Industry and Old Magic Clash in this delightfully dark and atmospheric tale. You will follow Marlinchen, the daughter of the last great wizard of Oblya, as she pushes the boundaries of both her magic and his. You will meet dashing ballet dancers and otherworldly creatures.You will stroll wind swept board walks and whimsical gardens. You might just be so immersed in the evocative writing that you wont even notice that your barreling towards such and explosive, twisted, and satisfying end!

If you are familiar with the Inspiration for Juniper and Thorn, you know going in that Reid is tackling a immensely dark and disturbing story here. I was most impressed with her ability to balance all the dread with whimsical and light touches. The juxtaposition of it all hit a balance for me that is rarely achieved in dark retelling. I felt completely enchanted in one breath and horrified in the next.

If you love relentlessly dark themes wrapped up in breathtaking prose, give this one a go. I promise you'll find humanity amidst the monsters.

TW: Gore, excessive blood/bleeding and body horror; Sexual abuse, pedophilia and child sexual abuse, incest; Cannibalism; Antisemitism, xenophobia, and scientific racism; Physical and psychological abuse by family members, gaslighting; Self-harm and suicidal ideation; Bulimia, including graphic descriptions of vomiting; Animal abuse and death; Mentions of childbirth (off page); Sex, both on page and mentioned; Death, both on and off page

——

As the last true witches of Oblya, Marlinchen and her sisters, Rose and Undine, are trapped in the gripped of their overbearing wizard father. As the city of Oblya veers away from its magic roots and industry grows, their fathers grip on the girls and their magic grows tighter and tighter by day. But by night, Marlinchen and her sisters sneak from their home to see the wonder of the city. As Marlinchen’s late night escapes grow more frequent, spurred by her lust from a local ballet performer, the stakes grow higher. A monster lingers in the streets of Oblya, waiting to pounce. Marlinchen must keep her city safe while trying to find her new place within it.

While I wasn’t super enamored with Ava Reid’s debut novel, The Wolf and the Woodsman, despite the hype around it but the summation of this book truly called to me. Gothic horror fairytale retellings are one of my absolute favorite genres, so I truly expected to love this one but oh boy, was I unprepared for what was to come.

While the author was kind enough to post content/trigger warnings on Goodreads, no such warnings were posted in the listing on NetGalley, so I was horribly overwhelmed by the content, as I had no warning of what to expect. The bulk of this book focuses on traumatic family abuse, both physical and psychological, mentions of sexual assault of adults and minors and heavily features anti-Semitic views. It’s not until the last quarter or so of the book that the bulk of the horror and gore is present. This book was extremely triggering and I truly hope the final copy lists these triggers more clearly so no other reader experiences the content without fair warning.

Triggers aside, I was completely underwhelmed by the actual content of the novel. While you could clearly see where the author pulled inspiration from The Juniper Tree, it is by no means a retelling, just inspired by at best. Marlinchin as a narrator did nothing for me, overly meek and dismissive in the face of her abuse and the romance between her and Sevas felt like two traumatic people falling for the first person they meet outside of that trauma. No build up in the romance, just zero to love. Marlinchen’s development as a character is sudden and underdeveloped. The redeeming characters of the novel were Rose and Undine in the background, the development of their cruelty from their trauma was so raw and well presented. The plot and world also felt underdeveloped and carelessly thrown together.

Overall, my biggest issue with this book was how oversexualized it was. I lost count of how many times Marlinchen became hyperfocused on someone’s nipples and if the author had used the words “maidenhead” or “seed” one more time, I probably would have thrown my Kindle across the room. The plot was completely vulgar at points and I put the book down several times, completely nauseated by the content. Nothing about the original fairytale required that level of sexualization. That may be a purely personal preference, but again, I was not prepared for that at all.

I gave the book a generous 2 stars because I know some of the faults and issues were my own personal preference, but this book did not do it for me.

I was very excited to be granted the opportunity to read this early via Net Galley. The Wolf and the Woodsman was one of my favorite reads of 2021 and this definitely did not disappoint. I found the story fascinating and enjoyed the depth of the character development. I recommend this for anyone who likes dark tales, for their heroes to not be squeaky clean and isn’t triggered by descriptions and implications of abuse.

5⭐️
LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! The plot twist at the end was surprising and I love the dynamic between Sev and Mar. Loved how Sev was willing to give up his life and career for Mar and she really deserves to be happy. What I learned from this book is that sometimes the nicest one is the most manipulative and cruel one.
One mad wizard + two beautiful witch sister + one plain main character
This book covers the trope:
🤍 Strangers to lover
🤍 witch and ballet romance
🤍HEA
Marlichen who is the youngest among the three sisters has always been the goody two shoes. Her wicked father who is a wizard keeps his three daughters trapped in his house so they would not have contact with the outside world. One day, Marlichen tags along with her two sisters to sneak out to head to the outside world to watch a ballet show. There she met Sevas, who played Ivan in the many stories she listened to from her Papa. She falls in love with him and wants to meet him again, but with weird murders going on in town and her father keeping her in the house, she is afraid to leave. Will she ever meet Sev again?

Characters I hate:
☠️ MC’s dad
☠️ Rose
☠️Undine
☠️Dr. Bakay

This story has a TW (sexual abuse, emotional abuse along with manipulation).

You let me eat up all of Papa’s anger so it wouldn’t poison you. You didn’t mind that he ruined me as long as you were unspoiled and safe. If you ever loved me, it was only because I was a soft thing you threw down into the bottom of a pit to break your fall.”

I want to give a major heads up that this book is not going to be for everyone. At all (TW at the end). And it will be difficult to read at times. I had to take multiple breaks just because it was really getting to me at times.

This was violent and vicious and horrifying. It feels more like horror to me than fantasy, which I have to think is intentional. Before this book, when people said dark fairytale, I imagined something moody and brooding. Now I think I will only think of this book. And yet, so many original fairytales are this dark. They are exactly this dark, and Ava Reid holds back NOTHING to give the feel of those tales.

I debated my rating on this book for awhile. There were times when I didn’t even want to be reading it, but I had to finish. And ultimately I know I will never get it out of my head. And as far as author execution of vision, I think they nailed it, so I have to give credit where credit is due.

This is a book about abuse and power and monsters and daughters. Marlinchen is often frustrating, but we know why. The love story was compelling and feverish. I truly couldn’t have imagined it myself, and the incorporation of ballet was gorgeous.

The best part of this book was undoubtedly for me the final quarter which was relentless and satisfying in wrapping up every bit of tension that Reid so painstakingly builds for the first part of the book.

If I have any quibble with the book, it’s that the first half does feel a bit too slow for me, but I know that for the genre, the building of tension is key. I would just expect at times as a reader to be like “OK I WANT IT TO HAPPEN ALREADY.”

Anyway I don’t know what else to say about this one. Some people are going to love every word, and some are probably going to see a pretty stark shift from Wolf and the Woodsman and feel confused.

TW: gore, body horror, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, eating disorder, physical abuse, animal death, antisemitism, cannibalism, vomit,

DUDE THIS SLAPS!!!!
it's been a while since i've read a fantasy/magic book - been entrenched in the thrillers recently
but this was the perfect book to jump back in with
the writing is so lush and vivid and you really get to know the main character marlinchen
there's so much action and adventure and love and really cool imagery
the thing i did have an issue with was sort of understanding her father's motivations at the beginning because they seemed to be kind of muddled and unclear?? like marlinchen does something suddenly her dad is going to blow the face of the earth off and then her sisters hate her and she hates herself
maybe i missed something but that extreme progression made no sense to me
but it's a wonderful fantasy novel lots of little creatures and tragedy
and you don't need to read the first book in the universe to understand this one which is a plus

Juniper and Thorn is like a mad grab bag of folk lore and fairy tales that somehow works perfectly. Marlinchen is a lovely character, and you root for her to finally realize she isn't as plain as she's always been told, that her boundaries are all imagined, and that she deserves Sevas and whatever happiness he can bring.

The wizard father, the ceaseless hunger, the curses and the conflict with the sisters, is all so well done. The scales and the ballet, Indrik and the goblin, the fiery snake and the monster in the garden - they all kept me rapt.

Of course there was a part of my brain thinking, "Well come on, what does Sevas really have to offer?" But this, readers, is a fairytale, and I think at some point you have to just follow the tale along and trust in the author. Ava Reid can be trusted to walk you to the end - she knows what she's doing.

Having now read both her debut book, THE WOLF AND THE WOODSMAN and her sophomore standalone, JUNIPER AND THORN, I suspect that Ava Reid will be one of the most important literary voices of our time. She handles complex and fraught topics with a blend of sophisticated understanding and emotional investment that leaves me breathless as a reader. There is a quality to Reid's storytelling that feels bold and new. With both of her books, I had the disconcerting and tantalizing feeling of reading something that I'd truly never read before.

A retelling of the Brothers Grimm dark fairy tale, The Juniper Tree, JUNIPER & THORN is a baroque/gothic horror story set in a fantasy world inspired by Victorian Odessa, Ukraine. In this story, Marlinchen lives her life constrained to the house of her wizard father, fellow witch sisters, and garden of monsters until a stolen night at the ballet changes everything. Reid's lush prose creates a gorgeous literary experience alongside a story of abuse that is all the more horrifying for its layers of complexity. There is deep truth is the words chosen and the pain recounted within these pages, and I'm not sure that I've ever felt quite so invested in a story's journey and outcome.
***************************************************************************************
Trigger Warnings & Age Recs:
This is a dark adult book. Trigger warnings for child abuse and bulimia.

Sometimes it's hard to review the books that bury themselves deepest into my soul, because I know whatever I write will never do it justice. This is one of those books. So, please know that whatever I have to say about Juniper & Thorn, the story is even better than I could describe.

I'd heard Ava Reid's writing was good, but it's one thing to hear about it and another to open a book and be STRUCK IN THE FACE by how stunning the prose is! I was caught from the very first sentence, and from there, Juniper & Thorn never let me go. It's a story told in a very different way than many of the stories (fantasy, especially) out there, and I loved every minute of it. Marlinchen is not the swashbuckling, sword-wielding, confident heroine so popular in fantasy these days. (And there's nothing wrong with that type of heroine--I'd just love to see more variety.) She's largely powerless over what happens in her life, subject to the rules and whims of those around her, and she's full of fears and insecurities. She has few choices, but in the choices available to her, she makes interesting decisions, and wow does the story take a lot of turns!

There are so many themes to unpack here, but I really don't want to spoil anything. So I will just add that the gothic horror vibes are stunning and vicious (Ava Reid is not afraid to go DARK), the entire story is atmospheric and has a dark fairytale vibe (which is especially fitting as this is a retelling of The Juniper Tree), and there is a lot of rough content, but it is handled with thought and care and nuance.

I can't WAIT to get a beautiful, finished copy of this book in my hands! The new release date was just announced. Juniper & Thorn will be out May 24, 2022 via Harper Voyager! If you haven't preordered or added it to your TBR yet, I hope you'll consider doing so! It's haunting, beautiful, and 1000% worth the read.

Thank you Harper Voyager for providing an advanced e-copy of the book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This was very, very good. The texture of the prose, the shape of the plot, the flowering of the romance between Marlinchen and Sevas all come together so assuredly and unapologetically in a way that is very gratifying for a reader to see: the authorial voice is confident, and if you trust it, you will not be disappointed.. I loved how rich and cloying and claustrophobic everything felt, even as an undercurrent of sensuality ran through everything. The book isn't afraid to explore the ways in which shame, violence, hunger, and sex all intersect, and Ava does a great job of bringing us to the very edge.

This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books of all time. Consequently, Ava Reid is now on my list of favorite authors. I LOVED Juniper & Thorn.

If we start of with the writing, this was the most stunning and articulate prose I've ever read. I'm normally someone who prefers a more straightforward way of storytelling since pretty words can get in the way and make things feel too confusing or incomprehensible. But this story felt like a brush of fresh air. I loved that while there was strong prose, I was able to get a really good sense of Marlinchen's attitudes towards the other characters, as well as formulate my own. This story felt like the kind of fairytale that opens your eyes, the kind that teaches you as much about the world as it warns you away from doing that.

I loved the romance between Marlinchen and Sevastyan, especially the way that they both grapple with their trauma. I loved Reid's depiction of sexual and emotional abuse. There was a good balance between a straightforward confrontation with it while not making it super graphic. I've read quite a few books that cover this kind of topic, and it can definitely be jarring if not done correctly. I didn't have that reaction while reading which was a relief.

Lastly, this story felt so dreamy! It felt like I was sitting before a fire and listening to a folktale or fairytale. I love that Reid is able to incorporate such heavy world building without it feeling exhausting or like an info-dump. While I read, I was definitely imagining that I was wrapped in a blanket, listening to her tell this story. I cannot WAIT to reread it, and I also can't wait to see what she does next!

Juniper & Thorn is the kind of book that leaves you still thinking about it days later, the remnants of the story lingering on your tongue and winding around your heart. I found Marlinchen’s story to both heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measures. At times I had a near visceral reaction to some of the experiences and emotions described, almost as if I was experiencing them right along with her. Ava Reid had a particular skill at writing tangible, emotive characters that come to life on the page— her books are compulsively readable.

I loved The Wolf & The Woodsman when I read it last year and couldn’t wait to get stuck into Juniper & Thorn knowing it was set in the same world. Ava Reid’s worldbuilding and sense of place is definitely one of her strong points. Although we don’t get nearly as expansive of a view as TW&TW, as Marlinchen’s world is far more claustrophobic, I think the narrative really benefits from taking place in just a handful of locations. Both the reader and Marlinchen are discovering the setting together which really helps you get into her mindset. Her devotion, disgust and desire are extremely tangible. In short, it’s a deeply human story.

One point I’d like to emphasise is the brutality and gruesomeness of some aspects of the story— Juniper & Thorn draws on far more horror aspects than it’s predecessor which is something to bear in mind. Definitely check out TW as the story doesn’t skimp on the details. Overall, I would I loved Juniper & Thorn and it will appeal to readers who enjoy a dark fairytale aspect as well as those who love character based stories. Can’t wait to see what else Ava Reid comes out with!

I was completely chuffed when HarperCollins Publishers approved me to review Juniper & Thorn on NetGalley. After having read Ava Reid’s The Wolf & the Woodsman in 2021, I became a staunch fan who could not wait for Juniper & Thorn to premier!

Let me say, I was not prepared for how much I would fall in love with this book. As I stated in my review for Wolf, Reid won me over to the Gothic genre, which I view as being different from horror in that they share motifs, but the scare isn’t the center of the story like in horror.

I saw a recent IG story of Reid’s in which she stated that she had some apprehensions about writing a character like Marlinchen, but never before in a story have I identified with the MC so thoroughly. Right away, I sympathized with being bullied & hurting as a child but later being perversely proud of it as an adult, like a badge of perseverance. Reid has the compelling ability to write self-conscious characters who are easy to believe & to whom it is even easier to relate.

I often balance a fine line of spoileriness in my reviews, but as Juniper & Thorn is yet unpublished, I am reigning in my desire to dissect & display the nuances of the story, which tends to be my style of reviewing. Let me tell you, it is not easy; I could address Juniper’s underlying themes, or the issues on which Reid tends to expound in her writing. But, let me make it simple by saying Marlinchen is a girl who comes into her womanhood & finds her power &, most importantly, learns to love herself & allow herself to be loved, despite her flaws.

Reid brings to light that life is not always clean & stories aren’t always fairy tales, but even one person’s presumed horror could be another person’s grace, & the basest of us may be capable of love. For all that Juniper & Thorn is fantasy, it speaks the truth of the world. Unlike fiction meant for escape, it is a story meant for reflection & it is all the more graceful for its gore.

Thank you for the ARC! I have not had the chance to read Ava Reid's first novel yet, but I decided it was a must after finishing this book! I thought it was a super intriguing and compelling retelling and I could not put it down! Th horror aspects were super well done as well as the mystery aspects on who the murderer was!!! I really enjoyed this book!

Juniper & Throne is a hauntingly beautiful dark fairytale. I devoured this book like no other before it. Reid’s exploration into trauma was done in a thoughtful and empathetic way that worked for me. That being said, it could definitely be triggering for some individuals while reading. I would throughly recommend this beautifully written book!

This book has some really dark themes; it explores family abuse/manipulation, self harm and body horror. Our main character Marlinchen is the youngest of three sisters who are trapped in their manor home with their wizard father. This story follows some popular fairytale themes: magical curses, dead mother, abusive father, evil sisters, forbidden love interest, etc. while reinventing these into something totally new and unique.

Marlinchen's two old sisters Rose and Undine reminded me a lot of Feyre's sisters in A Court of Thorns and Roses, they were beautiful, selfish and manipulative. There are also some Cinderella themes going on where Marlinchen is the only one that cooks and cleans for their cursed father. She is also forced to endure the majority of their father's verbal abuse.

“You let me eat up all papa’s anger so it wouldn’t poison you. you didn’t mind that he ruined me as long as you were unspoiled and safe. If you ever loved me, it was because I was a soft thing you threw down into the bottom of a pit to break your fall.”

Sevas the love interest is a renowned ballet dancer with his own dark past. He is really supportive of Marlinchen, and beautiful inside and out. He wants to show her that their is still beauty in the world and perhaps maybe they can save each other.

“Well, you’re my first secret then, my first lie. Does that please you?”
“Only if it pleases you.”

This book was hard to read at times because of the dark themes, however, the MC Marlinchen is not a helpless victim. As her world opens up and she begins to understand that darkness within herself and her family- she begins to understand that she must take control of her narrative if she is ever able to escape and make her own fairy tale. (There was one part of this book that did bother me, which is a spoiler: When the MC loses her virginity to the love interest there is a TON of blood, now I know this book is all about the body horror and all that jazz, but can we please stop pushing the incorrect narrative that it is normal for girls to bleed like pigs when they lose their virginity? Especially when the girl is ready, wanting and there is foreplay beforehand? I ain't here for it.)

Overall , if you are worried that this story may be too sad or bleak, I found the ending very satisfying and hopeful.

This book reads like a dark fairytale that you peel back, like an onion, layer by moldy layer. It’s a nightmare that disorients and unsettles you, and you hold on dearly to the moments in which you find equilibrium.

I loved this grotesque tale starring a witch-girl who is “damaged” and afraid and not bent on revenge. She is the backbone of this story, she and her memories and romance and hideously broken family.

The exploration into trauma through both a real-world and fairytale lens is done in an empathetic and healing way. For me it worked, I was moved deeply. I would say though, that it could definitely be quite triggering for some readers.

I really appreciated how this book ends, and that is ultimately why I will keep coming back for more of Reid’s works. She writes gorgeously, but also with care for both her characters and readers. She is an author who has something to say, and says it with purpose. And so, so exquisitely. I truly recommend this book (please do check the trigger warnings first though!) and I can’t wait to read it whatever Reid puts out next!

3.75/5

Juniper & Thorn is dark and extremely unsettling, much like the story it was based on- The Juniper Tree. Ava Reid crafts a world with a fine-tooth comb, making even the tiniest of details eerie and provoking immense sympathy for the daughters of an all-powerful witch who uses them for his advantage. Although this is a fantasy novel, many themes were very touching and even more so because of how closely they relate to today’s society. This story is about being overlooked, taken advantage of by those who you hold closest to, and above all else, the hope that a blossoming love can bring. The amount of trauma the main character, Marlinchen, goes through seems unbelievably real and incredibly sad, especially in terms of how her traumatic experiences affect her thought processes, thus how she views the world. Ultimately, she is a survivor figuring out what she wants out of life and just how much she has to endure to have people finally respect her- or fear her.

Captivating from start to finish, Juniper & Thorn will probably be one of the most atmospheric books I’ll read this year. Reid’s writing transports you into the story and makes you question all that you know through a narrator that, at times, can be unreliable. That being said, I would love to have read more about Marlinchen’s mother, the magic mirror, and the budding relationship she finds herself in. Overall, this was a great read and perfect if you want to be spooked.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for a eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

TW: eating disorder, sexual abuse, sexual assault, cannibalism

*Spoiler free*

I was ready to read this book as soon as I finished The Wolf And The Woodsman. I will read anything that Ava Reid writes. And a dark retelling of The Juniper Tree, a horror fantasy book, and I was so, so excited to read it. Trigger warnings: child sexual abuse, cannibalism, antisemitism, xenophobia, physical and emotional abuse, self-harm, bulimia, animal death

It’s no secret that Ava Reid books carve themselves onto my soul, and Juniper & Thorn has made its notch next to The Wolf And The Woodsman. It is truly breathtaking to see the pure talent that is laid across the pages, in the prose, in the craftsmanship of the story, and the careful hand that shapes every scene. The writing is so immersive, and I cannot speak highly enough of it.

Violence is wielded loudly and as a whisper, creating an atmosphere of claustrophobia to match the gothic mansion that Marlinchen lives in. It's filled with monsters, both hidden and unhidden. It’s a horror book at it’s core, and does not shy away from the looking head on at the grisly and the gruesome.

It’s also a book about trauma, the wounds abuse can leave, and how they shape people. Ava wields these themes with such care, allowing these wounds to hurt and room to exist.

I adored Marlinchen, who carries her hurt and her stories so close to her chest, and her strength that comes in quiet ways. The way that she is, the whole of her, I just adore her. I fell in love with Sevas as well, who has his own hurts and open wounds. They compliment each other, and they find solace in way they understand how the world can twist until it doesn’t make sense anymore.

There was also a dark humor about this book, which I really enjoyed!

This book is spectacular all the way through, and I absolutely love it. Utterly hypnotizing, and darkly disturbing, hope weaves through horror in a way that left me breathless. Just, so so good.

In her newest fairytale retelling, Reid has done what she’s proven to do best - take an aged fairytale and lay its dark and gritty guts bare for the reader from an angle not considered through the lenses of the past. She breathes new, dark, and realistic life into tales we read as children hungry for magic and darkness. Juniper & Thorn is the story of a cursed wizard, a changing world who is leaving behind old world magic, and his three witch daughters living in a crumbling house beside a juniper tree and a garden full of monsters. To what lengths will one go to sate desire and keep things always as they were?

I, like many, grew up reading the old versions of fairytales and always valued the darkness in them. We all know that many of tropes within those fairytales, however, were problematic at best. Reid takes the decaying patriarchal corpses of those stories, prizes open their guts, and transforms them, with seeming magic, into something so guttural and emotive that they become their own sort of magic.

In Reid’s world, no character is truly the Ivan or the Snow Maiden, the knight or the damsel, there is no simple black and white, and females are not simply witches or princesses, girls or women - they are multifaceted creatures who are as likely to love as to kill, to rescue as to be rescued. But, beneath it all, Juniper & Thorn is a dark and emotional allegory for what happens to those who are abused and what form the unseen wounds of that abuse leaves behind in its wake. Abuse is its own strange form of darkened evil magic that can take root in the soul and cause us to become shadows of ourselves we never knew possible. But most of all, this story is about hope and what can take place after the dragon is slain.

★★★★★