I really enjoyed this book. The story felt a bit disjointed at times, but it all came together in the end for a pretty satisfying conclusion.

I've loved seeing Ava Reid develop as an author! Her writing style continues to evolve with each book, and I consistently enjoy the unique plots that she creates. Juniper and Thorn is no exception. Perfect for fans of Uprooted or Spinning Silver who want just a *bit* more darkness and horror in their dark fairytales. This book won a Goodreads award for a reason!!

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

This book is the gothic fairy tale romance of your dreams. The perfect fantasy novel, haunting and delightful, just pure magic. I revel in Ava Reid’s ability to craft the perfect adult fairy tale. Her writing is like a cross between Shirley Jackson, Katherine Arden, and Shannon Hale.

"Juniper & Thorn" by Ava Reid is a spellbinding masterpiece that seamlessly weaves together fantasy and romance into a mesmerizing tapestry of intrigue and enchantment. From the very first page, Reid's lyrical prose drew me into a world where magic is as real as the beating of the heart, and love is a force that transcends time and barriers. Ava Reid's world-building is nothing short of extraordinary. The intricately crafted setting is rich in detail, from the enchanting forests to the mystical creatures that inhabit it. I felt transported to this magical realm, where every turn of the page brought a new discovery. Ava Reid's storytelling prowess is on full display, creating a world and characters that will linger in your mind long after the final page.

Juniper & Thorn is narrated with a sweet innocence. Marlinchen's wholesomeness makes her a very likeable character who you want to have her heart's desires and be able to escape her tyrannical father.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.

This book is beautiful! I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more of Ava Reid's books in the future.

This book immediately wowed me with the proses and how imaginative the world is. I truly felt transported to a world of dark fairytale meeting the industrial world. I couldn't put this down, and I couldn't get enough. I was thoroughly engrossed into this adult gothic horror fantasy (my new favourite genre possibly?). I cannot wait to pick up anything Reid writes and see if it buries itself into my heart and soul the way Juniper & Thorn has.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Reid's world-building is a standout aspect of the novel, creating a rich and immersive setting filled with lush descriptions and imaginative details. The characters in "Juniper and Thorn" are well-drawn and relatable, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations. Juniper herself is a resilient and determined protagonist, and her journey of self-discovery is both compelling and inspiring.
"Juniper and Thorn" is a delightful and immersive fantasy adventure that will appeal to fans of magical worlds, courageous heroines, and tales of self-discovery. Ava Reid's vivid storytelling, captivating characters, and enchanting prose make this novel a worthy addition to the fantasy genre.

I loved Marlinchen (I know that she’s a point of contention for a lot of readers, but her darkness, her anger, her pain, and the innocent blankness which she paints over it in order to protect herself feels altogether too real to ignore or dismiss) and I very much appreciated Sevas both as love interest and also as a character in his own right.

The rest of the story however felt a little too fairytale. Now part of that may be because Marlinchen believes in fairytales and has been sheltered and molded such that fairytales are the only context she has for the world outside of her home. Even so, the rigidity of the side characters (namely the father and sisters) just felt uncanny; they didn’t have nearly the depth of Marlinchen and Sevas.

Though I did love the gothic descriptions of the house and grounds, I feel like the story would have been more effective if the magic turned out to be a lie.

Ava Reid has created a pitch black fairy tale retelling that is definitely not for everyone. There's some really dark subject matter here, particularly child sex abuse, so look up the trigger warnings ahead of time. That being said, Reid manages to inject some really good horror into this story, and I found a lot of those elements interesting. The book genuinely unsettled me, which is a feat all its own. Well done Ava Reid!

I would say the controversy on this book stands. I definitely was on the edge for awhile and while I’m not passionately for or against this book I can see both sides. I think the setting and the storytelling in this book is beautiful and well flushed out, but I can also see how some people may not enjoy that. I think it deals with heavy topics but is done well. I think this book is worth picking up and seeing for yourself how it is because everyone has their own opinions!

Juniper & Thorn is such a beautifully written YA fantasy. The world-building is outstanding. The story is well written with an enchanting storyline and well-developed characters that engage from start to finish. The world is atmospheric and feels real with vivid descriptions and rich imagery. I cannot get enough. Highly recommended. Be sure to check out Juniper & Thorn today.

I don't know what it says about me as a person, but I liked this.

Juniper and Thorn is a gothic horror novel inspired by the Grimm fairytale, The Juniper Tree. J&T also has aspects of other fairytales, which was neat. Ivan and the Firebird is referenced heavily. There's also smaller fairytale elements sprinkled throughout.

Since I follow the author on Instagram, I knew exactly what I was getting myself in to. And I definitely recommend looking at the author's TW/CW and/or posts on instagram/tik-tok about this book before you read it.

I really love Ava Reid's prose in this. It's gorgeously haunting. Also, I liked Marlinchen as a main character. She has flaws, but I was rooting for her to have a HEA the whole time. Sevas is also an interesting character, as well.

I think the main thing that I didn't like about this book (besides the adults in Marlinchen's life) was how a moment between Sevas and Marlinchen is described. (see goodreads review for more info) Honestly, it being uncomfortable to read might've been the point, but l just didn't like how it felt compared to other scenes.

All in all, this book was horrifying, haunting, and has it's own beauty. This was my first book by Ava Reid, but it certainly won't be my last.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of Juniper & Thorn.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC of this title. I enjoyed reading this title. Would recommend for my library.

This book is for a very specific audience. A lot of the negative reviews I see highlight the many forms of abuse, which yes is difficult to read and I don't criticize anyone for not reading or liking this because of that. But abuse is the whole point of the book. It was done in a very thoughtful and sensitive way and not at all gratuitous.

All of that being said, I just didn't jive with this. There is no doubt that Reid is a very talented writer I just didn't care for this one. But will definitely keep reading what she writes.

The premise of this book is great, but I didn't like it. It was well written but I wasn't entertained.

<i>Juniper & Thorn</i>  is a gothic horror fairy tale that reminded me of Shirley Jackson (whom I love).

The story follows Marlinchen, a young witch who lives with her two sisters and her cursed, wizard father. Marlinchen spends her days cleaning, cooking for her father, and using her magic to help any customers that give her father money. Marlinchen's wizard father is a hateful man who thinks of their city Oblya, as ruined due to immigration and capitalism. When Marlinchen's two older sisters allow her to sneak out with them to go to the theatre, Marlinchen gets to see and experience the city without her father's negative opinions and thoughts clouding the night. Marlinchen enjoys the ballet and ends the night meeting Sevas, the star of the ballet. This night leads Marlinchen to question her surroundings, her father, and ultimately Marlinchen starts to live for herself and not her family.

This book is an extremely dark and bloody. Sexual assault is a large part of this book alongside abuse and murder. I would use caution before picking this book up as it is disturbing and it will not be for everyone. 

I really enjoyed this book. Hard hitting topics and darkness aside, this book is magical and fantastical and the writing is so beautiful. Ava Reid is an immense talent and from this book alone, I know I will read whatever she releases in the future. 

If you love gothic works with fantastical elements, this book is perfect. As long as you take it's dark subject matter into account first, I would highly recommend this book! It is one of my favorite books I have read in a while.

Now this really worked for me. I loved the gothic and grotesque horror, the characters, and even the romance. What a nasty little read.