Parents' Guide to Hazelthorn

Parents need to know that Hazelthorn by C.G. Drews is a young adult horror novel set in a gothic mansion surrounded by a sentient, malevolent garden. Evander has spent his childhood locked away in his room for his own safety, but when his guardian dies, he inherits the massive estate and gardens, and only his old childhood enemy can help him make any sense of the past. Visceral violence includes a knife being shoved into someone's throat, a character being attacked with a shovel, people being buried alive, poisonings, and a hand being hacked off. Children are beaten, bullied, shamed, drugged, imprisoned, and operated on by their guardians. A child is told they are ill and gaslighted into believing lies about their mental health and their true identity. Monstrous creatures hunt and attack at night. Vines, roots, and thorns grow from within characters' bodies. There are a few passionate kisses, lingering looks, and a strong sexual undercurrent between main characters throughout the book. Adults and teens drink wine on occasion. A few instances of "f--k," "s--t," "d--kholes," "ass," and "God" used as an expression.