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Lotus and Thorn
A thrilling science fiction adventure perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce and Sarah Maas
Ravaged by a plague known as Red Death, the planet Gabriel, a former colony of Earth, is a barren wasteland. Since being abandoned by Earth 500 years ago, resources are scarce and life is cheap. To stay alive, the survivors, the Citizens, scavenge the remains of a now dead city, trading for food with the resource-rich Curadores, the only other survivors on Gabriel. Every old computer, every piece of wire, every scrap of metal counts. To steal is the ultimate sin. So when tough-as-nails seventeen-year-old Leica is caught doing just that, she's exiled and left to the mercy of Gabriel's unforgiving desert for the rest of her life.
While in exile, Leica discovers a mysterious shuttle, which may not only lead her home, but even more impossible—reestablish contact with Earth. Then Red Death rears its head again, killing her entire work crew, leaving Leica all alone until a handsome Curador offers her refuge in the Dome—the only place on Gabriel untouched by Red Death, where a decadent and sultry life awaits. But there's a catch: Leica can only enter the Dome as his concubine—his Kisaeng. When a rogue group of Citizens see their chance for revolution in Leica's good fortune, she finds herself unraveling a deadly mystery with chilling answers to the true origin of Red Death and the reason Earth really abandoned them so long ago.
A richly imagined fantasy in the vein of Tamora Pierce, Lotus and Thorn, is a magnificent, epic adventure.
Ravaged by a plague known as Red Death, the planet Gabriel, a former colony of Earth, is a barren wasteland. Since being abandoned by Earth 500 years ago, resources are scarce and life is cheap. To stay alive, the survivors, the Citizens, scavenge the remains of a now dead city, trading for food with the resource-rich Curadores, the only other survivors on Gabriel. Every old computer, every piece of wire, every scrap of metal counts. To steal is the ultimate sin. So when tough-as-nails seventeen-year-old Leica is caught doing just that, she's exiled and left to the mercy of Gabriel's unforgiving desert for the rest of her life.
While in exile, Leica discovers a mysterious shuttle, which may not only lead her home, but even more impossible—reestablish contact with Earth. Then Red Death rears its head again, killing her entire work crew, leaving Leica all alone until a handsome Curador offers her refuge in the Dome—the only place on Gabriel untouched by Red Death, where a decadent and sultry life awaits. But there's a catch: Leica can only enter the Dome as his concubine—his Kisaeng. When a rogue group of Citizens see their chance for revolution in Leica's good fortune, she finds herself unraveling a deadly mystery with chilling answers to the true origin of Red Death and the reason Earth really abandoned them so long ago.
A richly imagined fantasy in the vein of Tamora Pierce, Lotus and Thorn, is a magnificent, epic adventure.
429 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2016
26 people are currently reading
1054 people want to read
About the author
Sara Wilson Etienne
2 books115 followersSara Wilson Etienne went to school to become a marine biologist... but when her research transformed itself into a novel, she realized she loved fantasy more than fact. Now she enjoys combining both to create stories that ask "What if?"
Sara writes in Seattle alongside her artist husband and her two dogs. Her favorite days are spent disappearing into different universes, whether it's traveling with Dr. Who, popping into a parallel world with Diana Wynne Jones or Terry Pratchett, or writing her own stories. Or sometimes just taking a nap.
Sara is the author of HARBINGER and LOTUS AND THORN.
www.sarawilsonetienne.com
Sara writes in Seattle alongside her artist husband and her two dogs. Her favorite days are spent disappearing into different universes, whether it's traveling with Dr. Who, popping into a parallel world with Diana Wynne Jones or Terry Pratchett, or writing her own stories. Or sometimes just taking a nap.
Sara is the author of HARBINGER and LOTUS AND THORN.
www.sarawilsonetienne.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
June 12, 2016
Mini review:
This book was recommended to me by Alyssa! Click on her name to read her review.
DNF
This was a case of 'It's not you but me'. The reason I didn't finish this book is because I started to loose interest and the story became boring for me. The first part of the book was so good and action packed! By the time I got to the second part I was bored and it started to remind me of And I Darken. Which was not good.
I definitely recommend this to sci-fi fans! It does not have any real fantasy elements but the world building is fantastic and the sci-fi elements are really good.
This book was recommended to me by Alyssa! Click on her name to read her review.
DNF
This was a case of 'It's not you but me'. The reason I didn't finish this book is because I started to loose interest and the story became boring for me. The first part of the book was so good and action packed! By the time I got to the second part I was bored and it started to remind me of And I Darken. Which was not good.
I definitely recommend this to sci-fi fans! It does not have any real fantasy elements but the world building is fantastic and the sci-fi elements are really good.
July 3, 2017
The book blurb calls this a fantasy, but I’d have to disagree. You know that book blurbs are nothing more than a sales pitch, right? Someone, somewhere decided that Lotus and Thorn would sell better as a fantasy novel. Only it really isn’t. Space shuttles, test tube experiments and animals fused with machine put it solidly in the science fiction camp, in my opinion.
Don’t let that turn you off, though. It really does read like fantasy. Fast paced fantasy with a strong, smart heroine, a love triangle involving two larger-than-life brothers, a healthy dose of uprising and a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
If you aren’t a sci-fi fan, you may have to push through the first few chapters. I couldn’t help thinking back to when I read DUNE all those years ago, and the setting of a harsh desert planet is certainly similar. But Etienne manages to create a culture that blends Mexican and Korean elements with religious and political themes and excerpts of Grimm’s fairy tales (Fletcher’s Bird…one of my favorites).
It is certainly ambitious, though occasionally it felt a little forced …tamales and kimchi, anyone? Also, I don’t usually pay much attention to book covers, but occasionally one will either catch my eye or turn me off. This one did the latter, but I’m really glad I didn’t let a lackluster cover dissuade me from reading this one.
Don’t let that turn you off, though. It really does read like fantasy. Fast paced fantasy with a strong, smart heroine, a love triangle involving two larger-than-life brothers, a healthy dose of uprising and a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
If you aren’t a sci-fi fan, you may have to push through the first few chapters. I couldn’t help thinking back to when I read DUNE all those years ago, and the setting of a harsh desert planet is certainly similar. But Etienne manages to create a culture that blends Mexican and Korean elements with religious and political themes and excerpts of Grimm’s fairy tales (Fletcher’s Bird…one of my favorites).
It is certainly ambitious, though occasionally it felt a little forced …tamales and kimchi, anyone? Also, I don’t usually pay much attention to book covers, but occasionally one will either catch my eye or turn me off. This one did the latter, but I’m really glad I didn’t let a lackluster cover dissuade me from reading this one.
August 23, 2018
Overall, this wasn't bad, but it didn't end up as a favorite. There's a cliffhanger at the end with no sequel, but it begins a new arc, so it's not terribly frustrating. (Unlike cliffhangers that drop you mid-arc–I hate those!)
Mini-spoiler to follow!
The romance of it is kind of a let down. There's a love triangle of sorts, and one of them ends up being the villain, but I wasn't really attached to either character. The romance is like a side-dish to the sci-fi action/plot; it was nice that it was there, but it wasn't necessary to the protag's arc. The story is interesting, but I felt a little confused at the end. There's one character that dies at the end, and I'm totally lost as to her motivations. And the cliffhanger just left me more confused.
Not bad as a whole–it definitely held my attention–but it has room for improvement.
Mini-spoiler to follow!
The romance of it is kind of a let down. There's a love triangle of sorts, and one of them ends up being the villain, but I wasn't really attached to either character. The romance is like a side-dish to the sci-fi action/plot; it was nice that it was there, but it wasn't necessary to the protag's arc. The story is interesting, but I felt a little confused at the end. There's one character that dies at the end, and I'm totally lost as to her motivations. And the cliffhanger just left me more confused.
Not bad as a whole–it definitely held my attention–but it has room for improvement.
April 25, 2016
This was great! I didn't know much about it, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. My thanks to the publisher for sending an ARC!
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Lotus and Thorn by Sara Wilson Etienne
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 7, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Ravaged by a plague known as Red Death, the planet Gabriel, a former colony of Earth, is a barren wasteland. Since being abandoned by Earth 500 years ago, resources are scarce and life is cheap. To stay alive, the survivors, the Citizens, scavenge the remains of a now dead city, trading for food with the resource-rich Curadores, the only other survivors on Gabriel. Every old computer, every piece of wire, every scrap of metal counts. To steal is the ultimate sin. So when tough-as-nails seventeen-year-old Leica is caught doing just that, she's exiled and left to the mercy of Gabriel's unforgiving desert for the rest of her life.
While in exile, Leica discovers a mysterious shuttle, which may not only lead her home, but even more impossible—reestablish contact with Earth. Then Red Death rears its head again, killing her entire work crew, leaving Leica all alone until a handsome Curador offers her refuge in the Dome—the only place on Gabriel untouched by Red Death, where a decadent and sultry life awaits. But there's a catch: Leica can only enter the Dome as his concubine—his Kisaeng. When a rogue group of Citizens see their chance for revolution in Leica's good fortune, she finds herself unraveling a deadly mystery with chilling answers to the true origin of Red Death and the reason Earth really abandoned them so long ago.
A richly imagined fantasy in the vein of Tamora Pierce, Lotus and Thorn, is a magnificent, epic adventure.
What I Liked:
I'd heard of this book before there was a summary or cover, and so I didn't know anything about it (its title was originally Unworthy). When I requested the book, there still wasn't a cover, but there was a summary. I remember thinking, epic fantasy? Count me in! And then the cover was released and, well, it is gorgeous. I didn't know much about the book and didn't know what to expect, but I really enjoyed this book! Once I started, those 464 pages flew by.
The prologue tells the (short) story of how Leica is exiled from her home. Stealing is a sin, and while Leica wasn't exactly stealing, she was caught with something worth stealing. Nearly two years later, just shy of eighteen, Leica's crew in the treacherous desert is completely lost to Red Death. Leica bumps into another group of exiles, called the Indignos, as well as a Curador. The Curadors trade food and supplies for electronics, which the Citizens gather. This Curador, Edison, wants to help Leica, and he takes her back to the Dome, where food is bountiful and life is good. Leica can only enter the Dome if she is his Kisaeng, or concubine. Leica agrees to go, because she wants to spy on life at the Dome and see what they are hiding from the Citizens. As it would turn out, the Curadors are hiding quite a bit.
The world-building of this book is so well-written, in my opinion. I know this book is billed as a fantasy novel, but it seems more of a post-apocalyptic type to me. This world is Gabriel, a former colony of Earth. There has been no contact with Earth in hundreds of years. Leica's home is more of a community of Citizens, lead by the Abuelos. Everything electronic and basically metal-y is scavenged and traded with the Curadors, who give them found. But waves of the Red Death have been killing off the Citizens. And when Leica is exiled, she is left to face the harsh, unforgiving desert. Somehow, she survives for nearly two years, with the help of a crew. But when all of her crew dies, she is left alone. Again.
Leica goes through so much in this action-packed novel! In the beginning of the book, she is fiercely protective of her older and younger sister, and she is painfully aware of her "Corruption" (she has an extra pinky on each hand). Two years in the desert has toughened Leica even more; she was already a fighter, but now she's a survivor. And when she is taken to the Dome, it's s different kind of fighting and surviving that she must do.
I can't fault Leica for anything that she does to save herself and others. There is a very weird part of the book towards the end that will make just about anyway very sad for her, but the girl is braver and stronger than many of us.
This book is a journey! It's a 464-page story that really digs deep, taking us from beginning to, well, another beginning that is also the end of the book. I think the book is a standalone, and I think it ends extremely well for a standalone. I also think that there is room for a sequel, but who knows. I could also see a companion sequel happening.
I think I'll mention the romance, but it's not something that I really want to talk about. The romance is a little strange. The author plays with the idea of physical attraction but not emotion. So I hesitate to say that there is real "romance" in this book... because it's not romance. Still, there was an aspect of romance that I liked, one aspect that was sweet. I won't say anything else because I don't think it's important enough. Do not read this book for the romance, because you'll be disappointed (in terms of what is not there).
There are science-y aspects to this book! I like that Leica is good with electronics and electrical wiring and things like that. She's not just good with a sword and a knife and her bare fists. She's got a science-y brain and she uses it well.
Overall, I'm pleased with this book. I didn't know much about it going in, which was a good thing. I think I probably would have been a little misled about a certain thing (which I left out of my own review - you'll have to discover that aspect for yourself!). I'm curious to see if there will be a follow-up to this book!
What I Did Not Like:
You can probably tell from what I said above, but the romance was not something I absolutely loved - I didn't hate it either. I think the romance itself could have been so much more. Instead, the author focused on something more physical. I know, I know, Alyssa complaining about a physical aspect?! I have reason to do so, in this case. It didn't detract from the story and I still liked the book a lot, but I guess I'm a little picky when it comes to these things!
Would I Recommend It:
I liked the book, and I'd recommend it if you were already interested! It's a post-apocalyptic novel, not necessarily dystopia, but definitely the futuristic survival type. More science fiction than fantasy, in my opinion. I will say that if you're expecting an epic romance, don't bother. Do not read this book for its romance.
Rating:
4 stars. I'd not read the author's debut, Harbinger, but I remember seeing it when it published years ago! I wonder if it is just as engrossing as this book. In any case, Lotus and Thorn was very much worth the read!
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Lotus and Thorn by Sara Wilson Etienne
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 7, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Ravaged by a plague known as Red Death, the planet Gabriel, a former colony of Earth, is a barren wasteland. Since being abandoned by Earth 500 years ago, resources are scarce and life is cheap. To stay alive, the survivors, the Citizens, scavenge the remains of a now dead city, trading for food with the resource-rich Curadores, the only other survivors on Gabriel. Every old computer, every piece of wire, every scrap of metal counts. To steal is the ultimate sin. So when tough-as-nails seventeen-year-old Leica is caught doing just that, she's exiled and left to the mercy of Gabriel's unforgiving desert for the rest of her life.
While in exile, Leica discovers a mysterious shuttle, which may not only lead her home, but even more impossible—reestablish contact with Earth. Then Red Death rears its head again, killing her entire work crew, leaving Leica all alone until a handsome Curador offers her refuge in the Dome—the only place on Gabriel untouched by Red Death, where a decadent and sultry life awaits. But there's a catch: Leica can only enter the Dome as his concubine—his Kisaeng. When a rogue group of Citizens see their chance for revolution in Leica's good fortune, she finds herself unraveling a deadly mystery with chilling answers to the true origin of Red Death and the reason Earth really abandoned them so long ago.
A richly imagined fantasy in the vein of Tamora Pierce, Lotus and Thorn, is a magnificent, epic adventure.
What I Liked:
I'd heard of this book before there was a summary or cover, and so I didn't know anything about it (its title was originally Unworthy). When I requested the book, there still wasn't a cover, but there was a summary. I remember thinking, epic fantasy? Count me in! And then the cover was released and, well, it is gorgeous. I didn't know much about the book and didn't know what to expect, but I really enjoyed this book! Once I started, those 464 pages flew by.
The prologue tells the (short) story of how Leica is exiled from her home. Stealing is a sin, and while Leica wasn't exactly stealing, she was caught with something worth stealing. Nearly two years later, just shy of eighteen, Leica's crew in the treacherous desert is completely lost to Red Death. Leica bumps into another group of exiles, called the Indignos, as well as a Curador. The Curadors trade food and supplies for electronics, which the Citizens gather. This Curador, Edison, wants to help Leica, and he takes her back to the Dome, where food is bountiful and life is good. Leica can only enter the Dome if she is his Kisaeng, or concubine. Leica agrees to go, because she wants to spy on life at the Dome and see what they are hiding from the Citizens. As it would turn out, the Curadors are hiding quite a bit.
The world-building of this book is so well-written, in my opinion. I know this book is billed as a fantasy novel, but it seems more of a post-apocalyptic type to me. This world is Gabriel, a former colony of Earth. There has been no contact with Earth in hundreds of years. Leica's home is more of a community of Citizens, lead by the Abuelos. Everything electronic and basically metal-y is scavenged and traded with the Curadors, who give them found. But waves of the Red Death have been killing off the Citizens. And when Leica is exiled, she is left to face the harsh, unforgiving desert. Somehow, she survives for nearly two years, with the help of a crew. But when all of her crew dies, she is left alone. Again.
Leica goes through so much in this action-packed novel! In the beginning of the book, she is fiercely protective of her older and younger sister, and she is painfully aware of her "Corruption" (she has an extra pinky on each hand). Two years in the desert has toughened Leica even more; she was already a fighter, but now she's a survivor. And when she is taken to the Dome, it's s different kind of fighting and surviving that she must do.
I can't fault Leica for anything that she does to save herself and others. There is a very weird part of the book towards the end that will make just about anyway very sad for her, but the girl is braver and stronger than many of us.
This book is a journey! It's a 464-page story that really digs deep, taking us from beginning to, well, another beginning that is also the end of the book. I think the book is a standalone, and I think it ends extremely well for a standalone. I also think that there is room for a sequel, but who knows. I could also see a companion sequel happening.
I think I'll mention the romance, but it's not something that I really want to talk about. The romance is a little strange. The author plays with the idea of physical attraction but not emotion. So I hesitate to say that there is real "romance" in this book... because it's not romance. Still, there was an aspect of romance that I liked, one aspect that was sweet. I won't say anything else because I don't think it's important enough. Do not read this book for the romance, because you'll be disappointed (in terms of what is not there).
There are science-y aspects to this book! I like that Leica is good with electronics and electrical wiring and things like that. She's not just good with a sword and a knife and her bare fists. She's got a science-y brain and she uses it well.
Overall, I'm pleased with this book. I didn't know much about it going in, which was a good thing. I think I probably would have been a little misled about a certain thing (which I left out of my own review - you'll have to discover that aspect for yourself!). I'm curious to see if there will be a follow-up to this book!
What I Did Not Like:
You can probably tell from what I said above, but the romance was not something I absolutely loved - I didn't hate it either. I think the romance itself could have been so much more. Instead, the author focused on something more physical. I know, I know, Alyssa complaining about a physical aspect?! I have reason to do so, in this case. It didn't detract from the story and I still liked the book a lot, but I guess I'm a little picky when it comes to these things!
Would I Recommend It:
I liked the book, and I'd recommend it if you were already interested! It's a post-apocalyptic novel, not necessarily dystopia, but definitely the futuristic survival type. More science fiction than fantasy, in my opinion. I will say that if you're expecting an epic romance, don't bother. Do not read this book for its romance.
Rating:
4 stars. I'd not read the author's debut, Harbinger, but I remember seeing it when it published years ago! I wonder if it is just as engrossing as this book. In any case, Lotus and Thorn was very much worth the read!
September 15, 2016
2.5 stars
The book copy describes Lotus and Thorn as a “richly imagined fantasy in the vein of Tamora Pierce.” I want you to pull that bit away and set it on fire, since it’s laughably inaccurate. Lotus and Thorn is NOT a fantasy; it is science fiction. And it’s like Tamora Pierce in that there are women who fight. It’s not like Sarah J. Maas either. Lies, lies, lies. There’s some cool stuff about Lotus and Thorn, but this book suffers from its sheer length.
Despite the fact that Lotus and Thorn runs 429 pages (and you feel every one), there’s a shocking lack of world building. What little there is comes at the very end of the book, and it doesn’t manage to explain much of anything. Honestly the biggest strength and weakness for this sci fi are one and the same: the futuristic Mexican/Korean culture. On the one hand, I love that Etienne included cultures that are oft-ignored. But, on the other hand, there’s no explanation whatsoever at any point for why those two cultures are the ones that survived. Nor are little things like why beef is now “beeph” and chicken is now “chiken” explained.
With limited world building, the characters would really need to be on point to save this massive book, but they’re not. I kinda like the characters, I guess, but I feel very mild about that. Really the only straight up strength in this book lies in the plot, which I did enjoy. The start actually doesn’t have enough set up to make Leica’s expulsion painful, but, once she gets to the Dome, the book picked up a lot. I think I kept reading just to know how the plot would resolve. Which it ended up doing with a bit of a clunk, in that I’m not sure if that was meant to be an open-ended ending or if they’re (they being the author and publisher) debating a sequel.
Though Lotus and Thorn had some good qualities, I don’t think they made it worth it as a whole. It’s just too long with not enough pay off.
The book copy describes Lotus and Thorn as a “richly imagined fantasy in the vein of Tamora Pierce.” I want you to pull that bit away and set it on fire, since it’s laughably inaccurate. Lotus and Thorn is NOT a fantasy; it is science fiction. And it’s like Tamora Pierce in that there are women who fight. It’s not like Sarah J. Maas either. Lies, lies, lies. There’s some cool stuff about Lotus and Thorn, but this book suffers from its sheer length.
Despite the fact that Lotus and Thorn runs 429 pages (and you feel every one), there’s a shocking lack of world building. What little there is comes at the very end of the book, and it doesn’t manage to explain much of anything. Honestly the biggest strength and weakness for this sci fi are one and the same: the futuristic Mexican/Korean culture. On the one hand, I love that Etienne included cultures that are oft-ignored. But, on the other hand, there’s no explanation whatsoever at any point for why those two cultures are the ones that survived. Nor are little things like why beef is now “beeph” and chicken is now “chiken” explained.
With limited world building, the characters would really need to be on point to save this massive book, but they’re not. I kinda like the characters, I guess, but I feel very mild about that. Really the only straight up strength in this book lies in the plot, which I did enjoy. The start actually doesn’t have enough set up to make Leica’s expulsion painful, but, once she gets to the Dome, the book picked up a lot. I think I kept reading just to know how the plot would resolve. Which it ended up doing with a bit of a clunk, in that I’m not sure if that was meant to be an open-ended ending or if they’re (they being the author and publisher) debating a sequel.
Though Lotus and Thorn had some good qualities, I don’t think they made it worth it as a whole. It’s just too long with not enough pay off.
June 15, 2016
Lotus and Thorn is a book I picked up because I was intrigued about the scifi elements of it. Scifi can be hit or miss for me, but it tends to have some of the most jaw dropping surprises. And this book, WOW, it really had some good shockers!
The book is fairly long but it's worth it and it needed that length to tell this story right. It's done right, with layers. There are 'parts' which kind of signify the change, but it's pretty obvious as you read. We also get a variety of settings so we get to see this world more clearly, from the different angles and different sides. Leica is the main character through the entire book, we don't switch characters, so I was really impressed how the author was able to make it so we did see so much of the world.
Leica is a strong character that was easy to relate to. I liked that she was suspicious and didn't trust immediately but at the same time was trusting, as she knew she needed allies to complete these missions she's set herself up for. She's been burned in the past but she's smart and is pretty good at reading people. She also doesn't let people get to her. She's able to put on this face that no one can read and can fake herself through situations. On top of that she's a really good fighter.
The secondary characters are done really well also. There are enough twists to keep you on your toes, not totally sure who is good and who is bad. I was eager for the charade of things to drop so we can find out who everyone really is and what their true intentions are.
This is definitely scifi. There is tech and there is a sort of dystopian like elements. But it's different. It's strange but creative. It wasn't weird or hard to imagine. I was fully able to picture this world even though it was unfamiliar and definitely different. But the author was able to bring it to life in a way it was easy to get caught up in it.
Like I already mentioned, there are twists and turns everywhere. Some I could see, but most caught me off guard. I finally got to the point that I was suspecting everyone and every move. I was just waiting for everything to just fall apart. It was absolutely divine just waiting for it. I eagerly devoured the last quarter as one surprise after another popped up.
The end was good. There is a big 'event' that happens but it's not a cliffhanger that's too bad. I'm definitely very eager for the next book but I'm not like screaming in frustration.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I was happy with how things played out and I'm eager to read the next one!
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
The book is fairly long but it's worth it and it needed that length to tell this story right. It's done right, with layers. There are 'parts' which kind of signify the change, but it's pretty obvious as you read. We also get a variety of settings so we get to see this world more clearly, from the different angles and different sides. Leica is the main character through the entire book, we don't switch characters, so I was really impressed how the author was able to make it so we did see so much of the world.
Leica is a strong character that was easy to relate to. I liked that she was suspicious and didn't trust immediately but at the same time was trusting, as she knew she needed allies to complete these missions she's set herself up for. She's been burned in the past but she's smart and is pretty good at reading people. She also doesn't let people get to her. She's able to put on this face that no one can read and can fake herself through situations. On top of that she's a really good fighter.
The secondary characters are done really well also. There are enough twists to keep you on your toes, not totally sure who is good and who is bad. I was eager for the charade of things to drop so we can find out who everyone really is and what their true intentions are.
This is definitely scifi. There is tech and there is a sort of dystopian like elements. But it's different. It's strange but creative. It wasn't weird or hard to imagine. I was fully able to picture this world even though it was unfamiliar and definitely different. But the author was able to bring it to life in a way it was easy to get caught up in it.
Like I already mentioned, there are twists and turns everywhere. Some I could see, but most caught me off guard. I finally got to the point that I was suspecting everyone and every move. I was just waiting for everything to just fall apart. It was absolutely divine just waiting for it. I eagerly devoured the last quarter as one surprise after another popped up.
The end was good. There is a big 'event' that happens but it's not a cliffhanger that's too bad. I'm definitely very eager for the next book but I'm not like screaming in frustration.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I was happy with how things played out and I'm eager to read the next one!
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
July 12, 2016
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
LOTUS AND THORN is one of those rare stand-alone young adult books in a sea of trilogies and series, and it is so full of awesome and crazy that it left me almost speechless at the end. (Almost, because obviously I have to write this review.) LOTUS AND THORN has fascinating world-building, a wide variety of well-developed characters and did I mention the awesome and crazy?
Leica (yes, she's named for the camera), our heroine, is a girl you genuinely want to root for. Kicked out of her community in the prologue, she's a survivor, willing to do what it takes to stay alive. She's badass, and almost the too perfect to be true type of heroine, except that she's got flaws and she isn't all-knowing or smarter than everyone. She's emotional and the reader feels those emotions, and that is one of the strengths of the character building. Plus, not only is there Leica, but we're also introduced to Edison, the handsome Curadore, Marisol, another Kisaeng (basically a Curadore's concubine) and various other characters. I truly felt that there were no caricatures in LOTUS AND THORN, that all the characters had at least a little depth to them, even if they weren't part of the story very much.
LOTUS AND THORN is both action-filled and slow at times. Leica's introduction to the Dome and being a Kisaeng was a bit slow, but there were other parts that were full of fight scenes or just tense moments. This book had me on the edge of my seat multiple times, and it was one I really wanted to keep reading to find out the ending. The intricacies of the plot were awesome, with bits at the end that tied up bits from the beginning, and it all felt very satisfying when I finished.
Overall, I would recommend LOTUS AND THORN for somebody looking for an interesting world, well-developed characters, and really great plot twists and turns. It's a fun read, faster than its length suggests, and definitely enjoyable on multiple levels.
Sexual content: Kissing, brief mentions of sex, brief sex scenes
LOTUS AND THORN is one of those rare stand-alone young adult books in a sea of trilogies and series, and it is so full of awesome and crazy that it left me almost speechless at the end. (Almost, because obviously I have to write this review.) LOTUS AND THORN has fascinating world-building, a wide variety of well-developed characters and did I mention the awesome and crazy?
Leica (yes, she's named for the camera), our heroine, is a girl you genuinely want to root for. Kicked out of her community in the prologue, she's a survivor, willing to do what it takes to stay alive. She's badass, and almost the too perfect to be true type of heroine, except that she's got flaws and she isn't all-knowing or smarter than everyone. She's emotional and the reader feels those emotions, and that is one of the strengths of the character building. Plus, not only is there Leica, but we're also introduced to Edison, the handsome Curadore, Marisol, another Kisaeng (basically a Curadore's concubine) and various other characters. I truly felt that there were no caricatures in LOTUS AND THORN, that all the characters had at least a little depth to them, even if they weren't part of the story very much.
LOTUS AND THORN is both action-filled and slow at times. Leica's introduction to the Dome and being a Kisaeng was a bit slow, but there were other parts that were full of fight scenes or just tense moments. This book had me on the edge of my seat multiple times, and it was one I really wanted to keep reading to find out the ending. The intricacies of the plot were awesome, with bits at the end that tied up bits from the beginning, and it all felt very satisfying when I finished.
Overall, I would recommend LOTUS AND THORN for somebody looking for an interesting world, well-developed characters, and really great plot twists and turns. It's a fun read, faster than its length suggests, and definitely enjoyable on multiple levels.
Sexual content: Kissing, brief mentions of sex, brief sex scenes
June 6, 2016
Lotus and Thorn
By Sara Wilson Etienne
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 7, 2016
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of Lotus and Thorn for an honest review.
Lotus and Thorn is marketed as a fantasy book and it definitely is not. This is where a lot of my conflicted feelings came in. I read the synopsis before I read the book and was expecting something different. I waited the whole book for that element that would give me just a hint of fantasy but it never came. It is a great science fiction book. It has disease, labs, technology, and experiments, all the elements for a really good sci-fi. I enjoyed it, I just wish I had been in that mind set for that when I started, and not searching for something that would not come. I was expecting something a little different but still got a great book. I am saying all of this so others can go into the book and know what the book is about and just enjoy the journey with out other expectations. It has great elements and fierce characters with interesting twists.
FULL REVIEW GO TO: https://takemeawaytoagreatread.com/20...
By Sara Wilson Etienne
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 7, 2016
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of Lotus and Thorn for an honest review.
Lotus and Thorn is marketed as a fantasy book and it definitely is not. This is where a lot of my conflicted feelings came in. I read the synopsis before I read the book and was expecting something different. I waited the whole book for that element that would give me just a hint of fantasy but it never came. It is a great science fiction book. It has disease, labs, technology, and experiments, all the elements for a really good sci-fi. I enjoyed it, I just wish I had been in that mind set for that when I started, and not searching for something that would not come. I was expecting something a little different but still got a great book. I am saying all of this so others can go into the book and know what the book is about and just enjoy the journey with out other expectations. It has great elements and fierce characters with interesting twists.
FULL REVIEW GO TO: https://takemeawaytoagreatread.com/20...
March 30, 2016
Ok where do I start? I really liked this one! There were a few things that I didn't but, the good definitely outweighed the bad. I loved Lecia she was totally badass and I liked the other characters too. This book although it was a bit too long for my tastes read very quickly thanks to the short chapters. You're going to get everything in this book! Swoony scenes, sexy scenes, and brutal scenes and all combined they make a really good story! I will admit I didn't see the twist at the end coming at all and speaking of the ending I really hope there's a sequel because with that ending I need more!!!!!
November 19, 2025
I didn't know what to expect with this one. The market is all over the place. Is it Fantasy? Is it Sci-Fi? Is it a Fairy Tale retelling? I had no idea. I wasn't surprised to find that it was Sci-Fi/Dystopian, not Fantasy. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, though. People aren't talking about this book enough and that really is a shame! This one is a gem hidden by terrible marketing.
If you want my full review you can find the podcast here: Hyping a Hidden Gem: A Discussion of Lotus and Thorn by Sarah Wilson Etienne.
If you want my full review you can find the podcast here: Hyping a Hidden Gem: A Discussion of Lotus and Thorn by Sarah Wilson Etienne.
August 21, 2016
I don't understand why this doesn't have higher reviews! I absolutely loved it! It had depth, originality, creativity; it was unpredictable and poetic. I appreciated the many strong female characters and how they worked together and uplifted one another. A very refreshing change. I wasn't daunted by the length, but I'm used to reading very long books (Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson). Definitely a new favorite.
May 25, 2016
I didn't know what to expect from this book, and I ended up really enjoying it! I will say that this book was on the long side, which I thought was a little unnecessary. I definitely think it could have been a tad shorter, however, I still liked it.
The world that the author created in this book was very unique and interesting. Overall, I thought Etienne did a good job with her world building. There were a few times where I felt like things could have been explained a tiny bit more more, but the world building was solid as a whole. I thought Etienne did a great job at creating a world that was extremely unique and memorable.
Some parts of the book felt slow, which is why I said I thought the book could have been shorter. However, most of this book was action packed and a lot of fun. I had a hard time putting down this book! There were a few moments that felt a little all over the place, but I was able to look past those moments because they were minor.
The romance in this book wasn't really a typical "romance". At least, not in my opinion. I don't want to spoil anything, so all I will say is that the romance seemed to be more physical than emotional. I do think there could have been more emotional development in the romance department. However, I still found myself liking that aspect of the book. Etienne did a great job at creating some very steamy moments. The few steamy/swoony moments in this book were to die for.
I liked a lot of the characters in this book. I thought they were all interesting characters. My favorite character was the main character, Leica. I loved how loyal and strong Leica was. I really liked the fact that she was a good fighter and extremely smart. Leica was very skilled with electronics, which I found so interesting. I loved how there was more to her than just being good at fighting!
Overall, I thought this was a unique and intriguing book. There were a few things I didn't like, but as a whole, I enjoyed this book! I would recommend this book to anyone look for a sci-fi/dystopian YA novel.
4 / 5 Fangs
* This book was given to me in exchange for a honest review.*
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
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The world that the author created in this book was very unique and interesting. Overall, I thought Etienne did a good job with her world building. There were a few times where I felt like things could have been explained a tiny bit more more, but the world building was solid as a whole. I thought Etienne did a great job at creating a world that was extremely unique and memorable.
Some parts of the book felt slow, which is why I said I thought the book could have been shorter. However, most of this book was action packed and a lot of fun. I had a hard time putting down this book! There were a few moments that felt a little all over the place, but I was able to look past those moments because they were minor.
The romance in this book wasn't really a typical "romance". At least, not in my opinion. I don't want to spoil anything, so all I will say is that the romance seemed to be more physical than emotional. I do think there could have been more emotional development in the romance department. However, I still found myself liking that aspect of the book. Etienne did a great job at creating some very steamy moments. The few steamy/swoony moments in this book were to die for.
I liked a lot of the characters in this book. I thought they were all interesting characters. My favorite character was the main character, Leica. I loved how loyal and strong Leica was. I really liked the fact that she was a good fighter and extremely smart. Leica was very skilled with electronics, which I found so interesting. I loved how there was more to her than just being good at fighting!
Overall, I thought this was a unique and intriguing book. There were a few things I didn't like, but as a whole, I enjoyed this book! I would recommend this book to anyone look for a sci-fi/dystopian YA novel.
4 / 5 Fangs
* This book was given to me in exchange for a honest review.*
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
October 27, 2016
Why is no one talking about this book? It was awesome...full of intrigue and kickass women and boasting of a post-apocalyptic world that felt genuine and realistic. AND it's a retelling of Fitcher's Bird by the Brothers Grimm. And so far, it seems to be a stand-alone, which I love because it kind of ends on the perfect note.
March 2, 2018
Leica and her sisters, Lotus and Tashcen, are descendants of colonists who settled on the planet Gabriel five hundred years ago. Now, in 2590, Leica and the other Citizens of Pleiades scavenge the ruins of their original colony for technology to trade to the Curadores in exchange for supplies and god's eventual forgiveness.
Leica knows what it is to live in Gabriel's barren deserts fearing the next occurrence of the Red Death and knowing the other Citizens revile her six-fingered hands as a Corruption--a sign that their god has still not forgiven the Citizens enough to return them to Earth. After being exiled nearly two years for possessing contraband technology, she also knows the fear and privation of being alone in the desert surrounding Pleiades.
When Leica finds a shuttle out in the Tierra Muerta it provides a link to Earth. It also leads Leica back to her sister, Lotus, and a fledgling settlement trying to separate itself from both Pleiades and the Curadores who reside in a secure dome habitat.
With the dome malfunctioning and food in Pleiades becoming scarce, Leica will have to work quickly to find the truth about increasing Red Death outbreaks and uncover the long buried secrets behind why Earth abandoned Gabriel so many years ago in Lotus and Thorn (2016) by Sara Wilson Etienne.
This convoluted science fiction novel is a loose retelling of the Grimm fairy tale "Fitcher's Bird"--a story that also shares some common tropes with the tale of Bluebeard. Lotus and Thorn is broken into three parts, each of which is preceded by an excerpt from a version of Fitcher's Bird that the author wrote to accompany the novel.
Elements from Korean and Mexican culture are fused into this futuristic story to create a diverse world, albeit one that often lacks strong internal logic.While these choices make for a diverse setting the method behind these cultures, of any, being the two to have lasting influence centuries in the future is decidedly unclear.
A meandering plot filled with too many twists and not enough character development make for a slow read. Lotus and Thorn will have the most appeal for committed science fiction fans and readers looking for a new fairy tale retelling in the style of Cinder or Stitching Snow.
Possible Pairings: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher, Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay, Stitching Snow by R. C. Lewis, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
*A more condensed version of this review appeared in an issue of School Library Journal from which it can be seen in various places online
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
Leica knows what it is to live in Gabriel's barren deserts fearing the next occurrence of the Red Death and knowing the other Citizens revile her six-fingered hands as a Corruption--a sign that their god has still not forgiven the Citizens enough to return them to Earth. After being exiled nearly two years for possessing contraband technology, she also knows the fear and privation of being alone in the desert surrounding Pleiades.
When Leica finds a shuttle out in the Tierra Muerta it provides a link to Earth. It also leads Leica back to her sister, Lotus, and a fledgling settlement trying to separate itself from both Pleiades and the Curadores who reside in a secure dome habitat.
With the dome malfunctioning and food in Pleiades becoming scarce, Leica will have to work quickly to find the truth about increasing Red Death outbreaks and uncover the long buried secrets behind why Earth abandoned Gabriel so many years ago in Lotus and Thorn (2016) by Sara Wilson Etienne.
This convoluted science fiction novel is a loose retelling of the Grimm fairy tale "Fitcher's Bird"--a story that also shares some common tropes with the tale of Bluebeard. Lotus and Thorn is broken into three parts, each of which is preceded by an excerpt from a version of Fitcher's Bird that the author wrote to accompany the novel.
Elements from Korean and Mexican culture are fused into this futuristic story to create a diverse world, albeit one that often lacks strong internal logic.While these choices make for a diverse setting the method behind these cultures, of any, being the two to have lasting influence centuries in the future is decidedly unclear.
A meandering plot filled with too many twists and not enough character development make for a slow read. Lotus and Thorn will have the most appeal for committed science fiction fans and readers looking for a new fairy tale retelling in the style of Cinder or Stitching Snow.
Possible Pairings: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher, Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay, Stitching Snow by R. C. Lewis, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
*A more condensed version of this review appeared in an issue of School Library Journal from which it can be seen in various places online
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
January 4, 2019
I spent a good portion of the book confused and frustrated and feeling my way around each character (old and new) that popped up, but I still enjoyed reading about Leica and the adventure she went through. I'm glad I gave this book a chance.
The story was long-I found myself wishing to get to the point/not drag on in certain scenes-but the concept was very interesting and kept me intrigued. Right off the bat I knew there was something wrong/suspicious with Edison, and then Nik came in the picture and I liked him better. For the first time, I didn't hate the "love triangle", if you can call it that, and instead I was rooting for Nik and Leica.
I loved the use of Korean and Mexican/Hispanic foods, customs and cultures, holidays like Chuseok Harvest festival, and Dia De Los Muertos throughout the story. It was very interesting seeing how they were incorporated into the planet Gabriel. , even the names were my favorite to read when they were Korean, and basically as long as they weren't ridiculous, I had no problem with the unique names of the characters.
The end sort of felt like a mash of Racoon city/Umbrella gone wrong, and lots of technology and talk about space, it reminded me of a few other books I've read about, like Spinning Starlight, Stitching Snow, and Starflight all meshed together but Lotus and Thorn turned out to be something completely different and unique, so props to the author for that, especially for all of the twists and turns that really surprised me and kept me reading, trying to figure out what was going to happen next.
And, all I can is...
That ending though! Way to write the perfect cliffhanger. Of course, the way I read it, it left the story open for a sequel, exploring the new possibilities that were left open, but if there wasn't a sequel, then it was a nice ending where one can fill in their own interpretation albeit there being lots of questions left unanswered. I just really hope there's a sequel in the works!
The story was long-I found myself wishing to get to the point/not drag on in certain scenes-but the concept was very interesting and kept me intrigued. Right off the bat I knew there was something wrong/suspicious with Edison, and then Nik came in the picture and I liked him better. For the first time, I didn't hate the "love triangle", if you can call it that, and instead I was rooting for Nik and Leica.
I loved the use of Korean and Mexican/Hispanic foods, customs and cultures, holidays like Chuseok Harvest festival, and Dia De Los Muertos throughout the story. It was very interesting seeing how they were incorporated into the planet Gabriel. , even the names were my favorite to read when they were Korean, and basically as long as they weren't ridiculous, I had no problem with the unique names of the characters.
The end sort of felt like a mash of Racoon city/Umbrella gone wrong, and lots of technology and talk about space, it reminded me of a few other books I've read about, like Spinning Starlight, Stitching Snow, and Starflight all meshed together but Lotus and Thorn turned out to be something completely different and unique, so props to the author for that, especially for all of the twists and turns that really surprised me and kept me reading, trying to figure out what was going to happen next.
And, all I can is...
That ending though! Way to write the perfect cliffhanger. Of course, the way I read it, it left the story open for a sequel, exploring the new possibilities that were left open, but if there wasn't a sequel, then it was a nice ending where one can fill in their own interpretation albeit there being lots of questions left unanswered. I just really hope there's a sequel in the works!
June 7, 2016
I loved this book. Loved it. I have great respect for a book that can lean into the ancient stories that came before it, and Lotus and Thorn does it very well -- it creates a rich sci-fi tapestry with these amazing folkloric threads. And Leica is such a great main character; not because she's a badass, but because she's a badass and doesn't have to prove it to anyone. I really like that in a hero.
I am not great with words, so I will say that I think that the Kirkus review* says it best: "Leica emerges as a compelling, body-positive heroine of color who capitalizes on her strengths and celebrates diversity. Etienne delivers a dystopian tale that deftly dissects stories—fairy tales, religious creation myths, political conspiracies—and develops a richly layered world drawn from such disparate cultures as Korean and Mexican."
*: (Apologies for the link but I think the Kirkus review here just nails it: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...)
I am not great with words, so I will say that I think that the Kirkus review* says it best: "Leica emerges as a compelling, body-positive heroine of color who capitalizes on her strengths and celebrates diversity. Etienne delivers a dystopian tale that deftly dissects stories—fairy tales, religious creation myths, political conspiracies—and develops a richly layered world drawn from such disparate cultures as Korean and Mexican."
*: (Apologies for the link but I think the Kirkus review here just nails it: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...)
June 11, 2016
There may be a lot of post-apocalyptic books out there, but “Lotus and Thorn” stands out. This book is deep, complex, compelling, often poetic, and still very accessible. With so much to describe and explain, the narration and dialogue never feel unnaturally heavy or convoluted, and I never felt confused or left behind. It’s great to find one novel exploring environmentalism, religion, genetics, politics, bioengineering, body image, multiculturalism, class conflict, sexual mores, and the status of ethnicity without becoming preach or overtly overshadowing the story. The story and characters take center stage, with the themes in the subtext, as it should be in any good novel. Buy it and read it.
did-not-finish
May 27, 2016DNF
I think my issue with this one is that it is not at all what I was expecting. I was expecting fantasy but this feels more sci-fi to me. At times the story is all over the place and it feels very jumpy. Also, there is something with this one that I just cannot get on board with concerning the romance. I won't say more because it's a spoiler, but this was a deal breaker for me. However, I wouldn't write this one off completely because I've seen quite a few people who have enjoyed it. This one just isn't my style.
I think my issue with this one is that it is not at all what I was expecting. I was expecting fantasy but this feels more sci-fi to me. At times the story is all over the place and it feels very jumpy. Also, there is something with this one that I just cannot get on board with concerning the romance. I won't say more because it's a spoiler, but this was a deal breaker for me. However, I wouldn't write this one off completely because I've seen quite a few people who have enjoyed it. This one just isn't my style.
January 24, 2018
In this dystopian story, Leica, the main character, was one of the citizens of Pleides, along with the other survivors on planet Gabriel, which was abandoned by Earth 500 years ago when a plague known as the Red Death swept through. Earth never returned for the citizens of Pleides, who are very religious and believe it is God's way of punishing them. Now Gabriel is a barren wasteland, and the citizens are just barely getting by. Everything they find is important, and is to be traded with the Curadores for food, the only other group on the planet who live in a dome and are protected from the Red Death. They have meat and other foods the citizens don't, and live a life of luxury. Leica's mom, however, keeps three items, and names her daughters after them. When Leica's parents die from the Red Death, the items are hidden, but Leica knows they're not safe, and makes a plan to return them to the Reclamation Fields. When she gets caught, she is exiled for "stealing," and sent out to survive on her own. Luckily, Leica, who has learned to be tough as she was ridiculed for her six fingers as a child. She finds a group and they find a shuttle, a chance to regain contact with Earth. When the Red Death kills her entire crew save her, Leica knows it's up to her to tell somebody else about the shuttle, and she comes across a Curador named Edison, who seems just right for that. He seems to actually care about her, and doesn't hate her for her six fingers. He even invites her into the dome, where a life of comfort awaits. But not all is at it seems in the dome, and Leica finds herself unraveling the mystery of the Red Death, and why Earth never came back.
May 28, 2016
Lotus and Thorn is completely riveting and very tough to put down. Danger lurks with every page turn, and the danger is real. Sara Wilson Etienne pulls no punches, forcing her badass heroine Leica to face unnerving dilemma after unnerving dilemma. Brutal consequences are often the result of the gut-wrenching choices Leica must make. But beyond the book’s success as an action-packed dystopian thriller, it’s the character development and deeply felt emotions of its first person narrator that made Lotus and Thorn truly stand out for me. A wholly feminist manifesto in its challenge to societal norms and restrictions placed on those deemed less than for whatever reason, Lecia’s raw humanity makes her a relatable hero for all readers – female, male or other. Her emotional journey carries her from literally hiding away that which society says makes her too different, not normal, unworthy, to not only owning but demanding the space she occupies on the planet. A great – and powerful – read.
December 8, 2016
A friend came to visit me once and brought a plate brimming with cookies she had made. When she told me what was in them, I thought there was no way I was going to like them. Cranberries? No. White chocolate chips? Hate. Macadamia nuts? Gross. Yeah, yeah, I can be a picky eater; but I am southern so it’s in my DNA to be polite, and I tried them. You know what? Those crazy cookies were good. And more importantly, I could NOT stop eating them. Welcome to my experience with Lotus and Thorn. First of all, this book feels much more science fiction (not normally my thing) than fantasy. As the synopsis states, main character Leica must pose as a Kisaeng in order to gain entry to the dome. Don’t like that. A male character does things that make me want to climb into the book and do bodily harm to his most treasured appendage. Not a fan. But just like those crazy cookies I couldn’t stop eating… I could NOT stop reading this book. Full review at A Belle's Tales.
June 25, 2016
I read through this quickly and even though it's not a small book the plot moves quickly and it is never boring. The world building is really good along with the characters. I liked that some of the characters were tricky to figure out. Not everyone is how they seem when first introduced leading to some fun twists in the story. I don't want to spoil anything but one character I wasn't sure could be trusted I ended up liking the most in the end. Sci Fi doesn't always work for me but this one did. I'm so glad I took a chance and preordered a hardcover of this book. The end was really good with a nice shocking reveal, some closure but a bit of a cliffhanger to make me want the second book in the series. I look forward to the next one and reading more from this author in the future.
November 2, 2016
This is a sad conglomeration of like 5 different YA bestsellers of the last few years, minus the likability.
I barely paid attention to the last half of the book, and to be quite honest, I have one chapter left and I just don't even care.
And somehow I missed how the title is particularly relevant.
Update Nov 1, 2016--
You wanna hear something terrible? I just saw this on my library wishlist and thought it was because I had only read a couple of chapters and then put it off. I didn't remember that I had all but finished it, and quite honestly, I can't even remember what it's about! Less than 3 months later!
I barely paid attention to the last half of the book, and to be quite honest, I have one chapter left and I just don't even care.
And somehow I missed how the title is particularly relevant.
Update Nov 1, 2016--
You wanna hear something terrible? I just saw this on my library wishlist and thought it was because I had only read a couple of chapters and then put it off. I didn't remember that I had all but finished it, and quite honestly, I can't even remember what it's about! Less than 3 months later!
January 21, 2018
I had a whole review written out and lost it. Ugh!
>>Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence, Religious Bigotry, Bullying,
>>Epic Sci-Fi adventure that reminds me of Dreamsnake, with an almost all POC cast. Like vast majority brown people and culture. Not like cop out olive-tonned Katniss.
>>Love how religion was included, worked, and how people dealt with it.
>>Handles domestic violence better than most contemporaries. It's honestly one of the best portrayals I've read as a survivor.
>>Love the Grimm Fairy Tale inserts.
>>Did not see most of the shit coming.
>>Was not prepared for that ending. Was not prepared for there to be no sequel!?!?
>>Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence, Religious Bigotry, Bullying,
>>Epic Sci-Fi adventure that reminds me of Dreamsnake, with an almost all POC cast. Like vast majority brown people and culture. Not like cop out olive-tonned Katniss.
>>Love how religion was included, worked, and how people dealt with it.
>>Handles domestic violence better than most contemporaries. It's honestly one of the best portrayals I've read as a survivor.
>>Love the Grimm Fairy Tale inserts.
>>Did not see most of the shit coming.
>>Was not prepared for that ending. Was not prepared for there to be no sequel!?!?
September 3, 2017
Lotus and Thorn is certainly full of surprises. This is definitely a book where you don't see things coming. If you love Sci-Fi I recommend you give this standalone a try.
June 10, 2016
Took me long enough but I finally finished this one! Need to digest that ending before composing my review on Redd's Reads. All I know is that the story ended on a huge cliffhanger and I NEED MORE!!
May 9, 2017
Forget the blurb. Nothing like Maas. Instead, like The Handmaid's Tale but for YA and with action and more scifi. And Fitcher's Bird. And other fairy tales. AND LATIN@ AND KOREAN ELEMENTS AND BOTH A POC MAIN CHARA AND POC LOVE INTEREST.
July 30, 2017
It was a little bit for me to get invested but man I was living for this story and the characters. They made me fall in love then broke my heart. And the surprising revival at the end was perfect and had me speechless.
March 8, 2017
Leica, who is considered an abomination because of her six fingered hands, lives on Gabriel, a world abandoned by Earth 500 years ago. She's a Citizen, working outside, digging up relics from the past, struggling to survive in the arid dessert community where she lives. Nearby are the Curadores, who live under a dome and only come outside to trade relics for food and commodities, all the while wearing decontamination suits to protect them from exposure to disease. Under the dome, life is luxurious, but the dome is failing. Outside, the Red Death has changed and is killing Citizens again. Rebellion is coming because both sets of people need more everything and Leica is poised at the flash point.
I've not read a one and done sci-fi book in a long time. This story is complete, but could be expanded thanks to the twist at the end. I've looked and it doesn't appear to have a sequel. The first half processed quickly, the middle was a bit boggy, but the pace picks up again at the end. Boys may have a hard time getting past the cover and romantic blurb on the back, but there is much that could appeal to them in the story. The religious aspect was also an intriguing part of the plot.
I've not read a one and done sci-fi book in a long time. This story is complete, but could be expanded thanks to the twist at the end. I've looked and it doesn't appear to have a sequel. The first half processed quickly, the middle was a bit boggy, but the pace picks up again at the end. Boys may have a hard time getting past the cover and romantic blurb on the back, but there is much that could appeal to them in the story. The religious aspect was also an intriguing part of the plot.
July 2, 2018
3.5 rounded down cause at no point did i think i cant wait to tell people about this book. It was good enough, diverse characters, interesting development of the future of humanity. But it never glittered.
Leica, lotus and taschen three sisters living in pleiades the wasteland outside of the dome where the curadores live. Those in pleiades must eke out a living scrounging in the devastation of the reclamation fields finding technology and scraps to trade with the curadores for meat, medicine, clothing etc. while those inside the dome live large with their health and their technology, choosing beautiful or interesting women from among the pleiadeans to be their kisaengs like geisha or courtesans. Leica is a stain on her family having been born with 12 fingers the abuelos (those in charge of pleiades) consider this sort of deformity a sign from god of corruption and sin. All anyone in Gabriel (the pleiades and the dome are in a distant planet called gabriel) wants is to find a way to return back home to earth. One day leica finds just that.
Leica, lotus and taschen three sisters living in pleiades the wasteland outside of the dome where the curadores live. Those in pleiades must eke out a living scrounging in the devastation of the reclamation fields finding technology and scraps to trade with the curadores for meat, medicine, clothing etc. while those inside the dome live large with their health and their technology, choosing beautiful or interesting women from among the pleiadeans to be their kisaengs like geisha or courtesans. Leica is a stain on her family having been born with 12 fingers the abuelos (those in charge of pleiades) consider this sort of deformity a sign from god of corruption and sin. All anyone in Gabriel (the pleiades and the dome are in a distant planet called gabriel) wants is to find a way to return back home to earth. One day leica finds just that.
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