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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely loved The God of the Woods. It’s atmospheric, layered, and filled with complex characters that made me want to savor every chapter.
The novel begins with Barbara Van Laar’s disappearance — eerily echoing the unsolved case of her brother Bear, who vanished ten years earlier. From there, family secrets and fractures begin to unravel, pulling the reader deep into the heart of the Adirondacks and into the equally dark corridors of the Van Laar family history.
What made the book stand out for me were the characters. Judyta “Judy” Luptack, the female state trooper assigned to the case, was one of my favorites. She seemed to be the only one who could consistently “see through” the Van Laars’ polished façade, asking the questions no one else dared and bringing empathy to an otherwise closed-off investigation.
Alice Van Laar, Barbara’s mother, was another fascinating character. Her life has been defined by the expectations and decisions of the men around her — her husband, her family, her society. She is at once fragile and strong, and I found her portrayal hauntingly real.
The novel balances suspense with rich emotional depth. It’s not just a mystery about missing children, but also about privilege, silence, grief, and the roles we are forced into. The ending tied the threads together in a way that felt both tragic and inevitable.
This was a superb book from start to finish. For me, it’s one of those novels that lingers — not just for its plot, but for the questions it raises about family, power, and the stories we inherit.
This book had way too many characters, too many pov's and took way too long to get anywhere. It was confusing. I don't recommend.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The God of the Woods was beautifully written, deeply layered, and totally heartbreaking. It explored so many different versions of love—messy, quiet, painful, enduring. I especially appreciated the theme of independence and what it means to truly go your own way. It lingered with me long after the final page.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I listened to the audiobook. That being said, it took me a minute to get in to the story just because it jumps from different POVs and timelines. So once I figured that out and who the characters were, it made it easier to follow along.
After that, the story had me hooked. I worked summer camps for several years, so I enjoyed that setting for sure. I enjoyed the mystery and family drama lol. A nice change in genre than my usual, but I liked it.
After that, the story had me hooked. I worked summer camps for several years, so I enjoyed that setting for sure. I enjoyed the mystery and family drama lol. A nice change in genre than my usual, but I liked it.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated