Looking for a new fiction book that’s a little different from the rest? The fantasy genre can offer a unique opportunity to explore difficult real-world issues through the lens of an imaginary world. Consider reading “Thorn” by Intisar Khanani. The first novel in the Dauntless Path series, Thorn is a reimagining of the classic fairy tale “The Goose Girl.” To escape a cruel family and a contemptuous court, fifteen-year-old Princess Alyrra becomes betrothed to Prince Kestrin. En route to meet him, Alyrra encounters an enemy who uses magic to force her to swap identities with her nemesis, sending the young princess into an unexpected life as a commoner. Stripped of her title and privilege, Alyrra experiences the world from an entirely different perspective, and those experiences challenge and mature her in unexpected ways. The novel explores difficult themes, including betrayal, domestic violence, forgiveness, identity, class inequality, empathy. Ultimately, it asks readers to consider an important question: What is the difference between revenge and justice? Thorn is well worth adding to the reading list.