Bitterthorn: A sapphic Gothic romance inspired by classic fairytales

Product Information

Overall, I really liked it as a respite after finishing Empire Ascendant which completely crushed my heart and soul.

I know so many sapphic readers who have been aching for a book like this one, and thank goodness it exists. Overall, this unfortunately wasn't a book for me, it was too slow for my liking but those who love their fantasy YA books will most likely love it. I should also probably note that this is more of a character driven story, so the pacing might not be for everyone. Her mother died when she was twelve, her stepmother wishes she just weren't here and her dad doesn't have time for her.

These sentiments underpin Kat Dunn’s fairy tale infused Bitterthorn, a brilliantly spun Sapphic love story that evokes elements of Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin and Sleeping Beauty to create an edge-of-your- seat, original story that throngs with longing. The 103 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. Like Mina seemed genuinely upset when the Witch got mad at her, even if it was a front, but then a couple pages later we are in love and stuff again? I couldn't help but laugh at the Formula 1 driver names making an appearance and must admit that I am intrigued as to whether this was left in as a joke, a dare or just from a genuine passion for the sport. Mina runs away again from the witch's castle and can't do anything but go back to her family, who rejects her again.

Though, if (like me) you enjoy emotionally intense, slow burn narratives then you should definitely consider adding this to your TBRs— I promise you won’t be disappointed!With achingly atmospheric prose, Dunn has crafted characters I would die for and a love story as powerful and enduring as a fairytale. So when the Witch demands her next companion, Mina offers herself up - though she has no idea what fate awaits her.

It seems to have a lot of aspects from traditional fairy tales thrown in there, but for the most part we had fun trying to work out what was happening and what the witch’s secret was. Possibly this book shows the best understanding of loneliness I’ve ever seen and all while being deliciously dark, twisty, and as the title of the book, bitter and sweet, sharp and soft. A lyrical Gothic tale with strong fairytale elements about loneliness and love, and how the two intertwine. Blumwald is a town overshadowed by an ancient curse: in a sinister castle in the depths of the wild wood lives a monstrous Witch.It has slow burn romance - hesitant enemies to reluctant friendship to tentative lovers to love and it was lovely to see this develop.

Everything about this book was perfection, the writing, the characters, the suspense/mystery, the romance, the plot twists.A moody and stylish Gothic tale that feels both fresh and timeless – a masterful meditation on grief, loneliness, and terrible love. I absolutely loved Kat Dunn’s Battalion of the Dead series so this was one of my most anticipated releases. 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.