Preview
  • A Lesson in Thorns

  • Thornchapel, Book 1
  • By: Sierra Simone
  • Narrated by: Sara Ormenyi
  • Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (336 ratings)

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A Lesson in Thorns

By: Sierra Simone
Narrated by: Sara Ormenyi
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Publisher's summary

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
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What listeners say about A Lesson in Thorns

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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 🔥!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow!

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

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

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!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Listener received this title free

Twisted but so damn good

Sierra Simone does it again, what an exquisite erotica story, she just writes with a sensuality that is not easy to achieve. Six friends getting back together, the mystery of Thornchapel will captivate you. It’s so hard to write a review for a book that has everything so well done, a beautiful masterpiece. Will need the next in the series soon...

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved every minute.

I originally wondered how I was going to have 9 free hours to listen to this but.. you make time. A polyamorous style love triangle and bisexual experiences narrated perfectly? Couldn’t ask for more.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Long book for two sexy scenes and one huffy narrator

I LOVE Sierra Simone’s books. I’ve read her priest series and the American Queen series and have happily continued looking for her books. This book, while the story line was good, was entirely too long for the tiny bit of sexy scenes involved. I liked hearing about Poe and the other characters and I loved hearing about Thornchapel. I will continue the series and hope like hell the smut picks up in true Sierra Simone fashion.

Now on to the narrator- her voice is not bad. It’s almost calming. HOWEVER, she is one breathy lady. She huffs, breathes extremely loudly when the scene doesn’t call for it, and in some scenes, sounds like she needs some water to continue on. I love audiobooks but I struggled with this lady. I’ve heard narrators of all types and I’m wondering why we couldn’t have someone who either pauses to breathe loudly or one more trained to do audiobooks. Even the other narrators Sierra has used in the past would’ve been better.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful