I'm still sorting through my feelings on this one, but I don't think I liked this book. I found the violence of the prose really started to grate on me. This coupled with the fact that I too often find gay love in YA fiction has a certain violence to the love stories anyway made me want to dnf. But I also think there was something really haunting about the text and it will stay with me for a while. 4 stars

The Pros:
LGBTQIA+
Atmospheric gothic horror. The first third in particular really gripped me as I was drawn into the story and the mystery surrounding the manor and grounds.
Lyrical descriptive prose

The Cons:
Trigger warning: Child abuse that was often hard for me to read
The mystery was relatively easy to deduce by by the first half of the book
The violence of the text started becoming redundant. I was like-I get it. He hungry. It's literal and symbolic. Move on.

CG Drews once again made me feel like I was losing my mind a little bit. I wasn’t sure who trust and how it’d all come together in the end. They kept me on my toes and gave me all of the creepy crawly vibes.

I loved how the mansion and the garden were as much characters in this as were the people. The ambiance is unmatched. I’ll honestly read anything CG Drews writes.

This was a masterpiece. It was beautiful, tragic, dark, suspenseful, twisted, and just PERFECT. CG Drews writes botanical horror in such a beautiful and vivid way that it consumed me. The way Drews writes emotions was so authentic and overwhelming (in a good way) that I found my heart racing, and felt genuine grief and anxiety right alongside Evander. Neurodivergent main characters are in such short supply, so I really appreciated how authentic and powerful Evander’s experiences were, his panic and sensory overload is something I also experience on a daily basis, and loved how this was something Laurie wholeheartedly accepted and uplifted. The angst, the atmosphere, the rage, the imagery, everything combined to make a beautiful and haunting story. Those that loved Don’t Let the Forest In will equally love Hazelthorn, and fans of gothic fantasy and botanical horror definitely need to pick this up.

Endless thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an early copy of Hazelthorn, all opinions are my own

“Bruh”

… My initial attitude towards the last like 50ish pages. Drews is a monster who needs to be stopped (not really keep going.) The way they build up the story and you’re all “Awe” “Yay” “Fight Nicely” and then left with the feeling of your brain pulped and heart minced leading up the ending. Just read it. Don’t question if yes, no, maybe. Just do it. The Garden demands it. (Not at all forced by the garden to have this so highly rated) For sure my top book of this year, and it will likely stay that way! Drews books are leaning into being my favorite reads of 2024/2025! Keep destroying us Drews! (Tenderly though)

This book isn’t my usual genre, but so many of my librarian friends loved it so much that I had to try it. Definitely perfect for fans of the genre.

Gothic horror?!? This was an absolute masterpiece! The whole novel was atmospheric, ripe with botanical body horror, a gothic style mansion, rich people being horrible, and a dash of romance. I will absolutely be reading more of CG Drews! This book was fabulous and watching as the MMC, Evander, has to live by three strict rules only to have his benefactor die leaving everything to him is crazy! In a good way, of course. The only problem I had was I wanted more of the book. A must read if you are a horror fan!

The premise of this book was interesting and original, but overall I just didn't like it as much as I'd hoped. I felt like it leaned more toward fantasy than horror. I think my main issue with it was that the description of emotion and the mental state of the protagonist was overdone. It seemed like a good portion of the book was taken up by the author describing these things in great detail. The rich description was welcome in some aspects, like the atmosphere of the gardens. However, with respect to Evander's mental state, it comes off as being very verbose and repetitive with overly flowery language. I couldn't even count how many times the state of his stomach was discussed. At this point, I feel like I know his bodily sensations and emotions better than my own.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Hazelthorn is a gothic mansion that is home to the Lennox-Hall family. It’s apparent from the beginning that something is very wrong with the family and their home. Evander is a ward of the Lennox-Hall family with a mysterious origin story and a debilitating illness that keeps him heavily medicated. With the patriarch’s death, the remaining family members gather with dishonorable intentions. Hazelthorn’s secrets are revealed, with deadly and terrifying consequences.

Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Hazelthorn is the most haunting yet beautiful story I've ever read. Following Evander's heavily controlled and mysterious life in the Hazelthorn estate, this story takes readers on a journey that will stick with them in ways that can't be explained.

I loved this book so much that I'm almost terrified to review it. Don't Let the Forest In was one of my top books of 2024. I didn't think it could get any better than that story, but Hazelthorn shows us how lucky the book community is to have an author like CG Drews writing in our lifetime. They are such an undeniable talent and there will never be a time where I'm not desperate to read their next book.

The first thing I noticed when starting this book was the breathtaking atmosphere. It's incredible to see how Drews can reach out and pull readers into the setting they've created. It's impossible to read this book and not feel like you're right there in the Hazelthorn estate with the characters. Description and setting are my favorite parts of any fantasy book and I don't think I've ever seen them done so well.

I'm not sure where to begin with how incredible the characters are. Each individual has an outstandingly deep and unique personality. Without a well-written character, it's easy for a book to struggle. Drews, however, has mastered character building in a way where even inanimate objects seem to have personality and depth. The story is emotional on its own, but the connection readers will form with these characters makes those more intense plot points hit so much harder.

Along with the characters, Drews writes the most wonderful relationships. Whether it's love or hate, everything is incredibly well thought out. The love stories in their books are eternally complicated but still so beautiful that you'll never be able to stop thinking about them.

And the ending... I never knew what was coming with this story. The last few pages took me on a rollercoaster I wasn't quite sure I wanted to get off of. Without saying too much about how it made me feel for spoiler reasons, I want to make it known that there could not have been a more perfect ending for this book. The last pages were exactly what they needed to be and I love them with my entire heart.

I could truly go on and on about this book forever. There is so much to love about this story. There's body horror and a garden with a mind of its own. There's love and hate. There's beauty and terror. Everything you could ever want is placed carefully onto the pages of this book. Hazelthorn wrapped its vines around my heart and squeezed as tight as it could, only letting go when the time was right. The seeds of this story have grown in my mind and taken their permanent place there. If any book will stick with me forever, it's this one.

Review on Goodreads (sophreadingbooks https://www.goodreads.com/sophreadingbooks) as of 3/16/2025
Review on Instagram (sophiesreading https://www.instagram.com/sophiesreading/) expected 3/19/2025

Don't Let the Forest In was one of the first books I reviewed on NetGalley so I was so incredibly excited when I was approved for Hazelthorn. Overall, just what another amazing book by C.G. Drews. Gothic horror/fantasy is my favorite niche-genre so I've read a ton of these kind of books and this was just a home run. Once again, Drews did an excellent job making the garden just as creepy and dangerous as the human villains of the story. Honestly, by the end it was more of a complicated character than some of the people ever were. I love how the author makes them autonomous beings, without being overly fantastical. They added enough conflict and ambience without overtaking the importance of the other characters.

Speaking of the characters, they were all so well done and interesting, even the antagonists who were honestly kind of one-note. Evander was a sympathetic and exhausted character who went through an amazing character journey throughout the book. His fight to overcome his "weaknesses" and find his own form of strength was so heartwarming and compelling. He was a great representation of how society often wants to "other" people with disabilities and/or mental health issues by vilifying them pushing them out of the public eye. Laurie was a complex and tragic character who was trying desperately to get out from his family's thumb while also trying to help the boy he loved. Their romance was so endearing and had a very natural development that had me rooting for them, even when I probably shouldn't have been. And then the rest of the Lennox-Hall family played a great true villain role with absolutely no chance of redemption. They did great in adding to the dread and unsettling nature of the story.

The best way to describe this book was that it was a perfectly atmospheric and creepy story, that didn't sacrifice character development or plot just for scares. In the end, Drews is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and I will always be eagerly awaiting their next book.

<b>ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.</b>

<i>5 ☆</i>

This is a mind consuming book. There was so much to this book I can’t believe I thought it would be normal in the beginning. It was messy but also beautiful. I was actually really surprised with the twists and turns. I felt the same fascination as I did when reading The Spirit Bares Its Teeth.

Whoever wrote in their review that this was the most autistic book they’ve ever read… I kind of understand what they mean.

This was seriously so incredible. At first I was worried that the rich mansion wayward kids thing has been done before, but this read was absolutely exquisite.

The writing in this book was so engrossing - the way that Drews brought the language of the garden into all aspects of this book was fantastic. There are some definite content warnings re: abuse, and I peeked at the end too early and got unnecessarily sad but I actually really loved the the way the two main characters' history developed over the course of especially the second half of the book. I'm excited for pub date - I am definitely recommending this to all my horror people in October. Thank you Macmillan for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

An exquisite gem of a novel. Drews has the incredibly rare ability to intertwine the horrifying with the hopeful and keep readers invested in every single step of the story.

“Pain is meant to take up space or else we wouldn’t know how to scream. Fuck making your agony silent to avoid disturbing others. Maybe they should be disturbed.”

Plant horror, my beloved. Hazelthorn absolutely has my heart. This was such a beautiful book, and despite not having a heartbreaking ending made me cry upon finishing it. The language was absolutely stunning and atmospheric. The main characters were deliciously complicated and rage-filled. I honestly have zero complaints which is super rare for me. This book was disturbing in all the right ways. If you're interested in twisted, dark, angry novels definitely pick this one up.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

4/5 stars
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This book is full of vines and rot and botanical imagery that pulls on my love for horror and nature. I devoured both "Hazelthorn" and "Don't let the forest in" by CG Drews. Before discovering CG Drews I wasn't aware this book genre was missing from my life. There's absolutely no turning back now. I'll just have to read everything they write.

Hazelthorn is a scrambled combination of "The Secret Garden" By Frances Hodgson Burnett and "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" By Shirley Jackson. And it just works so well. It's obsessive, desperate, haunting, and steeped in sinister moss and rotting flesh. You won't be able to put it down. Vine tendrils will keep pulling you back in.

Drews always strives for including diverse representation in their books and if that is something you look for as a reader you won't be disappointed. This book is a great combination of Autism spectrum disorder, a flesh eating garden, and an LGBTQ+ love story.

The cover is gorgeous. The dedication is perfect. And the printed text is very detailed. Reads who like flowery and poetic descriptions will enjoy this. CG Drews definitely utilizes and treats writing like an art form. Which is refreshing and something I really enjoy about their books.
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Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for providing me with a e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley, CG Drews and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for the eArc of Hazelthorn.

This book blew me away. CG Drews has a very poetic way of writing. It's so descriptive, it draws you in, grabs you and doesn't let go. I really related and enjoyed the representations of this book. Knowing people in my life that are Queer, Autistic, ADHD and just in general, different. CG Drews portrays how devastatingly lonely being different can be and what lengths, wishes almost not to be. There is also acceptance and love within his writing.

The elements and pacing of this book worked really well, it flowed and I pretty much read this in one sitting. As with his previous book Ive read, Don't Let The Forest In. I loved the illustrations with in Hazelthorn, so much so, I wish there was more,


5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Publishing for providing me with this ARC!

This book was so atmospheric and spooky; I was engrossed by the vibes. I was on edge the whole time reading and physically squirming at some scenes. The third act was phenomenal and gripping.

I really wanted to love this but had a lot of difficulty connecting to our main characters. I am autistic and so I loved that aspect of Evander and related to it heavily, but the rest of his personality I just felt removed from. I felt similarly with Laurie—got a lot of smirks from him but not much depth for a lot of the book.

Right from the beginning I knew Hazelthorn was going to be a love letter to rot and decay. This book was dark, gory, lush, and wild. Evander’s character was so unique and complex that even though I predicted he wasn't totally human, I was still shocked at every twist and turn the story took. The reader looks Hazelthorn right in the face from the start, they just have to dig to truly see it. CG Drews is one of the greatest voices of YA horror that I've read in a long time.

I ate UP “don’t let the forest in” & was soooo excited to get approved for this book. I am a sucker for gothic books & this exceeded my expectations. a haunted mansion? a creepy garden? an eerie, unsettling plot? OMGGGGGG. this book hit every mark & then some. CG Drew is quickly becoming one of my auto buy authors.