Genres: Dark Fantasy, Gothic Fantasy, YA Fantasy | Release Date: 28 June 2022 | Standalone | Pages: 368 | Publisher: Titan Books | Review
“Secrets do not stay in the dark where we put them.”
A. G. Slatter
Overview:
A. G. Slatter honestly writes gothic fairytales like no other, and it was such a delight to read her new book, The Path of Thorns! I’m incredibly grateful my sister picked up a copy of this dark fantasy for me… Aren’t I lucky that she knows me so well?
In this new offering to us bookworms, Asher Todd travels to become a governess to the Morwood children. But once there in the vast house, Asher has plans of her own which she must set in motion. As the time wears on, Asher is pulled in many directions: protectiveness for her charges, loathing for the master of the house, even a promise to keep to her dead mother…
Åsa from Hocus Pony was in her element reading it!
Happiness Boost:
Slatter has a dark and gritty whimsical storytelling ability, which makes for the best kind of tales! Honestly, The Path of Thorns comfortably sits amongst the classic fairytales we’ve all known and loved from our childhood. And I can tell you I didn’t look up from the story once I started reading it, because Asher’s journey demanded my undivided attention. How Slatter keeps creating such magic, I don’t know. But I’m here for all of it!
This tale features secrets, dark magic and the terrifying lengths people will go to for love. The Path of Thorns is a macabre masterpiece and had one of the most intense plots I’ve read this year! The threats are everywhere Asher looks, no matter what she tries. And everything she gives to the family? It’s never enough. It was *brilliant*.
There are Easter eggs for us book nerds! I’m sure most of you know what I mean by this, but just in case you don’t… Within The Path of Thorns specifically, there were mentions of characters, places and events from Slatter’s previous book, All the Murmuring Bones. And every time a little Easter egg appeared, my heart did a fist pump because I was so excited! Who else loves when a story alludes to another of the author’s works? It’s such a special and mesmerising gothic fantasy, I wanted to linger in the Sourdough realm forever.
Downside:
There’s no downside! This is an absolutely magnificent dark fantasy; so many bookworms are going to fall head over heels in love with The Path of Thorns.
Final Thoughts:
A. G. Slatter’s The Path of Thorns is an exceptional gothic fantasy, and easily keeps everyone on tenterhooks until the very end. I love when I don’t know what the future holds for a beloved character, and with Slatter we are never certain if a happy ending is a sure thing! I want to revisit this story again and again for decades to come. It’s just that good. If you love the sound of this beautiful book from my review? You can click any of the links below and get your own copy! Happy reading, glitterbugs!
You can order The Path of Thorns via these links:
