Reviews

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

tayo2000's review

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I just think Ava Reid as an author isn’t for me. Although I think she’s a good writer, and she tackles the themes she chooses to write about well, I find they never come together in a cohesive and enjoyable story for me. 

This book is no exception. This was…messy. The plot moved incredibly slowly, with nothing really happening until the last 1/4 of the book. It was overall just too much trying to be accomplished in a 300 page book in terms of theme, and the plot suffered due to this. The character development wasn’t great either. It was definitely a let down. Although you can certainly see Ava’s writing shining in some spots while tackling some of these intense themes, I overall just think it was too convoluted in the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Self harm, Cannibalism, and Sexual assault

mickaroni's review

5.0

i absolutely LOVED this book. it’s the first i’ve read in the anything-gothic genre, and i enjoyed every bit of it!! i will be reading everything this author puts out because of this book

runeizzat's review

I’ll try again later

beckit's review

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I was definitely in a reading slump when I tried to read this and that's through no fault of the book's but of personal circumstances.

Juniper and Thorn is an actual dark fantasy, with grim themes, challenging ideas and uncomfortable plot points that are still vital for the story telling, rather than a book thatsthat's being edgy for the sake of it.

Marlinchen and Sevas' romance is very instant which I wasn't a fan of but as we uncover more of their backstories, rather than develope they almost just reveal their original status.

It hate great twists and the storytelling was great but it was also rather unsettling in parts.

komorie's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

robertavaznyte's review

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

It was okay. I will probably forget it in a week.

phephl's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

red8625's review against another edition

dark emotional tense

4.25

vero_o's review

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Take a shot for every time the book mentions tits or breasts. I didnt really enjoy the plot and it was slow. 

jnelson's review

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25