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A review by samohtj
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I've been in a particularly gothic mood since the start of the new year, and this book seemed to be everything I was looking for. Two boys fighting off creatures from the woods, and working through their own complicated relationship. This book captures the essence of the genre: the macabre as a manifestation of inner struggle. Repressed desire, connection and isolation, a hunger that is equal parts erotic and grotesque. It's incredible.

I was promised atmosphere, and that's what I got. An aging boarding school in a remote east-coast forest is a setting steeped in magic and mystery, and contributes to the surreal and nightmarish feeling that pervades the story. You're never quite sure just how real anything is.

I knew this book was classified as YA, and made an exception to read it anyway based on an overwhelming tide of positive buzz. I'm really impressed with this book. The writing is much more mature and sophisticated than I've come to expect from books for young readers, perhaps an unfair prejudice on my part. I keep learning this lesson, and I won't be so quick to dismiss books like this in the future, especially not from this author.

I really enjoyed reading this. It was a beautiful work of art, surreal and mysterious without becoming fully un-grounded. This was just the kind of thing I was looking for, and I'm glad I gave it a chance.
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