Add this copy of Bitterthorn to cart. $18.11, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM.
Add this copy of Bitterthorn to cart. $80.00, very good condition, Sold by Atlanta Vintage Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Atlanta, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2023 by Anderson Press Limited.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. First Edition, First Printing signed by the author at title page. Limited edition by Anderson Press. Black paper-covered boards with bright fuscia-stamped particulars and decoration to spine; fuscia-stamped particulars inside decorative rule and floral decoration to boards. Pages are clean and unmarked. All edges sprayed purple with light shelf wear. Lavendar ribbon bookmarker is attached with some fraying to end; decorative endpapers are bright and unmarked. Soiling to front board at left side of title; bumping to corners and ends of spine. Binding is tight and square.
Add this copy of Bitterthorn >>>> a Superb Signed, Lined, Prepublication to cart. $104.73, like new condition, Sold by Zeitgeist Books rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Twickenham, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2023 by Andersen Press.
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Seller's Description:
Fine. 1st Printing. A fine UK first edition, first printing paperback original-no dustjacket (as issued)-All my books are always securely packed with plenty of bubblewrap in professional boxes and promptly dispatched (within 2-3 days)-SIGNED, LINED, PREPUBLICATION DATED & LOCATED BY THE AUTHOR-Pictures available upon request.
I'm not really sure on my feelings after reading Bitterthorn which is a dark, gothic fairytale for 2023 with a queer love story at its heart.
On one hand I enjoyed reading it, the mystery of what the Witch is up to and the secrets of her castle home and the predecessors who had been her companions before really kept me hooked and I read the book quickly in just a few sittings. Mina is a sad main character - a woman who has little interest in men and is belittled and put down by her stepmother and ignored by the rest of her family. I do think the book should have trigger warnings for depictions of self-harm and suicidal thoughts, even though these are only fleeting at the beginning.
The plot is relatively slow paced and information about the Witch and her castle are drip-fed to us throughout. It can sometimes feel a little too slow but the premise of finding out what was going on was enough to keep me interested. In the author's notes Kat Dunn writes that she wrote the book to show that 'loneliness makes monsters of us all' and we can see this in the main character of the Witch who is harsh and sometimes cruel. In the book Mina slowly chips away at this cold exterior to reveal a woman who is vulnerable and kind. However, I can't help thinking that this is not really a very healthy message about relationships for 2023. If you are treated badly, if the person that you love shouts or lashes out, this book gives the message that we should persevere and treat them kindly and yet sometimes this is not in the best interests of our health or our relationships and can be a great excuse for abuse. Just a thought...
Overall, Bitterthorn is a slow-burn fantasy with a mystery which keeps you hooked throughout, I'm just not sure about its message about love and relationships at its core. Thank you to NetGalley & Andersen Press for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
