The Curse of Shadows and Thorns is a popular fantasy book series that has captured the hearts of readers around the world. Written by renowned author Sarah Nightshade, the series takes readers on a thrilling and enchanting journey through a world filled with magic, adventure, and dangerous secrets. The story is set in the kingdom of Elysium, where darkness and light are locked in an eternal struggle. The curse of shadows and thorns has plagued the land for centuries, causing chaos and despair. It is said that anyone who falls under the curse will be condemned to a life of darkness, trapped in a shadowy existence. The series follows the lives of three unlikely heroes who are destined to break the curse and restore peace to the kingdom.
One of Eva Noga's beloved cluster studs, this time in shade of blue.
Lori has three successful businesses in New York, including the precursor to Love Adorned, New York Adorned, a tattoo and piercing parlor with an impressive line-up of needle artists like Kris Magnotti and J. Combined, these boutiques are a perfect blend of hard and soft, with fine jewelry designers such as motorcycle enthusiast Nick Potash and the whimsical Polly Wales, a bridal favorite, all interwoven with a tinge of classic tattoo culture.
The series follows the lives of three unlikely heroes who are destined to break the curse and restore peace to the kingdom. Ada, a courageous and independent young woman with a mysterious past, finds herself thrust into the midst of the battle between the shadows and the light. With the help of her loyal companions, Marcus, a skilled warrior, and Evangeline, a powerful mage, Ada embarks on a quest to find the ancient artifacts that hold the key to breaking the curse.
Love Adorned
In Santa Monica, a beast of a boutique has been unleashed on Main Street. And by beast, we mean phenomenon, a bright white luminosity that lures you in from the palm trees and ocean breeze like a moth to a flame. Upon entering the white interior, you feel like a levitating presence observing the rare uniquities and glints of gold sparkling inside the jewelry cases. It is a breathtaking experience of the senses, a creative hub, a marketplace of makers, an inspiration to anyone with a penchant for beauty or the bizarre—all with a little bit of magic sprinkled on top.
“I used one single word as inspiration to create this space. Invisible. I wanted everything to be translucent, seamless, light and airy.”
There’s truly nothing like Love Adorned, and nobody quite like Lori Leven, the mother of this cabinet of curiosity. With two successful stores in New York (the first born in Nolita, the middle child in Amagansett), Lori decided to trust her gut and spread the love to the Left Coast (now, introducing her baby in Los Angeles).
Actually, scratch that. Lori has three successful businesses in New York, including the precursor to Love Adorned, New York Adorned, a tattoo and piercing parlor with an impressive line-up of needle artists (like Kris Magnotti and J. Colby Smith). Combined, these boutiques are a perfect blend of hard and soft, with fine jewelry designers such as motorcycle enthusiast Nick Potash and the whimsical Polly Wales, a bridal favorite, all interwoven with a tinge of classic tattoo culture.
Almost twenty years ago today, Lori opened New York Adorned during a time when tattooing was illegal in the city.
“My only other real love was jewelry, so I opened up a small jewelry store as a front for the tattoo shop in the back.”
So how did that evolve into the reputable Love Adorned? A favorite amongst serious collectors? Of the most stylish people?
“Tattoo artists are purists. They didn’t like to share their space. It was time to split the business. So I opened Love Adorned. I wanted to be able to expand and represent the artists and craftspeople in my life, my friends from traveling the world.”
It’s true—Love Adorned is not just a boutique. It stands for something more. Like a culture. A culture of humans who spend their short time here making with their hands, or fascinated by those who do.
And she provides an exquisite space to support this culture, a true patron of the arts.
Lori is a well-traveled treasure huntress, a femme fatale of the collector’s world. In her travels, she seeks the unusual and utilitarian—lifestyle goods that serve not only as beauty, but also as tools with a purpose. She is about quality above all. Every piece of ceramic has a story behind its creation, every hand beaded Macaw feather, a history. Her Instagram provides a clear glimpse into her vibrant mind.
Her philosophy? “Uplift the creators. Only sell things that have a purpose. No fluff. Only unique, art-driven, heirloom quality goods.”
Did we mention the vintage jewelry collection? French gold necklace chains circa 1890. Navajo silver and turquoise squash blossoms from the 20’s. A scarab beetle necklace made of red coral, diamonds, and gold from the Egyptian Revival Movement. Told you so, straight magic.
As you browse through Love Adorned, you feel the bewitching mystery of not only this wonderland we call Earth, but of the human mind, creativity, and the beauty we are capable of.
Always hunting for the next special thing, the selection is constantly changing, and is always eclectic.
As the trio navigates treacherous forests, encounters mythical creatures, and faces formidable enemies, they uncover dark secrets and hidden truths about the curse. Along the way, Ada discovers her own inner strength and magic, as well as her connection to the ancient prophecy that foretells the end of the curse. Throughout the series, Nightshade weaves a captivating and intricate plot filled with twists and turns. The vivid and descriptive writing transports readers into the enchanting world of Elysium, where magic is a powerful force and danger lurks around every corner. The Curse of Shadows and Thorns series has garnered praise for its engaging characters, rich world-building, and intricate storytelling. Readers are drawn to the complex relationships and emotional depth of the characters, as well as the themes of hope, resilience, and the power of friendship. With its thrilling plot and immersive world, the Curse of Shadows and Thorns series is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure. Nightshade's masterful storytelling and imaginative world-building make for an unforgettable reading experience that will keep readers captivated until the final page..
Reviews for "The Historical and Mythological Influences on Curse of Shadows and Thorns"
1. Samantha - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Curse of Shadows and Thorns series. The plot felt cliché and predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. I didn't feel any emotional connection to them, and the romance was forced and unbelievable. The writing style was also lackluster, with repetitive phrases and a lack of descriptive language. Overall, I found the series to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to others.
2. Alex - 1 star - I couldn't stand the Curse of Shadows and Thorns series. The characters were irritating and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. The plot was slow and dragged on with unnecessary subplots that didn't contribute much to the overall story. The world-building was also weak, and I found it hard to visualize the settings. Additionally, the dialogue was cringeworthy, filled with cheesy, unrealistic lines. I was constantly rolling my eyes while reading this series and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was not a fan of the Curse of Shadows and Thorns series. The pacing was off, with slow, meandering sections followed by rushed, convoluted plot twists. The storyline lacked originality and felt like a copy of other popular fantasy series. The main protagonist was supposed to be a strong female character, but she ended up being flat and uninteresting. I also struggled to follow the world-building, as it was poorly explained and inconsistent. Overall, I found this series to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it.
4. Brandon - 2 stars - The Curse of Shadows and Thorns series didn't live up to the hype for me. The writing felt amateurish, with awkward sentence structures and basic vocabulary. The plot was predictable and lacked suspense, making it difficult to stay engaged. The romance was also problematic, with a lack of chemistry between the love interests. Despite the potential of the concept, the execution fell flat, resulting in a forgettable and unenjoyable reading experience. I wouldn't recommend this series to fans of fantasy literature.