This was an interesting novel that I have mixed feelings about. It gave "Ritual" meets "Blair Witch Project" movie vibes. It was intense, dark, fast pace and creepy, but the last quarter kind of lost me. Not in that I couldn't follow along type lost me, more of a I wasn't sure I cared anymore type vibe. The ending just wasn't for me. I wanted to love this one so much, but the later portion just took a direction that failed in comparison to the first chunk of story.

Loved this! Creepy, unsettling, and will make you never want to go back in the woods! Perfect for spooky season!

Thank you to the publisher!

This was a tough read. Not my favorite. I could barely get through it.

I just described this book to my friend as Are You Afraid of the Dark for adults, mixed with IT, with some good old weird shit thrown in for good measure. (I almost wrote something else but it would 100% give away the whole book plot).

I adored the messed up characters and the time Triana took to introduce us to each one. I enjoyed the messed up atmosphere and I enjoyed the REALLY FUCKING MESSED UP ENDING.

Cant believe this was my first Triana book. Won’t be my last that’s for sure.

This book had me on edge the entire time, filled with an eerie atmosphere and a constant sense of unease. The mystery was intense, and I was never sure what was lurking around the corner. It’s a chilling read that keeps you guessing until the end.

Predictable. Moderate-to-Slow. I was expecting a bit more but did still enjoy the read. I still look forward to her future works.

Thank you NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a PDF to me for review.

Kristopher Triana has been a rising star in indie horror, particularly with his first 3 extreme horror classics Body Art, Full Brutal, and Toxic Love. He has also written more traditional horror, a couple of splatter westerns, and crime novels as well. His Gone to See the River Man books, the brutal And the Devil Cried, and the carnage-heavy collaboration The Night Stockers have been other career highpoints in recent years, although there have been some books with fewer attributes here and there. Ex-Boogeyman is a slasher-themed book begging to subvert genre expectations that instead leans into them for underwhelming results. A Fine Evening in Hell has a compelling beginning that becomes predictable and tells more than it shows in the last act, as if to convince you it’s as harsh as some of his other works. I was hoping That Night in the Woods would be grouped with the glories rather than the also-rans.

The concept is going to be almost irresistible to horror readers—adults who encountered evil as teenagers are called back home after one of their friends dies. Anyone with a fondness for Stephen King’s It is going to resonate with that concept. The first part of the book introduces us to the characters and their eventual convergence in the town of Redford. I found this the most engrossing part of the book. Triana usually has a strong flare for characterization and he does a pretty good job here separating the group so you can keep up with who everyone is and their various interrelationships.

Issues begin with the flashback to the eponymous night, because it is mostly not that intriguing or terrifying. There is a reason for that, a twist that in one sense works, but in another also works against the novel’s best interests. You may find yourself wondering why some of the characters are so resistant to any kind of supernatural explanation for their strange experiences, which you are ready for them to just abandon for the story to progress. Everything builds to a third act where there is an attempted subversion of a horror trope, in service of a conclusion that does not really feel earned. A character’s determination is rather quickly discarded for the ending the author wanted to have rather than what the narrative established.

In this respect, That Night in the Woods tends toward the Ex-Boogeyman tier of Triana’s work. It is an easily recognizable backdrop where you expect a proven talent to take it in some exciting new direction, but which is mostly relying on its last act revelations to do the heavy lifting for a storyline that starts to feel repetitive, populated by characters who are separate but not as endearing as you would hope. If you liked The Long Shadows of October, you might still find enough enjoyment here, but if you expect more from him on the basis of the aforementioned trilogy, And the Devil Cried, or Gone to See the Riverman, there is less here to distinguish this work.

3.5 stars

Big Kristopher Triana fan. Have read Gone to See the River Man and A Cold Place for Dying by him and have his latest The Old Lady on my shelf. This one was killer! Can’t go wrong with Triana

A group of friends go into the woods... and the rest is fairly predictable. This was surprisingly quite slow-paced and boring, I expected otherwise from Triana, considering his other work. It brings the horror element and has a few twists, but it's just so tedious to read through all the character drama, unnecessary life snippets, and the ridiculous immaturity of the 40 somethings that have (predictably) gathered after parting ways in their youth following an "incident" just to rehash and relive it.

Another great book from Kristopher Triana! It’s horror to its’ core and I never wanted to put this book down. There are definitely some good scares and twists. I highly recommend it!

I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn't get into it. It was more of a "me" problem. I think others will enjoy this book very much.

This one was a race-to-the-finish which I couldn’t put down. I read it in one sitting. The book is well-paced and sucks you in from the beginning. The wood scenes were heart-pounding and atmospheric and make you want to keep reading to find out just what happened that night in the woods. I’d highly recommend this fun-to-read horror novel.

A slow book about reunited childhood friends with chapter upon chapters of each character. I could not continue reading this book.

I love this author! This book was brutal and descriptive and really captures some of the darkness that surrounds us.

This book was a DNF for me, I really tried to finish it but I just couldn’t. Based on the description I was expecting more and had set my expectations so high for it which may have been where I went wrong.

Thanks to the publisher here at Netgalley for this Arc.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>That Night in the Woods</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>That Night in the Woods</i> by Kristopher Triana is a gripping and atmospheric horror novel that delivers thrills and chills in equal measure. Set against the backdrop of a remote forest, Triana weaves a tale of terror that will leave readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

<h4>The Details</h4>

One of the strengths of the novel is its rich and immersive setting. Triana's vivid descriptions bring the eerie forest to life, evoking a sense of dread and unease that permeates every page. From the rustling of the leaves to the howling of the wind, the atmosphere is palpable, drawing readers deeper into the heart of darkness.

The characters in <i>That Night in the Woods</i> are equally compelling. Each has their own secrets and motivations that drive the plot forward. As the night unfolds and the horrors of the forest are revealed, readers will find themselves deeply invested in the fates of the characters, rooting for their survival against all odds.

Triana's writing is tight and suspenseful, ratcheting up the tension with each passing chapter. The pacing is expertly handled. It keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the mystery unfolds and the stakes continue to rise.

But perhaps the greatest strength of <i>That Night in the Woods</i> is its ability to tap into primal fears and emotions. Triana explores themes of isolation, survival, and the darkness that lurks within us all. This crafts a story that is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>That Night in the Woods</i> is a must-read for fans of horror fiction. With its spine-tingling atmosphere, compelling characters, and relentless suspense, Kristopher Triana has crafted a tale. It will linger in the minds of readers long after the final page is turned.

Ahhh i've tried to finish this four different times over the past year. Unfortunately it's just not for me. Too many characters to follow, but they aren't flushed out enough to differentiate among them without a character list, and it was far too long. It seems like it would be a good movie though...i'd definitely watch that.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC! I am very grateful and happy to explore everything this author will write in the future as well!

Kristopher Triana does not disappoint. I enjoyed this story and liked the viewpoints from modern day and the past, allowing us to get to know the characters as teens and as they are as adults. This one took me a bit to get through, but only due to my own reading slump. Triana’s stories tend to pull the reader in immediately and once you start, it’s hard to put his books down.

Doesn't disappoint! Super creepy and keeps the vibe throughout. Haven't read much from this author but can't wait to delve into more now. You won't be disappointed