Quick and Dirty
-historical romance with magical realism and mystery
-bisexual rep/polyamorous relationship
-Napoleonic War era
-dual POV sister story
-🌶️🌶️/5 open-ish door romance

Swipe for the full synopsis!

What Worked
Let me start by saying that I really enjoy Hester Fox’s work, and this book is no exception. I love that I can count on Fox for a historical mystery rich with gothic vibes and some degree of magical realism/witchcraft. Her latest is a bit of a departure from previous novels which focused more on gothic settings/vibes, but her brilliant writing and character development still shine in Book of Thorns. I was caught off guard by the degree of romance incorporated into the novel, but I enjoyed it overall. The polyamorous relationship felt progressive as historical fiction goes, and I’m happy to say that I found it believable and compelling. The fast-paced nature of the book kept me engaged and eager to see what happens next, a commonality this book shares with others by the author. I felt connected to and invested in both sisters, Cornelia and Lijsbeth, storylines and wanted to spend more time with them both, a mark (IMO) of good character development. The flower magic was creative and intriguing, and it connected them to their long-lost mother in a way I found moving. Highly feminist and full of beautiful imagery, this is one of Fox’s best!

What Didn’t Work
As noted by several other reviewers, the synopsis is a bit misleading. We are led to believe the sisters know about each other and their powers, neither of which is true. While the reader knows almost immediately that the two women are connected in some way, they do not realize they are sisters until later in the book, leaving you wondering how they will “work together” to resolve the drama.

Read This If
Anyone who enjoys a steamy (barely open-door) romance with queer rep and magical realism will find this one compelling!

I have been a fan of Hester Fox's writing since her debut, and I have adored all her books. The Book of Thorns is my absolute favourite. Mingling the language of flowers, two very special women and a backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, The Book of Thorns is so beautifully crafted. Every intricate detail is interwoven with care; a garden that has been tended by a master gardener. I was absolutely swept away. This story gives us romance, heartbreak, evil and a touch of the supernatural. But above all things, Fox leaves us with a sense of hope and a desire for a better, lovelier world. I cannot recommend it heartily enough.

Beautiful writing style, and I loved the setting/characters. There were a few moments that I lost interest but overall I really appreciated this story. The story of Henri/Sophie/Cornelia was a bit unexpected as well, as we don’t often see love triangles end in the way their relationship did.
The entire aspect and symbolism of the flowers was a very well thought out part of the story, it seems the author had the flowers in mind first, then wrote the story around that idea.

4 stars!

If you like magical realism mixed with war, this is the book for you. Sisters separated at birth who were given special powers by their mother via the secret language of flowers lead radically different lives that collide in Waterloo during the Napoleonic Wars. Together, they struggle through the war raging around them while also trying to figure out what happened when their mother died and why their father disappeared.

The Book of Thorns is the third book I've read by Hester Fox. I truly enjoyed the first two. This one is gothic fiction full of an intriguing blend of mystery and wonder, romance, the horrors of war and the stark hardships of women in the early 19th century. There was one issue I had with the story that prevented me from giving it 5 stars, yet I still raced through the pages with tears in my eyes and the fear of a perhaps unhappy ending. No spoilers of the ending here, and I will get to my one issue with the book in just a bit. A word of warning...triggers include rape, abuse and the terrors of war.

In 1815, during the Napoleanic Wars in Europe, two sisters separated at a very young age are bound together by floriography, the secret language of flowers, which was passed on to them by the mother they barely remember. After escaping a cruel uncle and his marriage plans for her to an equally cruel man, Cornelia Shaw finds herself stranded in France after attempting an escape to Paris. She ends up being recruited by Napoleon's army as a naturalist after her beautiful artwork of flowers and affinity for plants is noticed. There, with the traveling army, Cornelia discovers love which she never expected to experience again. Meanwhile, younger sister Lijsbeth is an indentured servant living in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (now Belgium), having been sold by her uncle and working for a family whose son thinks of the servant as a plaything for his enjoyment. Her only happiness is the time she spends arranging flowers. As the forces of the English and French are preparing to clash, Lijsbeth falls in love with a young English soldier. After the hell that is Waterloo, the two sisters are finally reunited. They must uncover the mysteries surrounding their missing mother and father, while one sister is confronted with accusations of treason and witchcraft. Will they be separated permanently this time?

This was a fascinating story revolving around two sisters and their mysterious connection through floriography. Reference has been briefly made of "the language of flowers" in historical romances I've read, but not near to this extent. Apparently it was quite the craze in Europe at that time. It was quite educational discovering the meanings of different flowers; who knew bouquets could be so fluent?! Both sisters could feel their connection to one another, but truly had no idea what it meant. Lijsbeth wore a locket filled with rose petals, and at times it would vibrate; we learn that is a sign of her sister being near. Both young women were totally different, except for one major likeness: both were horribly used by men. It was terrible how women in that time period were treated as property, to be bartered and traded for money and prestige, or used for men's sexual satisfaction without their consent. Cornelia adjusted to army life fairly well, despite the horrid camp conditions...and marching. Too much marching! She met Sophie, the camp's laundress, and Henri, a French lieutenant. She found love, which she never thought to feel again after she lost her love Anna. Lijsbeth also found love with handsome young English officer William, though she began to wonder if she could really trust him. The sisters came close to being together a number of times, but it wasn't to be until the Battle of Waterloo. The author did a wonderful job of communicating the horror of battle. It was a bloodbath, but also beautiful for a moment when Cornelia felt a connection with the earth. I mentioned earlier that I did have one issue with the book, and that was Cornelia's love affair with Sophie and Henri...the three of them together. I was not expecting a threesome here! It was by no means graphic, but just didn't seem to suit the story. In a lot of recent books I've read there seems to be race and/or sex issues that just seemed to be there for the sake of diversity, and not to move the story along. (Though I admit Ms. Fox did a good job at the conclusion of the book in connecting all three.) I loved the connection of sisterhood here, and the writing was absolutely beautiful. I spent the last third of the book in tears, and my puffy face this morning was well worth it. Hester Fox is definitely an author to follow.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Love Hester Fox, love this book! Two sisters, separated since childhood, now on opposing sides of the war between England and France, at the battle of Waterloo. Cornelia has run away from the marriage her evil uncle has arranged for her, and arrives in France hoping to find out what has happened to her mother, missing for many years. A skilled artist with a specialty in flowers, Cornelia has published her art under the pseudonym Madame du Jardin. But her journey to and arrival in France do not goes as planned, and she finds herself penniless, and attached to Napoleon's army as a naturalist. Cornelia has a special ability with flowers, including understanding the message each type of flower sends, and communicating with them. She is also a skilled healer, using plants to heal even the most challenging of wounds.

On the other side is Lijsbeth, who also communicates with plants, and speaks to an unknown young woman in her dreams. Brought into a household as a companion to the young son, Lijsbeth herself is now an attractive young woman and the family's maid, and the son is a rake who does not have good intentions to her.

Battles, lies, spies, lovers and more conspire to keep the two sisters apart but the magical connection of flowers is strong. The Book of Thorns has everything - romance, magic, spies, battles between good and evil - it's a rollicking good read!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐬
𝐁𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐱
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟒.𝟐.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝑂𝑢𝑡 𝑁𝑜𝑤!


I have wanted to read a Hester Fox book for some time now, and now I know what I’ve been missing.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐬 is an enchanting story of magic, war, sisters and betrayal.

Cornelia and Lijsbeth are gifted with the language of flowers; they can communicate with the botanicals. Yet, the magic was like the icing on this rich and elegant narrative of the sisters trying to reconnect and search for answers.

Set during Napoleon’s tumultuous wars, the sisters find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. But when the English and French armies collide at Waterloo, the two young women finally meet on the battlefield.

The elements of war, oppression of women, witchcraft, and romance gave this a historic gothic feel and made me reminisce about some of the great classics.

A complex story of the bonds of sisterhood and the strength of women to overcome.

Thank you @htpbooks and @harlequinbooks for a spot on tour and a gifted digital ARC.

Synopsis: During the Napoleonic Wars, two women on opposite sides of the war are drawn together by their mysterious abilities to communicate with flowers.

Thoughts: The Book of Thorns is a beautifully written work of historical fiction. I can’t recall another book I’ve read about this specific time period, so I found that to be very fascinating. The magical realism weaved in fit perfectly into the story. Cornelia and Lijsbeth were both lovely main characters, and I felt invested in both of their stories. Heart-wrenching, yet hopeful, these women’s stories were powerful and will stick with me for awhile. If you’re a fan of historical fiction featuring women bucking the norms of society and being total badasses, definitely check this one out!

Read this if you like:
🥀 historical fiction
🥀 dual pov
🥀 magical realism
🥀 witchy vibes
🥀 flowers

The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox is a historical fiction with a touch of magic set during the period of 1815. Cornelia Shaw resides with her uncle in England, and Lijsbeth is a housemaid in Brussels. Both young women do not have a choice. But how are they connected to each other?

Both Cornelia and Lijsbeth get an alternate chapter of their own that gives the reader a glimpse of their lives. These young women have an affinity with flowers. They can understand their language and have the power to use them. But in the world where women are only considered to be objects,having an agency is a threat.

I enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. With some gothic elements, this book never reveals everything, but it's for the readers to fill in the blanks. Cornelia and Lijsbeth's life are still in some aspects an enigma. Power, agency, and choice are the main themes of this novel in my view.

Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing @htpbooks and The Hive @htp_hive , for this book.

CW: Manipulation, Coercion, Sexual Assault, PTSD, polygamy, betrayal, child molestation

The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox is the story of Cornelia and Lijsbeth, sisters with a gift for communicating with flowers. The book comes to life in the setting of the Napoleonic Wars. The characters are well rounded, and the storyline keeps you engaged. The plot is slow to start, with the sisters meeting 2/3s of the way through the book. I found the ending hopeful and satisfying. I would recommend the Book of Thorns to those who love historical romances with a bit of magic.

I.LOVE.THIS.BOOK! What else can I say? It ticked so many boxes for me. Romance? CHECK. Feminism? CHECK. Heartbreak? CHECK. Magic? CHECK!

The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox is an enchanting read from start to finish. Told in the voices of Cornelia and Lijsbeth in alternating chapters, we go on a journey with each of them until they come face to face finally. Each has their fair dose of good times and bad and share a love of flowers and their meanings. That brings me to one of my favourite aspects of the book — At the beginning of each chapter, the author has included the name of a flower and the symbolism behind it, giving us a clue about what we might expect to read in that chapter. It’s a lovely addition. Magical Realism plays a huge part in this book where the flowers are concerned, and I thought it was a unique inclusion that brought the storylines together.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I have to say, her writing has just continued to improve. I was completely engrossed in this story from page one thanks to her evocative prose and lyrical descriptions, as well as how well history was woven so seamlessly with fiction. I’m eager to see what she writes next and will happily go back and read more of her work.

I uploaded my review to Goodreads and Amazon.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hester Fox for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Book of Thorns coming out April 2, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I read The Last Heir to Blackwood Library and loved it. So I was so excited to receive this book from NetGalley. Waterloo and the Napoleonic Wars are really interesting to me. I enjoyed the story of two sisters being connected. I loved the writing. It was whimsical and enchanting. There were a couple plot points I wasn’t in love with. I don’t want to give anything away, but some things felt a little too modern in the way of thinking. I really enjoyed the perspective of war through the lenses of women though. It’s usually told by the soldiers and other men involved.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical stories about fate and drama!

This was a mixed bag for me and I feel like that has been the case for this author’s last few titles.

The book is told from dual point-of-views and they come from Cornelia and Lijsbeth who are sisters. I love a good sister bond so I was definitely excited for that. The bond between them doesn’t start off right away but you can start to see their connection as they both use flowers. This was a really cool way to show the bond. They also have very different lives, but men are dillweeds in both situations. It was easy to feel for their situations and want to do the same things they did. They are strong characters!

There is a lot of magical realism and that may not be to everyone’s taste. I know that I usually am not one to like it, but I did like it for this plot. I also didn’t realize how much romance would be in the plot since it’s really not talked about in the blurb. Although she does tend to add it to her stories. The time period was really nice as well.

Sometimes I did find myself feeling a lull while reading which made it hard to want to pick it up again, but I managed to get through and did find myself liking it overall.

The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox - eBook Arc provided by NetGalley

I absolutely adored The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox! From the very first page, I was completely captivated by the atmospheric setting, richly drawn characters, and intricate plot twists that kept me guessing until the very end.

Fox's writing is beautifully lyrical and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the mysterious Thorn family and their dark secrets. The historical details are seamlessly woven into the narrative, transporting me back in time to the eerie landscape of 19th century New England.

The protagonist, Larkin Mills, is a strong and complex character who I couldn't help but root for as she delves deeper into the Thorn family's tangled history. The slow burn romance between her and the enigmatic Josiah Thorn added an extra layer of tension to the story, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Overall, The Book of Thorns is a spellbinding tale of love, betrayal, and redemption that will stay with me long after I've turned the final page. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a hauntingly beautiful read that will sweep you off your feet. Bravo, Hester Fox, bravo!

This story follows two young ladies, Cornelia and Lijsbeth. These two are sisters but with a different life path. Cornelia was kept and raised by her cruel uncle and Lijsbeth was given away and placed into a life of servitude. Their lives cross at a crucial time and it will take all these sisters have to escape the noose…even witchcraft.

I have enjoyed every novel by this author. And I have read almost every one. I love how magic plays a huge role in all her books. And this one definitely has magic and more!

Cornelia and Lijsbeth come together in the end to save Cornelia. I was unsure how this was going to happen…and you will need to read this to find out…but Lordy…I was a bit terrified there for a second!

Give me a good book with family mystery and magic and I am hooked. Add in the setting of the Napoleon era and you have a good read!

Need a book with a unique history and a bit of the occult thrown in…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I love this author's novels but this one was a mixed bag.
I was fascinated by the magic system, how Cornelia was able to manipulate and communicate with flowers. Cornelia is a strong willed and interesting woman and I liked her.
The plot is mostly the story of Cornelia: how she ran away, the Napoleonic wars. At around 3/4 we meet Cornelia's sister and we learn about the balance between the powers of the sisters.
There's a sort of open point that makes me think this could be the first part of a duology as there's a lot of questions which aren't answered.
It was an entertaining story, i enjoyed it but i was left wondering.
3.5 upped to 4
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Stranded near Paris, Cornelia Shaw allows herself to be recruited to Napoleon’s Grande Armée. She uses herbal mixtures to heal soldiers, which several see as witchcraft. They're not too far from the truth, as Cornelia’s knowledge is due to her ability to speak to flowers. When Napoleon’s army descends on Waterloo, the flowers tell her about a girl resembling Cornelia who has the same ability. Her long-lost sister Lijsbeth is on the opposite side of the war, but Cornelia still wants to meet. Soon the sisters try to uncover the source of their abilities even as accusations of witchcraft threaten to destroy them.

Cornelia's uncle wants to marry her off to a local man who openly tells her he would enjoy breaking her spirit, whom she suspects of killing his first wife. She runs away rather than allow a marriage to take place, and her meager savings can't get her as far as Paris from England, but she's swept up into a soldier's camp as a naturalist and eventually herbal healer for those who don't feel comfortable going to the surgeon. While this is happening, Lijsbeth is a mute servant in a rich family whose son won't leave her alone and assaults her. She has even less recourse than Cornelia but is transferred to a different household where she isn't as hunted. These were usual circumstances for women in 1815, though their connection to flowers and the ability to "talk" to them were not.

Cornelia from the start isn't too conventional in her affection, as she once loved her maid, Anna, then grew too attached to those she met in the war camp. She took her wealth for granted but rose to the occasion to help others where she could, and also loved where she could. Flowers had her searching for Lijsbeth before she even recalled having a sister; eventually, we and Lijsbeth know more about the situation than Cornelia does. Their lives don't intersect in the novel until the second half of the book, especially in the final quarter.

The sisters both have the gift for manipulating and understanding the flowers around them, though what initially brings on that gift are opposite forces. The sisters bring balance to each other and maintain a connection at the end. I enjoyed the almost fairy tale way it all came together, with hope for both sisters and their futures.

I read one of the author's previous books and was really looking forward to this. Unfortunately, it ended up falling flat.

Following along with both of the sisters living completely different lives, it seemed like too much was happening. So much was squeezed into the book that there was little substance and depth.

I found the summary to be very different from what really happened in the book. It talks about the sisters coming together to solve the mystery surrounding their mother, but they don't even meet until 70% in! The really was more about Cornelia's love life than anything.

That being said, I found all of the romantic relationships very shallow. Whenever someone confessed their love, I just never believed them.

This one was beautifully told but the sentence structure made it hard to follow at times, it almost needed interpretation.

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, all opinions are my own.

I felt completely mislead by the synopsis of this book. I was under the impression that the sisters used flowers to communicate with each other throughout the book, which is not the case. For much of the book they are unaware of each other's existence. This is also heavy on the romance, which I would have liked to know going in, as this is being marketed as a historical fantasy. In my opinion this is first and foremost a romance, set in the Napoleonic war, with a bit of magical realism. I do wish that the synopsis would have been a bit more transparent with regards to what this book was truly about, as I probably wouldn't have picked this one up.

The language and magic of the flowers was a bit underdeveloped for my liking. It was a cool concept, but overshadowed by conflict and romance. We never really come to understand why or how Cornelia and Lijsbeth have the ability to communicate with flowers. There is an emotional connection to their abilities, but the magic is not explained. I would have liked a bit of an explanation, as it was an interesting way for both of the girls to express and protect themselves. We do eventually come to understand how they were separated. I found the character development and worldbuilding lacking, and the pace was slow. The dynamics between the sisters was good, but I didn't feel any chemistry between any of the romantic entanglements, which is important for a book with so much romance.

If you are looking for a historical romance with an interesting magical element, this might be a great book for you. Because this unfortunately wasn't the book I was expecting, it didn't hit the historical fantasy marks for me nor is it what I like to see from a historical romance.