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The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox
Published by Graydon House on April 2, 2024
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 320
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An enchanting tale of secrets, betrayal, and magic…
Penniless and stranded in France after a bid to escape her cruel uncle goes awry, Cornelia Shaw is far from the Parisian life of leisure she imagined. Desperate and lacking options, she allows herself to be recruited to Napoleon’s Grande Armée. As a naturalist, her near-magical ability to heal any wound with herbal mixtures invites awe amongst the soldiers…and suspicion. For behind Cornelia’s vast knowledge of the natural world is a secret she keeps hidden—the flowers speak to her through a mysterious connection she has felt since childhood. One that her mother taught her to heed, before she disappeared.
Then, as Napoleon’s army descends on Waterloo, the flowers sing to her of a startling revelation: a girl who bears a striking resemblance to Cornelia. A girl she almost remembers—her sister, lost long ago, who seems to share the same gifts. Determined to reunite with Lijsbeth despite being on opposite sides of the war, Cornelia is drawn into a whirlwind of betrayal, secrets, and lies. Brought together by fate and magic at the peak of the war, the sisters try to uncover the key to the source of the power that connects them as accusations of witchcraft swirl and threaten to destroy the very lives they’ve fought for.
The Book of Thorns by Hestor Fox is a captivating blend of historical fiction and fantasy set against the backdrop of Napoleon’s final stand at Waterloo. The story follows Cornelia Shaw, a naturalist with a near-magical ability to heal, and her long-lost sister Lijsbeth, who share the same mystical gifts. Their quest to reunite and uncover the source of their powers is fraught with danger, as accusations of witchcraft and the chaos of war threaten to tear them apart.
Fox’s writing shines in its vivid descriptions of the natural world and the battlefield, painting a picture of beauty and brutality that captures the essence of the era. With strong characters, intricate plot, and lush prose, The Book of Thorns is a must-read for fans of both genres.
Reviewed by: Orsayor
About Hester Fox
Hester Fox is a full-time writer and mother, with a background in museum work and historical archaeology. She is the author of such novels as The Witch of Willow Hall, A Lullaby for Witches, and The Last Heir to Blackwood Library. When not writing, Hester can be found exploring old cemeteries, enjoying a pastry and seasonal latte at a café, or scouring antique shops for old photographs to add to her collection. She lives in a small mill town in Massachusetts with her husband and their two children.
