Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn

In a castle, somewhere near Blumwald, in the Duchy of Scwartzstein, lives a witch. The local people know of her through her curse on the town, that once every 50 years they must supply the witch with a companion or bad things will happen and the town will fail to thrive. Daughter of the Duke, 20-year-old Mina has other worries as she vies with her stepmother and stepsisters for her father’s attention and can see no future for herself. He is totally absorbed with his plans for industrialization and the building of railways and has no time for his lonely daughter who is still grieving the death of her mother and seeks release from her pain in self-harm. When the witch comes to exact her due Mina offers herself up as the new companion and meets little resistance from her family. Mina narrates her new life in the mysterious castle where time shifts and her loneliness takes on a whole new dimension, but she seems in no immediate danger and occupies herself by exploring the castle and grounds while the witch disappears into her tower. Slowly Mina negotiates communication with the reluctant witch and a relationship develops between the two.

For a gothic-style, Beauty and the Beast reimagining this fell flat. The pace was slow and the dramas weak and although some of the costume detail was interesting the geology aspect didn’t quite work and the ending seemed contrived. The cover design with its silver skull wrapped in thorns is stylishly carried through the seasonal divisions in the book but I was unable to find the designer’s name anywhere. The gothic, fairy tale style seemed more suitable for younger readers but the sexual relationship and instances of self-harm didn’t really fit. However, lonely, or grieving young adults may find solace in this hopeful story where love conquers all.

Themes: Gothic, Fantasy, Lesbian, Romance.

Sue Speck