Reviews

The Forest by Lisa Quigley

Only show reviews with written explanations

thebookmistress's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes

3.5

spookyoctopusreads's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

🌲 What’s the most “atmospheric” book you’ve read? Like super creepy, unsettling atmosphere…..⁣
⁣
The atmosphere in this one....OMG!!! I think the "world" Lisa Quigley created in THE FOREST drove this book for me. I was so engrossed in the spooky darkness, and every time I picked this one up it just put me in such a mood. Faye's story is full of tension, but it's also so compelling and relatable. As a mother myself, I could put myself in Faye's place and feel her utter desperation and heartbreak.⁣
⁣
To be initiated as town steward, Faye must make the ultimate sacrifice and submit her only child to the forest (and the beings that live within) in order to ensure the safety of Edgewood. And speaking of Edgewood....what a creepy, cult-like little town....like seriously. Anyone else get those "culty" vibes? Anyway, Faye is a dreamer, full of wanderlust. She longs for a life outside of the "idyllic" town she was raised in...she just knows there is something more outside of its boundaries....adventure, risk, and danger. ⁣
⁣
Ughhhh.....this is seriously folk horror at its finest! Quigley's writing resonated in my head and had me savoring every page. I won't be forgetting this story, and Faye, for quite some time.⁣
⁣

wellwortharead's review

Go to review page

4.0

Welcome to Edgewood, A picture perfect town that nobody else can find unless they've been invited. A glorious, safe haven of good luck and fortune where nothing bad can ever happen. This is where Faye has been born and raised. It is where she is meant to spend her entire life and where she and her husband are expected to take over as town stewards now that her parents are retiring from the role. As the time of the ceremony draws near, Faye learns the true cost of living in such a magical place, and the price is not one she is willing to pay. With very little time to plan, she makes her escape from the only life she has ever known. Can she survive the forest?

This is a chilling and suspenseful folk horror with a strong female main character. I loved the whole family dynamic and the stunning way the truth was revealed. This would have been a 5 star read for me if not for some repetition. The tension that was increasing kind of evaporated a few times but the fear factor was kicked up several notches for the ending.

4 out of 5 stars

I read a digital file under no obligation to write a review.