Hazelthorn must be infused with Heart Rot tea because my heart exploded by the end of this book. I genuinely couldn't predict any of the twists (there was one at 98% I kid you not), turning the page and crying at least five times, and I sobbed for Laurie and Evander. I've never fallen more in love with characters than I did with these two. The pining, the longing, the banter, and their past-- everything culminated in the ending, no loose strings to be found. The foreshadowing was at once subtle and glaring. I need to reread this book over and over. The life-wrecking tropes? The forest rot signature of CG? Hazelthorn put me through a lot, but not as much as Evander and Laurie went through. I feel like I lived a lifetime and a half just by reading their story. The mystery was insane but the love story was even better, because tell me why CG gave us a happy ending? Look at the cover and expect a happy ending-- you can't. But we got one and I am sobbing at their feet. I'm a sucker for all-consuming love, and this book took cannibalism as a metaphor for love to a whole other level.
If you loved The Secret Garden, you'll love Hazelthorn; just throw in a murder mystery, two boys in over their heads, and drawings of poisonous plants. Hazelthorn is just as good, if not better, than Don't Let the Forest In. Utterly, captivatingly, hauntingly obsessed with CG Drews' thorns.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC! All opinions are my own.