Juniper & Thorn

Reid’s darkly enchanting second fairy tale retelling (after The Wolf and the Woodsman) takes on “The Juniper Tree.” Zmiy Vashchenko is the last true wizard in Oblya, and he keeps his three witch-daughters locked away in their crumbling home. The only people the women are allowed to interact with are the clients who pay for their respective powers. Undine sees people’s futures in her scrying pool; Rosenrot is an herbalist who creates healing poultices and potions; and the youngest, Marlinchen, is a flesh diviner, able to read people through the touch of their skin. When the girls sneak out to the ballet one night, Marlinchen catches the attention of the lead dancer, Sevastyan Reskin. Later, Sevastyan’s handler brings him to their home looking for a cure for his peculiar malady, and when Zmiy notices Marlinchen’s interest, he further tightens his grip on his daughters. Life within the Vashchenko house becomes ever more dangerous for the women—and life in Oblya isn’t any safer. There’s a monster plaguing the streets, and Marlinchen is especially haunted by the deaths. Reid fully embraces the darkness of the original tale while adding enough twists to make the story her own. Grimms’ fairy tale fans—and those who like their fairy tales grim—will be thrilled. Agent: Sarah Landis, Sterling Lord Literistic. (June)