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A review by lascoaxx
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Juniper & Thorn is a retelling of The Juniper Tree, a story I did not know about till after I'd read it. The book follows Marlinchen, a sheltered and naive young woman, the youngest of 3 daughters to an infamous and cruel wizard. Their father monetizes his daughters' witchy abilities by allowing clients to come to their home for their services.
After a secret night out with her sisters, Marlinchen becomes enamored by the principal dancer of the ballet, Sevastyan. A series of coincidental meetings later, her life becomes entwined with Sevas' and they form a tender romance, despite her sister's warning and the potential rage of their father should he find out. The story is one of Marlinchen's traumas and how she, as a dutiful daughter, tries to create peace with an abusive father and her sisters while coming out of her shell. She also begins to unravel a dark secret within the household, one that would change her perception of the people around her forever.
I am of two minds about this book: on the one hand, it is gorgeously written, the prose eloquent and lovely to read. On the other hand, the story is absolutely treacherous and horrifying and extremely dark to say the least. I am not a stickler for content warnings, but this book was throwing triggers left right and centre that even I was a lot horrified by it.
Here's some of the content/trigger warnings that can be found in the book:
1. Sexual harassment/assault (minor/otherwise, described and/or insinuated)
2. Descriptions of self-harm
3. Cannibalism
4. Death from cannibalism
5. Physical/mental/emotional abuse by family
And I'm fairly certain that I may have missed out on some, so please be aware before reading.
Honestly, I quite liked the book but because of the various traumatic themes of it, it is difficult to fully be comfortable with a story like this. It defies normal and more simplistic tales of love, magic and family and I suppose that is what the author is truly writing about. Regardless, both of Ava Reid's books were interesting thus far and I am looking forward to her next novel.
After a secret night out with her sisters, Marlinchen becomes enamored by the principal dancer of the ballet, Sevastyan. A series of coincidental meetings later, her life becomes entwined with Sevas' and they form a tender romance, despite her sister's warning and the potential rage of their father should he find out. The story is one of Marlinchen's traumas and how she, as a dutiful daughter, tries to create peace with an abusive father and her sisters while coming out of her shell. She also begins to unravel a dark secret within the household, one that would change her perception of the people around her forever.
I am of two minds about this book: on the one hand, it is gorgeously written, the prose eloquent and lovely to read. On the other hand, the story is absolutely treacherous and horrifying and extremely dark to say the least. I am not a stickler for content warnings, but this book was throwing triggers left right and centre that even I was a lot horrified by it.
Here's some of the content/trigger warnings that can be found in the book:
1. Sexual harassment/assault (minor/otherwise, described and/or insinuated)
2. Descriptions of self-harm
3. Cannibalism
4. Death from cannibalism
5. Physical/mental/emotional abuse by family
And I'm fairly certain that I may have missed out on some, so please be aware before reading.
Honestly, I quite liked the book but because of the various traumatic themes of it, it is difficult to fully be comfortable with a story like this. It defies normal and more simplistic tales of love, magic and family and I suppose that is what the author is truly writing about. Regardless, both of Ava Reid's books were interesting thus far and I am looking forward to her next novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death, Bullying, and Self harm
Moderate: Xenophobia, Cannibalism, and Physical abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, and Sexual harassment