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Description
Blumwald is a town overshadowed by an ancient curse: in a sinister castle in the depths of the wild wood lives a monstrous Witch. Once a generation, she comes to claim a companion to return with her – never to be seen again. Now that time is drawing near once more…
Mina, daughter of the duke, is grieving and lonely. She has lost all hope of any future for herself in Blumwald. So when the Witch demands her next companion, Mina offers herself up – though she has no idea what fate awaits her. Stranded with her darkly alluring captor, the mystery of what happened to the previous companions draws Mina into the heart of a terrifying secret that could save her life, or end it.
Summary
I recently read sapphic gothic fantasy Bitterthorn by UK fantasy author Kat Dunn.
Review
Bitterthorn is a dark and atmospheric gothic fantasy mixing romance, folklore and fairy-tale retelling. A tale of dangerous enchantment in detailed world building set in a historical fantasy. This story weaves a tale that is infused with magic, secrets, desire, grief, courage and self-identity. A novel that breaks the mould of fairytale retelling to create a truly unique story and characters.
Dunn creates a fantastical world built within the framework of 1800s Prussia and a generational curse that turns the entire perspective of who is the cursed individual in a fairy tale elements from ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’. The writing style is carefully crafted to fit a first person narrative for the historical context. Here, Dunn creates a mystery of the Witch within her enchanted forest and the isolated Schloss.
The romantic relationship develops from a shifting in loyalties as the protagonist Mina unravels more the magic at the heart of the novel and the gradual attraction to the Witch. This is a sapphic romance where curiosity, trust, and emotional vulnerability are explored in an effective way between perception and reality which is echoed in the magical enchantment of the Schloss and surrounding forest.
Dunn explores themes of identity, agency, and the consequences of refusing to follow societal expectations in considerable depth. Bitterthorn is particularly effective examining how women can become trapped by the roles others expect for them and never truly being themselves and what happens when a woman reclaims control over her identity and what role she chooses for herself which may be outside the one society demands.
Dunn has crafted a beautiful atmospheric fantasy that combines elements of the gothic, fairytale retelling and a slow-burn romance. The familiar concepts of witches and curses are turned inside-out with a fresh look at characters who see beyond the roles expected of them.
Conclusion
Bitterthorn is a recommended read for those who enjoy sapphic romance, dark fairy tales and a gothic fantasy in an utterly enchanting read with genuine emotionally depth.
** This is my personal opinion and does not reflect any judging decisions **
