Review by alynnhays - The Staircase in the Woods

alynnhays 's review for:

The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig

4.5

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The Staircase in the Woods was a pleasant surprise. I listened to this for a book club, and I went in with no real idea of what it was about. Right from the beginning, it had a strong Stephen King vibe with intricate friendships and mysterious, otherworldly oddities. I used to read books with this kind of atmosphere all the time, but haven’t for a while, so it was nice that Wendig's writing feels familiar to me.

I appreciated the psychological tension throughout the story. Even though it was a work of fiction, there was a sense of logic to it. The protagonists made decisions that didn’t make me roll my eyes, even if I can’t always label them as smart choices! Owen was relatable; I felt like he was the main character, despite the multiple points of view. I’m not sure if that was intentional, but I enjoyed his perspective and character growth. Overall, it was nostalgic and an enjoyable read!

Content Warnings