A review by currantcat
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

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

3.5

This book is deeply embedded in the world of fairy tales, the dark ones that preceded the sanitized versions we learned as children. I liked the main character's comments on fairy tale "rules" and how the narrative ends up confirming or twisting them. The prose was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. Marlinchen, our narrator and point of view character was compelling, though a little frustrating at times. Though she was not nearly as infuriating as many other characters. There are heavy themes of abuse explored in this book, along with other things that may be disturbing to some readers. Check trigger warnings. Personally, the book being a horror did elicit a disturbed feeling from me while reading. So, if you want a fantasy horror that unnerves you slowly, this is it. Also, it is a fair bit hornier than I expected. 
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