Bitterthorn: A sapphic Gothic romance inspired by classic fairytales

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I loved how vividly descriptive and rich in fairytale lore this was and with such a tender, sapphic romance at its heart, it wasn’t difficult for me to get completely lost within its pages. Every once in a while, you cross paths with a book that engraves itself in your heart and bones and has you convinced that it was somehow written for you. While the truths Mina discovers are terrifying, love, longing and the realisation that “other people can be salvation” leads her to take a courageous path.

Think sweeping landscapes, logic defying magic, mysteries galore, complicated people trying their best, and some unnerving discoveries. Both classic and novel, melancholy and tenderly wrought, Bitterthorn crackles with passion and warmth like a fire on a long winter night. I was hooked from the first chapter, pulled into the world and wanting to know what would happen, and how it would all end. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Bitterthorn tugged on the threads of my heartstrings until I had nothing left to give it but my soul.

I was also into the gothic imagery with large focus on plants and I loved the castle with its time-quirks (I am a sucker for magical houses! With achingly atmospheric prose, Dunn has crafted characters I would die for and a love story as powerful and enduring as a fairytale.

She’s written about mental health for Mind and the Guardian, and worked as a translator for Japanese television. When Mina is herself taken as the new companion, she finds herself living in a remote castle, strangely drawn to the Witch. Like Mina seemed genuinely upset when the Witch got mad at her, even if it was a front, but then a couple pages later we are in love and stuff again? Mina is a rather unbearable character, but the real disappointment was the witch, the emblem of the misunderstood do-gooder. I couldn't help but believe the kind of hopelessness, disillusion and desperation propelling our protagonist onto a journey she'd never have expected for herself (but which, I, for one, loved every minute of).

I’ve read poetry and novels and listened to music and viewed art all about love but it was like another language. It seems to have a lot of aspects from traditional fairy tales thrown in there, but for the most part we had fun trying to work out what was happening and what the witch’s secret was.

I finished Bitterthorn one winter night while the rain battered the windows, and by gods, what a book. How are you going to give this grand declaration of love after the Witch communicated her fear that she was too much of a monster to love, and then turn around and RUN AWAY when you learn the truth.She has a BA in Japanese from SOAS and an MA in English from Warwick, and has written about mental health for Mind and The Guardian, and worked as a translator for Japanese television. Especially the wolf scene gets modified for the better and I loved that: the protagonist twists her ankle while on a walk outside and can't make it into the castle on her own.

I also thought the end was a bit corny and didn't really understand the 3rd act conflict since I thought it was pretty obvious what was happening to the companions? Kat you have outdone yourself on this one and I have to say this is your best writing and story yet, I don’t know whether at this point I want to cry or track you down in London and hug you.Talking about better; in the beginning of the book, I really hoped that the housekeeper whose name is Wolf will turn out to be a real wolf and that the servants turn into wild animals at night, but alas, there was actually a village. Join our community to get personalised book suggestions, extracts straight to your inbox, 10% off RRPs, and to change children’s lives. If you’re looking for a captivating, fairytale story, Bitterthorn is an absolute must read and has such a stunning cover. Mina is struggling to find a place she belongs and is determined to uncover the secrets in the castle.