Book Review | Juniper & Thorn Review

Marlinchen and her witch sisters live under the thumb of their tyrannical father in the confines of a derelict home, which they are forbidden to leave. They provide their services to visitors who are curious about their old-world charm, but they begin to face poverty and uncertainty as technology booms in the city around them and their magic becomes obsolete.

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid presents an hauntingly beautiful retelling of the Brother Grimm's "The Juniper Tree," set in the same world as The Wolf and the Woodsman.

However, it’s worth noting that this book is much, much darker than its predecessor. This isn’t going to be a book for everyone. It unflinchingly explores personal trauma and abuse and some passages were so biting and visceral that they even made me cringe (and I typically have a strong stomach for body horror).

I also do have to mention that this book suffers from some pacing and structural issues. The beginning does feel a bit meandering and unfocused, and I wish that the murderous serial killer on the loose subplot had been integrated more into the first half of the story in order to give it more tension.

Around the middle mark though, the story finally comes together and hits its stride, and once it does, it sinks its claws into you and doesn’t let go.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Voyager, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an review.

Book Details:

Publication Date : June 21, 2022

Publisher : Harper Voyager

ISBN : 0062973169

Pages : 320

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