Glass Girls is a raw coming-of-age novel that dives deep into themes of identity, trauma, and the delicate strength of girlhood. Danie Shakoohi’s writing is lyrical and often poetic, capturing the vulnerability and quiet rage that come with trying to find yourself in a world that doesn’t always feel safe.

One of the most striking aspects of the novel is how it handles family trauma. There are complex, heartbreaking dynamics between the narrator, her sister, and their mother. The relationship with the sister is layered with love, guilt, and grief, while the mother-daughter bond is steeped in silence, longing, and emotional neglect. These connections feel tragically real, like open wounds that never fully close.

What really stood out for me is the emotional honesty. This isn’t a polished or sanitized story. It’s jagged and aching in all the right ways. The characters feel real, flawed, and tender, and the way Shakoohi navigates mental health, family, and self-destruction is both sensitive and unflinching.

Overall, Glass Girls left a mark. It’s the kind of book that gets under your skin and stays there. Beautiful, brutal, and deeply human. What a powerful debut. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for their next work

Thank you Zando and Gillian Flynn Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

This book was absolutely phenomenal. Isabeau & Bronwyn grew up in a family of witches, with their mom treating them pretty horribly. In their family boys are cursed and don't live past 18. Their mom forces them their whole childhood to try to save their brother which is almost impossible. After lots of trauma Isabeau decides shes had enough and runs away to start a new life.

In this life she becomes Alice and is with Eli and they live a very normal life in the suburbs- until Bronwyn tracks her down. Alice is forced to return to the place she swore she would never return to help her sister.

This book completely blew me away and exceeded all of my expectations. Dark, atmospheric, and deeply thought provoking, it masterfully blends generational trauma, supernatural horror, and the complexities of motherhood into a truly gripping story.

Alice is a character I won’t forget. Her internal struggle over whether to keep her pregnancy feels raw and real, especially against the backdrop of a family curse and the ghosts that literally haunt her. It’s not just horror for horror’s sake. It’s layered and unsettling in the best way. Highly recommend for fans of literary horror!

Thank you NetGalley & Gillian Flynn Books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Glass Girls did not disappoint. I read this book in about a day and a half. If I didn’t need to go to work or eat or sleep, probably would have read entire book the same day. The book is impressive. It’s hard to believe this is Danie Shokoohi’s debut novel. I was surprised by all the emotions I felt throughout this book. I will mention that this book does deal with some heavy topics and may possibly be triggering for some. There are descriptions of abuse, self harm, and depicts quite a bit of paranormal and poltergeist activity. None of it is gratuitous and it’s all necessary to the story.

This book is definitely on the darker side. I thought it was the perfect balance of thriller and horror. The story follows sisters Alice (known as Isabeau as a child) and Bronwyn. Their childhood in the Little House was harsh, mostly due to their mother, Gisele. The was still magical moments in this childhood despite the dark cloud of both Gisele and the curse of the Glass boy, Killian. The story is told mostly through narratives, often flipping perspectives from past to present. The story is definitely clear even with the flipping back and forth. The basis of the story is, the Glass girls receive “all the gifts,” while the Glass boys are cursed. It is the price to pay for the “gifts”

It poignantly shows family relationships and sometimes the trauma we endure not only helps forms the person you become, but how you choose to deal with trauma and hopefully begin the healing process.

Danie Shokoohi’s writing is compelling, and honestly I could hardly put the book down. I needed to know what happened. The witchcraft elements were also fascinating to read and as indicated by the publisher’s note, a fresh take on witches. This very much a character driven story, which is always a favorite of mine. Mystery, supernatural horror, witchy elements, the bond of sisters and family trauma. These were all blended together to develop a plot that draws you in and doesn’t let go .

Final Thoughts:

If you enjoy darker stories, rich in character with a fresh take on female witches and ghost stories, this book is for you. Danie Shokoohi is definitely on my list of authors. I can’t wait to read her next book.

I fell headfirst into this haunting, immersive ghost story and felt loathe to come back out of it. The writing is lush and evocative, the relationships are believable and the characterization is out of this world. I have rarely read a more perfect debut. This one is a smash hit.

(Social media link to come!)

There is nothing like the feeling of reading a book by a debut author and having it turn out to be one of the best books you’ve read in its genre in ages.

Glass Girls is about 30% family drama, 30% witch fantasy, 30% ghost horror, and 10% psychological thriller, all crafted into a compelling story that immediately drew me in and truly didn’t let me go until the last page.

I often bemoan books for being too slow or for having uneven pacing, but Danie Shokoohi obviously understood the assignment because this book has a great sense of urgency, of propulsion, in the way the story is told and the manner in which it unfolds. There is a purpose for every inch of page and no filler, making for an immersive and vibrant read. Even though there is some non-linear timeline stuff that happens, it sometimes varies in how it happens and when it happens, which greatly appealed to me as a reader because it made exposition feel more organic and less planned out.

The humanity in these characters and the events that have made up their lives will hurt your heart and make you long for resolution as much as they do. I became deeply invested in what happened to the characters in this book. I highly recommend it. 5⭐️


I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Ghost Fiction/Horror/Occult Horror/Paranormal Horror/Psychological Thriller/Witch Fiction/Women’s Fiction

Thank you @zandoprojects #gillianflynnbooks #partner for the gifted copy of this ebook!

I was instantly drawn into the haunting vibe of Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi. This is a complex, paranormal gothic horror story rooted in a long, twisted family history of supernatural powers and magic...and it didn’t take much more to hook me.

The Glass family is as cursed as they are captivating. Alice, our main character, bolted out of town years ago, desperate to leave her past behind because who really wants to live that creepy ghosty life? New name, new life, no magic. But of course, the past doesn’t stay buried, because that that would be boring, especially when her sister Bronwyn shows up and drags her right back into the shadows she tried to escape. And if that wasn’t enough, a surprise pregnancy has everyone questioning what kind of power the next generation will carry. 👀

This book was creepy, eerie, haunting, and even a little emotional which surprised me. It’s incredibly well written. I can’t believe it’s a debut! My only minor hiccup was that a couple of the timeline jumps threw me off now and then, but honestly, that could’ve just been me trying to devour it too quickly because I was so into it.

If you’re a fan of paranormal horror, messy family drama, and are already leaning into your witchy fall era, add this one to your list. You’ll be creeped out in the best way. 🌒✨

Such a great book! Thank you for letting me read in advance. I loved the characters so much. Can't wait to look into the other books this author has to offer.

Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi was a quick and entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
The characters were all realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

GLASS GIRLS
Danie Shokoohi

Alice wakes one morning, sure the day is going to take more from her than she has.

She finds out she is expecting, and she’s not happy about it, as, regardless of the outcome, it will force her to reckon with everything she’s been running from.


The very last thing she needs today is exactly what she gets. When her sister shows up unexpectedly with an ultimatum, Alice is left with nothing to do but comply, as help is the only option if she wants to avoid exposure.


GLASS GIRLS is about real witches, a family curse, spells cast, and ghosts that haunt your waking hours.




I loved this book. There are so many aspects that make it an amazing read. The writing is lush and beautiful. The characters are flawed and human, and I just wanted to stay in this world longer. I just wanted to keep reading.

It’s about the ties that bind. The bonds of sisterhood, the sometimes-troubled relationship between a mother and daughter, and promises that never should have been kept.

GLASS GIRLS is out in stores. It just might be the perfect book for summer. Setting up for all the fun that fall brings.

Thanks to Netgalley and Zando | Gillian Flynn Books for the advanced copy!

GLASS GIRLS…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From the moment I saw author Danie Shokoohi discussing Glass Girls in a social media interview, I was captivated. The premise sounded utterly fascinating, and I immediately headed to NetGalley to request a digital review copy. Given it was release day, I didn't hold out much hope for approval, so imagine my surprise when my request was almost instantly granted!
Glass Girls truly delivers on an intriguing concept. As a fan of witchy tales, I was drawn in by the unique curse at its heart: a family where each girl is born with a special gift, its power inversely proportional to how early it manifests, while the boys are tragically fated to die before their nineteenth birthday. Be prepared for some heavy themes, as the narrative touches on childhood trauma, abuse leading to PTSD, violence, tragedy, and grief.
While I genuinely enjoyed the story at its core, the execution proved to be a bit chaotic for my taste. The frequent jumps between timelines often lacked the smooth transitions needed to keep me fully oriented, leading to moments of confusion. One particular point that continually pulled me out of the narrative was Alice's self-reference. The book explicitly states Isabeau isn't "killed off" until Alice is an adult, yet the younger self consistently refers to herself as Alice. This inconsistency felt like it undermined the very premise of the character's transformation.
Glass Girls had so much potential to be a five-star read, but its organizational structure ultimately held it back. Despite these narrative bumps, I still found it to be a good read and would recommend it, especially for those who appreciate unique takes on witchcraft and don't mind a less linear storytelling approach.


+++I was given a copy of this DRC in an exchange for an honest review+++

I want to thank #danieshokoohie #Netgalley #Zando and #gillianflynnbooks for allowing me to read this amazing DRC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.

Glass Girls was so deliciously feminine and witchy - I loved every second of it.

In Glass Girls we follow Alice (formerly known as Isabeau) and her sister Bronwyn. Their childhood is harsh at the hands of their mother Gisele, but still their lives are full of magic. Though the girls know no other witches, the Glass women are all blessed with gifts. As a counterbalance it is the Glass boys pay the price - none of them make it past the age of 19. As an Oracle, Gisele sees many different futures for them all. But she doesn’t see Killian. Killian is the light of their lives, but with his death everything changes.

I was thoroughly impressed (and a little surprised) by this debut! I was expecting a thriller with a side of family drama, but I was surprised by how eerie this ended up being. I loved Shokoohi’s immersive storytelling and her writing style. It was so easy to get lost in the magic and I felt like I was at The Little House with Bronwyn and Beau. This was such a great blend of supernatural horror, sisterhood/family trauma, and witchy magic. I can’t wait to reread this come fall.

Thank you so much to Zando and Netgalley. I look forward to reading from this author again in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a gifted copy of this novel.

I absolutely love the premise behind this novel and found myself reading it rather quickly. I am amazed that this is a debut with a plot this strong and unique, as the author blends a great mix of supernatural elements with a traditional horror. I do believe this book is described as a thriller by some, but I am in the camp that a lot of the elements that bring dread in the reader are more akin to a horror novel. This novel also explores some deeper topics, such as complicated family relationships, which I believe assisted in the development of the characters. The pacing did feel a bit uneven at times when comparing to the more “drastic” scenes in the book, but honestly because I was invested in the plot itself I wasn’t as bothered by this as I typically would be. I definitely recommend giving this one a read!

Glass Girls has so much going on in the best way. Thanks to Shokoohi’s storytelling, the mythologies around witches - at least in the Glass family - as well as ghosts and poltergeists, are interesting and easy to follow. Glass Girls primarily follows the story of Beau (or Alice, as she’s primarily known) and Bronwyn, sisters and witches, through surviving the curse which afflicts the Glass family, not to mention the generational trauma which presents as abuse at the hands of their mother. On top of that, Glass Girls is an effectively scary ghost story, as Alice (and later her niece) are haunted by earth-bound spirits by virtue of their innate powers as mediums. The relationship between Alice and her boyfriend was the only one that felt a little flat - but I think that may be because the blood-bound relationships were so much more complex and interesting, and it did not detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I love a combination of drama thriller can’t put the down down type of read thank you so much for this read I loved it so much family trauma is the hardest but when that plot thickens it come full speed ahead lol thank you

Childhood trauma and the paranormal. Alice turned her back on her family and built a life where she tries her best to not use her gifts. She breaks that when she agreed to help her niece. It crosses genres but leans in on the horror/paranormal. Alice is an interesting character but the story itself wasn't for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Make no mistake, that's one because this is well written and I recommend it to others.

Content Warning: This novel contains depictions of childhood trauma, self-harm, abuse, and intense supernatural violence.

The writing in this novel is exceptionally strong, marked by immersive and visceral prose that pulls the reader into a haunting narrative and refuses to let go. Structured with shifts between past and present, the story maintains clarity even as it layers its timelines and perspectives.

While marketed more as a thriller, the tone and content of the book are decidedly rooted in horror, with vivid portrayals of poltergeist phenomena and emotional and physical trauma. The darker themes are handled with weight and intensity, making for a deeply affecting reading experience.

For readers drawn to paranormal fiction with a psychological edge, this novel is a compelling and emotionally resonant entry. Its powerful conclusion leaves a lasting impression, earning it a place among the more memorable contemporary "witchy" narratives.

Isabeau was once a child medium in a family of witches, but she ran away from her past and changed her name to Alice. Now, she lives a privileged life with a normal boyfriend, but her life is upended when her sister finds her and threatens her so that she will return home and help deal with the ghost of her niece. Alice and Bronwyn must confront their past and shared trauma in order to save Bronwyn’s still-living daughter.

I really enjoyed reading this thriller. It’s a combination of paranormal, horror, and mystery as well, and balances all the genres well. A key theme in this book is trauma and the way it impacts us when we are older, as is seen by the quote from Bessel van der Kolk, psychologist and author of The Body Keeps the Score in the opening of the novel. This is the best-written debut novel I’ve read in a long time.

The novel goes between reflective descriptions of the pasts of the girls in the novel and the trauma they endured at the hands of their mother, Gisele, and tense plot-focused sections. I think it did a great job of highlighting how someone who is traumatized can be utterly transported from their everyday life by intrusive flashbacks. Although Gisele does horrible things to her children and grandchildren, you can easily see how the generational curse and her own mothering warped her into behaving the way that she did. She’s certainly not likeable — I’m actually not sure I’d say any of the adult characters in this novel are likeable, so if that is a turn off for you I’d advise staying away — but you do eventually understand why she turned out the way she did.

This novel is very potentially triggering with graphic descriptions of child abuse and of self-harm, so that is also something to be wary of. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel regardless, though, and I don’t believe any of the descriptions were excessive. Sometimes authors shy away from fully showing the horrors of the things they are writing about, and that was not the case in this book.

Included on June issue of the BookTrib Chill Quill: Beach Reads with a Body Count: https://booktrib.com/2025/06/17/the-chill-quill-beach-reads-with-a-body-count/

A woman must use her long lost gifts to save her niece from a poltergeist – spooky! Not my typical genre, but as part of my internal Gillian Flynn Books imprint challenge, I simply had to pick it up. The writing in this book is really beautiful, and I loved the conversation around family bonds and healing after trauma. I can’t vouch for the validity of any of the witchy stuff, but I enjoyed those topics as well. Would recommend picking it up if it sounds like it'd interest you!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for exchanging an e-ARC of this book for an unbiased review.