Page 1 of 3
There are currently 21 member reviews
for Thistlemarsh
-
Ann B. (Kernville, CA)
Fae folklore with gothic coziness and a slow-burn romance
Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan is a cozy historical fantasy that braids post-WWI grief with fae folklore and a slow-burn romance. When Mouse Dunne inherits a crumbling, faerie-blessed estate, she must restore it in a month or lose everything -- including her chance to care for her traumatized brother. Enter Thornwood, a dangerous and compelling fae lord offering magical help at a price.
Corrigan excels at atmosphere: moss-damp halls, breathing walls, and a house that feels alive with memory and magic. Mouse is a quietly stubborn, deeply human heroine, and the banter and wary trust between her and Thornwood give the story emotional pull.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and BookBrowse for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.
-
Peggy H. (Erie, PA)
The Faerie World Meets a Plucky Orphan
Who doesn't love a story that combines history, folklore, romance, and even includes a dragon-cum-puppy. Our intrepid heroine, Mouse, returns home from nursing during WW1 to find that her uncle has left her the family mansion with impossible conditions. She has one month to complete repairs that have been decades in the making or lose it to a hated cousin.
The property has long-standing ties to faerie history, and in steps a mysterious figure who agrees to assist. It is a faerie with his own agenda. Together they work to return the mansion to its former glory, not without complications that include dragons, mermaids, and polar bears.
This is an imaginative, fun read that I could not put down! A perfect escape from a cold winter night.
-
Cheryl R. (Jeannette, PA)
Growth
Mouse had been a nurse in WW1. She lost her cousin to the war. Her brother was mentally scarred by the war. She had seen and lived a hard life. But, it was obvious that Mouse didn't trust herself and was naive in some ways. As the story moved forward, Mouse gained courage and grew to trust herself. Against her better judgment, she made a deal with a Fae. They made a perfect team to fight the magic of Thistlemarsh Hall. Mouse only had a month to fix the dilapidated house so she could inherit it. The relationship between Mouse and Thornwood also grew as they learned to respect each other.
The story followed the Celtic tradition of Fae and reminded me of "Encyclopaedia of Faeries" by Emily Wilde. I would recommend this book to YA and older who like fantasy romance.
-
Linda V. (Independence, KY)
Escape from the present!!
In most choices, I choose the reality based, dramatic book. This time, I was intrigued by Thistlemarsh. As a child, I adored fairy tales and I thought, "maybe you need a break from reality". So glad I did! It was a much needed escape and from the onset, you are pulled into the story. Mouse brings us along with her feelings and thoughts as she struggles with life, loss and the unexplained.
The story moves along at a perfect pace, keeping us interested and giving lush details to frame the moments. You can almost see the magical world and sense the smells and sounds. In our world where everything is helter skelter, there is a feeling of a clear demarcation between good and evil...although the doubts exist with who is there to help or harm.
Not a bodice ripper which makes me pleased to return to the old time romance - just like a fairy tale. You will finish this book with a smile on your lips and contentment in your heart.
-
Dianne S. (East Meadow, NY)
Faeries Abound
In Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigon we meet Mouse Dunne, a nurse who served in combat during WWI, and dedicated to the care of her brother. He suffered physical and mental injuries during the war. Summoned to her childhood home, Thistlemarsh, Mouse learned her Uncle left the crumbling estate to her but with a caveat; the house and grounds must be fully repaired in one month or the estate passes to her despised cousin. Most significantly the money needed for her brother would disappear.
Enter the Faeries, not seen in Britain for over 100 years. Are they benevolent, evil, a gardener, a lover, husband - who knows, especially poor Mouse. Can their magic be used to fulfill the covenant to inherit the estate? The journey is great fun. The author sets the scene beautifully, drawing you into a fantastical story with humor and drama. The middle section bogs down by adding too many characters with too much absurd magic but the ending brings you back to the engaging Mouse, her faerie friends and enemies and a very satisfying ending.
-
Angela W. (Shelby Twp, MI)
A magical tale
Mouse Dunne, a war-weary nurse, must battle—and work with—faeries to restore and save her family's dilapidated estate. Mouse's aristocratic uncle has given her one month to restore the estate, or she will lose her inheritance.
With a shape-shifting evil Faerie King, unknown magical forces, and a handsome stranger in the mix, Mouse must examine herself and the price she is willing to pay to keep her inheritance.
Thistlemarsh is a treat of a book—a magical dog-dragon, a handsome faerie, and a human desperately trying to save her inheritance while avoiding being trapped by a Faerie. It's a wonderful, page-turning tale!
Many thanks to BookBrowse and Berkeley for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is a magical page-turner—I enjoyed every page.
-
WDH - Kentucky
Different
Thistlemarsh was a slower read for me. I enjoyed the story, but found I had to keep putting it down and coming back it after a break. Many characters, mixed storylines, magic, war and destruction, trust and betrayal, lies and truths - a lot of elements are mixed into this book that both kept me interested and required time away to absorb the plot. The romance between the main characters was managed without being overly romantic which was a plus for me. Strong and clever female characters were well-developed. I enjoyed the layers between the human and faerie worlds and how the manor was both restored, subsequently destroyed and then a new home rebuilt.
