My Rating ~ Five Stars
RELEASE DATE: 14 June 2022
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Publisher: Titan Books
Blurb
Alone in the world, Asher Todd travels to the remote estate of Morwood Grange to become governess to three small children. Her sole possessions comprise a sea chest and a large carpet bag she hangs onto for dear life. She finds a fine old home, its inhabitants proud of their lineage and impeccable reputation, and a small village nearby. It seems an untroubled existence, yet there are portraits missing from the walls, locked rooms, and names excised from the family tree inscribed in the bible. In short order, the children adore her, she becomes indispensible to their father Luther in his laboratory, and her potions are able to restore the sight of granddame Leonora. Soon Asher fits in as if she’s always been there, but there are creatures that stalk the woods at night, spectres haunt the halls, and Asher is not as much a stranger to the Morwoods as it might at first appear.
Review
Thank you so much to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review!
Asher Todd has taken a job as a governess to three children at a remote estate. She hides her possessions under the floorboards, because she has more secrets than most. Secrets some would see her burn for. When she uses her skills to restore the sight of the grandmother of the house, she thinks she’s doing a good deed, but has she set in motion something that will make the job she came to do that much harder?
The Path of Thorns was a gothic, haunting tale that I absolutely adored! With witches, ghosts, werewolves and incredibly atmospheric writing and complex characters, it was easy to be transported to the eerie setting around Morwood Estate. This story is woven a lot like a dark fairytale and set in a somewhat Victoria style era (although not quite). It felt like there were several mysteries going on, due to the sheer number of secrets held by different characters throughout the book, and I loved the way they were revealed one by one. Asher was definitely a flawed character who’s motivations were deep seated in an unhappy childhood and a desire to be accepted and praised. Although many of her acts were misguided at best and horrifying at worst, the author skilfully spun her story so I was enchanted by her anyway.
If you’re looking for something witchy, a little dark and a lot addictive, The Path of Thorns should be heading straight to your TBR list!
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