The curse of thorns is a well-known folklore and mythical concept that has been passed down through generations. This curse is believed to be a result of a powerful enchantment or spell that brings forth thorns and prickly plants. It is said to be a punishment or a consequence for certain actions or behaviors. According to the legends, the curse of thorns can be inflicted upon individuals or places. In some stories, it is caused by a vengeful witch or a malicious fairy who casts the curse as a form of retribution or revenge. In other tales, it is the result of a disobedient act towards a deity or breaking a sacred vow.
And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Each of our hearts is like the thorny ground described in Hebrews 13 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. The Curse of Thorn is an ancient curse spoken of in the Halloween franchise and is the primary motivation behind serial killer Michael Myers constant desire to kill off all members of his family for much of the series.
In other tales, it is the result of a disobedient act towards a deity or breaking a sacred vow. The curse of thorns is often associated with the growth of thorny plants and bushes, which can be found in abundance wherever the curse strikes. These thorny plants are notorious for causing physical harm and creating barriers for anyone trying to pass through.
Review – A Curse of Thorns by Nicole Mainardi
In order to repay her father’s debt to the Regime and save her sisters from a terrible fate, Belle Fairfax—an eighteen-year-old girl with a love for forbidden books and the thrill of the hunt—must risk everything to find the reclusive Beast and steal the ring that cursed him.
But the Beast is not what she expects.
A young king cursed by a witch and forgotten by his village, all Bastian wants is to win the heart of the forest girl with the silver scars. But he’s a hideous Beast that abandoned his people for the sake of vanity, and he knows it won’t be easy to earn her affection.
But there’s more to the girl than he thought.
Belle only has one purpose once she makes it to the Beast’s castle: find the ring, take it, and leave the Beast to rot. But as she comes to know about the Beast, she realizes that she has more to fight for than just her family. Bastian knows he’s left his people in the hands of the corrupt Regime, and the guilt of their suffering gnaws at him. The more time he spends with Belle, though, the less he hates what he’s become.
With Briar on the brink of falling completely under the control of the Regime, Belle and Bastian find that, together, they may be the key to freeing their home from the reaching grasp of the tyrannical Emperor.
Initial Thoughts
I was super excited to have been chosen for this review tour by Read and Review Book Tours. Since I am new to the bookish community, I am eager to meet new book lovers and connect with authors. Being chosen allowed me to chat directly with Nicole Mainardi via email (and that was so exciting!). Anyway, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and I absolutely love fairy tale retellings. Needless to say, this story sounded amazing.
Cover Art
Although I have this as an e-book, and shelf appeal doesn’t really apply here, I really like the cover. Classic imagery that comes to mind when I think of Beauty and the Beast includes the Beast’s castle, books, roses, teapots, candelabras, etc.. I loved that this cover strays from the conventional. Rose petals (instead of roses), the castle in the background, and, most importantly, Belle featuring her silver scars. The cover immediately evokes the feeling of Beauty and the Beast without being cliché.
The Setting
I can’t express in words how much I loved the setting of this story. Unlike the original story, this telling of Beauty and the Beast is set in a version of the real world. I really enjoyed the references to Pride and Prejudice, Hamlet, and France in general. It grounded the story in a way that I found incredibly refreshing.
Additonally, I thought the introduction of the Regime was a great plot element. It is something that can transcend this book and continue into more books in a series.
I am a huge fan of historical fiction and the Regime gave me World War I/World War II Germany feels. Not sure if that was specifically the author’s intention, but I loved the dystopian/historical fiction vibe that it created.
Series Value
I loved all of the references to other fairy tales in this story. I think Nicole Mainardi has set up a fantastic setting that could easily be spun into other stories. I would read any other stories she writes that are set in this world.
Final Thoughts
I loved this book! I read it all in one sitting (always a good sign). I think this series has so much potential and I can’t wait to see what else Nicole Mainardi comes up with. This was a fantastic Beauty and the Beast retelling with elements of so much more sprinkled throughout it.
Recommendtions for Further Reading
- Thief of Cahramanby Lucy Tempest – this is another fairy tale retelling where several tales are spun into one setting. There is a Beauty and the Beast sub plot featured in book 4 of this series.
- Frostblood (and the entire series) by Elly Blake – although the main plots are quite different, both A Curse of Thorns and Frostblood feature a Beauty and the Beast romance theme. Definitely give this series a try if you liked A Curse of Thorns.
- Fawkes by Nadine Brandes – I absoutely love Nadine Brandes’s writing style (for many of the same reasons I fell in love with Nicole Mainardi’s). Fawkes has another Beauty and the Beast vibe to it with a magical/historical fiction backdrop.
But there’s more to the girl than he thought.
It is believed that the curse creates an impenetrable thicket of thorns, making it difficult for anyone to enter or leave an affected area. In some variations of the curse, it is stated that the thorns have a venomous nature, causing excruciating pain or even death to those who come into contact with them. It is said that the thorns have a way of piercing through even the thickest of clothing, making protection against them nearly impossible. The curse of thorns is not limited to individuals, as there are legends of entire villages or landscapes being afflicted with this curse. These areas become uninhabitable, as the thorny plants take over and make it nearly impossible for anyone to live there. The curse of thorns is often featured in fairy tales and folklore as a lesson, highlighting the consequences of one's actions or decisions. It serves as a cautionary tale, warning people of the potential repercussions of their choices. Though the curse of thorns may be a mythical concept, it has stood the test of time in various cultures. It continues to captivate imaginations and serves as a reminder of the power of folklore and the lessons it can impart..
Reviews for "The Curse of Thorns: A Contemporary Curse?"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Curse of Thorns". The plot felt predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. The main protagonist was supposed to be this strong, independent woman, but all she did was make irrational decisions and rely on the male love interest to get her out of trouble. The world-building lacked depth and the magic system felt poorly explained. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and it didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. James - 3 stars - "Curse of Thorns" had some good elements, but it couldn't hold my interest throughout. The pacing was slow, with too much unnecessary exposition that dragged the story down. The side characters felt somewhat forgettable and I had a hard time connecting with them. The writing style was fine, but lacked the emotional impact I was hoping for. While the concept of a cursed princess was intriguing, the execution fell flat, leaving me wanting more.
3. Samantha - 2 stars - I struggled to finish "Curse of Thorns" as I found the romance to be forced and unconvincing. The chemistry between the main characters felt forced and their interactions lacked depth. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to truly invest in their relationship. Additionally, the plot twists were predictable and didn't offer any surprises. Overall, I found the book to be lackluster and it didn't captivate me as I had hoped it would.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Curse of Thorns" had potential, but it fell short in execution. The writing style was mediocre and lacked the descriptive elements needed to fully immerse the reader in the story. The pacing was uneven, with slow moments that made it difficult to stay engaged. The world-building was intriguing, but it lacked depth and left many unanswered questions. The climax of the story felt rushed and unresolved. Sadly, this book didn't live up to my expectations.