Hazelthorn Gorgeously gothic queer YA horromance from the NYT bestselling author of Don't Let the Forest In

A boy tries to solve a murder and discovers so much more than he ever thought possible. C. G. Drews is one of the few authors whose books I buy without hesitation. And with this book, they have once again proven that it’s a good idea. Evander and Laurie share an incredibly fascinating and beautiful dynamic, shaped by everything that draws them together and pushes them apart. The way the Author paints pictures with words and make the most disturbing things sound poetic and lovable is a really unique talent they have perfected. I can´t wait for their next Book to be published.

Before I start, I must say that C.G. Drews is a truly gifted author, and I fully intend to read every single thing they will publish because, yes, it’s that good. If there’s one thing new age fantasy has gifted us, it’s botanical horror. For some reason I feel magically drawn to every botanical fantasy I can get my hands on, but Hazelthorn in particular had such a monstrously beautiful feeling to it, that it was honestly hard to shake it off, even after finishing the book. I refuse to elaborate further on the plot, simply because I believe this book should be devoured without any introduction or explanation but if you're up for very unique (flowery) body horror, a murder mystery, friends to enemies to lovers, obsession and copious amounts of gay yearning then look no further for your next read! In my opinion it’s the prime example of a horromance done right. It’s gruesome, tragic and full of pain but instead of trying to be a counter fit to this misery the romance plays right into it, it’s riddled with obsession and hatred, and it is so so satisfying to feel the dislike for each other slowly brittle away into something much softer. “If he could dig fingernails into the sides of Laurie’s face and peel back the mask, he would. He would core him like a pear and throw away the soft, rotted skin until he saw him as he really is: horrible and beautiful and real.” ― C.G. Drews, Hazelthorn

Nachdem Dont let the forest mich einfach nur verzaubert hat und eines meiner absoluten Lieblingsbücher wurde, musste ich natürlich direkt ein weiteres Buch von C. G. Drews lesen. Den Klappentext fand ich sehr interessant. Er hat mich direkt neugierig zurückgelassen. “Hazelthorn” konnte mich von Seite Eins an fesseln und ich konnte das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen. Auch hier sind immer mal wieder Illustrationen mit drin, was ich an den Büchern sehr mag. Die Handlung ist düster, gruselig und gleichzeitig doch so wunderschön und poetisch. Ich mag den Schreibstil der Autorin sehr gerne. Die ganze Zeit habe ich gegrübelt, was der Plottwist sein könnte, trotzdem hat dieser mich so überrascht und ich habe ihn nicht kommen sehen! Ich habe auf jeden Fall ein oder zwei Tränchen verloren, weil ich das Ende wirklich wunderschön fand. Unsere Protagonisten Evander und Laurie sind großartig geschrieben und auch diese sind mir definitiv ans Herz gewachsen. Die beiden passen einfach perfekt zusammen und ergänzen sich wunderbar. Ich liebe die beiden sehr! Schlussendlich lässt sich sagen: Die Bücher von C. G. Drews sind einfach meiner Meinung nach absolut großartig und gerade, wenn man Horror mit einer Liebesgeschichte nebenbei sucht, sollte man sich die Bücher dieser Autorin nicht entgehen lassen!

I was a little bit scared to read hazelthorn, after Don't let the forest in absolutely destroyed me in the best way possible. But I have to say, it was just as good and soul-destroying as don't let the forest in! Botanical horror at its best, dark, queer, Gothic horror... I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT SO MUCH!!! And I cried again, of course... So, if you enjoyed Don't let the forest in just as much as I did, this is a must read!!!

Keeping the botanical theme, we find ourselves this time on an estate. Our protagonist a boy named Evander gets to leave his room for the first time in years, just for his guardian to die under ominous circumstances. While trying to find the murderer, Evander slowly uncovers a far more disturbing secret; why was he even locked up in the first place? Incredible as always, disturbing and pageturning, just like I expect from CG Drews!