Reviews

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

aandrus's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? Yes

2.5

xpressionless's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

4.0

dreinitz's review against another edition

3.5

gagged. kinda icky, not as icky as i was expecting. look up tws if you’re concerned for sure. overall pretty fire, occasionally absolute gas, occasionally snoozy.

jhoom's review against another edition

4.0

First “gothic romance” read, disturbing but loved the story and the writing

cady_sass's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.0

At no point while reading this did I know where the story was going or what was happening. The entire book reads like a fever dream. I actually really, deeply disliked the experience of reading this. Everything is so extremely unpleasant and I’m not sure how to stress that enough. I LOVE horror, I like gross and disturbing, I like dark. Unpleasant is really the best way to describe how it can be all the things I love but still hate it. That said, it is definitely not a bad book nor is it poorly written - it is absolutely effective in being what it intends to be and I can see how people would love it, it’s just not for me. I’d feel very confident saying that if you liked Lapvona this one is for you (just not quite as gross) 

oliveforestt's review against another edition

2.5

If I took a drink every time I read the word 'nipple' or 'belly' I'd need my stomach pumped. Quite raw and gritty imagery and language that tired me after a while, not really my vibe.  The romance gave insta love vibes, too rushed. Wanted to like this but sadly not for me. 

thatasianpotato's review

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.25

vi_v's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

stellarreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

mrtumnusscarf's review against another edition

3.5

It had a lot of good elements that intrigued me but ultimately it didn't come together. Maybe it was too subtle for me.
It was very well written. The self loathing perspective of a troubled teen girl felt authentic.
I would read something else by this author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Body shaming