title: The Thorn & the Blossom A Two-Sided Love Story
author: Theodora Goss
genre: fantasy/romance/short story
published: January 17, 2012
pages: each story is 38 pages
source: ARC from Quirk Books
rated: 4 1/2 out of 5
blurb:
One enchanting romance. Two lovers keeping secrets. And a uniquely crafted book that binds their stories forever.
When Evelyn Morgan walked into the village bookstore, she didn’t know she would meet the love of her life. When Brendan Thorne handed her a medieval romance, he didn’t know it would change the course of his future. It was almost as if they were the cursed lovers in the old book itself...
The Thorn and the Blossom is a remarkable literary artifact: You can open the book in either direction to decide whether you’ll first read Brendan’s, or Evelyn’s account of the mysterious love affair. Choose a side, read it like a regular novel—and when you get to the end, you’ll find yourself at a whole new beginning.
About:
When I was first contacted about a possible review for The Thorn & the Blossom A Two-Sided Love Story I jumped at the opportunity. First off, I enjoy romance and secondly, the unique format of the book intrigued me. The book is shaped somewhat like an accordion. Once you are done reading one story, you turn the book over and read the second one. I've included the book clip at the end of my review in case you want to see more.
Evelyn Morgan is from Boston and she is spending a semester at Oxford University. One day she walks into a quaint little bookstore called Thorne & Son. There she meets local Brendan Thorne, whose dad owns the book store. The two hit it off and he takes her to a place called Gawan's Court for sightseeing. Once there, he tells her the myth of Gawan and Elowen. Brendan himself is knowledgeable as far as the myth goes, since he grew up hearing it from his father.
Evelyn & Brendan begin to fall in love, but something very odd begins to happen, and it almost seems like their story is similar to the ancient myth of Sir Gawan and Elowen.
My thoughts:
The Thorn & the Blossom A Two-Sided Love Story is a sweet and quirky little book about two star-crossed lovers and I enjoyed it very much. These two short stories made me smile and sigh and had me wanting more. Oh how I wish this book were longer.
The two stories mirror each other and you get each of these character's perspectives on what is happening. I read Evelyn's story first, which I recommend doing.
I think the accordion format of the book is fun, however it was a bit awkward to hold in the beginning, since the book has no spine. I didn't mind this once I got used to it. The book itself slides into a pretty little box, which is the cover you see above. I think this one would make for a cute Valentine's Day present.
All in all, a charming and romantic little book with some mythology in the mix, that left me with a smile on my face.
Have patience, love, and we shall meet again
As surely as wild roses have their thorns
For weary years eventually pass.
About the author:
THEODORA GOSS won the World Fantasy Award in 2008 for her short story “The Singing of Mount Abora” and has been repeatedly showcased in the Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror series. She lives in Boston, where she teaches literature at Boston University. Illustrator SCOTT MCKOWEN lives in Stratford, Ontario
Special thanks to Eric over @ Quirk Books.
13 comments:
Lucky you snagging an ARC of this one. I'd like to read it one of these days. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It sure has a great cover.
What a great idea, it looks and sounds like something I would enjoy reading. I will have to be on the lookout for it in my favorite bookstore.
I wondered how the reading experience would be since the book has no spine. I'm glad to know you were able to get used to it.
I'm going to add this book to my wish list. It sounds like something I'd enjoy too.
Elowen makes me think of Lord of the Rings ;)
What a charming work of art this book is - definitely not something for casual handling, though! I am tempted to add this to my wish list.
Do you know if the myth of Gawan and Elowen refers to the Arthurian sagas, that is, Gawain? Can't think of who Elowen might be, though, but then my memory regarding Arthurian matters is rusty, to put it mildly.
The format of this one looks great. And I'm trying to think of where I heard of Goss... I think I read a short story of hers recently, but I can't remember which. I'll look this one up; thanks for the suggestion.
Loving the cover of this one.
I hope that one day you will do a post informing us how you go about being asked to do these book reviews. Something I'd love to do, I just wouldn't know where to start.
This sounds like a unique read! I hadn't heard of it before but I always enjoy a good romance :) I think I shall add this one to my book TBR list. Thanks for sharing!
I do like it when you enjoy a book so much your left wanting more, great review!
Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
dar: yes, I was lucky to get a copy, its a cute book
gigi ann and yvonne: its a sweet read
blod: lol..me too
romantic armchair: yes, it does refer to that. Brendan gives Evelyn a journal for her poetry, on the cover is Waterhouse's, The Lady of Shalott. I dont remember an Elowen being in the original myth myself either.
hkatz: yes, she does write short stories. I hadn't heard of her until reading this one.
petty: I will do that soon then
sam and lainy: its really sweet
What an interesting idea! And it sounds like the story lived up the "gimmick" -- which isn't always the case.
jenners: exactly that, the gimmick didn't take over the storyline. It's a cute little read.
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