Reviews

Brother & Sister Enter the Forest by Richard Mirabella

3mst3w's review against another edition

2.0

I thought it was going to be more of a thriller but it read more like a memoir to me possibly?? Idk it was a lot of trauma/dysfunction with the family and other relationships, so that was hard for me to get through. I’m not discounting it but, it was just a lot for me. Not having chapters or indication of the timeline (past/current), was really off putting for me. I honestly skimmed through the last 30 pages cause I just wanted to finish it.

savidgereads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

lorettalucia's review

4.0

This is a bleak story, one that fills you with dread at the sickness that seems to have taken root in the heart of all the characters. You want them to find their way out of the darkness but realize that most of them are too broken to do so. In fact, the one that is most obviously broken may be the one most capable of recovery and moving forward.

The writing craft here was quite skilled. The language was spare and yet still lyrical.

Very good.

isabelrstev's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense

4.75

craftyscene's review against another edition

4.0

This ruined me. Willa and Nick’s sibling relationship is painful and strained. The level of violence regarding Nick’s trauma took my breath away at times, but I loved the writing and couldn’t put this down. Wonderful debut.

rebelqueen's review

2.0

Abusive queer relationship leads to trauma and mental health struggles. Just okay.

keever1102's review

4.0

4.5 stars

meminger's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Grief, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Murder, and Mental illness

Moderate: Bullying

elizabethkovach's review

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

3.5

zach_l's review

4.0

4 stars. What can one say about a novel that has such a gripping portrayal of trauma and the worst kinds of "love" that, at times, I wanted to reach in and rescue everyone involved? The main characters all struggle to find the affection they so clearly want/need and you feel the narrowness of their worlds. Their pain and loss flows straight from the page and into your soul. The reason I give it four stars instead of five is that the ending felt less like an ending and more like ... drifting off. Not that every book needs resolution (and certainly not this book), but this one just kind of ... ended.

Brother & Sister Enter the Forest is not a light read, but it is a beautifully written story of we carry our trauma and family with us wherever we go.