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Paperback Book Details
  • 03/2022
  • 9798426339408 B09V3FNTCT
  • 242 pages
  • $15.00
Like a Lily Among the Thorns
Karen Bell, author

Adult; Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror; (Market)

There are those who are born into loving families and then there are the less fortunate who must forge their own families through strong friendships. At a local small library in New York City, one such family was born. And just like so many capricious happenstances in life, this family unit embraced newcomers and grew exponentially. But this clan was also charged with far more than spreading love and joy and a sense of belonging. This clan was formed by divine Providence to help save the planet. Gabrielle Bernstein, the MC of Like a Lily Among the Thorns, is a woman in her twenties and has started her career as a librarian at a NYC public library. Abandoned by her father as a young girl and now orphaned by her deranged mother, Gabby longs for a family connection. Coincidentally, she finds this connection at the same time she inherits a B&B in Vermont from her estranged and now deceased father. This enchanted inn is under the watchful eye of goddesses of myth and legend who have been tasked to save mankind from destroying itself and this planet. These goddesses will use their powers to try and stall the onslaught of the effects of droughts, floods, and rising temperatures. But as a safety net they have collected human saviors all over the planet to erect safe havens at high altitudes away from flood waters and blistering temperatures. Woven through this tale is Gabrielle’s inherent understanding that she must be grateful, mindful, and present in this journey called life.
Plot/Idea: 7 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 6 out of 10
Character/Execution: 6 out of 10
Overall: 6.75 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot/Idea: This genre-blending novel is unique and ambitious, but ultimately somewhat lacks a clear vision. Its numerous elements become jumbled and its pacing proves uneven. A final twist may strike readers as jarring.

Prose: Bell is an effective storyteller, but the overall writing style is inconsistent, and there is little balance between the humor and the drama. Dialogue can occasionally come across as clunky.

Originality: Like a Lily Among the Thorns, while uneven, is original in its blending of romance, eco-fiction, and fantasy. 

Character Development/Execution: While the numerous characters are colorful, they are not fully realized, and so various character interactions can come across as underdeveloped. 

Date Submitted: May 18, 2022

Formats
Paperback Book Details
  • 03/2022
  • 9798426339408 B09V3FNTCT
  • 242 pages
  • $15.00
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