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A review by abby_ace_of_books
Hazelthorn by C.G. Drews
5.0
Yeah, this is going to be occupying half the free space in my brain for the next month and a half at least...
Hazelthorn is my second C.G. Drews book, and it's confirmed the author's spot on my auto-read list. Similar to Don't Let the Forest In, Hazelthorn is a mix of fantasy and horror for a YA audience but with an added focus on a locked-room(ish) murder mystery. I've been really getting into fantasy murder mysteries, and this one did not disappoint. Also...the prose. The style, the word choices, the vibes - it's also beautifully haunting, and I did not want to put the book down.
After the death of Evander's guardian, he is labeled the sole inheritor of the Lennox-Hall legacy: mansion, grounds, wealth, and all...but Evander is convinced that Byron Lennox-Hall was murdered. Evander employs the help of Byron's grandson, Laurie (the very person who tried to kill Evander a few years before), to find the murderer before they come for Evander too. I absolutely loved the vibes of the story, and while I can't say too much because of spoilers...I'm really starting to think I might enjoy horror (at least when it's mixed with fantasy). Surprisingly enough, I managed to call probably the most unexpected plot twist, and I sort of caught the murderer, but that's because the foreshadowing is so well-written and subtle (and I've also played way too many rounds of Betrayal at this point). The botanical horror aesthetics, the touching storylines, the "I'd literally let you consume me" romances - I absolutely loved this book, and I'm already excited for when I reread it (hopefully during spooky season).
I feel like I highlighted half of the dialogue between Evander and Laurie because it was the perfect mixture of banter, angst, and yearning. There's a line specifically that's going to live rent-free in my head forever now (I'll add it below my review because it contains spoilers). I absolutely loved Evander as a character; his journey of self-discovery was so fun, and his emotions were incredibly vivid. I loved Laurie, too, especially with his initially mysterious nature and the playboy vibes I got from him at first. There's so much I want to say about both of them, but you need to experience it for yourself. Also, the romance...I shouldn't adore it as much as I do.
Do yourself a favor and read Hazelthorn...and go into it blind. Trust me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
5/5
(Also, Betrayal haunt with this theme when? Please?)
Spoilers: Read at your own Risk
"'God was stronger than me when he made Adam and didn't fall in love with him.'" Literally stop. I was waiting for this quote - I wanted the rib symbolism so badly - but I'm never going to stop thinking about it now.
Hazelthorn is my second C.G. Drews book, and it's confirmed the author's spot on my auto-read list. Similar to Don't Let the Forest In, Hazelthorn is a mix of fantasy and horror for a YA audience but with an added focus on a locked-room(ish) murder mystery. I've been really getting into fantasy murder mysteries, and this one did not disappoint. Also...the prose. The style, the word choices, the vibes - it's also beautifully haunting, and I did not want to put the book down.
After the death of Evander's guardian, he is labeled the sole inheritor of the Lennox-Hall legacy: mansion, grounds, wealth, and all...but Evander is convinced that Byron Lennox-Hall was murdered. Evander employs the help of Byron's grandson, Laurie (the very person who tried to kill Evander a few years before), to find the murderer before they come for Evander too. I absolutely loved the vibes of the story, and while I can't say too much because of spoilers...I'm really starting to think I might enjoy horror (at least when it's mixed with fantasy). Surprisingly enough, I managed to call probably the most unexpected plot twist, and I sort of caught the murderer, but that's because the foreshadowing is so well-written and subtle (and I've also played way too many rounds of Betrayal at this point). The botanical horror aesthetics, the touching storylines, the "I'd literally let you consume me" romances - I absolutely loved this book, and I'm already excited for when I reread it (hopefully during spooky season).
I feel like I highlighted half of the dialogue between Evander and Laurie because it was the perfect mixture of banter, angst, and yearning. There's a line specifically that's going to live rent-free in my head forever now (I'll add it below my review because it contains spoilers). I absolutely loved Evander as a character; his journey of self-discovery was so fun, and his emotions were incredibly vivid. I loved Laurie, too, especially with his initially mysterious nature and the playboy vibes I got from him at first. There's so much I want to say about both of them, but you need to experience it for yourself. Also, the romance...I shouldn't adore it as much as I do.
Do yourself a favor and read Hazelthorn...and go into it blind. Trust me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
5/5
(Also, Betrayal haunt with this theme when? Please?)
Spoilers: Read at your own Risk
"'God was stronger than me when he made Adam and didn't fall in love with him.'" Literally stop. I was waiting for this quote - I wanted the rib symbolism so badly - but I'm never going to stop thinking about it now.