The Thorn and the Blossom: A Two-Sided Love Story [NOOK Book]

A Potential Idea

The idea of the same story but with two narrators has potential, but the author lets us down. The connection with medieval literature needed much more development.

Interesting - But Would Have Liked More

Ms. Goss has a wonderful idea here. I loved the characters and the dialogue, but something was lacking - perhaps a bit more story? Or perhaps she is writing a sequel? In any event, I do recommend this book to those who like love stories that are not at all conventional. This one certainly is not.

Good Story, Bad Format

When first presented with the trailer for this book I was intrigued. I thought the format was new and different and highly appropriate for the two sided love story that would be told. One I received the book for review the format quickly lost its charm. The book was difficult to hold while reading and this is because there is no binding to it due to the accordion fold design. As I turned pages, I continually felt as if I would be ripping pages and struggle with the hard covers to keep them lined up while holding the book to read. Reading this sitting up or in bed proved more annoying than anything. I finished the first story that way, and then the following day I read the other half of the story while sitting at a table with the book flat on the table. This was easier on the book, but not comfortable for me (my neck bearing all of the pain).

The story was lovely and I was interested on the other point of view while I was reading the first one. I read Evelyn’s story first and the moved over to Brendan’s. The problem I found with this two separate stories was that once I got to Brendan’s side I found that it was too easy to skim because I had just read most of the story on Evelyn’s side. All the things that were spoken are featured on both sides and I felt as if I were wasting time re-reading the same diaglogue again. There was very little extra to Brendan’s story that wasn’t featured in Evelyn’s. Just some thoughts of his here and there and what happened in his life when Evelyn wasn’t around.

While the idea is charming and lovely, it just didn’t pan out the way I hoped. If I were to rate the format of the book separately from the story, I would give the format a 2/5 and the story a 4/5. The format was beautiful, loved the cover, the idea, and the illustrations, but it was just too cumbersome and I don’t want to reread it because of it. So a 3/5 it is.

Reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake.

No text was provided for this review.