Review
"When Gabrielle meets the Countess her life takes off on a path that she never could have imagined. This interesting book takes us on many exciting adventures. Through Gabrielle, Karen S. Bell reminds us how fragile our Earth really is. We need to be actively protecting our environment for the sake of future generations. The characters show heart and compassion. I highly recommend this wonderful book." Felice Seltzer Amazon reader.
Four Stars!! Like a Lily Among the Thorns by Karen S. Bell features Gabrielle, a young woman coming from a broken home. She leads a mostly contented life working in a small library and living in her sparse studio apartment. However, her world shatters on receiving an eviction notice. Although her dear friend, Countess Ivanova, offers her a refuge, the sudden change bothers Gabrielle. To her surprise, she soon inherits a bed-and-breakfast in Vermont. Although reluctant to take possession at first, the idea of becoming an innkeeper attracts Gabrielle. However, she soon realizes there is more to the inn than meets the eye. What secrets does the idyllic inn harbor within? Why do the local people consider it magical?
The novel offered a unique premise, something in between magical realism, mythology, and climate fiction. Gabrielle's character demanded my admiration with her inherent optimism. I rooted for her once I realized that her relentlessly upbeat attitude was a coping mechanism against the depression that had plagued her since childhood. I was overjoyed when she gathered a group of benevolent, open-minded friends who would become instrumental in her life. I loved how Karen S. Bell occasionally backtracked from the storyline to narrate the backstories of these characters, making them all the more realistic. The novel highlighted the climate's steady decline, fuelled by the mindless actions of selfish humans. Through this enchanting tale, Bell demonstrated how a closer connection to Mother Nature would be the key to preserving the earth. With its lush vocabulary and elegant writing, Like a Lily Among the Thorns was indeed a worthy read. Shrabastee Chakraborty for Readers' Favorite
Online Book Club. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I didn't give a lower rating because I enjoyed every aspect of this book. I recommend this book to lovers of fantasy fiction. Generally, lovers of fiction would find this an interesting read. Anyone looking for an amazing book to read would appreciate this one.
Diane Donovan, Senior Editor Midwest Book Review Like a Lily Among the Thorns represents metaphysical fiction at its best. It pairs romance with magic as it follows Gabrielle Bernstein (a young woman born into a damaged family and orphaned by unexpected circumstances) and a clan dedicated to spreading love and joy that hopefully will ultimately save the planet.
It opens with an ordinary day with ordinary chores in Gabrielle's life, but quickly moves to a milieu in which this twenty-something New York resident is compelled to move beyond her family and comfort zone to step up into a greater cause when she unexpectedly inherits a B&B inn from her estranged dead father. The inn actually is the pivot point of Gabrielle's transformation, offering more than the promise of employment and new connections. It's an enchanted abode overseen by goddesses who want to inject healing and love into the world. And so Gabrielle falls under its spell as she unwittingly accepts her destiny and very different relationships than she'd experienced in the past. The "positive energy of the cosmos" both entrances and overwhelms Gabby. It also serves as a strange attractor to mindfulness and being present, teaching her new skills that further both psychological and spiritual transformation and her life purpose.
Karen S. Bell crafts a compelling story of a young woman challenged by a new reality and her revised place in it. She adds details of romance and connection, building a plot that pulls readers through sorrows, loss, recovery, and the transformative processes experienced by a myriad of characters. As bigger issues (such as climate destruction) are tackled, the real magic of the story is evident in a powerful display of action and social inspection. Readers absorb the disparities between light and darkness that range from atmosphere to personal and spiritual perceptions, as Bell employs evocative language to bring these contrasts to life: "...the usual lightness of being at the inn was overshadowed by a cloud of darkness and dread."
Readers who look for light fantasy, social inspection, and spiritual and psychological depth in their novels will find Like a Lily Among the Thorns a fine visionary fiction piece that draws on many levels: romance, spiritual awakening, social consciousness, and evolving new, harsh realities. Ideally, Like a Lily Among the Thorns will be chosen by book discussion groups interested in how individuals grow into their purpose to affect the world around them.
Five Stars! A beautifully written general fiction novel with a spot of magic. Throughout the book, Karen S. Bell smoothly introduces these really interesting characters, describes new intriguing places in beautiful detail and leads the reader into a world of grief, raw emotion, to pure happiness and everlasting friendship. A book that leaves you wanting more.--Jackie Amazon.fr reader.
In this touching and gripping novel, Bell explores the theme of a sense of belonging through the lenses of her protagonist, Gabrielle Bernstein. Gabrielle is an optimistic young woman, and she never takes life for granted. She enjoys working as a librarian, and she loves her community. One day, she receives a notice to evict her apartment because her building is being demolished for luxury condos. She only has a few days to find a new living situation. Soon after, she receives disappointing news: her estranged father has passed away and left her an inheritance. Throughout this journey, Gabrielle will struggle internally about whether to accept or decline this sudden inheritance from the man who caused her so much pain.
From the start, Bell establishes a sharp contrast between Gabrielle's inner and outer self. For example, Gabrielle has a generally positive outlook on life internally, and she never lets negative thoughts poison her mind. However, the author shows that when people come across Gabrielle, they see an external image of someone who seems angry, frustrated, and unhappy. In essence, Gabrielle is happy on the inside, but it does not reflect on her face. Later, the author explains this dichotomy when she finally confides in her friend about her childhood. In this revealing scene, Gabrielle's face suddenly begins to change because she finally unburdens herself of how she truly feels about her upbringing. Indeed, the more Gabrielle starts to let go of her painful past, the more her face comes across as pleasing. Bell expertly describes the main character's emotions with profound honesty, and readers will undoubtedly be pleased with the results. --RECOMMENDED by the US Review of Books
5 Stars! Gabrielle Bernstein is a young woman in her twenties who works at the NYC public library. Her father abandoned her when she was young, and her mother has never developed a strong relationship with her. Things start getting rough for her when she gets an eviction notice. While Countess Ivanova gives her someplace to stay, she still has a lot to worry about, especially when it comes to her longing for family. Then everything changes when she inherits the bed-and-breakfast from her estranged and now deceased father. But the inn is filled with mysteries and secrets, a place considered magical by the locals. And what do the goddesses of myth and legend have to do with the inn?Karen S. Bell's captivating novel is laden with unexpected moments and filled with magical realism. It is interesting to notice that a girl who has never felt a strong sense of belonging suddenly finds a new home and family. The inn she inherits is watched by goddesses with a mission to save mankind from destroying itself. Readers are introduced to a wonderful cast of characters, people who have unique gifts and abilities, brought together by a superior power. Themes of romance, nature, personal growth, consciousness, hospitality, and friendship are beautifully written. While Karen S. Bell presents themes that are idealistic, it features scenes written into the everyday realities of common people. The dazzling prose melds with exciting dialogues to create an enjoyable reading experience. The author skillfully weaves the backstories of the characters, helping readers understand how far many of them have come to be at the state of consciousness they now exhibit. The heroine of the story is a genuinely flawed, lovable character whose journey will have readers spellbound. It is as delectable as it is inspiring. --Cristina Prescott The Book commentary
