Book of Thorns and Crème Brulee

I would personally like to thank Hester Fox for writing this gorgeous book called “Book of Thorns.”  It is a beautiful love letter to those who love nature whether it is with a garden, bouquet, or just everything to do with plants.  It is about two women with very different lives who have a magical ability that must be kept secret at all costs.  On opposite sides of the Napoleonic War, these two women share a connection both with the natural world and each other.  However, they face their own battles with their tragic pasts and a difficult present.  But is there hope for the future?  Find out below.

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The Story

Half of the story surrounds a woman named Cornelia Shaw.  A rich young woman who more than anything wants to break free of her cruel uncle’s household and live the kind of life she has always dreamed of in Paris.  However, that does not happen they way she plans it.  Instead, she gets recruited to join Napoleon’s army and work as a naturalist.  Her skills at making healing tonics out of the local plants gives her special attention at the army camp and not all of it is good.       

The other half of the story is about a maid named Lijsbeth who finds herself removed from the only home she has ever known and brought to an extravagant estate elsewhere.  It is an adjustment for her in both the good and the bad but she wins the favour of her mistress when she sees that Lijsbeth has a gift with making the most beautiful floral centerpieces.  But not everyone is happy seeing her work her magic.

These two women who look remarkably like each other are long lost sisters and were separated since they were too young to remember why.  With their special abilities with plants and their constant dreams of each other, the two of them work tirelessly to be reunited.  However, because they are on opposite sides of the war this reunion is not going to be easy to accomplish. 

My Review

 This book has everything a person could possibly want in a story.  It shows how both Cornelia and Lijsbeth go on a grand yet unexpected adventure with some very believable hardships and heartaches.  However, none of this is without hope.  These two clever, independent, and captivating women make their own way to a better life and a better world for themselves despite the number of betrayals, evil, and wrong doings that are being done to the two of them.

You can really see and feel what these two women are going through.  You can sense their pain and pleasure throughout the story, but it is their flower-based magic that steals the show.  The two of them can communicate with flowers in a way that many of us wish we could.  I wish I could get life advice from the flowers in the gardens the way Cornelia could!  Boy somehow, I get the feeling that life would be easier if I could.  Anyway, I thought it was fabulous how that before each chapter you get a short description of what a certain flower means when you see one.  It also foreshadows what is going to happen to that chapter, so it adds a little fun to the book.

When you read this story you know that the author has a good grasp on French History.  It’s like she paints a picture of everything that happened in 1815.  How everything from the courthouses to extravagant manors, to the markets, and the battlefield was described in a way that really felt like you had a window to what had happened during that time.  She really knows her stuff!

The way Hester Fox weaves these wonderful words makes this book a visually beautiful gothic tale.  She has a wonderful theme that even in the direst of existences, that hard work, determination, and even compassion can create a beautiful life.  This is a hopeful and wonderful message that speaks throughout the book.  As you can see there is a lot to love about this book.

I did not like the threesome scenes that Cornelia had with two other characters.  For one thing, I did not buy it.  It just seemed to happen too fast for it to be believable.  It also seems out of place because when it comes to any kind of relationship (and quite a little bit against this theme) that it takes time for it to grow into something.  This is my personal opinion, but I am just not into threesomes or throuples or polyamory.  If that is what people want to do that is their business and theirs alone but, in this case, it just seems to me like Hester Fox put this in as a shock value for the book.  That is just not necessary when it comes to a book as beautifully written as this.   

Creamy and Floral

The Pairings

This book deserves a special kind of pairing.  As it has to do with two women’s mystical abilities with flowers, then this calls for a classic French treat that has a few edible flowers made into it.  Such as the historical crème brulee that was created long before Napolean took over Waterloo (1691 to be exact). But because of these remarkable women’s abilities this dessert needs to have a mixture of orange blossoms and lavender with a sprinkle or freeze-dried raspberries on top.  Then add a little almond biscotti for their good measure and hard determination. 

The orange blossom lavender crème brulee is the perfect compliment for this book and not just because of its flowers.  Its creamy sweetness reminds me of the bond that these long-lost sisters share not just with each other but with the world at large despite the harshness that they faced.   The burnt sugar reminds me of the Napoleonic War that the two of them got mixed in with.  It is bitter and hard for both of them, but they persevere. The dried raspberries with their tartness tell its own love story in the dessert with its pleasing sourness.  It reminded me of both the romance and heartbreak the sisters faced in their lives.

Now with this you need a glass of Foxglove Chardonnay (yes partially for the name) because it is ripe, bold, and refreshing without the need to hide.  These poor women had to hide a lot of what they can do since they could be accused of witchcraft in those days.  The wine is a perfect pairing to remember to own your own power (both as men and women) and be yourself.  Cheers!

The Rating/Final Thoughts

8/10

 This book is a very worthy read to anyone who has a deep love of plant life, magic, and seemingly impossible scenarios.  I loved how each chapter gives a little lesson on the language of flowers.  Truly it is a delight.  The only thing that docked the points of this book is the cringy throuple scenes.  I just didn’t care for them.