger intertwined. Crown of Thorns, a poisonous plant indigenous to the Horn of Africa, encapsulates the essence of Waris’s complicated journey as she navigates morality, power, and identity in a world poised on the brink of war.
Waris, an eighteen-year-old outcast caught between two conflicting magical cultures—the nature-bound Fae and the powerful desert-dwelling Daemeni—is tormented by visions of a tragic past life. Her mixed heritage isolates her, and the discovery of a powerful, forbidden magic within herself only deepens her sense of alienation. Waris is not a traditional hero; instead, she embodies the complexity of an antihero whose decisions are frequently driven by internal conflict, vengeance, and the desperate need for freedom. Her actions are also shaped by a deep desire to protect those she loves, even if it means stepping onto an even playing field with those who commit evil. Her story reflects the painful and powerful decisions made in the face of systemic violence and the cost of liberation.
When Waris becomes ensnared in political intrigue and magical corruption, she finds herself teetering precariously between salvation and darkness. Faced with betrayal and unimaginable hardship, Waris must confront the darkness rising within her, shaped by survival and the painful cost of resistance. Throughout her journey, she must face the unsettling possibility that her greatest threat may not be external enemies, but rather her own capacity for vengeance and despair.
This morally charged journey through Waris’s psyche underscores the series’ deeper exploration of how heroes and villains are defined by their choices rather than by destiny alone. By placing Waris in situations of extreme moral ambiguity and internal struggle, Desert Rose sets the stage for a larger narrative that examines power, redemption, and the courage required to confront one's inner demons.
xoxo
Until your shadow meets mine again—
Simxn
Author, Crown of Thorns: Desert Rose • Editor, The Alchemxst