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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Overall Grade: More than 5 ⭐️
“He didn’t expect anything different, but it does hurt, to say goodbye. It does feel wrong in the sense that goodbyes often feel wrong. Especially permanent ones.”
The End. Finale. Fini. Sierra Simone’s provocative Door of Bruises brings its glorious goodbye. In its finish, the goodbye feels heavy, while also leaving you feeling replete, satiated. In words, Door of Bruises is erotic. Ephemeral. Exquisite. Existential. Epic. This book is gothic. It’s transcendental. It’s grave. It’s challenging. Sierra Simone is part mystic, part genius, part gifted storyteller. To try to describe this book and its predecessors instantly leave you bereft of words because it’s part romance, part paranormal, part gothic, and part mystical. I can’t put the story into words because it instantly reduces it and detracts from its power. While I read a lot, I feel like no one writes like Sierra Simone. Her ability to cast stories with a depth of feeling and cerebralism is astounding to me. Door of Bruises and its partners feel substantial in a way that most romances simply don’t. It’s tomes such as this Thornchapel series that I use as an ideal for romance. Sierra Simone’s depth of knowledge, her intellectualism, bleeds over the pages of this series. For some, that might be a turn-off. For this reader, I love the challenge of her words on the page. If I wanted to try and explain the nuances of Simone’s storytelling I would be at a loss for words, but for readers that should be seen as an opportunity to engage in the intellectualism of romance. To alleviate that struggle, Simone underpins the journey of her characters in Door of Bruises with some of the most erotic scenes in romance. While in other romances, it may read as bawdiness. In Sierra Simone’s Thornchapel series, it’s an opportunity to illustrate, what I think is a deeper message of this book and the series. Its main male protagonist, Auden, struggles with the duality of his character. He waffles between two senses of identity. This is further replicated in Rebecca, in St. Sebastian, and in the plan for closing the door. It’s as though Simone highlights a need for a multiplicity of meaning. Her characters, the Thornchapel 5, feel lost in the solutions of their parents, and it causes them to be trapped. Through the polyamorous connections, through the eventual solution to the closing of the door, through Auden’s acceptance of self, through Rebecca’s ability to forgive, Simone rights the world of Thornchapel, and in a way, is challenging her readers to view life in broader strokes, entertaining an open mind in viewing its challenges. Her heavily drawn story compels you to keep reading even though you’re wont to do so. I loved every page of this book, but I hated turning the page because the gravity of feeling lay heavy in my heart and my stomach. As she does so articulately in all of her stories, Sierra Simone challenges the ideal of the “happily ever after,” forcing you to see “happy” in a multitude of ways. All of this is wrapped up in Door of Bruises which is intelligent, exciting, carnal, and enlightening.
I know this review feels messy and inarticulate, but my mind is gone for Door of Bruises. While I am sad for this goodbye in all of its “wrong” feelings, I know that Sierra Simone has intentionally and brilliantly brought us to its end. There is so much more I could say about this book and the others in the series, but ultimately, what is important to note is Sierra Simone’s insistence in elevating this genre. In doing so, she challenges readers to see the possibilities for romance to be more, to do more. I have so many words, thoughts, and feelings for this book that simply cannot be contained in this review. Just read it. But be prepared to be overwhelmed by Sierra Simone’s sheer brilliance. And if you're curious, I have the biggest book hangover.
“He didn’t expect anything different, but it does hurt, to say goodbye. It does feel wrong in the sense that goodbyes often feel wrong. Especially permanent ones.”
The End. Finale. Fini. Sierra Simone’s provocative Door of Bruises brings its glorious goodbye. In its finish, the goodbye feels heavy, while also leaving you feeling replete, satiated. In words, Door of Bruises is erotic. Ephemeral. Exquisite. Existential. Epic. This book is gothic. It’s transcendental. It’s grave. It’s challenging. Sierra Simone is part mystic, part genius, part gifted storyteller. To try to describe this book and its predecessors instantly leave you bereft of words because it’s part romance, part paranormal, part gothic, and part mystical. I can’t put the story into words because it instantly reduces it and detracts from its power. While I read a lot, I feel like no one writes like Sierra Simone. Her ability to cast stories with a depth of feeling and cerebralism is astounding to me. Door of Bruises and its partners feel substantial in a way that most romances simply don’t. It’s tomes such as this Thornchapel series that I use as an ideal for romance. Sierra Simone’s depth of knowledge, her intellectualism, bleeds over the pages of this series. For some, that might be a turn-off. For this reader, I love the challenge of her words on the page. If I wanted to try and explain the nuances of Simone’s storytelling I would be at a loss for words, but for readers that should be seen as an opportunity to engage in the intellectualism of romance. To alleviate that struggle, Simone underpins the journey of her characters in Door of Bruises with some of the most erotic scenes in romance. While in other romances, it may read as bawdiness. In Sierra Simone’s Thornchapel series, it’s an opportunity to illustrate, what I think is a deeper message of this book and the series. Its main male protagonist, Auden, struggles with the duality of his character. He waffles between two senses of identity. This is further replicated in Rebecca, in St. Sebastian, and in the plan for closing the door. It’s as though Simone highlights a need for a multiplicity of meaning. Her characters, the Thornchapel 5, feel lost in the solutions of their parents, and it causes them to be trapped. Through the polyamorous connections, through the eventual solution to the closing of the door, through Auden’s acceptance of self, through Rebecca’s ability to forgive, Simone rights the world of Thornchapel, and in a way, is challenging her readers to view life in broader strokes, entertaining an open mind in viewing its challenges. Her heavily drawn story compels you to keep reading even though you’re wont to do so. I loved every page of this book, but I hated turning the page because the gravity of feeling lay heavy in my heart and my stomach. As she does so articulately in all of her stories, Sierra Simone challenges the ideal of the “happily ever after,” forcing you to see “happy” in a multitude of ways. All of this is wrapped up in Door of Bruises which is intelligent, exciting, carnal, and enlightening.
I know this review feels messy and inarticulate, but my mind is gone for Door of Bruises. While I am sad for this goodbye in all of its “wrong” feelings, I know that Sierra Simone has intentionally and brilliantly brought us to its end. There is so much more I could say about this book and the others in the series, but ultimately, what is important to note is Sierra Simone’s insistence in elevating this genre. In doing so, she challenges readers to see the possibilities for romance to be more, to do more. I have so many words, thoughts, and feelings for this book that simply cannot be contained in this review. Just read it. But be prepared to be overwhelmed by Sierra Simone’s sheer brilliance. And if you're curious, I have the biggest book hangover.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Stunning conclusion to the story! I thought this one wasn’t quite as perfect as the first two in the series, but still absolutely fantastic.
4.5 stars
I'm sobbing. Literally. I haven't cried like this for a book in YEARS.
I don't know what to say about this book or how I feel. I love the book and the story and the characters, the friendship and the romance and the mystery, the feeling that I had no idea what the hell was going on.
BUT... I kind of hated the ending. It depresses me and it makes me feel unsatisfied. I guess that, from an objective point of view, it's a good ending, but, from my subjective point of view, it is not (it's also not bad because I know it could have been worst, but idk).
I'm sobbing. Literally. I haven't cried like this for a book in YEARS.
I don't know what to say about this book or how I feel. I love the book and the story and the characters, the friendship and the romance and the mystery, the feeling that I had no idea what the hell was going on.
BUT... I kind of hated the ending. It depresses me and it makes me feel unsatisfied. I guess that, from an objective point of view, it's a good ending, but, from my subjective point of view, it is not (it's also not bad because I know it could have been worst, but idk).
Loving someone isn’t about rigid, oppositional certainties, loving someone is . . . it’s quantum. It’s subjective and alchemistic. It’s difficult to measure and impossible to see with the naked eye, and even more impossible to explain.
Words cannot describe the incredible writing talent of Sierra Simone - her words are not only poetry on the page but also so very intelligent (I can't tell you how many times I had to look new words up!!). Our six Thornchapel lovers have been through a lot before this book began and the trials and tribulations don't end... I don't want to spoil anything (as this is a series you have to read in order) but I can say that I cried and cried from about 75% onwards and I couldn't put this incredible book down!! This series is a MUST READ!!
2.5 years on and this book - this entire series - is still one of my favourites. It is so unique and so otherworldly and so sexy and so beautiful. And the ending... so many tears!!
Words cannot describe the incredible writing talent of Sierra Simone - her words are not only poetry on the page but also so very intelligent (I can't tell you how many times I had to look new words up!!). Our six Thornchapel lovers have been through a lot before this book began and the trials and tribulations don't end... I don't want to spoil anything (as this is a series you have to read in order) but I can say that I cried and cried from about 75% onwards and I couldn't put this incredible book down!! This series is a MUST READ!!
Here and there, king and door, cup and spear, corn and war. Proud and wild, there he bleeds. Thorn and rose, tines and king. —Thorne Valley folk rhyme, source unknown
2.5 years on and this book - this entire series - is still one of my favourites. It is so unique and so otherworldly and so sexy and so beautiful. And the ending... so many tears!!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely magical
I’m sitting here, after taking a minute to breathe and cry, and I can’t believe it’s over. I feel like Thornchapel has been a part of my soul, down to my bones, forever, and I don’t know how to say goodbye. I had no idea how Sierra would wrap up this series and had so much anxiety going into this one, sure that my heart would be broken, and she definitely succeeded at that. There is not an author alive better at descriptive language than Sierra Simone; her words are luscious and drip from the pages. Just a description of a thorn poking Auden’s skin had tears in my eyes from the beauty of it. The words alone would have me obsessed, but then Sierra goes so far beyond that by enrapturing me in this story and the journey of these friends. To say I loved this series doesn’t do it justice, but I’m less adept at words than Ms. Simone, so it will have to do for now.
I’m sitting here, after taking a minute to breathe and cry, and I can’t believe it’s over. I feel like Thornchapel has been a part of my soul, down to my bones, forever, and I don’t know how to say goodbye. I had no idea how Sierra would wrap up this series and had so much anxiety going into this one, sure that my heart would be broken, and she definitely succeeded at that. There is not an author alive better at descriptive language than Sierra Simone; her words are luscious and drip from the pages. Just a description of a thorn poking Auden’s skin had tears in my eyes from the beauty of it. The words alone would have me obsessed, but then Sierra goes so far beyond that by enrapturing me in this story and the journey of these friends. To say I loved this series doesn’t do it justice, but I’m less adept at words than Ms. Simone, so it will have to do for now.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death of parent
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No