Bitterthorn: A sapphic Gothic romance inspired by classic fairytales

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yes the vibes were there but I also felt like we skipped a lot of time which made this feel less slow burn that it actually was. It was less than a week now until the guests arrived, and all the bedrooms had been aired, fresh linens produced and flowers cut. As I wound through the dense knot of forest at the base of the mountain, past logging stations and huntsmen’s cottages, I came across a deer carcass, torn open by scavengers.

of Bitter Thorn (The Fae of Bitter Thorn Prequel) - Kay Heir of Bitter Thorn (The Fae of Bitter Thorn Prequel) - Kay

Candles were lit to them in every shrine, parcels of food left outside the Hässlers’ front door like offerings. I can already tell you I'm glad I read this book before book 1 because I loved seeing Elora in action saving the Prince. There is so much I loved — stony Wolf and her resilience, the quiet small acts of kindness between Mina and the Witch as they try and find a way to be, the mystery of the castle. When fresh flowers were brought into the palace, she followed the maids from vase to vase with her secateurs, snipping off each imperfect bloom. The doctor grimaced and slit open my cocoon with a knife, spilling fluid and meconium, and like a selkie, I slipped off my first skin to reveal another human one beneath.

This prequel of the serie is amazing even though it is almost as a parallel story for the serie, as Elora, our heroine, will not remember any of the amazing adventure she has in this book and book one starts as a clean slate (or so we think). Frau Hässler, at 90, moved through the world too folded in on herself to notice; Frieda saw all too well. When several minutes had passed without him looking up, I said, ‘Perhaps I could help you with your papers? Only purchases made through the Sephora affiliate link provided by YouTrip will be eligible for cashback. My mother was gone in an instant, fainting in shock at this living, squirming thing emerging from inside her.

Bitterthorn - Andersen Press

Back outside, hacking along the field boundaries looking for flints in the tilled soil, or into the forest to sink my boots in mulch, soft and loamy from the rain to pick mushrooms; something that took me out of myself. Her personality shines through in the perfectly crafted prose, part teen Tony Stark part Blade Runner fever dream, I fell in love with her from the first page. I found home in the crags and branches, in birdsong and my own ragged breath as I walked and walked. But if Elora was anything she was no coward, so she ventured forth to save a prince whilst the clock was ticking and knowing she could not afford to fail, no pressure, right!

Downriver were the tanneries and slaughterhouses turning the water a churning brown with run-off, and the new wool mill with its thundering mechanical loom. I foraged wildflowers and ferns, gathered in fat armfuls to be arranged in jars and glasses around my room, catkins and thistle as the weather changed, and dried lavender sprinkled on my sheets. However, true peak season will emerge in July and end in September — so now is the perfect time to study up for it!

Bitterthorn: A sapphic Gothic romance inspired by classic

She’s written about mental health for Mind and The Guardian, and worked as a translator for Japanese television. Wherever I turned there was another minister with his valet and his briefcases, another room with its doors swinging shut on another private conversation. While I thought the actual act of poisoning was abrupt and too pat, it worked for a short story as a preview for the main attraction.

The best review of this book I can give is that I read it in the bath and was so obsessed I didn't get out til the water was stone cold. Only a matter of weeks separated us from the conference when Cook slipped on a dropped dish towel and put her back out. Except I don't know if that terminology is going to be used in the series, so don't quote me on that).

Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn | Goodreads

I did enjoy my time reading this, but I have to accept that this is mainly because I am a sucker for sapphic romance and reflective, traumatised characters rather than because this book stood out or made the most of its premise. As though, in extinguishing the flame, I had opened a door, and something was waiting to come through. Only purchases made through the AirAsia Food affiliate link provided by YouTrip will be eligible for cashback.

I would take breakfast there on a warm morning, with my sketchbook propped before me to outline the rooftops and cobbles, the carriages and water troughs and sprays of clematis shivering up the wooden-framed buildings.