Hazelthorn by CG Drews | Book Review

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Hazelthron by CH Drews
Published by Feiwel & Friends on October 28, 2025
Genres: Horror, LGBT
Pages: 368
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased

Content Warnings: Blood, Death, Murder, Gore, Dismemberment, Child Abuse, Death of a Parent, Medical Abuse, Ableism, Eating Disorders
Rating:

Evander has lived like a ghost in the forgotten corners of the Hazelthorn estate ever since he was taken in by his reclusive billionaire guardian, Byron Lennox-Hall, when he was a child. For his safety, Evander has been given three ironclad rules to follow: He can never leave the estate. He can never go into the gardens. And most importantly, he can never again be left alone with Byron's charming, underachieving grandson, Laurie. That last rule has been in place ever since Laurie tried to kill Evander seven years ago, and yet somehow Evander is still obsessed with him. When Byron suddenly dies, Evander inherits Hazelthorn’s immense gothic mansion and acres of sprawling grounds, along with the entirety of the Lennox-Hall family's vast wealth. But Evander's sure his guardian was murdered, and Laurie may be the only one who can help him find the killer before they come for Evander next. Perhaps even more concerning is how the overgrown garden is refusing to stay behind its walls, slipping its vines and spores deeper into the house with each passing day. As the family’s dark secrets unravel alongside the growing horror of their terribly alive, bloodthirsty garden, Evander needs to find out what he’s really inheriting before the garden demands to be fed once more.

CG Drews is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I loved their first book, Don't Let the Forest In, and was so excited when my special edition of Hazelthorn arrived. Like Don't Let the Forest In, Hazelthorn explores botanical horror through the eyes of a teenage boy who is an unreliable narrator, to say the least.

Set in the slowly decaying mansion of Hazelthorn with a garden overtaking everything, Evander is at a loss as to why he suffers the way he does from an unknown affliction and what he will do when his guardian suddenly dies before his eyes. As the vultures close in, seeking to steal the estate and its riches out from under him, we are pulled into what feels like a descent into madness as we uncover the secrets the Hazelthorn estate has been hiding for generations. Drews leads us through the sentient garden, down hidden paths and dark, shaded areas as we try to navigate the experiences of a boy who has spent most of his life drugged into a stupor. 

Their captivating and lyrical prose leaves us frustrated and confused, right alongside Evander. I found myself trying to read faster to uncover what exactly was happening, and I couldn't get to the information fast enough. Evander doesn't remember much of anything from his life in Hazelthorn, but he is desperate to find out, and that desperation fills the reader. Drews left me guessing until the very end with a twist I was unable to completely predict, and I loved every minute of it.

On top of a wonderful story, beautiful prose, and an eerily gothic setting, the characters are also extremely lovable, even those we are meant to hate. Each character was well-rounded and fully fleshed out (no pun intended), creating dynamic interactions that made me feel like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book. And while I loved Evander, I loved Laurie even more.

As readers, we get to see how trauma has shaped both boys' lives, especially Laurie, who was able to "leave" the estate. I say "leave" in quotes because while he can physically leave, the abuse he has suffered ensures he is never out of Hazelthorn's reach. We see how this abuse and trauma create conflict between Laurie and Evander and the other members of the family. As a teacher, these are behaviors I have witnessed in my students: isolated, easily angered, refusal to ask for help, but also fiercely protective. Drews has either done their research or has suffered trauma themselves. Either way, bravo.

 

I felt a rollercoaster of emotions as I read Hazelthorn, from happiness to anger to sadness and grief. On one page, I was laughing, and the next, I was crying. If you are looking into getting into the horror fantasy genre or reading diversely, I strongly encourage you to pick up Hazelthorn. You won't be disappointed.