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therewillbelight 's review for:
Juniper & Thorn
by Ava Reid
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This might be one of the top five most twisted books I’ve ever read. I think it’s good to keep in mind this is a fantasy/horror book and it acts like it.
75% of it is horribly unsettling. It’s weird and dark and the characters aren’t likable and incredibly problematic. But I think that’s the point of fairytales - they’re dark and ugly like life sometimes.
The execution of this book is insane though. It’s irrefutable that Ava is an incredible writer and she makes you feel every last bit confused, disgusted, uncomfortable and shocked. It’s also written like a fairytale, which I feel like has thrown some readers expecting a more modern fantasy geared story, this ain’t it. But Ava still does it in a way that feels interesting and not drab and I think she very artfully retold the story in a way that is more understandable for modern audiences while having that fairytale feel.
I appreciated the light at the end of the tunnel that was the ending. It is still a “happy ending”, but was woven into the rest of the story in a way that felt right and not cheesy but also didn’t make me want to die the same way a super gruesome horror ending would.
I would go into this with the mindset that this book isn’t to be enjoyed, sort of reminiscent of the Portrait of Dorian Gray. If you enjoyed it the way you would a modern fantasy, you’re either twisted or missed the point entirely.
75% of it is horribly unsettling. It’s weird and dark and the characters aren’t likable and incredibly problematic. But I think that’s the point of fairytales - they’re dark and ugly like life sometimes.
The execution of this book is insane though. It’s irrefutable that Ava is an incredible writer and she makes you feel every last bit confused, disgusted, uncomfortable and shocked. It’s also written like a fairytale, which I feel like has thrown some readers expecting a more modern fantasy geared story, this ain’t it. But Ava still does it in a way that feels interesting and not drab and I think she very artfully retold the story in a way that is more understandable for modern audiences while having that fairytale feel.
I appreciated the light at the end of the tunnel that was the ending. It is still a “happy ending”, but was woven into the rest of the story in a way that felt right and not cheesy but also didn’t make me want to die the same way a super gruesome horror ending would.
I would go into this with the mindset that this book isn’t to be enjoyed, sort of reminiscent of the Portrait of Dorian Gray. If you enjoyed it the way you would a modern fantasy, you’re either twisted or missed the point entirely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content
Minor: Self harm, Cannibalism