A story of the evil that lurks within families, the fairy tales we tell ourselves to parse out how to live life, and the lengths we will go to for the feeling of love. This was a quick paced read with hints of gothic horror throughout. I enjoyed this book very much!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book has a slow start. Lots of heavy words and long descriptions with too much details on insignificant things. It was a great plot but I wish we'd gotten more info on characters and their motivations sooner. An intriguing read once you got into it.

This dark fairytale follows Asher Todd, a witch in pursuit of a revenge that (to be quite honest) sometimes seems to be continually and horribly going off the rails, is great fun and full of twists and turns that will keep you glued to the pages. With an admittedly slow start that introduces you to the characters, town, and general feel of the world the story is set in, I can see how some people might fall off this book. Once the story starts rolling, however, you will find dark mysteries and even darker motivations that slowly come to light, with incredible payoffs and some great character work that the opening does a lot of work to set up and justify.

Fans of Slatter's previous work will love this book, and they are sure to find a bigger audience of eager readers with this winning tale.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing me with a free ARC in return for a honest review. Path of Thorns is brimming with dark mysteries and gothic fairytale vibes, which are two of my favourite things. I took my time and read this languidly so that I could savour it and prolong the reading experience. The novel lived up to its synopsis und l was pleasantly surprised I loved the setting as much as I did as it really added to the gothic theme. This novel follows Asher's struggles as she grapples with past promises made and what she actually wants, as well as the difficult situations that she both orchestrated herself, as well as unintentionally stumbled upon. I liked the way Slatter embroidered well-known folklore into the plot and how those tales related to the story as a whole. This was tagged horror but it was more of a mystery with horror elements, as things were bloody and gore but never scary, and it lacked tension and urgency.

In the beginning the narration and sentence structure was slightly confusing. It felt like the author was either trying to flex her extensive vocabulary or trying to make the language more authentic for the time-period, which came off as a bit pretentious but got better over time. There was also some heavy-handedness with the way she took to describing every single piece of furniture in a room, complete with the type of materials they’re made of. It seemed unnecessary and could sometimes become confusing or slow down the plot. A nitpick-y issue that I had to overcome was the use of single quotation marks. It made it a bit difficult to read the dialogue because it could end up blending into rest of the paragraphs.

The complexity of Asher's character and her nuanced relationships with the various characters was by far the most compelling part to read, especially between Asher and her mother. It showed the complexities of a child starving for affection and approval even against her own better judgement, seeking it out in all the wrong places, and being almost overcome with jealousy when being around those who have what she never did. The romance was present in the background almost throughout the story, but did not become the focus or overshadow the plot. It was more of a sweet, added bonus for both the reader and Asher herself. Morwood and its inhabitants felt so entirely isolated from the world and separate from reality, but in the most fascinating way. However I wished to see more of the side characters but liked the way the were utalised within the novel. The last 20% gave everyone their just-desserts, but didn’t entirely tie up all its loose ends. I’d love a sequel but am still satisfied with the ending as it made sense for Asher’s character.

What may put off other readers is the fact that not a lot is revealed about Asher's character and motivations until much later in the book. I personally loved that, as it kept me guessing what Asher was going to do next and what the end goal was, but I would understand if others became frustrated. I’d recommend this to people who love reading about a morally grey character making bad decisions, with a gloomy and mysterious setting, filled with a myriad of secrets and dark truths.

This author, who also writes as Angela Slatter, has been compared to Angela Carter for her ability to weave beautifully Gothic fairy tale-like stories with a good dose of unexpected twists. Carter is way more polished and sensuous and has a more refined command of language, of course, whilst Slatter is more raw, rugged, and you can tell she's more inclined to body horror and gore from what you read in her stories, both this book and the ones under her other author name.

This one is like if you threw more psychological suspense and tension as well as a little dash of horror to the "Jane Eyre" plot mixed with elements from Grimm fairy tales. It's very atmospheric, sometimes confusingly foggy, and full of mysteries that take their sweet, sweet time to be revealed, layer by layer. You are lured into a world that appears to be a normal day in the misty countryside in novels by du Maurier or the Brontës, and right away you see the archetypal signs that you're in a Gothic tale: missing portraits, missing pages from genealogy books, creepiest of creepy woods, strange happenings, spectres right out of a ghost tale, owner of the manor with a personality that's unrelentingly abusive at best, and only yourself to extricate your body and mind as intact as possible from this thorny web. Or maybe, just maybe, you might have an ally?

Asher Todd is about the only character you'll like in this story, the poor lass. The rest are beyond hope and sympathy, at least to my eyes. I don't know the first person present tense narration was the most suitable for her voice, I think it should've read a lot better if rid of the present tense, although the characterisation and the story both compensated for this little bump well enough for me. It's one of the few times Gothic hasn't let me down and has worked well for me because there was no overuse of shock & awe techniques many others use in this genre, even in spite of the book being fairly full of genre tropes, which is fine when added in organically and deftly like here.

Thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley for the ARC. While this was a beautifully written book and the author clearly has a talent for storytelling, it was a little slow for me. The writing was very descriptive and I sometimes found myself wanting to skim over the extra details. There were a lot of things I did like though - the dark atmosphere, witchcraft, ghosts, werewolves, murder mysteries, etc. The characters were very well done and I could easily picture the town and all of its personalities. The romance was clearly not supposed to be the main focus but I would have liked more Asher and Eli. I think this would be a better read for the fall/winter time.

This book is perfect for fans of fantasy and dark fairy tales! I really loved A. G. Slatter's first book and this one was great as well.

The Path of Thorns
by A.G. Slatter

#ThePathofThorns

A lush and twisted dark fairy tale suffused with witchcraft, dark secrets and bitter revenge from the award-winning author. Exquisite, haunting and at times brutal, readers of Naomi Novik and Erin Morgenstern will be entranced.

Asher Todd comes to live with the mysterious Morwood family as a governess to their children. Asher knows little about being a governess but she is skilled in botany and herbcraft, and perhaps more than that. And she has secrets of her own, dark and terrible – and Morwood is a house that eats secrets. With a monstrous revenge in mind, Asher plans to make it choke. However, she becomes fond of her charges, of the people of the Tarn, and she begins to wonder if she will be able to execute her plan – and who will suffer most if she does. But as the ghosts of her past become harder to control, Asher realises she has no choice.

From the award-winning author of All the Murmuring Bones, dark magic, retribution and twisted family secrets combine to weave a bewitching and addictive tale.

I found this book completely gripping it held my attention the whole way reading it , it was written in an easy manner which kept u reading and up until the end you really didn’t know how it was going to end - would thoroughly recommend this book to someone who likes to read something a bit more unbelievable and off the usual path of most authors

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this title early! The cover caught my attention and I am absolutely enchanted with this book!! I really enjoyed how A. G. Slatter wove myths and folklore into the storyline, they lended nicely to the flow and lyrical quality of the book.

Asher is a delightfully spicy main character. I loved her snark and wit, I loved her fearlessness. I enjoyed how relatable she was in her drive to keep her promises to her loved ones, and was moved as she came to terms with being true to herself despite her family's wishes.

The household staff and family members are diverse and lovable. The personalities and age range of the children helped to add humor and charm to this dark and haunting story. The alcoholic grump of a butler found a way into my heart. Seeing selfless care and love reflected through different characters - Enora Charlton, the vigilant lady's maid of the wife, Eli's stoic and protective Aunt Tib, even the over-possessive mother Jessamine - emphasized the unhealthy bond between Asher and her promises.

Did I want more smut and spice? Always 🤭 Was I disappointed with the fade to black sexy scenes? Nope, surprisingly, not in the least. The plot, and Asher's family drama were enough to keep me feverishly scrolling!

Now comes the hard part... waiting to talk about this awesome book with everyone else!!

#BluestockingBookshop #bookswithbohemianyogini #mARCupBookClub

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!


This gives me Jane Eyre vibes but cooler. Loved it. Read it. ASAP.

Asher lives with the Morwood family as a nanny to the children. She does not have experience, but her skills at herb craft help. Soon the children love her, but secretes lurk, like the locked rooms and missing portraits.
I loved this dark fantasy book. The characters were well written with the main character being someone who you can like and even understand. The book gave off a dark and eerie feeling while reading it. The book starts out slow, but if you hold out it is well worth it. Thank you Netgalley and Titan Books for a chance to read this book.

I DNF'ed this book. For me, the fault with the story was that the narrator knows so much more than the reader and does not reveal nearly enough information to keep the story engaging. I tried reading to find out more and was disappointed with how much had still not been revealed 50% of the way in (at that point, we still don’t really know why the MC is at the house and what she’s ultimately planning to do). With the few plot points that were revealed up until then... they felt melodramatic and shallow.

And a neutral observation: this read more like a YA story to me rather than adult fantasy.

AG Slatter’s Path of Thorns contains extended metaphors and allegories but establishes a compelling reality through fantastic imagery despite the contradiction. This was not a thrill ride that carried me breathlessly to the finish, but a leisurely journey on which I thoroughly enjoyed taking the scenic route.

Suffused with gothic tone and aesthetic, the story transports the reader with folklore that feels authentic enough for fans of Elizabeth Hand or Gemma Files, and it’s supported by equally strong characters. It’s a fantasy about a duplicitous conjurer who literally wears two faces, but also a morality tale about a girl who wants desperately to please her mother. The protagonist’s schemes are revealed with restrained pacing and poise, making her secrets more impactful as the other inhabitants of Morwood discover them. The Author's Note section confides that the story was inspired by speculating about what it would be like if Jane Eyre met Frankenstein, and this book is a legitimate answer to that question. Fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Daughter of Doctor Moreau will be very satisfied with this imaginative gothic fantasy.

Clean your cauldron and prepare a sacrifice for The Path of Thorns.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC.

The Path of Thorns by A.G. Slatter is a beautifully written gothic mystery set in a fantasy world where werewolves, witches and ghosts are more than just myths. Thank you to @netgalley for the eARC. The author creates such a vivid and haunting world for such dark and complicated characters and you are immediately drawn into the enigmatic world. Asher Todd is sent to Moorwood Grange as the governess for the family’s three children and introduced to the family and staff of the great house as well as the colourful residents of the local village.

As the book progresses it becomes clear that Asher isn’t the only one keeping secrets. Her decision to take on the role of the village healer complicates her objective and the arrival of her mother puts the members of the Moorwood family, that she has reluctantly grown to care for at risk.

Throughout the book various characters recount their versions of different fairytales which all parallel different veins of the books storyline. The different fairytales woven into the plot add further to fuel the mystery surrounding the Moorwood family and Asher’s groeth and development helps to bring out the true natures of the other characters.

There are several dark themes in the book such as abortion, suicide and childhood abuse and neglect. Though they aren’t described in detail it is definetly something to bear in mind before you start this book. The characters are all fascinating and complicated in their own ways and Asher’s various motivations drive the story to it’s intense conclusion.

3.5 stars. takes a while and i do mean a while to get going, but when it does, it’s a wild ride. gothic with fairy tales snippets, haunted people and dark magic. will say i did find the language, that stilted old english, a bit hard at times to grasp, so much so that i considered DNF’ing early on but am glad i stuck it out and kept on reading.

many thanks to netgalley and titan books for supplying me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.

A dark fairy tale that follows Asher Todd as she becomes the new governess at Morwood Grange. Asher's character is well built along with others. While the beginning is slow paced took a bit to get into. The magic system is interesting, lots secrets with twists and turns in this story keep the reader engaged though the book. Fantasy is favorite genre. Thank you Net Gallery for this ARC.

Hired as the new governess for the mysterious Morwood family, Asher Todd finds her way to the estate with a secret plan of her own. Asher may not know much about children but she is skilled in the ways of botany and herb-craft as other cunning women of her time. As her love for the children and the people of the Tarn grows; she begins to reconsider her promise of revenge and who will suffer the most harm from her plan.

All the stars! The Path of Thorns is an enchanting dark fairy tale comprised of witches, werewolves, ghosts, and more. I was so excited to get my hands on this novel after reading All the Murmuring Bones, a top read, last year. As with that novel, the story begins with a strong female protagonist, with a hidden agenda, who is traveling to a mysterious destination. I love that the author includes snippets of fairy tales included in some of her previous novels (i.e. “Red Skein”) which fit perfectly into the story as a warning for the listener. Beautifully written, this novel completely pulls you into a world where cunning women are both loved and hated and must keep secrets lest they meet their end. I loved Asher who was spunky with a quick wit, a troubled past, and a loving heart despite her plan of revenge. A must read for 2022!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

I was influenced by Hannah Whitten’s blurb to read AG Slatter’s The Path of Thorns, an ultimately hopeful fantasy that horrified or saddened me in moments but always held me in its thrall.

Asher Todd is to be the new governess at Morwood. From the first it’s evident that Asher Todd has many secrets & those are slowly revealed to the reader in moments that are really quite satisfying.

This is a story about the nasty horrors inside people and families, & the things that even kind people are willing to do for a love that isn’t guaranteed.

It’s heavy, gothic, & emotionally unsettling; it’s gruesome & eerily lovely. There’s magic: witches & werewolves & persecution of both, & the protagonist herself is complicated in what she’s done & for the reasons why she’s done it.

Though there are romantic elements on the periphery, this is not a romance.

This was a disturbing, engrossing read & I had a lot of fun with it.


4.5 ⭐️. Release date: 06/14.

CW: lots of CWs including abuse, murder, attempted murder, killing an animal for magic, “whore” references, prostitution, violence toward witches, etc.

The Path of Thorns, by A.G Slatter, is a dark fantasy (set in the authors previously established “Sourdough Universe”) about a Governess named Asher Todd who is certainly more than she appears.
I loved this book, like I do ALL of A.G Slatter’s Sourdough Tales, although I have to say it wasn’t near as strong of an entry as ‘All the Murmuring Bones’, the previous novel set in the universe.
I though the mystery unraveled deliciously slow, and was satisfying enough, but the ending wasn’t all I hoped it would be, sadly: it lacked a certain something I couldn’t quite place.
I adored the main character, Asher Todd. I thought she was sympathetic, and very relatable in her constant struggle to keep her promises without straying too far into the dark.
I would recommend this book to anyone mature enough to handle super dark themes, and who enjoys a bit of a feminist slant in their fantasy.
4/5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Titan Books and NetGalley for the ARC. All Opinions are my own.