Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This story was interesting, and the body horror in it was definitely quite eerie. I was not a big fan of the writing style as sometimes it seemed a little too lyrical and overly detailed at times, but it was still a good story with a good message. This is my first C.G. Drews book and I would really like to read their first one. This story could have been fleshed out a little more to provide more detail on Hazelthorn and the two mmc's connection to it and to each other. They also fell a little flat with personality, but then again, I can see why they may act the way they do. Ultimately, it is a decent gothic horror to read on the road to Halloween.

Thank you to NetGalley, author CG Drews, and publisher Macmillan and imprint Feiwel & Friends for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

DISCLAIMER ; Any quotes mentioned in this review come strictly from the uncorrected Advanced Reader Copy and may not appear in the final, published copy.

Potential Spoilers / Check author website for Trigger & Content Warnings !

4.5 ⭐️ROUNDED UP

So many thoughts and feelings I could write about this but none come close to actuality and describing HAZELTHORN just right. HAZELTHORN is a lush, dreamlike nightmare disguised at times as a free trial to psychosis. Trust no one, not even yourself or who you think you are.

Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN meets DARK SHADOWS (2012) meets ADDAMS FAMILY (1991) but without all the cutesy hijinks and a LOT more murderous treachery.

From page one, the story hooks you in with its vines and thorns, holding tight until the very end and despite getting a taste, the reader hungers for more. There are the occasional pacing issues, namely towards the middle, and namely where everything is going very wrong and you’re just screaming at the main character to get their butt in gear because dangerous families and monstrous gardens wait for absolutely no one.

Overall, this story is wicked and gross and wholly enjoyable from start to finish and I can only hope author CG Drews continues to delve into the world of botanical horror.

”He is Icarus with wings of swan feathers, who chose to fly into the sun because it looked like a pretty boy.”

4.5/5 Rounded Up

Since reading Don't Let the Forest In, I was waiting to be back in a world written by CG Drews. This book was the angry, queer, gothic story that I've been waiting for. Between a haunted garden and anger in droves - this book kept my attention from page one.

Hazelthorn is lush, gothic and sickly sweet in a rotting kind of way. More so, it's a dark story about body autonomy and choices that are often taken away from those consider unwell. Evander, my sweet boy, just wants to know what's wrong with him and to discover what has been calling out to him. He's been told he's sick his whole life and has been forced to hide those feelings. But now he has a voice for it, learning how to embrace his pain and his thoughts. And LAURIE MY SWEET LAURENCE I LOVE YOU SM. Laurie, with his hard devil may care attitude, when he in fact cares so deeply that it's killing him. The connection between Laurie and Evander was everything to me in this book.

The atmosphere of this book was so well done. You can feel Evander's claustrophobia and choking in his environment. The "Not everything as it seems" story telling is beautifully written, with a prose that wraps you up and suffocates you. The house and garden, Evander's personal nightmare, is a character its self, looming over your shoulder waiting to strike.

An amazing book that I know will stick with me like vines in my lungs.

Thank you Netgalley, MacMillan Children's Publishing Group and CG Drews for an eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.

Just absolutely unsettling. I was hooked from the start. Such an amazing follow-up to their first novel. Hazelthorn is everything I want in a book and more. CG Drews has such an incredible way of making the reader feel like they're in the story along with the narrator. I also feel like I was just in a gothic, inescapable estate. I'll need a few days to recover. I will absolutely be recommending this to everyone.

Drew’s does it again! Feeds me all the moss covered shaded mushroom sprouting horror romance dreams of my inner goblins desires. I want to be eerily aware of the romance and all its terrifying faults while also pinning that they go lay under the garden roots together for eternity. This is peak fall/winter vibes and an incredible escape from reality in the most terrifyingly delicious way.

C.G. Drews has done it again with their newest YA horror, Hazelthorn! Their 2024 release Don’t Let the Forest In was an instant 5 star read for me and when they announced Hazelthorn and its premise, I KNEW I would be adding a new favorite book to my life.

This book captivated me from the first sentence and I completely devoured it. Drews does such an incredible job of creating a gripping gothic atmosphere and characters that are so fully realized. Their take on horror is so uniquely haunting and immersive. The descriptions of the creeping, invasive gardens were so lush and eerie.

I related deeply to Evander’s sense of otherness throughout the story. I enjoyed the representation of autism in this story, not as a plot point or central focus of the character, but simply as a natural piece of him. His character was just so captivating, from his inner monologue to his unreliable narration.

Drews writing is able to transport their readers to a world of their own making and allow you to be completely immersed. I didn’t know how much I needed a desperate, yearning botanical horror until I was reading.

Hazelthorn comes out on October 28 and is an absolute must-read for 2025. I simply cannot say enough good things about the writing, the plot, or the characters. You just need to read it for yourself!

Thank you to NetGalley, Feiwel & Friends, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the incredible opportunity to read an advanced copy!

First my thanks to Macmillan Publishing, Feiwel & Friends, and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this novel 🫶

I’ll be honest I wasn’t familiar with C G Drew’s work but after seeing the description of this book I knew I needed to see what the hype was about.

And…. I was NOT disappointed! I love a good gothic style horror and that’s exactly what this gave. I fancy myself quite the plant enthusiast so add in the plot of a sinister garden— I’m sold!

I devoured this book in just 2 sittings. I couldn’t put it down if I tried. The mystery and horror are so beautifully written with such detailed descriptions. The pace is perfect, I never got bored for one moment. The twist? *chefs kiss*

I cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you’re looking for some horror this spooky season!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
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I LOVED this book. I absolutely adored Don’t Let the Forest In, and this scratched that itch I’ve felt ever since reading it, for something similar. C. G. Drew’s does an amazing job with their prose and making it feel both so grotesque but still so beautiful. I already wish I could read this for the first time again.

Some books describe situations and circumstances, making you care about the characters. Hazelthorn doesn’t feel like reading a story, but living it. The author managed to plant fully-formed images in my mind, like she made me see things from the inside. The main characters are so compelling. Evander is a weird teen. Something happened when he was 10 and can’t remember anything from before then. He’s also sickly and feral. Then, his guardian dies under mysterious circumstances and the rules that kept Evander somewhat sane go out the window. Then, there is Laurie, the spoiled, sarcastic and self-centered grandson of Evander’s guardian, and Evander’s nemesis. Laurie is so funny and witty, Oscar Wilde might have taken him under his wing. The other main character is Hazelthorn, the decrepit manor, and its garden. Described in all Gothic glory, it feels alive and it’s so easy to feel its wildness, the smell and humidity almost real. The plot is bananas in the best way. Evander tries to find out who killed his guardian while trying to evade the estranged family that now sees him as a cuckoo who stole their inheritance. Laurie helps sometimes, when not being an unlikable jerk. There’s body horror, which is not something I enjoy much but somehow here works great. Compelling, addictive and a truly great read.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hazelthorn
Author: C.G. Drew

Gothic fantasy sorcery. Just as captivating as Don’t Let the Forest In. This book blends murder mystery with botanical horror in the most haunting way. Evander was taken in by the wealthy family who owns the Hazelthorn estate after a tragic accident when he was a child. He is forbidden from leaving the estate, even from going outside, and worst of all, he cannot see their grandson Laurie, who once tried to kill him. When the head of the estate dies unexpectedly, relatives descend to fight over the property, only for Evander to discover that he has inherited everything. Forced to work alongside Laurie, Evander begins uncovering the truth about Byron’s death, which they suspect was murder, as well as the sinister secrets of Hazelthorn itself, where the garden has started to come alive. This book was beautiful and chilling in its own way. Drews has a way of writing stories that linger and haunt you long after you finish, in the best way possible. I feel so honored to have received an ARC. Hazelthorn releases on October 28 and it is the perfect spooky season read.

4.25 stars
Evander has been living in the run down estate of Hazelthorn since his parent’s death. When his guardian, Bryon, suddenly dies in front of him, Evander makes it his mission to find the killer, but Hazelthron refuses to give up its secrets so easily.

This is how you do botanical horror. The horror and suspense were amazing. I loved the artwork of the different plants.

The fact that I’ve had this since MARCH and only just now got around to reading it? One of y’all needs to come pick me up and take me to jail, I’ll call ahead.

I don’t think I’ve ever read such lush and evocative writing in my whole life, I could picture everything so perfectly in my head and it was so gruesome and fun! This has to be the gold standard for botanical horror, for cottageGORE, if you will. Damn you C.G. Drews you’ve ruined me for all other botanical horror! You can make it up to me by writing for the rest of your life, please and thanks!

I wasn’t sure where we were going with Evander and Laurie at first and I was a little hesitant and was constantly muttering “Evander, STAND UP!” but it all came together at the end. I think what perfectly describes Evander and Laurie’s dynamic (towards the end) is: you know that scene in Princess Mononoke when San threatens to kill Ashitaka and he responds “You’re beautiful”? Pretty much exactly that.

I loveddddd this book, it was a little bit Knives Out, a little bit The Secret Garden, with a pinch of The Haunting of Bly Manor thrown in for good measure. I literally refuse to tell you anything else about this book. OK FINE one more thing, loveddddd that many of the Lennox-Halls had plant names, some of them poisonous plants. I see you C.G. Drews.

Idk if you don’t read this book that’s fine I guess but I will tell the garden on you and the garden will deal with you accordingly.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think I was halfway through this book when I thought to myself “this is amazing, I haven’t read anything like this before.”

The writing was beautiful and eerie. The story follows a haunted mansion and an eccentric, wealthy family, the Lennox-Halls, and an outcast boy, Evander, who has been locked in his bedroom since he can remember. All he knows is that Laurie, the youngest Lennox-Hall, tried to bury him alive when he they were younger and the hatred he feels towards him. The story starts when Evander’s door is unlocked, but by whom?

This is the epitome of gothic & body horror literature. You felt the obsession these boys felt. It was a beautifully haunted atmosphere. When we reached the tipping point you felt the drama and remorse. The ending was exhilarating.

I agree with others that it is best to go into this blind to get the most impactful and emotional read.

When I picked this book up I didn’t realize it was by the author of Don’t Let the Forest In. I’ve never read this, but it has been my TBR after hearing how good that was. I will be buying it after this read!

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a review.

I loved this book, Evander is both extremely relatable and way over the top anxious the point of madness. I’m normally very good at seeing where a story is going but with Hazelthorn I felt like I was learning things at the same pace as Evander. I also loved the slow but consistent sexual tension and the constant attempts get the upper hand between Evander and Laurie. Can’t wait to get the hardcover when released, 10/10

I cannot say enough good things about Hazelthorn! The plot was addictive, the twists were exquisite, and I fell in love with the main characters from the get-go.

This book contains:

🥀 Queer yearning
🥀 Botanical body horror
🥀 Garden rot
🥀 Loving someone so obsessively you want to live inside their bones

I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this in October, and I highly recommend pre-ordering it ASAP!

drews has written a gothic, queer fairy tale full of rot, romance, and creeping dread. the pacing winds slow, like ivy around a throat, but the payoff blooms beautifully dark. perfect if you like your horror lush and lyrical.

CG Drews has done it again! After reading their previous book Don't Let the Forest In (if you haven't checked it out, go pick it up IMMEDIATELY), I had to get my hands on their newest gothic tale. This story begins with Evander, a sick and lonely 17-year-old, who has been trapped in his room for the past 7 years while his guardian keeps him medicated "for his own good". I love an unreliable narrator, and Evander does not disappoint- he has "episodes" where he loses his memory, amnesia surrounding the event that trapped him in his room in the first place, and creepy nightmares that may or may not be real. When a death in the family leads to a contested will for ownership of the estate, Evander (with the help of Laurie, who is also tangled up in this situation) starts to piece together his history and how it relates to the overgrown and deadly garden right outside the door. This book has plenty of manipulation, backstabbing, and gothic horror, and I highly recommend that you grab a copy!

"Hazelthorn" by C.G. Drews is a stunning, visceral tale that showcases just how much Drews’ craft has grown; his writing here is more lush and evocative than ever, and the result is breathtaking. The environment is both beautiful and deadly, brought to life with such detail and lyricism that every page feels like stepping into a living, dangerous dream. The mystery at the heart of the story had me clinging to every word, pulled deeper and deeper as Drews tightened his grip on both tension and atmosphere.

Beneath the gothic beauty is a story about survival in hostile places, both literal and emotional. It examines grief and the way loss reshapes us, forcing characters to decide what pieces of themselves they will hold on to and what must be left behind. Love and sacrifice ripple through the story, often in ways that feel tragic and raw, asking how much of ourselves we can give before we vanish entirely. The novel also interrogates resilience and the strength it takes not only to survive in a dangerous world but to continue choosing hope when despair presses in.

What elevates this book is how these themes are never separate from the environment or the mystery. The land itself feels like a mirror of the characters’ struggles: lush, enticing, and full of peril. Every revelation about the world deepens the emotional stakes, showing how trauma and love can coexist, how beauty and danger often walk side by side.

"Hazelthorn" gave me everything I wanted: lyrical prose, an unforgettable setting, and themes that reach far beyond the page. I recommend it to readers who love eerie gothic tales, lush atmosphere, and stories that balance grief and resilience with moments of fierce, aching beauty. I would not recommend it to readers who prefer straightforward horror or quick, action-driven plots. This is a book to savor, and it rewards every moment of attention.

A boy. A garden. A book that grabs you by your roots and shakes out the loose dirt as it pummels you across the way. You’re left wondering “what did I just read?” in the best and the darkest ways. Finish it off with the author acknowledgements and there’s a whole new layer to bury the story in. This was the first book I’ve read by CG Drews - if you need me, I’ll be at the bookstore purchasing the others.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the digital ARC to read for review. Thoughts are my own.

There is something about CG Drew’s writing that sticks with me. Even having read Don’t Let the Forest In quite awhile ago, I still find myself thinking of it from time to time. I have a feeling it will be the same with this one. Not everyone will enjoy this book. You have to like or tolerate botanical body horror as it is the main feature of this story. It is excellently done however, and the writing is simply beautiful. In addition to the plant horror, trigger warning for child abuse. The characters are interesting and all of them have their own individual flaws, which I appreciated. The story itself mostly revolves around the characters and their growth and relationships. It was very intriguing to see Evander’s character change from beginning to end. I did think that the ending was a little abrupt, but things are were wrapped up enough to satisfy readers. I’m curious to read more reviews on this one and see others thoughts. Overall, if you’re looking for horror and can take the botanical descriptions, this is a solid novel.