Crown of thorns, also known as corona of thorns or curae of thorns, refers to the twisted circlet of thorns that was placed on Jesus Christ's head during his crucifixion. The crown of thorns is a significant religious symbol within Christianity, representing the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus for the salvation of humanity. According to biblical accounts, the crown of thorns was placed on Jesus' head by Roman soldiers, who mocked him as the "king of the Jews." The crown was made from thorn branches, possibly from the "spina Christi" plant, which is native to the Holy Land. The thorns were long and sharp, causing immense pain and bleeding. The crown of thorns is often depicted in Christian art and iconography, usually worn by Jesus during the crucifixion or as a standalone symbol.
The crown of thorns is often depicted in Christian art and iconography, usually worn by Jesus during the crucifixion or as a standalone symbol. It is a powerful representation of Jesus' humility, love, and willingness to endure suffering on behalf of humanity. In addition to its religious significance, the crown of thorns is also a potent symbol in Christian theology.
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.
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41
It is seen as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the price paid for redemption. The crown of thorns serves as a visual representation of the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus willingly underwent to offer salvation to all believers. The crown of thorns continues to be venerated in several Christian denominations. It is believed to possess spiritual power and is often displayed during religious commemorations, such as Good Friday and Easter. Some Christian communities claim to possess relics of the crown of thorns, further emphasizing its importance in the faith. Overall, the crown of thorns holds deep significance within Christian tradition. It serves as a reminder of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice and his profound love for humanity. The crown of thorns is not only a symbol of suffering but also a symbol of hope, redemption, and eternal life..
Reviews for "Understanding the Emotional Toll of the Curae of Thorns"
1. John - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Courage of Thorns". While the premise seemed interesting, it quickly became a convoluted mess with poor world-building and underdeveloped characters. The plot jumped all over the place, making it difficult to keep up with what was happening. The writing style was also hard to get into, with forced and unnatural dialogue. Overall, I found it to be a frustrating and confusing read.
2. Sarah - 1/5
I couldn't finish "Courage of Thorns" as it simply didn't hold my interest. The story lacked depth and failed to engage me from the beginning. The protagonist was one-dimensional, and the supporting characters felt flat and uninteresting. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it a struggle to get through each chapter. I also found the language unnecessarily verbose, which only added to my lack of enjoyment. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and well-executed fantasy read.
3. Emily - 2/5
"Courage of Thorns" had so much potential, but it ultimately fell short for me. The action scenes were poorly described and lacked excitement, making them difficult to envision. The romance subplot felt forced and unrealistic, with no real chemistry between the characters. The world-building was confusing and inconsistent, leaving me with more questions than answers. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I felt disconnected from the story and didn't find it to be a fulfilling reading experience.
4. Michael - 2/5
I found "Courage of Thorns" to be a disappointing read. The writing style was overly verbose, bogging down the narrative and hindering the pacing. The plot had potential but was poorly executed, with numerous plot holes and conveniences that made it difficult to suspend disbelief. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to connect with any of them. While I appreciate the author's attempts to create a unique fantasy world, it ultimately felt messy and confusing. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it.