Language of Thorns received strong reviews on publication in 2017, with critics praising Bardugo's command of the fairy tale form and her ability to work within its conventions while subverting their expected resolutions. Reviewers noted that the collection demonstrated range beyond the propulsive thriller plotting of the Grishaverse novels - the prose is more ornate, the pacing more deliberate, and the moral frameworks more ambiguous than the main series. Sara Kipin's illustrations drew consistent praise as an integral part of the reading experience rather than decoration, with the intricate designs that grow across each story's pages noted as a distinctive formal choice that rewarded careful attention. Individual stories were singled out across different reviews, with Ayama and the Thorn Wood and The Too-Clever Fox most frequently cited as highlights. Some reviewers noted that familiarity with the Grishaverse enriched the experience without being required, and that the collection functioned as an effective entry point for readers new to Bardugo's world. Language of Thorns is generally regarded as a mature, confident work that expanded the Grishaverse's cultural texture while standing on its own terms as dark fantasy fiction.