I did not end up finishing this book. 

Things I liked about it included the relationship between Fox and Daisy.  I thought that the inner dialogue of Fox was the most intriguing part of the novel.  Poston did a good job of making the transition from a fox to Fox and the turmoil of that for the character clear.

The thing I didn't like is that I didn't feel like there was a flow to the text.  It felt like things happened out of nowhere.  I felt like I was jumping into something each time I picked it up to read.

I just recently read an interview with Ashley Poston where she said that with Among the Beasts and Briars she really wanted to create a YA fantasy that wasn't quite as dark as everything else that seems to be on the market lately and that has a happy ending, and I think she hit those notes perfectly.

Among the Beasts and Briars is a magical fairytale that will take you on a dazzling journey that is full of wit and humor and charm while still also incorporating some darker themes and elements that gave this book the perfect amount of creepiness while still retaining it's hopeful air. The story really takes off when Cerys, the daughter of the royal gardener, is thrust into an unexpected adventurer where she must break a curse that has been plaguing the land of Aloriya and another Kingdom that has been caught up in it. Accompanying her on this journey are Fox, a rather unexpected companion, and a magical Bear who she doesn't really know much about.

Cerys is a surprisingly capable girl who I really delighted in getting to know. I think one thing that I really liked about her was that she wasn't actually an overly ambitious girl (and I mean that in a good way!) an instead focused more on simply wanting to help others and do whatever is right and best for her land and those around her. Along with Cerys is Fox--who is easily one of my favorite characters--and I really loved how Poston developed his character. I won't go into much detail about him because it would lead to major spoilers (although I really want to talk about him more!), so I'll just say that his wittiness was such a delight and his natural chemistry with Cerys was similarly a joy to read. I really loved how the two managed to play off of one another in ways that highlight each one's personality while also contributing to their own individual development as well.

The world-building of Aloriya and the mysterious woods was lush and vivid and I found myself constantly wishing I had some illustrations to go with them to illuminate how beautiful this world was. I loved hearing about Cerys and her father's gardening endeavors in particular, and in fact I feel like I could read an entire novella or something similar purely following them on a day-to-day gardening duties storyline--it's just so beautiful and interesting!

The pacing of the story felt spot-on the entire time. I think Poston did a great job in spending just enough time on each event, as well as just enough time in the kingdom of Aloriya, the woods, and a few other unexpected settings before moving on to a new setting and/or plot point. Her descriptions were beautiful, as mentioned, but they weren't drawn out or excessive and drag the plot down; instead, they bolstered the plot and I helped push the story along by crafting some truly beautiful and exciting scenes, full of wit, some danger, and plenty of adventure.

And lastly, I know I've probably made this book seem very tame and uplifting, but there are definitely some darker moments and somewhat creepy elements--particularly in the woods--that helped give this book an even more compelling note that I personally loved. Dark woods are always my favorite, and this book was no exception to that! I had no idea what was going to be around the corner at any time, which really made this book a great experience.

Overall, I've given Among the Beasts and Briars 4.5 stars! This was a really fun and enchanting story that definitely left me in a good mood whenever I read it.

Among the Beast & Briars is a quick paced adventure into the crazy woods.  Cerys is just the royal gardener's daughter, after barely escaping when she was young she is now facing the danger again to save her family, friend, and kingdom from the cursed creatures. The adventure is fast paced and even though I had quite the idea of what was going to happen I don't think it took to much away from the story.  I was not a fan of the ending as I had way to many questions that needed answers and I felt like it was just thrown together in an awkward way but the whole rest of the story was enjoyable.  

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in return for a honest review. These thoughts, miss spellings, and grammar errors are all my own.

I couldn't get into this book. While the magic was intriguing, I couldn't find any interest in any of the characters. There was nothing really wrong with this book, but there was also nothing really right with it either. I found it overall forgettable and predictable.

The story was interesting, if predictable. I love fairytale-esque stories, so I enjoyed that aspect of the book. There weren’t any surprises in the book, so it sometimes felt like it took the characters way too long to figure things out.

There were some parts of the magic and plot that didn’t quite make sense to me, but they were easy to put aside and continue reading. I would be interested to know how many times the words “I’m just a gardener’s daughter” or some variation of it came up; It was guaranteed to either make me roll my eyes or let out an exasperated sigh. 

Overall, I enjoyed it. I plan on adding it to our eBook collection.

BefOre reading Among the Beasts & Briars, I had only read the Geekerella books by Ashley Poston so this was my first introduction to her fantasy writing. I am pleased to say that I loved it and will have to read more by Poston!!

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ashley Poston has crafted a new fairy tale for the ages! Among the Beasts and Briars may very well be my favorite book of the year. When I originally picked it up, I thought it would be a retelling. My mistake! Poston has made her own story, and it has everything a fairy tale requires. To quote my favorite princess, there are “far-off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, and a prince in disguise!” Among the Beasts and Briars will take the reader on an adventure with a strong heroine, a crafty fox, and a curse hot on their trail.

Cerys is the daughter of the royal gardener and best friend to the princess, soon-to-be queen, of Aloriya. She’s happy in her garden, but something seems to be missing from her life. Something she can’t put her finger on. When she was younger, she barely escaped the woods and its curse that killed her friends and mother. Now she lives her life day to day never really forgetting what she lost and missing them deeply. Her only companion is the fox she saved from a bear trap. He steals from her garden, and she pretends to scold him but in truth she loves him. During the princess’s coronation, the bone-eaters of the woods arrive, and it is up to Cerys to save them. Fleeing into the forest, she teams up with her fox and a mysterious bear to find the lost city of Voryn in the hopes that they can save her home.

Fox is the best! He has been Cerys’s companion for as long as he can remember. She saved him once, now it’s his job to do the same. He loves her smile, and so he does and says things simply to make her laugh as they journey deeper into the woods. Fox is kind, clever, and mischievous, but he also believes that he isn’t brave. A fox will run and hide when in danger, evasion is their game. But he quickly learns he can’t leave Cerys to fend for herself.

Overall I really enjoyed Among the Beasts and Briars. I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers. I was hooked from the beginning and didn’t want the story to come to an end (which by the way, you should totally read through the acknowledgements for a little easter egg or two at the end of the book). If you are looking for a story full of whimsy and adventure, look no further than this book.

Among the Beasts and Briars drew me in with the beautiful cover art and exciting summary. However, this book just wasn't for me. I am a huge YA reader, but this book read much more middlegrade/younger ya than my tastes allow. It's a great clean read for those who are maybe just entering the realm of magic and fantasy in books, but the characters and plot twists left something to be desired for myself, who is a more mature YA lover. 
Let me reiterate, that there is nothing inherently wrong with this book. I just could not connect in any meaningful way to the characters and plot. I was not its target audience. You might be. I'd give it a try, you might find that you adore it. But it just was not my cup of tea. and that's okay! 

I'm rounding down to two stars for the sake of the rating system on this site, but ultimately would give this read a 2.5 stars.

I received an eARC curtsy of Netgalley (thank you, Netgalley!).

Some parts were predictable, others not so much so.

My favorite character was Vala. I didn't like Cerys very much: she would always talk about how afraid she was and how she was "just a gardener's daughter" and couldn't break a curse and yet she was the first one always running head first into trouble when she hears calls for help. So there didn't seem to be much of a flaw she had to overcome.

A fun fast-paced read that was refreshingly fairytale-esque.

In a peaceful kingdom at the edge of a dangerous and magical wood, seventeen year-old Cerys is safe in her role as the royal gardener’s daughter. But on the day of her best friend’s coronation, everything goes wrong. Creatures long concealed in the woods attack the kingdom, and only Cerys and the strange fox she once saved are able to escape. Now on the run and in the woods the kingdom fears, Cerys, Fox, and a magical bear they befriend must travel to a mysterious kingdom in the heart of the wood to beg for a way to save the home and people Cerys loves. But not everything is as it seems, and if Cerys and her companions want to survive, they must unearth secrets buried within themselves and in the shadows of the wood.

Dark and magical, this book is a breathtaking new addition to the young adult fantasy world. I enjoyed the slow introduction to the kingdom, and once the action began, it was almost impossible to pause for even a second. The magic that Cerys possesses is fresh and new, and I was pleased with its growing role in the story. Cerys is a wonderful heroine who is relatable because she doesn’t have all the answers all the time and questions many of the choices she makes. Fox is also a brilliant character. His narrative voice was fun and fascinating, and I absolutely loved joining the pair on their adventure. This book is perfect for fans of fantasy, magic, and fairy tale twists.

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change.)

This was a fun new fairytale that didn't rely on the overdone tropes. This story had me guessing at every turn, but was a solid fairytale. I am keen to see what Poston has up her sleeve next.

I really enjoyed this!  It's a perfect fantasy read for those middle-grade readers who are looking to "age-up" into YA, but aren't necessarily ready for...everything that might mean (sex, drugs, rock-n-roll, you get it).  This book also made use of some of my favorite tropes: our lead is accompanied by a fox AND bear friend who are perhaps more than they seem to be at first, and most of the story is set in creepy woods, which is my absolute favorite horror trope.  Beyond that, I really liked our main character - she was a loyal, fierce, and quick on her feet, and she wanted "more than this provencial life" if you will without wholesale abandoning her friends and family.  It's going to be perfect for a "Tails and Tales" summer reading list. 4 stars.

I really loved the classic fairytale vibe to this book. It certainly includes all of the faraway lands, magical places, and adventure that you would expect.

Among the Beasts and Briars was easily one of my favorite books of 2020. Part fairy tale, part action fantasy, all pure magic. 

Cerys has a forbidden magic. After being woodcursed by the magical forest that lives at the edge of her kingdom, she has the power to make plants blossom and multiply with her blood. (I swear if you can find a more beautiful kind of magic, let me know!) There are bone-eaters that live in the cursed wood, reanimated corpses of people that went into the woods and never again came out. While attending the coronation of her best friend, a bone-eater causes chaos in the crowd, and Cerys manages to grab the magical crown that has always kept her village safe from the wood. After she believes everyone she loves is gone, Cerys and her fox companion take the crown and search for a fabled magical city in order to restore her family and her home. 

First of all, this novel was gorgeously written and marvelously paced. It's unputdownable, and the short chapters are great for those reluctant readers. Fox is turned into a man early in the story, and I almost didn't believe his ability to process and understand the human world, but as the story unfolded, all of my doubts were cast aside (don't want to say more because SPOILERS). I fell in love with this world, I loved the characters so much, and I have been constantly thinking about this book since I finished it. I have yet to come across a Poston novel I don't LOVE but I think this is her best work yet. I have already purchased it for our collection and cannot wait to put it into the hands of teens that I know will love it too. 

Content warnings: Death of a parent, death of a friend, some romance, but it never goes farther than kissing. Great for middle and high school students.

I loved the fairy tale vibes of this book. I wasn't sure what to expect but I knew I loved Poston's past books so I was excited to read fantasy from her. She created a magical enchanting world and populated it with fierce witty characters I fell in love with. I love good banter and heartfelt moments which were plentiful in this story. I can see myself returning to this world when I am in need of comfort or a good friend hug. I wish the story was longer because some of the plot felt not fully realized, but overall very enjoyable read.

Poston has done it again! With her signature wit and sharp pen she tells her own fairy tale her own way. Her characters are relatable and wildly named, their motives both pure and shady AF and the enjoyable ride is everything you would want from a Poston novel. Her trademark style is all over this quirky yet endearing read and it's perfect for anyone who longs for far off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise! If you like all of that much make this yours. 

I'd like to thank Net Galley and the publisher for a free e-ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine.

If your looking for a light fantasy read, a fairytale vibe, or a cozy autumn read than this is for you! The magic and world building aren't super complex or difficult to follow, making it an easy read. I definitely enjoyed the journey the Cerys/Daisy went on alongside her shy Fox friend, he was one of my favorite characters. 

The plot twist is easy to predict, but I didn't mind that with this story! I think my only negative was the romance aspect. Now I am a HUGE fan of romance, but it just didn't feel as natural to me as it would have if the characters had remained friends. I don't usually push for the friend aspect, but I think it would have fit better. 

Overall, this book is a perfect fall read that I think many will enjoy! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a light fantasy, fairytale or easy read!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary eARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this opportunity!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is reminiscent of a fairy tale. It follows Cerys, a girl who lives in a kingdom where the terrible woodcurse is held at bay only through the magic tied to the crown every ruler wears. She's convinced she'll never be more than the royal gardener's daughter, as her blood holds the magic to make plants grow. That is, until the woodcurse takes over her town, interrupts the coronation of her best friend, and turns everyone but her into horrible monsters. With only her fox friend to accompany her, Cerys travels into the wood to save her kingdom and restore her friends and family. 

Overall, the magic system was interesting, but I struggled to connect with the plot and found the pacing erratic. I was hoping I'd enjoy it more as I liked the other two Ashley Poston books I've read: Geekerella and Heart of Iron. I think Among the Beasts & Briars has a younger feel to it.

I was lucky to get a free eARC of this book to review. I loved Ashley Poston’s previous sci-fi books, so I was very curious to see how she handles a fantasy. This book really has a fairytale feel to the writing and to the world Poston created. She also has a very atmospheric way of writing, and the reader really feels like they can vividly see the world that has been created. It is fascinating to see an author with such a wide range of genres, like Poston has, and be able to execute them well!

I’ll admit that the plot didn’t sound like anything super original, so I was skeptical going into this. But I loved this author and I wanted to give it a shot, and I ended up really liking this book. It is not the most amazing thing that I have read, but I became really connected to these characters. That is something I have noticed with Poston, is that she makes you really care about what happens to the characters in her stories. And I really did. I was on the edge of my seat for most of this story, and I truly finished this in one day, in almost one sitting. 

My problems with this book were mainly wrapped up in the amount of flower metaphors that were in this book. Our main character and her father are the florists for the town, so you can imagine what type of metaphors were made by them. It’s a very small issue, which I think is saying something if that is the only issue I can really find. I will get a quick content warning for body horror and gore. There is a lot of talk about a cure on the people in this story, which is quite graphic at times. 

Overall, this book was still really good and I am so glad that I had the chance to read it.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to review this title. 

An enchanting story about a gardener’s daughter, a fox, and a cursed crown, Among the Beasts & Briars follows Cerys and Fox as they journey to uncover the secrets, lies, and history of the magical world they live in. 

This book was so beautiful, violent and romantic all at once. This is one of the most unique creepy woods stories I've read. It's terrifying, but there's such a beauty to it. The ambience is so well done. You can smell the rotting leaves in the woods, feel the fog,  and see the bent and gnarled trees.

This is an easy story to get lost in. From the first pages, the author immerses the reader into this fantastical world where royalty has power, wild woods are dangerous, animals seem to know more than humans, and monsters lurk around every corner. The story is fluid and well-paced, and the writing is beautiful. I love the vivid descriptions that drew me into a fantastical and frightening world.