The Book of Thorns - by Hester Fox

About the Book

"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 Armâee. 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"--

Book Synopsis

"Betrayal, loss, love, redemption, and justice collide in this masterpiece of a novel. You won't want to miss The Book of Thorns." --Paulette Kennedy, author of The Devil and Mrs. Davenport

A spellbinding tale of secrets, betrayal, and magic from the author of The Heir to Blackwood Library!

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 out of options, she allows herself to be recruited to Napoleon's Grande Armée. As a naturalist, her mysterious 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 mystical connection she has felt since childhood. One that her mother taught her to heed, before she disappeared.

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 must uncover the key to the source of the power that connects them as accusations of witchcraft swirl and threaten to destroy their very lives.

Look for these other gothic mysteries from Hester Fox:

• The Last Heir to Blackwood Library
• The Witch of Willow Hall
• The Orphan of Cemetery Hill
• The Widow of Pale Harbor
• A Lullaby for Witches

Review Quotes

"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." --Rosanna Leo, author of Darke Homecoming

"Just when I thought Hester Fox couldn't get any better, she brings us an epic tale of two sisters on opposite sides of the Battle of Waterloo. Cornelia and Lijsbeth's stories are heart-wrenching yet hopeful as they draw from their tragic pasts and their flower-based magic to solve the mysteries behind their estranged sisterhood. Betrayal, loss, love, redemption, and justice collide in this masterpiece of a novel. If you loved Thackeray's Vanity Fair, you won't want to miss The Book of Thorns." --Paulette Kennedy, author of The Devil and Mrs. Davenport

"The Book of Thorns is a gentle, magical tale of hope and healing in the midst of war." - BookPage

"Fox takes readers on a journey across Europe as Napoleon attempts a return to power...Those who enjoy a little history combined with woman protagonists and magic may appreciate this novel." - Library Journal

"Immersive historical detail and a gripping, intricate plot combine to plunge readers headlong into a rags-to-riches tale laced with betrayal and intrigue. This is a treat for bibliophiles." - Publisher's Weekly on The Last Heir to Blackwood Library

"Hester Fox transports readers to the windswept Yorkshire moors in THE LAST HEIR TO BLACKWOOD LIBRARY, delivering a magnificent and poignant tale of family curses, an ancient abbey and the wounds of war. This is every Gothic romance reader's dream come true!" - Rosanna Leo, author of DARKE PASSION

"With her trademark wit and lyricism, Hester Fox weaves a tale that is equal parts compelling and fantastical gothic mystery, swoon-worthy love story, and a genuine exploration of living with grief. The Last Heir to Blackwood Library gripped me from the very first page, keeping me on the edge of my seat and rooting for its independent and clever heroine until the very last. Rife with classic literary references and loving odes to the magic of reading, this story is a true delight for book lovers that is sure to be a new staple of the modern gothic genre!" - Marielle Thompson, author of Where Ivy Dares to Grow

"Combining history, the occult, human greed, and a touch of feminism, this is a fine addition to the gothic genre." --ALA Booklist

"An atmospheric and heartbreaking tale of loss, dark magic and the power of love, this brilliant book will stay with you long after the last page." --Constance Sayers, author of The Ladies of the Secret Circus on A Lullaby for Witches

"Weaves a spell of darkness that's mysterious and magical, and binds it with a knot of deathless love." --New York Times bestselling author Susanna Kearsley on A Lullaby for Witches