Reviews

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

lauramclain's review against another edition

3.0

I couldn’t put it down, but it’s creepy for sure.

Content warnings: bulimia, emotional abuse, hinted past sexual abuse, cannibalism.

bookbunny01's review against another edition

4.0

This book has a lot of creepy imagery but it's real horrors are only nominally supernatural. The real monster in this book is the trauma of love.

zeus_strider's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Pedophilia, Grief, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Bullying and Suicidal thoughts

the_red_one's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

witchystitches's review

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

chaosreadsthings's review against another edition

5.0

Born a wizards-daughter in a time where magic is viewed as nothing more than a novelty, Marlinchen Vashchenko has been sheltered her whole life. Never allowed to venture outside of her house, the only time she sees others is when they visit their home, allowed through the gates by her papa's approval - and the number of coins they've brought. One night of escape with her older sisters thrusts Marlinchen onto a horrifying path of self-discovery that unveils harsh truths and kept secrets.

Juniper & Thorn is a cozy dark fantasy that draws you in with whispers and takes hold of you with claws. The tone and pacing of the story is melodic making it easy to lose yourself in the reading. It's reminiscent of traditional fairy tales with grim elements that catch you off guard and keep you reading with fascinated horror.

I love, love, loved this book! This was definitely a 5 star read for me. Reading it was like wrapping up with a warm blanket. I loved the edge between old and modern with the world building, the inclusion of various creatures, and the fact that Marlinchen was something altogether unexpected as a character.

km4's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

the_herrand_castle's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail

andrea99_'s review against another edition

dark sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

raenoel's review against another edition

4.0

4 ⭐️

I wouldn’t even know how to describe what I just read, let alone how I feel about it. I’ve never been so equally disgusted, enthralled, nauseated, and moved by a book. There is no sugar coating that this was a deeply disturbing, rough read for me to get through, but the more it settles, the more it seeps into my mind.

Lovely writing, horrific words.