Celestial | Thistlefoot: A Novel
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Thistlefoot: A Novel
GennaRose Nethercott
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In the tradition of modern fairy tales like Neil Gaiman's American Gods and Naomi Novik's Spinning Silver comes an immersive fantasy saga, a debut novel about estranged siblings who are reunited after receiving a mysterious inheritance.
“A wonderfully imaginative, wholly enchanting novel of witness, survival, memory, and family that reads like a fairy tale godfathered by Neil Gaiman and Tim Burton in a wild America alive with wonders and devils alike. Thistlefoot shimmers with magic and mayhem and a thrilling emotional momentum.” —Libba Bray, bestselling author of The Diviners.
The Yaga siblings—Bellatine, a young woodworker, and Isaac, a wayfaring street performer and con artist—have been estranged since childhood, separated both by resentment and by wide miles of American highway. But when they learn that they are to receive an inheritance, the siblings agree to meet—only to discover that their bequest isn’t land or money, but something far stranger: a sentient house on chicken legs.
Thistlefoot, as the house is called, has arrived from the Yagas’ ancestral home outside Kyiv—but not alone. A sinister figure known only as the Longshadow Man has tracked it to American shores, bearing with him violent secrets from the past: fiery memories that have hidden in Isaac and Bellatine’s blood for generations.
As the Yaga siblings embark with Thistlefoot on a final cross-country tour of their family’s traveling theater show, the Longshadow Man follows in relentless pursuit, seeding destruction in his wake. Ultimately, time, magic, and legacy must collide—erupting in a powerful conflagration to determine who gets to remember the past and craft a new future.
An enchanted adventure illuminated by Jewish myth and adorned with lyrical prose as tantalizing and sweet as briar berries, Thistlefoot is a sweeping epic rich in Eastern European folklore: a powerful and poignant exploration of healing from multi-generational trauma told by a bold new talent.
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Posts about this title from Celestial
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Feb 19
💭 do you love exploring tough topics through speculative fiction?
give me ALL the magical generational trauma books, please and thank you!
📚 books mentioned: - The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova - The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott - A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang
👗💄: - dress is from Amy Jane London (rented from Nuuly) - eyeshadow is The Lord of the Rings Middle Earth Palette from Glamlite and The Spring Symphony Palette from Dandy Lion Cosmetics - eyeliner is Vegan Longwear Eyeliner (Lilac) from Pacifica Beauty - lip combo is Staining Lip Liner (La La La) from Kulfi Beauty and Gloss Up Sheer Finish Lip Gloss (Quiet Luxury) from The Lip Bar - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)
thank you to Atria Books, William Morrow and Knopf Doubleday for the gifted copies!
#fantasybooks #magicalrealism #fantasybookrecs #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @atriabooks @williammorrowbooks @aaknopf @amyjanelondon @glamlite @dandylionsco @pacificabeauty @kulfi.beauty @thelipbar
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fantasy books • books exploring generational trauma • magical family trauma books • fantasy book recommendations • magical realism books • diverse books
4 books
2
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 19 2025
🕎 happy hanukkah & happy holidays to everyone!
🕎 happy hanukkah & happy holidays to everyone! i know this can be a really challenging time of year for a number of reasons, so sending all the love to all of you.
📚 books mentioned: - The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez - Model Home by Rivers Solomon - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott - Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros - Heavyweight: A Family Story of the Holocaust, Empire, and Memory by Solomon J. Brager - The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero - The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan - Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
👗💄: - dress is from Cider - eyeshadow is from Ourbella - eyeliner is from Kaleidos - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)
thank you to Tor Books, Anchor, Inkyard/HarperCollins, William Morrow, Peachtree Teen, and Erewhon Books for the gifted copies!
#fantasybooks #horrorbooks #jewishbooks #jewishauthors #happyhanukkah #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #diversebookstagram #nycbookstagram #bookstagram @torbooks @mcdbooks @vintageanchorbooks @aaknopf @inkyardpress @harpercollins @williammorrowbooks @peachtreeteen @erewhonbooks @harpervoyagerus @ourbella.us @kaleidosmakeup
8 books
2
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 30 2025
fantasy books that i NEED YOU TO READ!!! hurry up.
fantasy books that i NEED YOU TO READ!!! hurry up.
📚 books mentioned: - The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez - The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero - Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko - The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin - The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova - Squire by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi - The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter - A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan
👗💄: - eyeshadow is multiple @halfmagicbeauty sparklestiks - glitter is from @lemonhead.la - jumpsuit is from @shopcider - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)
thank you to Vintage/Anchor, Tordotcom, William Morrow, and Saga Press for the gifted copies!
#fantasybooks #fantasyfall #fantasybookrecs #fantasyrecommendations #bestfantasybooks #WilliamMorrow #TorPartner #SagaSaysCrew #sagapressbooks #SagaSays#starrysteph #nycinfluencer #diversebookstagram #nycbookstagram #bookstagram @delreybooks @peachtreeteen @abramskids @abramsbooks @orbitbooks_us @atriabooks @quilltreebooks @harpercollins @ireadvintage @tordotcompub @williammorrowbooks @sagapressbooks
11 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 9 2025
who’s your greek godly parent? DEMIGOD BOOK RECS!!!
who’s your greek godly parent?
DEMIGOD BOOK RECS!!!
📚 books mentioned: - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott - Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki - To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
thank you to Vintage for the gifted copy!
#greekgodlyparent #demigod #percyjackson #greekgods #bookrecs #fantasybooks #fantasybookrecs #scifibooks #scifibookrecs #bookstagram #nycbookstagram @ireadvintage @torbooks @delreybooks
3 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 2 2025
fantasy books without spice (and minimal romance overall)!
fantasy books without spice (and minimal romance overall)!
but i know people will still ask if there’s spice every darn time. 😭
📚 books mentioned: - To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose - The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings - May a Divine Awaken by Michael Tinsley - The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong - The Undetectables by Courtney Smyth - Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko - The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson - When Among Crows by Veronica Roth - Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier - Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi - Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger - The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings
#fantasybooks #fantasybookrecs #favoritefantasybooks #noromancebooks #nospicebooks #isitspicy #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram #nycbookstagram
14 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 13 2025
FANTASY BOOKS I LOVE AND THAT I WANT YOU TO LOVE (PLS)!
FANTASY BOOKS I LOVE AND THAT I WANT YOU TO LOVE (PLS)!
📚 books mentioned: - The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez - To Shape A Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott - Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi
thank you to Tordotcom, Penguin Random House, and Get Underlined for the free copies!
#fantasybooks #fantasybookrecs #fantasybookreviews #diversefantasy #GetUnderlinedPartner #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @delreybooks @tordotcompub @abramsbooks @ireadvintage @penguinrandomhouse @getunderlined
6 books
1
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 21 2024
sometimes you just want a good ole standalone story!!
📚 books mentioned: - The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez - The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott - Blackheart Man by Nalo Hopkinson
#fantasybooks #standalonebooks #standalonefantasy #fantasybookrecs #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram #IGShareYourPassion @delreybooks @williammorrowbooks @vintageanchorbooks @sagapressbooks
4 books
1
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 14 2024
kyle reviews thistlefoot (long form!)
☆ featured links ☆ 💫 join me on bindery (celestial - exclusive content, discord, book club, and more): https://celestial.binderybooks.com/ 📚 join my book club (laid-back lit) on fable: https://fable.co/club/laid-back-lit-with-steph-starrysteph-360669875998
↓ find me in more places ↓ 🎵 tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starrysteph 📸 insta: https://www.instagram.com/starry.steph 📚 storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/starrysteph 📖 goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/147956803-steph-starrysteph 💌 email: starrystephbooks@gmail.com more: https://beacons.ai/starrysteph
☆ resources ☆ 🇵🇸 learn more about the history of Palestine: https://decolonizepalestine.com/ 🇨🇩 learn more about what's happening in the DRC: https://friendsofthecongo.org/ 🇸🇩 Sudan Solidarity Collective: https://sudansolidarity.com/
1 book
2
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 14 2024
two reading road to rings updates right in a row? i’m sweating. kyle finished thistlefoot (and obviously cried).
PS. we talk for an additional 25 minutes on the bonus video that’s now live on my Bindery. 🤭
📚 books mentioned: - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott
#readingroadtorings #bookproposal #bookengagement #thistlefoot #jewishbooks #fantasybooks #magicalrealismbooks #nycinfluencer #bookstagram #starrysteph #IGshareyourpassion @kylewatkinsphotography @vintageanchorbooks @knopfdoubleday
1 book
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Nov 23 2024
another successful weekend readathon! i joined in between work and a couple of other things and still managed to read four wonderful books.
these readathons are totally text based and are so much fun. it’s great to read in community and hold each other lightly accountable! i still have SO much reading to catch up on.
also shout out to Out of Print for the coziest reading socks!!
4 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Nov 2 2024
this is not a negotiation! these are birthday DEMANDS! 🤭 i’m only joking of course (i’m not).
1 book
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Sep 7 2024
i want to fill up your fall TBRs with amazing Jewish fantasy books!!
3 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 21 2024
omg how many books did i even pull for this?? i would have more if i owned physical copies of more of my faves! 🟩 green flag books!
20 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jul 18 2024
i got a lot of questions across platforms about the reading list i put together, so here you go! (ps. he’s already read & loved the fifth season - if you know me and you’re wondering why it’s not on here haha.)
7 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 17 2024
adult standalone fantasy book recs!!
i am so pro-standalone reads.
10 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jan 17 2024
one star reviews of books i loved!
which one convinced you the most? 🤨
11 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 14 2023
chag sameach, everyone. hanukkah is a holiday of courage & resistance, of resilience & freedom from oppression. my lights this year are for everyone who is not free. 🍉
8 books
Posts about this book from across Bindery
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Feb 19
💭 do you love exploring tough topics through speculative fiction?
give me ALL the magical generational trauma books, please and thank you!
thank you to Atria Books, William Morrow and Knopf Doubleday for the gifted copies!
.
fantasy books • books exploring generational trauma • magical family trauma books • fantasy book recommendations • magical realism books • diverse books
4 books
2
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 19 2025
🕎 happy hanukkah & happy holidays to everyone!
thank you to Tor Books, Anchor, Inkyard/HarperCollins, William Morrow, Peachtree Teen, and Erewhon Books for the gifted copies!
8 books
2
Cozy Quill\ \ Meg\ \ • Nov 7 2025
Join for free
\ \ Hi friends! We recently had our monthly "Reading Recap" hang with our Cozy Quill paid members and, boy, did they come through with recs!\ \ I wanted to share all these book recommendations with you asap because they just kept coming and they kept getting better. Thank you to everyone who popped into the virtual recap this month and shared the stories you're loving! Your contributions were very generous and I'm excited to offer the list to everyone in our cozy crew.\ \ Scroll down and you'll see all 38 books our Cozy Quillers recommend this season! You can purchase them right from the Bindery site (I do earn a commission on that, I think? I haven't yet so I'm not sure ha!) or just add them to your TBR. Love you all! Until the next reading recap...\ \ x, Meg\ \ Join for free or login](https://cozyquill.binderybooks.com/item/9c4JMh80PlKFSM7uicW9/)
38 Reads We're All Obsessing Over 📚
38 books
16
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 30 2025
fantasy books that i NEED YOU TO READ!!! hurry up.
fantasy books that i NEED YOU TO READ!!! hurry up.
thank you to Vintage/Anchor, Tordotcom, William Morrow, and Saga Press for the gifted copies!
11 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 9 2025
who’s your greek godly parent? DEMIGOD BOOK RECS!!!
who’s your greek godly parent?
DEMIGOD BOOK RECS!!!
📚 books mentioned: - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott - Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki - To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
thank you to Vintage for the gifted copy!
3 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 2 2025
fantasy books without spice (and minimal romance overall)!
fantasy books without spice (and minimal romance overall)!
but i know people will still ask if there’s spice every darn time. 😭
#fantasybooks #fantasybookrecs #favoritefantasybooks #noromancebooks #nospicebooks #isitspicy #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram #nycbookstagram
14 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 13 2025
FANTASY BOOKS I LOVE AND THAT I WANT YOU TO LOVE (PLS)!
FANTASY BOOKS I LOVE AND THAT I WANT YOU TO LOVE (PLS)!
thank you to Tordotcom, Penguin Random House, and Get Underlined for the free copies!
6 books
1
Peppered Ink\ \ Mary\ \ • Jan 14 2025
Join for free
Liquor in the Library, Part 10
Switching things up a little! 🍑
10 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 21 2024
sometimes you just want a good ole standalone story!!
4 books
1
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 14 2024
\ \ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/AqOlAuz80z6RA2uYYdTw/)
kyle reviews thistlefoot (long form!)
1 book
2
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 14 2024
two reading road to rings updates right in a row? i’m sweating. kyle finished thistlefoot (and obviously cried).
PS. we talk for an additional 25 minutes on the bonus video that’s now live on my Bindery. 🤭
📚 books mentioned: - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott
1 book
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Nov 23 2024
another successful weekend readathon! i joined in between work and a couple of other things and still managed to read four wonderful books.
also shout out to Out of Print for the coziest reading socks!!
4 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Nov 2 2024
this is not a negotiation! these are birthday DEMANDS! 🤭 i’m only joking of course (i’m not).
1 book
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Sep 7 2024
i want to fill up your fall TBRs with amazing Jewish fantasy books!!
3 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 21 2024
omg how many books did i even pull for this?? i would have more if i owned physical copies of more of my faves! 🟩 green flag books!
20 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jul 18 2024
7 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 17 2024
adult standalone fantasy book recs!!
i am so pro-standalone reads.
10 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jan 17 2024
one star reviews of books i loved!
which one convinced you the most? 🤨
11 books
Fat Forward Books\ \ Samantha Puc\ \ • Dec 29 2023
Join for free
After much consideration, these are my favorite reads from 2023. What would you recommend based on these picks? What were your favorite books this year? 📚🪩✨
#ReadIn2023 #FavoriteBooksOf2023
9 books
2
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 14 2023
8 books
The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Nov 14 2023
Join for free
Welcome to The Inky Phoenix! We are a book club for lovers of story and magic …
11 books
The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Oct 23 2023
Join for free
The Inky Phoenix Cocktail Library is BACK!
The Inky Phoenix Cocktail Library is BACK!
I’ve paired each of our 2023 picks with a corresponding drink (illustrated by the amazing @stephaniechinnart) and want to know what pairings you’d make!
The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jun 28 2023
Join for free
That feeling when the July Inky Phoenix pick is only days away. 🥰
Our 2023 stack so far! What are your favorites?
10 books
The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 25 2023
Join for free
Our 2023 picks thus far! Can you believe we’re only three months into this year? 🤯 Comment on your favorites below!
Jan: THISTLEFOOT by @_gennarose_
Feb: VENCO by @cherie.dimaline
Mar: OUR SHARE OF NIGHT by @marianaenriquez1973
Apr: ?????
3 books
The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Feb 13 2023
Join for free
THISTLEFOOT Zoom discussion time! Join us this coming Sunday the 19th at 3pm EST. If you’ve joined Inky Phoenix conversations before you’re good to go, otherwise add your email to the link in our bio! Zoom invitations will be emailed the morning of.
1 book
The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jan 14 2023
Join for free
Who’s enjoying THISTLEFOOT and regularly checking listings for a house on chicken legs??
Amazing art by @harp_and_crow 💥
1 book
The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jan 1 2023
Join for free
Our first pick of 2023 is here: THISTLEFOOT by @_gennarose_ !
A glorious modern fairytale inspired by Eastern European folklore and ancestral hauntings. Oh, and a sentient house on chicken legs. PERFECT.
Purchase through our partner @bluebicyclebooks
1 book
The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Oct 6 2022
Join for free
Looking for a witchy read? Here’s a few coven-tastic reads from the last two years:
THE HACIENDA THE WOMEN COULD FLY BINDLE PUNK BRUJA THE BOOK OF GOTHEL THE INHERITANCE OF ORQUÍDEA DIVINA HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL COVEN NETTLE & BONE THISTLEFOOT
9 books