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A review by rachel_faerie
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early review copy.
In Dont Let the Forest In we follow Andrew during his senior year of school. Almost immediately we get warned the forest is off limits. Based on the title alone you just KNOW something creepy is going down in there.
In the first couple chapters we are already in a position to root for and feel empathy towards Andrew. His dad is dropping off him and his sister Dove to school and we can see theres some animosity there. Something happened at school that his Dad has cause to worry about him going back.
The author does an amazing job of building this tension from page one. Why wouldnt his dad want him and Dove to go back? Once at school we meet Andrews best friend Thomas and their friendship starts to unspool before our eyes.
My favorite thing about this book was the atmosphere and the foresty imagery. I felt the tension and you could cut it with a knife. In places I felt like I could SMELL the moss and dried leaves. The descriptions were so lush and poetic. Also the way the creepy nature crept up on you!? Then all of a sudden I was too scared to keep reading in the dark! *chefs kiss*
Another thing I loved about this book is that for a YA book it got REALLY grotesque and downright dark and creepy in places. The author didnt shy away from dark imagery and I really appreciate when YA authors dont hold back. Teens and young adults are inherently smart and deserve good old fashion creepy/scary books too!
I think the only thing that kept this book from being a 5 stars for me is that shortly after Andrew arrives at school I did find the pace to lag ever so slightly, but once I hit that 30% mark I could not put it down.
In Dont Let the Forest In we follow Andrew during his senior year of school. Almost immediately we get warned the forest is off limits. Based on the title alone you just KNOW something creepy is going down in there.
In the first couple chapters we are already in a position to root for and feel empathy towards Andrew. His dad is dropping off him and his sister Dove to school and we can see theres some animosity there. Something happened at school that his Dad has cause to worry about him going back.
The author does an amazing job of building this tension from page one. Why wouldnt his dad want him and Dove to go back? Once at school we meet Andrews best friend Thomas and their friendship starts to unspool before our eyes.
My favorite thing about this book was the atmosphere and the foresty imagery. I felt the tension and you could cut it with a knife. In places I felt like I could SMELL the moss and dried leaves. The descriptions were so lush and poetic. Also the way the creepy nature crept up on you!? Then all of a sudden I was too scared to keep reading in the dark! *chefs kiss*
Another thing I loved about this book is that for a YA book it got REALLY grotesque and downright dark and creepy in places. The author didnt shy away from dark imagery and I really appreciate when YA authors dont hold back. Teens and young adults are inherently smart and deserve good old fashion creepy/scary books too!
I think the only thing that kept this book from being a 5 stars for me is that shortly after Andrew arrives at school I did find the pace to lag ever so slightly, but once I hit that 30% mark I could not put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Self harm, and Death of parent