A Lesson in Thorns

Thornchapel, Book 1

By: Sierra Simone

Narrated by: Sara Ormenyi

When librarian Poe Markham takes the job at Thornchapel, she only wants two things: to stay away from Thornchapel’s tortured owner, Auden Guest, and to find out what happened to her mother 12 years ago. It should be easy enough-keep her head down while she works in the house’s crumbling private library and while she hunts down any information as to why this remote manor tucked into the fog-shrouded moors would be the last place her mother was seen alive. But Thornchapel has other plans for her...

As Poe begins uncovering the house’s secrets, both new and old, she’s also pulled into the seductive, elegant world of Auden and his friends-and drawn to Auden’s worst enemy, the beautiful and brooding St. Sebastian. And as Thornchapel slowly tightens its coil of truths and lies around them, Poe, Auden, and St. Sebastian start unraveling into filthy, holy pleasure, and pain. Together, they awaken a fate that will either anoint them or leave them in ashes....

From the author of the USA Today bestselling New Camelot series comes an original fairy tale full of ancient mysteries, lantern-lit rituals, jealousy, money, murder, sacred torment, and obsessions that last for lifetimes....

A Lesson in Thorns is the first of four books in the Thornchapel series.

©2019 Sierra Simone (P)2019 Sierra Simone

Amazing. Just start reading already.

Fascinating. This book is beautifully written and so very sexy. The characters are well developed, interesting, complex, relatable - yet fanciful in many ways too. Authentic tension is masterfully wound without any stupid gimmicks or flimsy unreasonable character choices.

This book is gripping, smart, hot, fresh. It flies by and leaves you wanting more.

Obsessed.

Second time listening to this and it pulled me in from the very first chapter. I absolutely ADORE Sierra Simone and her beautifully brilliantly told stories I have been head over heels for her since Priest & New Camelot. She owns a whole chunk of my heart. I just finished her Lyonnesse series which I highly recommend. Ahhh! Anyhow I loved the performances in this book. I just started Feast of Sparks and I’m not sure about the female narrator on that book yet but it’s okay…cuz Teddy Hamilton (swoon)

Hard to get into at first but overall, intriguing

I love Sierra Simone books and got hooked with the American Queen series...this was different and I did not care for the narrator...six characters to deal with and very intriguing...of course I have to wait for the next book

FAVORITE AUTHOR

I loved the feel of this book. The power that emanates from Sierra Simone’s magical storytelling ability. I was swept up in the storm of the first few chapters. The history and magic of what happened to characters at Thorn Chapel. I wanted to know them — to understand the lore. The story reads like a classic in the making.

The writing is decadent, as always.
The storyline is vibrant and creative.
The air of mystery and suspense added another level that I didn’t expect, but enjoyed all the same.

All in all its an amazing setup to something greater and I’m hooked. I can’t wait for more. Though it did feel a little dense at times and a bit heavy on the setup. Other than those minor hiccups, it’s a wonderful read and I definitely recommend it to fans of this author’s work.

Absolutely believe the hype

My book group has raved about this series FOREVER! I always assumed it was just like a mystery suspense type deal but it is all that plus all the great filth you can imagine. I'm happy I finally bought this one!

Love the story! Narrator NOT AT ALL!

Started the book this morning. Love Sierra Simone and the storyline is good it has me sucked in but the narrator is killing it for me. I don't know how much of hearing her swallowing or making smacky little sounds I can take. Of all the narrators there are that are so good and the new duet narration that makes books so much better why oh why this one girl narrator who is absolutely horrible and no distinction between characters. She's killing me!!!! PLEASE STOP SMACKING YOUR SPIT IN THE MICROPHINE AND SWALLOWING SO LOUD!!! YOU RUIN THE WHOLE THING!!!! She totally does that in the middle of a sentence or scene and it just makes it all broken up like you can't really get into it at all. She is really really really bad. Idk if I will continue this series if she is in all the books. 🙄 Absolutely horrible like nails on a chalkboard.

Devoured every word!

I just devoured this book. Listened to the whole thing straight through. Such complex and interesting character's. This book just gives you a little taste of their back story. Can't wait to listen to Feast of Sparks and learn more about them. Also, of course, this book has plenty of 🔥!

Wow!

Loved loved loved it. Beautiful writing, rich characters and delicious plot. I’ll be reading/listening to the other two books for sure!

Not my favorite from Sierra Simone

The narrator wasn’t great. The swollen noise bothered me. Story was hard to follow at times.
Love Sierra Simone priest series and America Queen series. I’m giving this series a chance!

Slow start, but worth it!

I was kinda bored with this at first but as it went on, I loved it. Great “read.”