As Cold As Thorns

As Cold as Thorns #1

by Isis Sousa

Book 1 of 2.
~ A dark tale packed with beautiful illustrations and special layout. ~
When lust and vanity consume a humble young soul, nothing is left but a faint flame in the darkness of the void.

The solace and contentment of Henrique’s simple life as a small-town tailor’s apprentice vanish when his ambitions turn him overnight into one of the most powerful and influential personalities in early-1800s Europe. His quick ascension to the upper echelons of the leading Iberian Empire reveals a man torn between the pure heart he once was, and the grim shade of what he has now become: a spirit obsessed with expensive material possessions and the urge to acquire the unattainable.

Henrique succumbs to the ever-growing desires and beguiling passions tormenting his mind, causing a rupture between reason and a desolate world of ice and snow where pain is the key to salvation.

Will he survive his encounter with the colossal emptiness and find the righteous path to lead him out of his agony?

Come and indulge yourself in this startling tale of coldness and wonder.
........

Parental guidance: 16 +

Genres: Fantasy

248 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2016

About the author

"I am a concept artist and illustrator who writes on my free time. But with all the imagination I have running lose, there came some stories… And there came some books!"

For the past few years, Isis Sousa started her Indie Author journey, publishing works of Gothic Fiction, which she writes on her free time. These have been so far a hobby, but the author intends to reach a larger readership through the publishing of her upcoming titles.

Her writing is mainly influenced by classic Gothic authors such as Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde and Mary Shelley with a hint of modern names such as Tim Burton, Stephen King and John Logan.

Her books have been featured on GOTHIC BEAUTY magazine, GINGER NUTS OF HORROR and many blogs worldwide.

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Cold As Thorns tells the story of a man who is truly becoming as cold as thorns.

Henrique: A royal tailor with great talent and incomparable skill is determined to be the best tailor the world has ever seen. His thirst for fame, power and the “unattainable” added to his great ambition, awakens a darkness in his soul and this darkness is battling with the little light left in him.

Sometimes he is driven by good forces which makes him a compassionate and loving person, at other times he is driven by dark forces and he becomes cold and scary. He tries to hold on to his good side for the people he loves but his selfish desires always gets in the way.

The battle between good and evil is getting fierce by the day as the darkness is closing in on him. In such a battle, one can only pray that good wins.

This is a fictional book with characters that fit perfectly into its unique plot. Isis Sousa gracefully combined suspense, intrigue, betrayal, love, obsession, mystery with a little bit of romance to produce a wonderful story.

As Cold As Thorns is thrilling, it makes you hold your breath at some point in anticipation. It keeps unfolding gradually keeping you glued the whole time.

Isis Sousa’s ability to describe even up to the tiniest detail is amazing. It makes you understand the role of each character and the struggles they are experiencing in their own lives clearly. I love the use of pictures, it added a nice touch to the book. It was not like a kiddies playbook with so many colourful pictures, but it was moderate and mature.

I would fully recommend this book but you must be able to cope with a level of blood, and this book is just the first part of a series. The only regret I had was that I could not complete the story, I look forward to the other books in the series. I rate As Cold As Thorns 5 stars.

Reviewed by Theophila on www.whisperingstories.com

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Cold As Thorns is a beautifully designed book. The cover illustration and the artistic flourishes throughout the pages are well thought out and executed by the talented author.

The story focuses on Henrique, a tailor whose stunning clothing designs earn him a place in the Royal Palace of Iberia. Here, Henrique creates magnificent outfits for the royal family. Deeply charmed by the princess Catelyna, the tailor's admiration for the princess morphs into obsession. Consequently, Henrique undergoes drastic changes, both physical and mental. Ultimately, his lack of self-control leads to tragedy.

The deeper we move into the story, the more warped and disturbing Henrique's desires and actions become. Several storylines take the book in different directions, culminating in deceit and misadventure. This is the first of two novels, and its open ending promises much action and drama to follow.

I received a copy of this elegant book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henrique was a young and kind-hearted artist when it came to tailoring. His name quickly became synonymous with the most divine royal garments and whoever could gain his exclusive services would be the envy of all. Innocent and good, he could always be counted on for propriety and the highest of standards…until the day he saw her and she stole his heart, his soul and quite possibly his sanity.

The princess was breathtakingly beautiful and she was betrothed to another. It was their friendship that Henrique had and that was all. Driven by his jealousy, he perpetrates a most heinous crime, thinking he has saved his princess from a fate worse than death.
What he was to discover was that he had taken more from her than he could ever repay and his guilt drove him away, only to return half dead and changed. The man who was once a kind and sweet artist had become a sickly madman, a man whose fugue states could lead him to do unspeakable crimes without any memory, all with the prick of a lethal thorn. What has happened to Henrique? What has truly caused his split from reality? Can he be saved from himself?

Isis Sousa’s AS COLD AS THORNS is a dark and brooding tale of an unrequited love and the horrors it caused within the heart and mind of one man whose greatest gift had been the beauty he saw in the garments he designed and made for the pleasure of his employers. Isis Sousa embellishes each page with her words that are almost poetic in their cadence as she clothes her tale in darkness and pain. This is a starkly beautiful and heartbreaking tale of a man who became a monster when his heart and soul were crushed by loneliness and no material possession could satisfy his emptiness.

I received this copy from Isis Sousa in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Publisher: Tragic Books (November 28, 2016)
Publication Date: November 28, 2016
ISBN: 1533467692
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Print Length: 348 pages
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going to be a tough book to review without including any spoilers. First of all I doubt I would have read this book if I didn't know that Isis Sousa was a very good writer, it isn't really the sort of book I would normally read. I would absolutely have picked up the book, who wouldn't with that sexy cover? Then I would have started reading the back and gone, nah that's a book for chicks, typical man!

The book reads like a traditional Gothic tale, I'm not sure if it was meant to be but it certainly is, Bryon and his cronies would have enjoyed listening to it being told. The main character battling with his inner demons is very reminiscent of Dorian Gray, a beautiful man that all the ladies fall for, a massive ego, a man living in his prime. There is a second tale happening which has the potential of becoming a terrifying tale in part 2, the hunt for the black rose.

Isis Sousa is a graphic designer and that comes across when each character enters the room, instead of the usual descriptions of height and weight etc, the person is described by their clothing, a very unique style that seems to give a character more colour. The book too has been well designed, the pages have illustrated borders and you get the odd character drawing that helps with getting to know them better.

I have enjoyed this book immensely, so glad I gave it a go. If you read this book you will not be disappointed. I'm lucky to have a paper copy, I think this has to be the way to go with this book.

Looking forward to part 2 now.

Blog review here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018...

[Elizabeth Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Cold as Thorns is the first book I have read by Isis Sousa, but it wont be the last. The cover of the book was what ultimately drew me to the story - Isis is an amazing artist - as I wanted to know what the background of the female featured there, but as I started reading the book the more I wanted to know. As Cold as Thorns is a gripping gothic romance set in a majestic kingdom; there is danger, desire, and magic lurking in the pages.

Henrique is a likeable character with a talent and eye for beauty, but like all characters in this genre he becomes gripped by obsession which leads him down a dark and dangerous path. It is unclear at first why this change is occurring in the leading male, but we soon discover it isn’t simple envy and desire that is causing this good man to fall, but something more magical.
Princess Catelyna - the leading lady - is beautiful, good and innocent, and she is unfortunately the focal point of Henrique’s obsession. She believes him to be a friend, especially when her life is turned upside down and tragedy strikes, but is completely unaware that her turmoil was caused by his hand.

Amelia, Henrique’s maid plays a vital part in the story; between the eccentric tailor and the princess is the most grounded and genuine character with a kind heart and a story of her own to tell, which I hope we get to read.

During the final chapters it becomes obvious that there is more to the story as some of the characters branch off to go in search of the elusive black rose - which is mentioned bit by bit throughout the book - which is the only other thing Henrrique seems to care about; so much so that he pays his friends to go find it for him, and boy do they run into trouble, but it seems this rose is more than what you would have originally thought it to be.

As Cold as Thorn is a great read and combined with the illustrations Isis has added in is a refreshing twist on gothic romance. It’s the first volume in this big story and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

(This book was received from author in exchange for an honest review.)

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forgot to mention this in my review of The Night Of Elisa; In the beginning of the books it says ''This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to a living, dead or ''undead'' person is a mere coincidence!'' That made me giggle.

This was published two years after The Night Of Elisa, and you can definitely tell Isis Sousa's writing has improved. The writing flows better, and the tone isn't as ''modern'' anymore. It makes the story feel more realistic, as this one is also set in the 1800s. That also makes this a heavier read than The Night Of Elisa, but still not very heavy.

Henrique is a royal tailor in the kingdom of Iberia who is in love with the princess Catelyna. Sadly she is betrothed to a man Henrique despises, Augusto. Strange things start to happen to Henrique. He becomes ill, physically and mentally. And it makes him do bad things. He struggles a lot, cause he wants to do anything he can to make the princess happy.

Like Isis told me herself, the main focus is what happens to Henrique, that makes you wonder what is it that makes him do these things. I might have an idea of what it is, but we'll see in the next book! This book is more intricate than The Night Of Elisa, a little romantic, but very different. It's interesting to see the author's abilities to write different stories! Her other books are completely different as well.

I was a little confused about the story arc itself, it didn't seem to have that normal story arc. For the most part it goes kind of like a ''slice of life'' story, which changes location depending on where things are happening. But there are also a few peaks of complete and utter shock and terror, so I have to mention that there is a little gore in this story. I would recommend this for young adults.

The book is 340 pages long, and the text itself is way more ''compact'' than in The Night Of Elisa. Nice illustrations, reminds me of Pete Venters' illustrations in Jillian Venters' Gothic Charm School.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I love the surprises. This book has some awesome characters. I will look forward to reading more! So many WOW points in the story.

[Tiffany Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing that really stood out for me with Isis Sousa’s writing is how she paints a picture (Get it? :P). Not only if she a fabulous artist, but her poetic descriptions are just as colorful without making the reader feel bombarded by detail after detail. Amazing job! The style of writing also fits the Victorian setting, giving the book a very classic vibe.

Now onto the characters... Henrique. Such a pompous a$$! There were moments where I hoped he would see reason, to see what was right in front of his face, but then he had to go and blow it! I won’t give away any spoilers, but I must say he deserves everything happening to him. He is driven by obsession – for his Black Rose and the beautiful Princess Catelyna, a vain woman herself, though warmhearted. It changed him from the kindhearted man he once was into something a little more sinister.

And poor Amelia. She is the servant who resides within his manor. She cares for him on several levels it seems, but she always thinks of his health and welfare, but he treats her so dreadfully, and yet, he treats her well during others. Henrique is the definition of hot and cold. Poor girl has her head spinning! But before he leaves her to visit the Palace, he does a couple surprising things for her.

This book has its sense of flair and drama, along with dark mystery and intrigue. And it’s only the beginning! I enjoyed it and recommend! It’s beautiful and heartbreaking.

Note to Isis: Did you really with the horse? Really?! Did you have to?

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a extremely well written and illustrated story.
It's a story that will take you on a journey to the past and different continents.
It is a dark story, almost like a fairytale with a dark side.
The characters are amazing and come to life on the pages, Henrique is a twisted and unhappy soul but I still couldn't help but like him
Here, Henrique creates magnificent outfits for the Royal family. Deeply charmed by the princess Catelyna, the tailor's admiration for the princess morphs into obsession. The deeper we move into the story, the more warped and disturbing Henrique's desires and actions become. Several storylines take the book in different directions, culminating in deceit and misadventure. This is the first of two novels, and its open ending promises much action and drama to follow.
I completely enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read the next book in this amazing series written by the very talented author Isis Sousa!

[NaTaya Hastings · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest opinions on the book. This has, in no way, affected my review of the book.)

*may contain spoilers*

I have been meaning to review this book for a while now, and I just have not managed to get around to it. First of all, let me say that when I first received a copy of this book, I had no idea what it was about. You know how they say, "Never judge a book by its cover"... ? Yeah. Well. I did that with this book. (And I am normally so good at NOT doing that.)

I just saw this book, and it looked so beautiful, and I read that it was a mix of fiction and pictures, and I thought, "Oooh... I MUST read this!"

Well, it turns out, this is not AT ALL like the type of book I would normally read. It is more of a dark romance novel than anything, and I am NOT a fan of romance. So, my three stars for this book is actually quite the compliment. Normally, for a book of this genre, I would give it one star or, more realistically, I just wouldn't finish reading it at all. I am a fantasy/science fiction girl, myself. This book was not my normal cup of tea.

However, despite that, it managed to hold my attention throughout the entire book. That right there is an amazing feat all in itself. I was quite impressed.

I have to say though, I did not feel any sympathy for the main character. I know he was sick, and a lot of what he did was not intentional, but still. Ugh. I did NOT like him. He made my skin crawl. I did, however, love his house servant. It has been a while since I have read the book now, so I forget her name, but I was quite fond of her, and I really enjoyed reading about her.

Finally, I just want to say that this is one of the most BEAUTIFUL books I have ever read. The art is lovely, and the way the pages are decorated? It is just gorgeous. I loved looking through this book.

All in all, it was a solid three star book, which, as I say, is actually quite the compliment from me for a romance novel. I believe Isis Sousa is a very talented writer and artist. She will go far.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rant: As Cold as Thorns was beautifully, twisted. This book revels in the longing of love, lust and companionship. There is a battle between good and evil in one's soul especially when the person can't be with the one that they love. Enrique’s story touch me on so many levels, not only was this character very talented but he was very passionate and fierce at his creations. I found him to be very vulnerable, voracious and dark. He became one of my very favorite’s characters. The author exposed him in various ways that gave me chills down my spine. Her imagination helps you to fall in love with the beautiful things in life like a rose but shows you how that same rose beautiful thorns can prick with a venom that can leave you dead inside, exhausted, and drained from the emotional turmoil. Watching this character's off-kilter behavior was almost is frightening because you can relate to having the same out-of-body experience where you watching a story through two different worlds in the eyes of the same individual and you realize what you want isn't as easy as it seems.

My Recommendation:
I rated As Cold As Thorns 4 out of 5 Purple Rant Hearts and would recommend this story to anyone that loves a story that pricks at the lining of your emotions.

FTC Disclosure: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from RBTL Book Promotions and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I will leave my Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".

[Autumn]

This book was really hard for me to read and what I did read I really didn't get. I don't usually read these types of books and maybe that's why it didn't do anything for me. after about page 50 I found myself skimming though the book, it did nothing to really get my attention. so for that reason I did not finish the book and I will not rate it.