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aretaa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
paradise_library's review against another edition
4.0
I love a dark fairytale… in fact I actually wrote an essay on them for my German A-Level coursework. I don’t like the new trend for ‘misunderstood’ villains - just let them be evil!
While our main character Asher is not what I would call evil, she’s definitely not a good character. In fact, most of the people we meet are devious, involved in dark secrets or just plain malicious. Excellent.
It’s a slow start, as we get to know Asher’s background, and I struggled to stay focused. However, it picks up after a few chapters and becomes a dark and twisted tale of revenge. There’s blood, magic and wolves, all in a fictional Victorian (ish) setting.
Slatter is a fantastic writer, striking the perfect balance between enough description to help us visualise, but allowing our own imagination to fill in the blanks. There are a few plot points that perhaps needed less energy spent on them, as they don’t really add much, but the main story has plenty to keep bloodthirsty readers interested.
Characters are unique and each of them goes on a separate journey throughout the book. Yet there is still humanity in the children and Asher, despite their unsavoury relations. Greed, jealousy and vengeance drive the story and although the final climax is a little rushed and tidy, it feels satisfactory. It also leaves it open for a potential - and welcome - sequel…
While our main character Asher is not what I would call evil, she’s definitely not a good character. In fact, most of the people we meet are devious, involved in dark secrets or just plain malicious. Excellent.
It’s a slow start, as we get to know Asher’s background, and I struggled to stay focused. However, it picks up after a few chapters and becomes a dark and twisted tale of revenge. There’s blood, magic and wolves, all in a fictional Victorian (ish) setting.
Slatter is a fantastic writer, striking the perfect balance between enough description to help us visualise, but allowing our own imagination to fill in the blanks. There are a few plot points that perhaps needed less energy spent on them, as they don’t really add much, but the main story has plenty to keep bloodthirsty readers interested.
Characters are unique and each of them goes on a separate journey throughout the book. Yet there is still humanity in the children and Asher, despite their unsavoury relations. Greed, jealousy and vengeance drive the story and although the final climax is a little rushed and tidy, it feels satisfactory. It also leaves it open for a potential - and welcome - sequel…
celiapowell's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent dark fairytale by an Australian author (actually a Brisbane author I think, super local)
dinosaurcat314's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mikahmae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
crs1179's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
brii_brii's review against another edition
5.0
AG Slatter always captures this perfectly gothic and suspenseful atmosphere, and The Path of Thorns was no exception to this.
The world that she creates just draws me in and holds me close and never ever lets me go. I found myself completely immersed in not just the story but the way in which the story is told.
I loved everything about Asher. From the get-go when we know nothing about her, and all she is a Governess with a possible underlying motive from being in the house. To the point where all her secrets are laid bare and she is this strong and powerful worman.
This book took so many turns that I never saw coming. My heart dropped, it raced, and it absolutely froze at least once in this novel.
It’s a gorgeous story with an absolutely perfect atmosphere and just the righ about of mystery to keep you 100& captivated.
The world that she creates just draws me in and holds me close and never ever lets me go. I found myself completely immersed in not just the story but the way in which the story is told.
I loved everything about Asher. From the get-go when we know nothing about her, and all she is a Governess with a possible underlying motive from being in the house. To the point where all her secrets are laid bare and she is this strong and powerful worman.
This book took so many turns that I never saw coming. My heart dropped, it raced, and it absolutely froze at least once in this novel.
It’s a gorgeous story with an absolutely perfect atmosphere and just the righ about of mystery to keep you 100& captivated.
hviareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Path of Thorns is a paranormal revenge fantasy book that is written in interesting prose. Following Asher Todd, who has arrived at Morwood Grange to get revenge on those who live there, we learn all about the monster that lives in the world, the cruelty of the upperclass, the hypocrisy of religious leaders, and the important of forgiving and loving again. I rated this book four stars and really really enjoyed reading it. I recommend this book to you if you are someone who loves paranormal mystery, revenge books, or you are like to read books that make you feel pretentious.
trinforeman's review against another edition
5.0
This was just what I needed for spooky season! I loved All the Murmuring Bones so much. But this, this was a book that was undoubtedly going to be a five star for me. I love Gothic tales and atmospheric writing. I'm starting to think that no one is better at those things than Slatter. This book has so many twists and turns, so many nuanced horrors and a great, yet horrible cast. I can't wait to see what comes next.