Hazelthorn by CG Drews is a gorgeously unsettling gothic thriller that will leave readers captivated by its eerie atmosphere and twisted narrative. Evander, a young man raised in isolation under the watchful eye of his enigmatic guardian, Byron Lennox-Hall, finds himself suddenly thrust into a dangerous inheritance after Byron’s mysterious death. The sprawling estate, however, harbors more than just dark secrets—it’s home to a bloodthirsty garden that seems to grow more sinister with each passing day. Drews masterfully blends elements of body horror, mystery, and psychological tension, creating a deeply immersive story that will haunt readers long after the final page. With a richly atmospheric setting, complex characters, and a chilling sense of dread, Hazelthorn is perfect for fans of unsettling tales like We Have Always Lived in the Castle.

OMG another great book from CG Drews! This book had me reading between my fingers like I could hide from this botanical/garden horror! No matter how creepy it got I was addicted! Every time I thought I knew what was happening I was thrown another curve ball I didn’t see coming. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat.

So thankful to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for my eARC

This book follows Evander who has been living like a ghost. Trapped and medicated in his room for seven years since his childhood friend, Laurie tried to kill him. Until one day his door unlocks…

Stepping out into the world of his gothic, derelict mansion and haunting overgrown garden, Evander discovers why he’s been locked in.

This book is a YA horror with gothic vibes, a murder mystery, botanical body horror, secret garden vibes, Queer romance (MM), suspense and a happy ending (in my opinion).

Just like " Don't let the Forest in", Hazelthorn is a love letter to Gothic horror.

Within the first pages, it's roots sunk deep and refused to let me escape until I finished.

For fans of "Thrum" and " A Lonely Broadcast", this book is not to be slept on.

The book was a masterpiece. The characters were spot-on, and the plot kept the reader hooked. The book could be relatable to many young people as well as adults, it was very well written. I will be buying a copy to put on my shelf.

If you love fantasy, friendship, and magic, this is for you!

"Hazelthorn" by CG Drews is a captivating fantasy novel that weaves together themes of magic, friendship, and self-discovery. Set in a richly imagined world, the story follows the journey of its protagonist as she navigates the challenges of her magical abilities and the complexities of her relationships.

The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on their toes as the protagonist confronts both external conflicts and internal dilemmas. Themes of friendship and loyalty are explored beautifully, showcasing the importance of support and understanding in overcoming adversity. The pacing of the story strikes a good balance between action and introspection, allowing for character development while maintaining an engaging narrative momentum.

"Hazelthorn" is a delightful read for fans of fantasy and coming-of-age stories. CG Drews has created a mesmerizing tale that captures the magic of friendship and the journey of self-discovery, making it a compelling addition to the genre. Readers will find themselves enchanted by the world of Hazelthorn and eager to see where the journey leads next.

Oh my gosh. The same beautiful prose as Don’t Let the Forest In returns in Hazelthorn. CG Drews delivers on everything I love in a YA horror; gothic, creepy, queer. It’s just beautiful.

A wonderfully dark YA queer novel that reminds me of The Secret Garden. It has all the twists and turns and there were times I audibly gasped but also giggled. I absolutely loved this authors other work but this might be my favorite yet. It's earthy and brutal, intoxicating yet deadly and left me yearning for my own wild garden with a mind of its own.

A gothic mansion, a mysterious death, and sinister garden vibes? Sign me up. Evander has lived in the walls of the Hazelthorn estate since he was orphaned as a child. Seven years ago, he was nearly killed by Laurie, the enigmatic grandson of his wealthy guardian, Byron Lennox-Hall. After Byron's unexpected death, Evander is shocked to learn that he - and not one of the Lennox-Halls - has inherited Hazelthorn and the entirety of the Lennox-Hall family's obscene wealth. Unsurprisingly, this does not sit well with the remaining Lennox-Halls. Moreover, Evander is convinced that his guardian was murdered. As Evander investigates, he is reunited with Laurie (despite their past, Evander and Laurie remain drawn to each other), who may be the only one who can save Evander from the Lennox-Halls, from the gardens, and perhaps even from himself. As the gardens continue to escape their walls, infiltrating the house and seemingly pursuing Evander as well, will Evander be able to save himself and escape alive?

Having recently read (and loved) CG Drews' Don't Let the Forest In, I was thrilled at the opportunity to read an ARC of Hazelthorn. Hazelthorn is a dark and twisted novel full of gorgeous prose, botanical body horror, and unrelenting terror. The mysterious, tense relationship between Evander and Laurie is the heart of the book, and their banter is a lovely homage to the characters of Andrew and Thomas in Don't Let the Forest In. My need to know the secrets of the gardens kept me turning the pages, as well as the desperate desire to learn the ultimate fates of the main characters. I was thoroughly surprised by some revelations and distraught to have my suspicions confirmed by others - leaving me staring at the wall after the last page (but also wanting more).

This book is like a dark, twisted fairy tale that wraps you in its embrace and refuses to let go. I devoured it in one sitting, desperately reading through every twist and turn.

The story follows Evander, a boy trapped in the mysterious Hazelthorn estate, and his complicated dance with Laurie, the charming but troubled grandson of his guardian.

Hazelthorn is a fantastic story that explores themes of trauma and isolation. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys dark fantasy and gothic horror.

I was anticipating reading this one after Don't let the forest in and I absolutely loved it!
I love Evander and Laurie relationship and the written gore of it. I adored how it talked about the rage of losing the autonomy of your own body and gaslighted into thinking you are not normal for simply existing for both of them
The horror made by the plants eating the mansion was so well done, the atmosphere felt tense the entire time

Writing a review for something so beautiful is so difficult. My words cannot properly convey how perfectly the story was told. The atmosphere, tone, and characters were so well rounded and communicated so perfectly that I felt like I was truly along for the ride.

Evander and Laurie have truly haunted me (in the best way possible) since I finished the book two weeks ago.

CG Drews has done it again. I was first introduced to them through an ARC ad for Don’t Let the Forest In and I have been hooked since. Don’t Let the Forest In immediately became one of my all-time favorite books so when ARCs opened for Hazelthorn, I jumped to apply.

I don’t know what it is about CG Drews’ writing but it is beautiful and immersive and slightly insanity-inducing in the best way. Evander is a sickly teenager who doesn’t know who he is; the only things he does know is that he is certainly not normal and that his childhood best friend tried to kill him. When Evander’s guardian dies, Evander goes to great lengths to investigate - even going so far as to team up with said childhood best friend. But the estate is not what it seems and the garden is all Evander thinks about. The garden has infiltrated his mind in every possible way. This is a story of not fitting in, yearning, panic, mystery, and botany. It is creepy and beautiful and surprising. Perfect for fans of cottagecore, plants, and horror with a bit of romance.

I expected an ending similar to Don’t Let the Forest In, but I felt satisfied and content with the ending of Hazelthorn (whereas Don’t Let the Forest In kept me spiraling). CG Drews can obviously write both kinds of endings with perfection! Highly recommend this beautifully haunting story. Now I look forward to their adult debut🤩.

I really liked CG Drew’s first novel Don’t Let the Forest In so I was excited when I saw this was releasing soon. I think the book does a great job at illustrating the horror and thriller aspects of the book. I am a sucker for queer romance so I may have been biased going in with the characters. The gothic elements have me gagginggggg. I am actually obsessed. I kind of had some inklings about how the book was progressing but that didn’t stop me from gasping at certain points. I’ve already preordered my physical copy at B&N; it’s just that good!

I wasn’t sure if I could like this any more than Don’t Let the Forest In, but I think I did. I had a hunch about the twist fairly early on, but it did not stop me from being fully invested in and stressed out about what these kids were going through. Once again, Drews has managed to perfectly balance dark gothic spooky vibes with gorgeous prose and botanical imagery. Truly stunning.

C.G. Drews’ Hazelthorn is a mesmerizing blend of gothic horror, psychological thriller, and queer romance, wrapped in lush, eerie prose that lingers long after the final page. This book is an atmospheric feast of creeping dread, unreliable narration, and monstrous secrets lurking beyond a forbidden door.

At the heart of the story is Evander, a boy shackled by his past and trapped in a decaying mansion where nightmares feel more real than memories. The haunted estate is more than just a setting—it’s a living, breathing entity, as sinister and hungry as the secrets it conceals. Evander’s journey is as heartbreaking as it is harrowing. His confusion and pain are palpable, made all the more compelling by Drews’ ability to craft deeply flawed yet achingly human characters. The relationship between Evander and Laurie is a slow-burning, painful unraveling of past betrayals and forgotten bonds.

The prose, while stunning, sometimes dips into repetitiveness—certain descriptions and motifs are used so frequently that they lose a bit of their impact. There are moments where the pacing lags, especially in the middle, as the story circles around the same feelings of dread and uncertainty. However, the sheer intensity of the final act more than makes up for any sluggish moments, delivering a climax that is as horrifying as it is satisfying.

Fans of Gallant by V.E. Schwab and The Starling House by Alix E. Harrow will feel right at home in its eerie halls. Hazelthorn reminded me of The Yellow Wallpaper in the best way—haunting, immersive, and impossible to shake. Just be warned: once you step into this world, it may never let you go. Find this on shelves October 28!

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the complimentary eARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the DRC.

I had read CG Drews' first novel Don't Let the Forest In and had enjoyed it. What had grabbed me about that book was the characters as well as the pitch perfect descriptions of horror and gore. I'm a little sad that I did not enjoy Hazelthorn quite as much. Drews' abilities as a writer to evoke both horror and awe in their descriptions of the plant life doing horrific things is still top notch. However, I found myself struggling to care about the main characters until pretty much the end. The first two thirds of the book feel like set up and while necessary, I found it harder to get through but very much appreciated the last third where everything kicked off both action and character-wise.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
# Pages: 368
Publication Date: 10.28.25

“What if the worst of us is the only part that’s real?”

* YA Gothic Horror
* Botanical Body Horror
* Murders Mystery
* Queer Romance (MM)
* LGBTQ+ Rep
* Evil Secret Garden Vibes
* Hate To Love
* Rich Family Drama
* Dark Fantasy

Synopsis:
Hazelthorn is a deeply unsettling yet hauntingly beautiful tale of mystery and botanical body horror, perfect for fans of Andrew Joseph White, Belladonna, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle. A teenage orphan inherits a murdered reclusive billionaire's gothic estate and must find the killer with the help of his (unfortunately attractive) nemesis and contend with a mysterious garden that has a dark and terrible appetite.

“Hazelthron” by C.B. Drews was a hauntingly twisted and a beautiful queer novel. The imagery, vision, world building, character development, and overall aesthetic was perfect. I loved the mystery and twists and turns that kept me guessing.

Evander and Laurie have a complicated and bloody past, especially together.. They come together to try to solve the murder of their Guardian in the vast monster filled Hazelthorn manor. I loved their bickering to each other and how relatable they were. The slow burn was everything and really helped tie it all together.

Overall, this book was spectacular and everything I needed for a gothic horror. Impeccable storytelling and was of keeping readers captivated. I highly recommend this book! Especially if you loved the last book from C.B. Drews.

Thank you netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for this ARC read.

Creepy gothic mansions!! I really enjoyed the writing/prose in this. Plant horror is something I really didn't know I needed until now! Will definitely need to check out from Drews - this was a perfect blend of creepy and mysterious.

This is one of the most beautifully twisted horror/love stories that I have ever read. Evander and Laurie are written in such a gorgeous breathtaking way that I was unable to out the book down no matter how hard I tried. This book has cemented it's way into one of my top five best books ever read. Well done! Can't wait to search out more from this author!

I loved Hazelthorn. I learned about my love for forest rot vibes after reading Don’t Let the Forest In and can confirm, I am still a fan. The imagery is so haunting in the best way that makes my little gothic heart happy. Did it unlock my trypophobia at some points? Absolutely. Did I still love everything about it? 100%.