A review by didis_readingcorner
It Waits in the Forest by Sarah Dass

4.0

Sara Dass’s latest novel, set on the fictional Caribbean island of St. Virgil, is a refreshing novel where fantasy, thriller, and Caribbean folklore collide. I’ve read both of Dass’s  young adult romance novels based in Trinidad. This book brings a new dimension to her storytelling that did not disappoint.

Selina’s life is marked by trauma. She endures vivid nightmares of finding her father bludgeoned to death and her mother in a coma, two years later. Selina is dealing with the grief from this horrific attack, ostracization from her community, and a desire for normalcy. 

Her involvement in a serial murder investigation leads her to enlist her ex-boyfriend's help, as he's the only one who truly listens to her. The complex relationships—her ex being the son of her current guardian, her boyfriend being the brother of her boss, her being friends with her boss and them running a secret scam on desperate people seeking supernatural guidance makes this a really authentic small island story. 

The romance subplot in this book is compelling. Wouldn’t expect anything less from Sarah Dass. Our protagonist, Selina, faces a dilemma of being caught between her picture perfect relationship with a man from a good family and no baggage and a complicated but unfinished passed with her ex boyfriend. 

 

Growing up on a small island, the pressure to conform to the “norm” is all too familiar, and Dass captures this beautifully. Selina's struggle, particularly her ostracization due to her mother's role as a seer, resonates deeply.

The beauty of this book lies in its infusion of Caribbean folklore, storytelling while providing an authentic portrayal of daily Caribbean life. The interconnectedness of family, chosen family, and friends on a small island is depicted with such warmth and familiarity.

The novel also delves into psychological horror, balanced with supernatural elements that highlight the opportunism prevalent in those seeking to exploit the mystical. This story essentially transforms a murder mystery into a profound exploration of grief and guilt. 

All of the young adult characters’ struggles with living in the shadows of their parents which is so relatable growing up in a tight-knit community. Growing up in Tortola the first thing somebody who don’t know you is going to as is “who you fah?” Whole identity watered down to who put you on this earth sans permission. It’s part of the reason why growing up I was itching to get off the island, which is something Selena struggles with throughout the novel. I’ll remember this book for a long time. 

Side note: I recommend formats other than audio. I did not find the story confusing to follow, it was very engaging however the narrator’s forced accent detracted from the experience, at times making it cringe-worthy.