"Eli isn’t just a teenage girl — she’s a made-thing the witches created to hunt down ghosts in the human world. Trained to kill with her seven living blades, Eli is a flawless machine, a deadly assassin. But when an assignment goes wrong, Eli starts to question everything she was taught about both worlds, the Coven, and her tyrannical witch-mother. Terrified that she’ll be unmade for her mistake, Eli seeks refuge with a group of human and witch renegades. To earn her place, she must prove herself by capturing the Heart of the Coven. With the help of two humans, one motorcycle, and a girl who smells like the sea, Eli is going to get answers — and earn her freedom."
Looking forward to reading this story.

This is another situation where the premise is great but the execution is lacking and I couldn't get past it.
The publisher generously provided me with a copy of the book upon request on NetGalley. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

I really tried to get into this because I had dnfing books but at the same time I don’t have time to try and force myself to read books that aren’t engaging to me. I’m sure there are many people who will love this though!

I was super intrigued by this premise but I just never could manage to get myself into the writing or invested in the characters.

I really enjoyed the storyline in world building in the novel. I also really liked the characters. I thought this was a solid read, and I will definitely be reading more by this author.

I wanted to like this more and the premise sounded so interesting, but it just wasn't for me. It just became a little too confusing and I just couldn't keep up. However, I encourage others to give it a try, just because it wasn't for me, doesn't mean it isn't for you!

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this ended up on my DNF list.

I really wanted to love this book, but I just couldn't get into it. I tend to give debut authors the benefit of the doubt, but the narrative didn't capture my attention at the halfway point.

The Girl of Hawthorn and Glass has an amazing premise! The execution didn't land for me, but I think it will for many readers of YA fantasy! It has: teen assassins, renegade witches, the most gorgeous cover ever, rad LGBT rep and some strong lovable characters!

This wasn't a favorite for me.
I tried really hard to like this one.
But just something about it fell short.
It wasn't bad. But it just want great either.

“The Girl of Hawthorn and Glass” by Adan Jerreat-Poole offers readers a unique and fantastical world brimming with magical creatures and intriguing concepts. While the novel has its merits, including imaginative world-building and lyrical prose, it unfortunately suffers from a slow-moving plot that hampers its overall impact.

Set in a realm where humans coexist with mythical beings, the story follows Eli, a girl who was created rather than born. Eli struggles to find her place in a society filled with uncertainties, secrets, and hidden agendas. As she embarks on a quest for answers and identity, she discovers a web of complex relationships and conflicting loyalties.

Jerreat-Poole’s writing style is undoubtedly one of the book’s strengths. The author crafts vivid descriptions, employing lyrical prose to paint a vivid tapestry of the fantastical world. The attention to detail in the magical elements and the depiction of the various creatures showcases the author’s creative imagination and adds depth to the narrative.

However, the slow pacing of the plot is a notable drawback. The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, taking its time to unravel the mysteries and establish the character dynamics. While some readers may appreciate the atmospheric and introspective nature of the narrative, others might find it challenging to stay engaged, especially if they prefer a more action-driven plot.

Despite the plot’s sluggishness, the characters in “The Girl of Hawthorn and Glass” exhibit complexity and depth. Eli, in particular, undergoes a transformation as she grapples with her origins and seeks her place in a world that often rejects her. The supporting characters bring their own layers of intrigue, but their development sometimes feels overshadowed by the gradual plot progression.

While the slow-moving plot may hinder the book’s overall enjoyment, “The Girl of Hawthorn and Glass” can still appeal to readers who appreciate atmospheric and character-driven narratives. The richly imagined world and the lyrical prose offer glimpses of the author’s potential. However, for those seeking a fast-paced and action-packed fantasy, this book might not fully satisfy their expectations.

In summary, “The Girl of Hawthorn and Glass” showcases Adan Jerreat-Poole’s creative talent and poetic writing style. While the book’s slow-moving plot may deter some readers, it still holds appeal for those who appreciate introspective and character-driven storytelling. With its imaginative world-building and nuanced characters, it remains a commendable effort, albeit one that may not resonate with everyone.

Eli is a girl created by witches to be an assassin to rid the world of ghosts. It was a really slow start, but I finally got into it. I'm not sure I can do it justice, but have recommended it to some of my students to get their insights. When/if I do, I will add to the review.

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This book was confusing. The pace was slow, the magic was complicated and the characters didn't show much growth. The pace does eventually start to pick up but it didn't feel compete, I still had a lot of questions about the plot by the end.

This book had a lot of potential, but it fell flat for me. I do enjoy fantasy novels, but this one was not a perfect fit for me.

I had a very hard time engaging with this story. It was a very slow moving plot and I just had a hard time reading it. It didn’t work for me, but I’m sure other might enjoy it.

It was an okay read. But it was a bit slow and it didn't make much of an impression on me. The characters are well done and the writing is good. I just didn't feel as invested in the story as I would have liked to be which made it feel very slow.

Yeah I’m so sorry, but I didn’t love this. The writing was hard for me to connect with and I didn’t really rush to pick it up every time I set it down. I was really loving the description and premise of this book, but didn’t hit the mark for me this time!

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Thank you net galley for letting me read and review this book. I love YA fantasy about witches and those types of vibes so I was sure I would love this also! Although I did not live this as much as I thought I would!! The story was slow for me and not a lot happening. I finished the book wanting more and not satisfied. I did like some of the characters and their interactions but was an overall average read.

The debut novel of Adan Jerreat-Poole is the first book in the Metamorphosis Series and focuses on Eli who isn't a normal teenage girl, but a being created by witches. Eli is made of hawthorn and glass, a being created to kill ghosts. After making a huge discovery, her only worry is being unmade and she now questions everything she knows. Trained as a teenage assassin, Eli is faced with challenges that test not only her durability but also her loyalty.

The world-building can be overwhelming at times and at some point I felt I missed something due to all the details, but I quickly got back on track and was able to follow the plot. I found the seven magical blades intriguing and was invested in Eli's journey. There is so much more to the story but to avoid spoilers, you can expect the following:

☆ Witches
☆ Covens
☆ Magical blades
☆ Threat of destroying a planet
☆ Ghost hunting

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for gifting me an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A deeply immersive book, filled with lush prose and gorgeous imagery. I loved reading this and as soon as I was finished, I wanted to immediately start over.