The Path of Thorns Paperback – June 28, 2022

I just finished this in two long nights. Every page kept me riveted, and I feel it's very well written. You're going to love this book as it builds and builds!! Instantly we like the main character "Asher" and come to understand her life long conflicted feelings about her abusive mother that can never be pleased..not even when Asher does what she promised she would. This story has witches, werewolves, ghosts, and lost spirits, and many cruel people. This tale will have people questioning, if we can ever trust that anything we may do can help change a cruel, selfish person, that should love her daughter, and does it matter in the end. There is a small scene of a budding romance that is not developed as it could have been, and it's my hope the author writes a second book and finishes where she quickly leave us hanging..With bated breath we're left wondering..Does she make it getting away, does she finally get the love she deserves, can she ever trust anyone to know her truly and still love her. Do the children she comes to care about have anyone left that's strong enough to really protect them? I'm hoping for a book two.

I have resigned myself to most books leaning too heavily on one or two genre-types in the scifi/fantasy/horror world: either tedious YA tropes or Game of Thrones copycats . One features the tiresome yet plucky special destiny girl who doesn't know how beautiful she is while flitting back and forth between two equally hot yet opposite boys that take turns rescuing our fair damsel from her own schemes - the other features 120 characters rotating in and out with each chapter and dying off at an alarming rate; don't get too attached to anyone even if you can remember who they were from 50 pages back, because they're going to die and die horribly.This story kept the cast simple, the plot complex yet never so that my attention wandered, the POV remaining squarely with "Asher", who was driven by a past grudge barely her own and therefore divided on the path before her when she allowed herself to relax into the role she must play - as for the first time in her life she could be someone other than who she had grown up to be. Although there are varying levels of hateful behaviour in many of the characters in the book no one is without a sliver of sympathetic humanity - just when you are set to hate one of them completely you have a brief glimpse of who they might have or once had been; this adds a nice level of complexity instead of everyone involved being merely window-dressing for Asher's ascent. There is heartbreak and resolution both in the end - but it could not have been any other way. Should not be any other way.

I enjoyed this book and looked forward to reading what was happening next. I would actually enjoy another story about what’s next for Luned, Eli, and Asher. I would like to know what happens further with the Morwoods. I recommend this book.

The story is quite intricate and not straightforward but very engaging. The main character is flawed, morally gray, often crossing the line to cruel and “evilish”. She also has lots if redeeming qualities but gets attacked too often unprepared and is rescued by others. This plot device was slightly overused in my opinion. There is a tread of romance that takes an edge off brutality and gloom. The twists are awesome and the book stayed in my thoughts for some time after I finished it. Loved it!

I was looking for a standalone plus the cover art work drew my attention. I was in the middle of a few other books and made the happy mistake of downloading this one and opening it. I still have the other books to read

This was my 2nd copy of this book — lent someone my 1st and never got it back.I loved this story. Everything about it, and the story the title came from is just, well, every woman will relate.There’s magic, there’s revenge, there’s family secrets.I will forever shout this books praises from the rooftops

How rare to have no idea how a novel will end. And nothing "young adult" about it, thankfully. I enjoyed every twist and turn until the very last word. This is one I will need to have as a hard cover on my bookshelf, not to be forgotten on a Kindle. Thank you Angela Smarter for the delicious diversion. I am sad it's finished.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book, but somehow I just kept reading. Ultimately, I thought it was really well written, and the characters really grew on me. And the ending left me feeling as if I had just finished a dark fairy tale. It’s definitely worth a read!

This book was so well written. Complex and compelling storytelling that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. I loved this book! Now I’m off to find other work by this intriguing author!

Another magnificent story about women and power. Asher Todd is a compelling protagonist in a book full of complex women making their way in a world that fights them and shapes them. Fantastic.

I enjoyed this book and the viewpoint of the protagonist. It worked as a good palate cleanser between series. I wouldn't say it was memorable though.

My rating : 4.5 of 5 starsI really do like the growth of twisted, dark, modern fairytales that seem to be doing the rounds at the moment, and this book here is definitely one of the better additions to the trend.Described by the author as what happens when Jane Eyre meets Frankenstein, this deliciously gothic tale is all about secrets, especially those dark secrets you don't want getting out in the world, the ones you want to keep buried. To that end, we follow the narrator and chief protagonist of the story, Asher Todd, as she slowly uncovers the hidden past of Morwood House and its denizens. Along the way, Asher's own secrets are also gradually revealed, and we get a wonderful slow-burn narrative that just keeps getting deeper and darker.Told from a first-person point of view, you do get a sense that you're sharing a mind with the main character, and can easily pick up on her feelings as each new secret is uncovered, and each new obstacle in her path crops up. To say this is an excellent example of how to tell a story well would be something of an understatement.I genuinely enjoyed this book, to the point that at times I simply didn't want to put it down. Slatter's writing is a delight to read, and I will definitely be looking for more to add to my ever-growing to-read pile. If twisty, dark fairy tales are your thing, then I'd say this is certainly one for you to get your hands on.

The entire story was unexpected and interesting. Well written. I enjoyed it. Reading another book from same author.