Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for the ARC copy they provided.
C.G. Drews never disappoints.
Literally.
Never.
She made me love her characters in The Boy Who Steals Houses, stole my soul and tore out my heart in Don’t Let the Forest In, and has utterly ripped me from the clutches of the safe indoors to toss me into the decaying dirt with Hazelthron. The very first line invited me to savor the soil on Evander’s tongue, feel the grit between his teeth. And every line thereafter held me captive.
Evander was at once relatable, both in his rage and in the total despair he escaped from when his bedroom door was inexplicably unlocked. Standing opposite Evander, Laurie was instantly loveable with his standoffish swagger. I never wanted to see the two of them stop bickering.
But of course, C.G. Drews packs as many secrets into her books as the garden of Hazelthron packs poisonous plants, and also like the garden, she gives none of her secrets away for free. Very few authors have the capacity to surprise me with their writing, but C.G. Drews is one who does. There were whole sections of Hazelthorn I did not expect and that left me breathless and longing for more.
Did I spend many nights reading this with the lights out and jumping at bumps in the dark? Yes. Do I recommend everyone else do the same? Also yes.
Unless you can read it out in a garden after dark, with nothing but the moon to light your page. You should totally do that if you can.
You won’t regret it.
Or maybe you will when a plant infested butler comes out of the shadows to chase you.
Either way, it’ll be time well spent. Just don’t drink the tea.
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