Juniper & Thorn: A Novel | 
panI don't really know where to begin with this book. I suppose, with something positive. The writing is good for what it is, and the book is atmospheric. The trigger warning list is a bit too long, and I believe that if there were fewer “problematic“ themes, the book would be a bit more cohesive. Writing horror and trauma is difficult, and I don't think this is incorporated well in the book.
More tw: csa
So we're implying that Sevastian's patron groomed him since the age of 12 and is also gay.
I'm not sure if the author is aware of how that harmful stereotype is still used against gay men but I do not like it. Wish this was not part of the story at all
tw; csa/sa mention
I just got to the SA portion of this, and yes, it's uncomfortable to read, but I also don't really see the point of including it. It doesn't add to the horror or the plot; it's just there to exist. This change in the father from not allowing men into the house to letting a doctor just touch his youngest inappropriately for some money just feels so jarring to me.
Like, yeah, he is doing it on purpose as punishment-
Already I have to say that I am not a fan of any Americans writing anything about Eastern Europe, fiction especially, because ultimately it all just falls into stereotyping and is just awkward to read.
It for sure feels awkward to read in this book.
bailedThe sheltered girl who thinks she‘s not special is a fantasy trope. But Marlinchen is a lot more Bella Swann in Twilight than Sophie Hatter in Howl‘s Moving Castle. I don‘t think I‘ll finish this.
A twisty sort of fairy tale today, with a battle between magic and industry, which sounds fascinating. I‘m hooked already, and wish I wasn‘t at work…
panThere are so many 5 star reviews of this book. So many. Did I like it? No. And that's okay. Everyone is different. We all can like what we like. That's the beauty of life. I thought this book would be right up my alley. Sounded interesting. Yet I did not like anything about it. The bulimia, the abuse, the sexual depravity. I'm fascinated to read all the positive posts. It's as though we all read different books. Oh well, on to the next.
pickOh boy, is this book thirsty. Or should I say—hungry…
Honestly tho. I almost DNFed this. The list of warnings on this… Especially the CSA—which is central to the plot, actually—came out of the left field. This book is disturbing, but then it is horror.
Fairytale-infused… erotic horror?
Ahem.
In the end, the “disturbing-ness” was what made me like this. Although it certainly isn‘t for everyone. Beware the warnings.
4.0/5
pickThis is a beautifully written reimagining of sorts of the classic fairytale The Juniper Tree. It‘s filled with gorgeous prose and magic, but reader be warned: the original was a Grimm tale loaded with child abuse and cannibalism, and this book is clearly labeled as both a dark retelling and a romance. There is body horror, monsters, and sex (some nice, some not). If you are down for that and go in prepared, I bet you‘ll enjoy it. I did!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Some things were very repetitive and grating, like everyone constantly reminding MC of how plain, simple, and unattractive she is, and yet she snagged a very attractive guy by just being genuine and nice to him 4w
Same with the xenophobia and antisemitism. It is a rustic setting, so it makes sense, but I think the book would have been fine without all of that. 4w
The sex scenes in this book feel weird as well; it doesn't feel like people in love having intercourse, but a snippet from a certain black and orange website. Maybe a strange criticism, but it feels too “contemporary“ 4w
There were probably a lot more things I wanted to discuss about this book, but I cannot remember them all atm.
Would not recommend this book tbh, I think horror should be tied to the story, and it isn't tied to it very well, or rather it is inconsistent. 4w