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A review by emilia_reads
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I need to stop having sky-high expectations for books from authors I've never read from before because I am always a little let down. I picked up this book solely based on (1) it's queer, and (2) it was comped to The Raven Cycle. Upon reading, the only real similarities to The Raven Cycle are that it is set in Virginia, it has a fantasy element based in nature, and there is a boarding school. I always feel like comparing books to The Raven Cycle just sets me up for failure because nothing has ever come close to the stunning writing, found family themes, and nostalgia-for-a-place-you've-never-been atmosphere of that series. I would say that the vibe of Don't Let The Forest In is much closer to The Wicker King by K. Ancrum, especially in the somewhat codependent relationship between Andrew and Thomas. By no means do I think this book was bad, and I would recommend you give it a try if you have been meaning to pick it up. However, some aspects of the book really did not personally work for me.
(1) I found being in the mind of Andrew during the entire book to be quite exhausting. Andrew is a very shy, self-conscious, and meek person, and as much as I sympathize with him, I found it very tiring to constantly be subjected to his feelings (this is very mean of me, I know).
(2) The writing, at times, is unbelievably dramatic. This is particularly when Thomas and Andrew are interacting. I wish I still had my library copy of the book so I could include direct quotes of what I mean. At one point, Andrew says that he wants Thomas to fit between his ribs, or something to that extent. There are many more instances of this overdone kind of language that does not fit with the rest of the story, or Andrew's character at all.
(3) The very close, nearly codependent relationship between Thomas and Andrew feels underdeveloped. Thomas and Andrew already have a very close relationship when the book opens, and as the reader, we are not really privy to why. I think this goes with my second point, that the writing of Thomas and Andrew interacting seems so bizarre from the get-go when, as the reader, we have only just met the characters. The Wicker King by K. Ancrum also does this, but in that book it doesn't feel like we aren't privy to August and Jack's relationship; I'm not sure why this is - maybe because their relationship doesn't start codependent, but really ramps up as the story progresses.
(4) The book read much younger that I think it meant to. The characters in the book are 17/18 and in their senior year of high school. However, at some parts of the book, the characters read much younger. I think Andrew in particular read much younger, but maybe this was just because he is a shy character.
On the plus side, I did think the action scenes and scary moments were very well written, had my eyes glued to the page. Although I wish the book was a little more atmospheric, I did really like the forest scenes. The overall plot of the book was compelling, and I am way too dumb to figure out plot twists, so the twist in this book was definitely something I was not anticipating.
(1) I found being in the mind of Andrew during the entire book to be quite exhausting. Andrew is a very shy, self-conscious, and meek person, and as much as I sympathize with him, I found it very tiring to constantly be subjected to his feelings (this is very mean of me, I know).
(2) The writing, at times, is unbelievably dramatic. This is particularly when Thomas and Andrew are interacting. I wish I still had my library copy of the book so I could include direct quotes of what I mean. At one point, Andrew says that he wants Thomas to fit between his ribs, or something to that extent. There are many more instances of this overdone kind of language that does not fit with the rest of the story, or Andrew's character at all.
(3) The very close, nearly codependent relationship between Thomas and Andrew feels underdeveloped. Thomas and Andrew already have a very close relationship when the book opens, and as the reader, we are not really privy to why. I think this goes with my second point, that the writing of Thomas and Andrew interacting seems so bizarre from the get-go when, as the reader, we have only just met the characters. The Wicker King by K. Ancrum also does this, but in that book it doesn't feel like we aren't privy to August and Jack's relationship; I'm not sure why this is - maybe because their relationship doesn't start codependent, but really ramps up as the story progresses.
(4) The book read much younger that I think it meant to. The characters in the book are 17/18 and in their senior year of high school. However, at some parts of the book, the characters read much younger. I think Andrew in particular read much younger, but maybe this was just because he is a shy character.
On the plus side, I did think the action scenes and scary moments were very well written, had my eyes glued to the page. Although I wish the book was a little more atmospheric, I did really like the forest scenes. The overall plot of the book was compelling, and I am way too dumb to figure out plot twists, so the twist in this book was definitely something I was not anticipating.