Hazelthorn by CG Drews

Anyone who knows me has heard me rave—probably more than once—about Don't Let the Forest In. It was hands-down the best book I read in 2024, so when I had the opportunity to get my hands on C.G. Drews’ newest novel Hazelthorn before release, I was over the moon. And let me tell you—I was not disappointed in the least.

From the very first page, Drews wraps you in a chilling, lyrical embrace. The writing is once again gorgeously atmospheric, each sentence steeped in tension and dark beauty. Evander’s life at the Hazelthorn estate is as claustrophobic as it is mesmerizing, bound by strict rules meant to keep him safe—or so he’s been told. But when Byron Lennox-Hall dies and Evander inherits the sprawling, vine-choked grounds, the thin line between safety and danger frays fast.

The mystery is riveting: a possible murder, an uneasy alliance with Laurie—the boy who once tried to kill Evander—and a garden that feels terrifyingly alive. The creeping botanical body horror is vivid and unsettling, a perfect match for fans of Annihilation or We Have Always Lived in the Castle. The garden itself becomes a character, its slow, invasive hunger as menacing as any human threat.

What makes Hazelthorn shine, though, is Drews’ unparalleled skill in blending lush imagery with heart-pounding suspense. You don’t just read this book—you breathe it in, spores and all. By the end, I felt both haunted and awestruck.

Verdict: Hazelthorn is a must-read gothic horror that will sink its roots deep into your mind and stay there long after you’ve turned the last page. Drews has done it again.

***Release Date: October 28, 2025

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