Juniper & Thorn: A Novel

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It's been a hot second since I read a book that I just could not vibe with on any level, but alas, here we are. In contrast to Ava's first novel, this book takes place mostly in one location, is severely slow-paced, and is almost entirely character-driven.

By the end I couldn't wait to finish the book--not so I could find out what would happen, but because I just wanted it to be over with.

Between The Wolf and the Woodsman and this book, Reid has found themselves solidly in my favorite fantasy authors and I’m looking forward to everything that comes from them in the future! We don't see the story through his eyes - we are very securely rooted in Marlinchen's perspective - but even with only what he tells her, we see the cruelty and harshness of being who he is in the fairytale (and also not-fairytale) world. The curse of the sophomore novel comes nowhere near Ava Reid, as she gracefully and carefully molds her writing into a new and brilliant narrative voice. I’ve already talked about the bits that didn’t work for me, but my favorite part of the book's exploration of abuse was how messy and raw Marlinchen felt as a character. I do think it could have been cleaned up in places, however - I definitely noticed certain tics and repetitions and similes of dubious quality.

What was a story except a berry you ate over and over again, until your lips and tongue were red and every word you spoke was poison? I've seen other female characters in similar positions who were portrayed way more mature than her (like The Midnight Lie's Nirrim or Spinning Silver's Wanda). This depiction definitely stayed with me and I still think about it sometimes even as I’m revising this review a year-ish later. Certainly not middle sch …more I am a high school teacher, and I absolutely would say that under no circumstances would I put it on a curriculum for either.

There's no sense of moderation, no sense of directing her train of thought consistently, no good grasp of character progression, and above all, little command of plot structure. marlinchen starts to believe more in herself and learns some of the secrets that have been kept from her.