Once Bitterthorn gets going, it becomes entrancing. This is a story for those who love fairy tales, second chances, and softness. Tender and emotional, Bitterthorn will inspire hope. Keep reading this book review of Bitterthorn for my full thoughts.
Summary
Blumwald is a town overshadowed by an ancient curse: in a sinister castle in the depths of the wild wood lives a monstrous Witch. Once a generation, she comes to claim a companion to return with her – never to be seen again. Now that time is drawing near once more…
Mina, daughter of the duke, is grieving and lonely. She has lost all hope of any future for herself in Blumwald. So when the Witch demands her next companion, Mina offers herself up – though she has no idea what fate awaits her. Stranded with her darkly alluring captor, the mystery of what happened to the previous companions draws Mina into the heart of a terrifying secret that could save her life, or end it.
Review
Bitterthorn is a story that is worth the wait. Not only did I pre-order this and then promptly lost it on my shelf, but also it takes a little bit to warm up. At the beginning, Bitterthorn is rich in intrigue. Giving off Beauty and the Beast vibes, Bitterthorn has Mina feeling trapped. In a deal, Mina has walked into this situation, but still feels very much trapped. It doesn’t help that there’s heaps of intrigue about the off limits rooms and some consequence to her action that no one will tell her. The beginning is tentative as Mina tries her hand at the limits in the castle as well as figuring out her own fate.
(Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information you can look at the Policy page. If you’re uncomfortable with that, know you can look up the book on any of the sites below to avoid the link)
But then Bitterthorn blooms into a story about the ways we have been scarred by the past. Mina discovers more than meets the eye about the Witch she shares her home with. When we have been scorned, alone, and hurt by those around us, we can become accustomed to the silence. Secrets often are loud enough. Mina comes to realize that all these secrets pile up until she isn’t sure who is the monster. If everyone thinks we are cruel, a monster, how long until we believe it? Bitterthorn becomes a dance of secrets and words we think are right, but tug at things that might be best left un-pulled. It then almost twists before our eyes into more fairy tales and becomes a story about letting love into our lives.
It’s always terrifying to let someone in, because we know how it could end. But happiness, and love, can be a way to moments of joy, not only loss. Tender happiness is a worthy goal in and of itself. Bitterthorn is a slow build to a crescendo. It’s tender and impactful and 100% worth the build up. Find Bitterthorn on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, & Blackwells.