Scan barcode
honeycow's review
DNF
The premise was very interesting, but I found the writing style to be a little jarring. To me, the author cared more about the story itself than the prose. Which ordinarily would not be too off-putting, but the story itself also lacked flavor.
I didn't like the parts were in the beginning a character would almost say something important and then immediately be cut off; the author used this strategy too many times to build up mystery. Instead, it was more annoying than intriguing.
If the author had put more time into making the townspeople's and the main character's family's ethical dilemma more believable I would have finished the book.
The premise was very interesting, but I found the writing style to be a little jarring. To me, the author cared more about the story itself than the prose. Which ordinarily would not be too off-putting, but the story itself also lacked flavor.
I didn't like the parts were in the beginning a character would almost say something important and then immediately be cut off; the author used this strategy too many times to build up mystery. Instead, it was more annoying than intriguing.
If the author had put more time into making the townspeople's and the main character's family's ethical dilemma more believable I would have finished the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal death
richardleis's review
3.0
I wanted to like this more because of the atmosphere and tension, but I couldn't quite connect with the mother because of the repetitiveness of her thoughts about her baby. Perhaps because I'm not a mom. I do really appreciate the way the ending complicates what I thought I knew up until then. It's a satisfying ending.
jessicamap's review
4.0
Did someone say folklore horror?? Probably one of my favorite subgenres within horror – if you have any recommendations, please send them my way!
Can someone also tell me why I continue to read horror books with creepy and haunted or cursed woods?? I live in the middle of the woods and constantly am out at night with the dogs. Twig snaps? Nope. Back inside 😂 I NEVER shine flashlights at the wood line either. I don’t know what I’d do if I saw the reflection of eyes in the woods.
All that to say that Lisa Quigley has now added to that heightened awareness when I’m in the yard at night. Would you want to live in an isolated town in the forest where you could live happily and free from illnesses? What’s the catch? Well, the new town steward, Faye, is about to learn the sacrifice that the forest demands of them in exchange for their good health and safety.
The build up to the end was intense and creepy and sent that chill down my spine. I would love to get more history on this town and how the forest came to be. I highly recommend to those that love folklore horror, some psychological horror, and an atmospheric read that consumes you.
adamsfall's review
4.0
A touching story about family, loss, sacrifice, utilitarianism, and a spooky forest.
krigjer's review
2.0
I'm a huge fan of M. Night Shyamalan's The Village, and I've seen The Forest compared to it, so I was quite excited.
I knew this was going to be a mothers-child centric story, but I was simply unprepared for it. Specifically how often the main character nurses her son- it's just so frequent. I understand infants eat a lot, but it's bad. It's so bad.
The concept was promising, but I can't get past the constant nursing, the "sour-sweet milk smell" of him that we're reminded of every chapter.
It also isn't horror. Nothing about the events are scary unless you're also a mother/parent.
I knew this was going to be a mothers-child centric story, but I was simply unprepared for it. Specifically how often the main character nurses her son- it's just so frequent. I understand infants eat a lot, but it's bad. It's so bad.
The concept was promising, but I can't get past the constant nursing, the "sour-sweet milk smell" of him that we're reminded of every chapter.
It also isn't horror. Nothing about the events are scary unless you're also a mother/parent.
calebstephensauthor's review
4.0
This was a solid read with a great folk horror feel. Quigley brings the feels, especially when it comes to motherhood. Don't mess with moms, folks. Not a good idea.
I enjoyed this book. Quigley's prose is quite smooth, and her world-building and description is fresh and vivid without being overdone. The narrative is propulsive when Faye and her son enter the infamous Forest and can feel a bit slow in the flashback chapters. But I didn't find myself skipping ahead or reaching the point of boredom. This book was worth my time and hit pretty hard as I'm a parent myself. I'd like to think I'd do a bit better than Faye's husband if I were in his situation.
I recommend picking up this book if you like good writing and creepy forests. I'll be looking to pick up more of her work.
I enjoyed this book. Quigley's prose is quite smooth, and her world-building and description is fresh and vivid without being overdone. The narrative is propulsive when Faye and her son enter the infamous Forest and can feel a bit slow in the flashback chapters. But I didn't find myself skipping ahead or reaching the point of boredom. This book was worth my time and hit pretty hard as I'm a parent myself. I'd like to think I'd do a bit better than Faye's husband if I were in his situation.
I recommend picking up this book if you like good writing and creepy forests. I'll be looking to pick up more of her work.
pogue's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
raforall's review
4.0
Review in the October 2021 issue of Library Journal: https://www.libraryjournal.com/?reviewDetail=the-forest-2128009
Three Words That Describe This Book: engrossing, Folk Horror, thought-provoking
An excellent debut. Not to miss! This was the first runner up for a star. I only give 3 per column.
Draft Review:
Opening anxiously, as Faye is desperately attempting to disappear, with her infant son, through the forest, Quigley then pulls back to introduce Edgewood, a town like no other, a place where everyone is completely safe, as long as they never leave due to the oversight of generations of Stewards and the townsfolk’s annual Fall offerings to the forest surrounding them. However, Faye, poised to become the next Steward, learns the dark truth behind this veil of perfection, she cannot be complicit any longer. Told with an engrossing back and forth style of chapters set in “Present” and “Before the Forest,” readers are kept on the edge of their seats following the urgent chase and held in suspense as the nefarious foundations are laid bare. Folk Horror, with excellent world-building and believable terror, this is also a cautionary and thought-provoking tale about unearned privilege. A story that empowers the reader to question both the cost of safety and blind acceptance of the status quo.
Verdict: Quigley, co-host of the award-winning Ladies of the Fright podcast, is well versed in active contemplation of the Horror genre itself, and it shows here with a storyline that could be described as a 21st Century update to Jackson’s “The Lottery.” Fans of Hex by Huevelt and The Twisted Ones by Kingsolver will also find a kindred spirit in The Forest. [pun intended]
Three Words That Describe This Book: engrossing, Folk Horror, thought-provoking
An excellent debut. Not to miss! This was the first runner up for a star. I only give 3 per column.
Draft Review:
Opening anxiously, as Faye is desperately attempting to disappear, with her infant son, through the forest, Quigley then pulls back to introduce Edgewood, a town like no other, a place where everyone is completely safe, as long as they never leave due to the oversight of generations of Stewards and the townsfolk’s annual Fall offerings to the forest surrounding them. However, Faye, poised to become the next Steward, learns the dark truth behind this veil of perfection, she cannot be complicit any longer. Told with an engrossing back and forth style of chapters set in “Present” and “Before the Forest,” readers are kept on the edge of their seats following the urgent chase and held in suspense as the nefarious foundations are laid bare. Folk Horror, with excellent world-building and believable terror, this is also a cautionary and thought-provoking tale about unearned privilege. A story that empowers the reader to question both the cost of safety and blind acceptance of the status quo.
Verdict: Quigley, co-host of the award-winning Ladies of the Fright podcast, is well versed in active contemplation of the Horror genre itself, and it shows here with a storyline that could be described as a 21st Century update to Jackson’s “The Lottery.” Fans of Hex by Huevelt and The Twisted Ones by Kingsolver will also find a kindred spirit in The Forest. [pun intended]
raincorbyn's review
4.0
Awesome folk horror that uses switching timelines incredibly well. The author really used these time choices to paint a picture of trauma, re-assessing old memories with new information, and the emotional states the MC experiences as a result of this learning.
When the familiar becomes a source of terror, what terrors are we prepared to run to, to expose our vulnerable to, to be safer? And what is it about nature - as in wilderness, human nature, our own animal nature, un-civilization, that makes it powerful? Awesome book.
When the familiar becomes a source of terror, what terrors are we prepared to run to, to expose our vulnerable to, to be safer? And what is it about nature - as in wilderness, human nature, our own animal nature, un-civilization, that makes it powerful? Awesome book.
n0rmann's review
5.0
Really enjoyed this book. Lisa Quigley did a great job of making you, as a reader, feel the raw emotions of the main characters, and there were points that really got me tense, but in a good way. Highly recommended.