Hazelthorn is a story about Evander as he discovers secrets and memories hidden in the overgrown garden that is Hazlethorn. Though the first 40% (ish) seems more like a murder mystery than a horror, the horror element slowly creep in overtime (warning for body horror).
There are very few things I appreciate more in literature than a a YA writer who trusts their audience. Drew’s takes time to build suspect and intriguing, then slowly lets the answers unfurl without over explaining them. Don’t let the fact that this is YA make you think it isn’t true horror. There were many times I found myself cringing.
If you liked Drew’s other book, Don’t Let the Forest In, you’ll like Hazelthorn. The vibes are very similar, though the story itself is wholly different and unique. I also think fans of Little Shop of Horrors would like this book. It also has LGBTQ+ representation and subtle autism representation.
My only critique is I think, if you’re not me, this book is very predictable. Because the atmosphere of Hazelthorn and Don’t Let the Forest In are so similar, I assumed the twists and the plot elements Drew used would also be similar. This lead to me being a little blind in my interpretation to the events happening. Also, I would say most of the characters aren’t likable, though that’s not to say they aren’t enjoyable. I would suggest Hazelthorn who liked horror or is interested in trying horror.
Thank you to Netgally and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. I knew early on that I’d enjoy this book, but I wasn’t prepared for how deeply I’d fall in love with it by the end. CG Drews has crafted something monstrously beautifulequal parts horror, queer love, and emotional depth, all written with breathtaking, poetic skill. The characters are vivid and unforgettable, the setting is hauntingly immersive, and the plot twists left me reeling in the best way.

Evander’s narration had me glued to the page ,I couldn’t tear myself away. Hazelthorn has wrapped its vines around my heart, and I don’t think it’s ever letting go. If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would. CG Drews is now an auto buy author for me. Add this to your TBR immediately.

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

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7451064500

Hazelthorn* captivates from the first page with its atmospheric queer gothic setting and the electric dynamic between protagonists Laurie and Evander. The story pulls you in immediately and refuses to let go, making it impossible to put down until you've devoured every delicious word..

What makes *Hazelthorn* truly special is how it honors gothic traditions while reimagining them through a queer lens, creating something that feels both classic and refreshingly new. If you enjoy atmospheric settings, sharp dialogue, and relationships that develop through delightful bickering, this book should be at the top of your reading list.

When I saw that CG Drews was releasing another book with botanical horror featuring queer characters, I RAN to NetGalley for that ARC because "Don't Let the Forest In" absolutely destroyed me in the best way possible. "Hazelthorn" tormented me, made me cry, and pieced me back together as someone who is both queer and neurodivergent. If I could have Drews' writing injected directly into my veins, I would happily do so because every moment I spent reading their second novel was indescribable. I didn't put this book down until it was finished; my only regret is that I don't have more to read.

I don't know what it is about their writing, but it draws the reader in and holds them there, never once letting interest falter. Reading through "Hazelthorn" I found myself drawn equally to Evander and Laurie -- both boys with ND traits that I've often struggled with. Not that the queerness comes second to this, but the way that Evander's autism is treated by those who are meant to be caring for him felt so real and not at all tropey like I've seen from some other authors. It's very apparent to me that CG Drews not only knew what they were doing, but cared enough to make sure that their ND readers understood that no one deserves to be treated the way that many autistic people are treated when they're struggling.

Evander and Laurie's dynamic pulled on my heartstrings, their pain often feeling like thorns in my heart as I read on. I don't often give a book 5 stars, but I highly doubt there will ever be a time that I don't rank one of CG Drews' books below that. I'd give this 1000 stars if I could.

This was really, really good. Don't Let the Forest In gripped me from page one and this book was no different. I was fully engaged while reading this book. I thought the plot, characters and setting were so interesting. Drews knows how to paint a grotesquely beautiful picture. The way that nature and the garden are personified was so well done! I loved reading the relationship dynamic between our main characters and how the mystery of their relationship unfolds. The plot dragged a little at times, but the end makes up for it all. Really great sophomore novel, I will be reading everything Drews puts out!

Hazelthorn is a book that truly devours. Both the story and the place sink their teeth into you and don't let go. You are drawn into this world of garden gates and overgrown ivy and secrets slowly and then all at once until you don't even realize the dirt has risen to your chest and you are choking on it (in a good way).
What starts as the mystery of Hazelthorn and the death of Byron Lennox-Hall and the inheritance of his estate slowly evolves into so much more. There isn't just one mystery in this story, there are dozens. Behind every locked door is a story. A story of betrayal and anger and learning to make yourself small. A story of the love we think we deserve and the cruelty we tell ourselves is love. Of monsters and becoming monstrous and what we do to survive. Of birth and death and rebirth and burning it all down and standing in the wreckage.
And at the center of it all are Evander and Laurie. These two boys, both tender and feral and broken. How I love them. CG Drews crafts them with such care and compassion. They are the story's beating heart. I love how they can be so many things. So complicated and violent and dangerous and scared and yet I rooted for them with my whole heart. I'm sure they wouldn't feel like they deserved it, but all I wanted was to see them win. Not just survive, but thrive.
Putting down this book feels like escaping from trance. The last few chapters are a blur of emotion and reveals and so many emotions. I cannot wait to go back and read Don't Let the Forest In now.

~Sometimes the snarl, the insult, the teethmarks cut into the nearest person are so often a reflection of the bruises you already wear.~

My GOD. I am utterly obsessed with this. The story alone is magnificent, but the language unfurls and wraps around you, taking root in your soul. The body horror is terrifying and yet the imagery is so beautiful that you look forward to every gruesome, delicious bite.

Evander is an unreliable narrator trapped in the strangest house, desperate to uncover the secrets of his past. You won’t be prepared for what he finds!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Macmillan for the ARC.

WOW. This book was haunting. It was beautiful. It was, simply, everything. This is my first book by @paperfury and I can't wait to read more.

The story follows Evander, reeling in the wake of his caretaker's death, attempting to make sense of the world around him, his untamable yearning for fellow ward, Laurie, and the dangerous garden surrounding the estate.

The writing is wonderful and evokative. The imagery is striking. The story itself is beautiful and devastating. I don't want to give away too much of the actual events themselves, but trust me this is a must read for anyone who is a fan of Gothic queer horror.

5/5⭐, more if I could.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

CG Drews took every piece that worked in Don't Let the Forest In and truly spun into excellence. Every piece of this novel works so well together. The nods to the Secret Garden, the understanding of gothic and Romantic literature in a modern space, and the balance of tension and unease with hope all pull together into a delightful horror. Every twist is earned and laid out in such away that while tension breaks it does continue the crescendo. Drews understands gothic horror in a way that embraces the nature and audience of YA literature and in doing so well opens it to a range of readers.

I have said before that there is a certain level of "ew gross" I require to be happy in my horror novels. And I am pleased to report that I did mutter this on multiple occasions. Additionally, I am on the recorded as believing that the best of horror questions both the norms of our own societies and embraces wider pain of humanity and life at large. There is nothing quiet like a darkness that is based in grief unprocessed or a longing finally answered. For this to truly pay off, characterization is everything. Drews yet again captures a very strong, and very true picture of teenage loneliness and desperation in the face unworldly horror.

4.5 stars rounded up. This was a masterpiece. I felt every emotion on the spectrum, I laughed, I cried, I loved, I hated, I grieved.

This book is DARK. And twisty. And beautifully written. The story takes place at a crumbling gothic mansion with a murderous and overgrown garden. I felt the rage and claustrophobia seeping from the pages, and I cried for the main characters. I never quite knew what was real. This book will haunt me for a long time, which I believe the author intended.

When I saw the email that I was pre-approved to read this I was SO quick to accept! I loved Don’t Let the Forest In and I was so excited for the chance to read this one. I was not disappointed. This author’s writing style is lyrical to read and always sucks me in. And their ideas are so creative and interesting. I hope they and their publisher always give me the chance to read ARCs because I will always jump at the chance.

Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy shit.

I am actually obsessed with this book. The twists and turns were so good, the imagery made Hazelthorn feel like a real place. Evander and Laurie are such amazing well rounded characters.

I can confidently say that Hazelthorn will be one of my top reads of the year. CG Drews’ writing is so poetic and haunting. It was so enveloping & beautiful🖤

I am obsessed with this book. I love love love the graphic imagery and figurative language throughout this book. Everything feels very visceral and beautiful and disgusting and so many other feelings.
While this book has many elements that are not possible in real life, Evander's feelings and experiences are very relatable to autistic and queer readers (myself included). I have felt a lot like Evander in my life and I have heard similar sentiments from people in my life regarding personal and societal injustices. I relate to his rage and many parts of his inner turmoil.
The characters and the story are written so well. There were many twists and I was very surprised at many points. The characters are multifaceted, even the antagonists, and new information is revealed about them as the story goes on.
I recommend this story so highly and I can't wait for it to release so I can buy a physical copy.
Thanks NetGalley for providing this awesome book!

There is really so much I loved about this. The environment, this guy in a home of rich horrible people, the mystery of a murder and the mystery of the main person (Evander)‘s death.

Evander was hard to read from, as his mind was so sporadic. It felt like stream of consciousness a lot of the time. Because of that, if I didn’t focus for a sentence or two I would have to go and reread everything. The writing was very beautiful.

I loved the relationship between Evander and Laurie. The desperation they had for each other was very palpable and interesting.

There was one main reveal that I sniffed out from the begging, but it was revealed very perfectly. I would definitely recommend this, but I don’t think I would gravitate towards it ever again.

This is it right here! When I say I want a gothic immersive read C.G. Drews knocks it out of the park. The imagery is so good that I often felt like I was the one with dirt or thorns in my mouth. I can not stop praising her books to anyone that loves the genre. While I do think the twist is a little predictable and not as good as Don't Let the Forest In, I still enjoyed it immensely. Please keep writing books like these they're gold!

CG Drews has a prowess for ripping out my heart and replacing it with a botanical nightmare that is so beautifully devastating, it's impossible to regain any grasp on reality. I'm not sure if I devoured Hazelthorn or if I was the one devoured in the end.

The plot has everything. A creepy, gothic, moody vibe? Sign me up. A passionate and devastating queer romance? Yes, please. A wealthy family with a horrifying secret? You know it. The flawless combination of psychological AND physical horror? Seriously, it was perfectly unsettling. I also didn't realize how badly I needed the forest rot aesthetic in my life until reading CG Drews. They also truly say so much between the lines, and the underlying themes throughout this book invoked so many emotions I didn't anticipate.

The characters are tragically complex. With each flaw that was uncovered about Evander or Laurie, I only rooted for them more. Each glimpse into the "truth" (whatever that means) of their upbringing and experiences was heartbreaking There is nothing I love more than an unreliable narrator who you root for (no pun intended?) more than anything. The entire story spirals out of control into curated chaos, but somehow provides the most satisfying and fitting ending.

"He is the cuckoo in the nest of broken twigs and wishbones and bloody hearts, and he still doesn't understand why he inherited Hazelthorn over everyone else."

And the writing. The writing is absolutely stunning. I don't annotate much when reading ebooks, but I had to highlight many absolutely beautiful sentences that hit me like a ton of bricks. The imagery is so perfect I could not only see the garden in all its feral glory, but I could practically smell the rot, feel Evander's hunger, and taste the soil.

After Don't Let the Forest In, I stared at a wall for an hour not knowing my own name. It's rare that any book grasps me aggressively by the soul, but needless to say CG has done it again with Hazelthorn. I will be thinking about this book for a long time, and look forward to reading anything and everything they write going forward.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC! I was dying to read this and it was everything I wanted and more.

"There's something wrong with you"
Something too many children hear when something goe against the grain of society or the household. A line that cuts deep and hurts despite being made of such small words. Just these words alone hit a bit close to home for me on a personal level.

This is a shocking book that I cannot believe is young adult. The flowery descriptive language had me thinking and reflecting. It's very poetic in setting the scene of the manor and the gardens. The internal nature of the beginning chapters are a deep reflection of Evander, who is isolated and alone and despite his studies is still outcast. He is everything a good child should be, quiet, understanding, patient, loving and is given nothing in return.

Laurie is a brat of a child and he is the result of being part of the other side, the wealthy trouble child. Fancy clothes, boarding school, etc. But the reasons children act out is often times misunderstood by adults and readers alike.

For the first half of the book, I was caught up in the wonderful poetry of the world even thought mystery isn't a topic my brain likes to dissect. I then devoured the second half of the book. My ereader just trapped in my hand, my eyes sparing a glance whenever I had a spare minute.

After reading Don't Let the Forest In, I was super excited for what Drews came up with in their sophomore book, and they didn't disappoint. This was a ride for sure. I love gothic, botanical horror/mystery. Drews has a way with flowery prose that just builds the creepy atmosphere, permeating every part of the story. I wish that there was more explored in Laurie and Evander's relationship though. I feel like it went from dislike/mistrust to codependency in 0.5 seconds and while I understand based on the ending, I just wish more had been built between them. Overall, it was a great YA gothic horror, with stunning illustrations and a unique plot.

C.G. Drews… you ✨f@&$ing✨ clever human being. This novel is a triumph.

This novel is an uncontrolled, chaotic spiral that will leave you unable to stop thinking about it. It’s horrifying, beautiful, and deeply unhinged. An absolute masterpiece.

Evander is the ill, ghost-of-a-boy locked away for his own good, told he can never leave. Laurie is the snarky, infuriating boy on the other side of the window who tried to kill him seven years ago, and who Evander is deeply obsessed with. When death comes to Hazelthorn chaos ensues as the Lennox-Hall family invades to get a piece of the inheritance, an inheritance to be given to Evander upon his 18th birthday. But he must choose a temporary guardian from one of Laurie’s horrible family members who are keeping deadly secrets, and Evander’s would-be killer might be the only one who can help him out of this mess.

And the garden is ✨hungry✨.

I think what I love about Drews’ work is that it’s so utterly unique. You can’t tell if the main characters want to literally eat each other or figuratively eat each other with a sprinkle of spice (it’s YA, so no real spice, but you know what I mean—a ✨sprinkle✨). Their writing is so beautiful and haunting and devastating—it’s just thrilling to read. I don’t think I’ve ever been blindsided by a plot so much.

The garden is a bit evil, the mansion is a bit haunted, and the enemies to lovers is a lot bit misunderstood—just the way we all want it. I have goosebumps and I just might throw up.

It’s fine. I’m fine.

I don’t know what else to say other than: don’t pirate their books. It’s not cute, but what is cute is the special edition coming out that I’ve already preordered. Before finishing it. What else is cute is Evander and Laurie. Cute in a bloody, rip-the-tendons-from-your-wrist-with-my-teeth sort of way. Really, the scream I scrumpt.

Thank you so much to Macmillan, C.G. Drews, and NetGalley for the ARC, I am forever grateful.