Girl, Serpent, Thorn

Girl, Serpent, Thorn is a young adult fantasy novel by Melissa Bashardoust, inspired by Persian mythology and fairy tales. The novel follows Soraya, a princess who is cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who must decide between hiding in the shadows or embracing her power. The novel explores themes of identity, love, betrayal, and courage, and features a diverse cast of characters, including a bisexual protagonist and a lesbian love interest.

The novel was published in July 2020 and received positive reviews from critics and readers. It was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction in 2020.