Beautiful complex work of fiction that combines the vibes of 'True Grit' with queer triumph. Perfect for my monster f**kers. It blends religious trauma with things that go bump in the woods. I really love how we get to see Leslie and Stevie's characters evolve and how their relationship develops in the story.

I was expecting great things from this novella, and Mandelo did not disappoint. It was such a whirlwind of emotions that I was expecting, particularly the rage and hatred that flowed through me during majority of the book. Leslie was such a wonderful character, simple in his desire to be able to bring his experience, passion, and nursing expertise to the village of Spar Creek, specifically the woman and mothers and those similar to Leslie in being 'other'.
As with most small towns, the pervasiveness of the church group and their hatred of anything unfamiliar and unwelcome was expected, but always seems to strike the same chord within me, triggering a bone-deep hatred. This was, ultimately, a cathartic book ripe with the half-realized hauntings familiar from Mandelo's debut, 'Summer Sons'. This goes a step further to allow for a....monsterous climax (in more ways than one) where those 'others' are allowed to raise a middle finger at the town and raze it to the ground, in a way.
I do wish there had been more exploration in terms of the creature and.....how, but for a novella, this did a great job at already fitting a lot into a book that was really much shorter than it felt.

The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Honestly pristine fall vibes. Thanks TOR and Netgalley for the ARC! This was pitched to me as a queer gothic revenge horror period piece set in 1920s Appalachia. It is all of those things! It manages to do every single piece of that incredibly well, which is astounding. A round of applause for Lee Mandelo and the artistic skill it takes to pull of this book and for it to be as well crafted and enjoyable as it is. What they didn’t mention in the pitch is that it’s all of those things AND ALSO a t4t monster fuckfest. Some of the imagery was uh…. Not really my thing. The description of river silt alone had me taking a minute. But I still found it super fun and spicy.

I honestly think that the atmospheric horror alone would be worth 5 stars, not to mention the incredible characterization. The reality of small town life and the pervasive power of community leaders (for better or worse) is written with such reverence and intimate knowledge. Mandelo really knows how to pull at threads of tension and weave a whole blanket out of them. Kudos.

This book absolutely sucked me in. Usually I prefer my horror to be of the purely supernatural variety, but the combination of supernatural and all-too-human really got me. I loved how atmospheric and freakin' weird it was as a whole. Mandelo successfully makes the leap to historical (spec) fiction, & he succinctly manages to get a really good story into 160 pages. Def will be recommending!

I freaking loved this book. It's short, it's spooky. It's questioning what is beautiful and what is monstrous. It's set in Appalachia! Trans love story. All the things.

Haunting, moving, just a beautiful book in every aspect. I will be recommending it to everyone, regardless of their favorite genre. There's something for every reader here. I'd love to see more from this author in the future.

This is a great, albeit hard and intense, novella. It was not an enjoyable read, due to its focus on transphobia, homophobia, cisheteropatriarchy and horrifically violent systems and histories of the US, but it had some truly exhilarating moments, and the character work was great.

The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo is a deeply haunting look at the darkness lurking in the corners of small towns. I great appreciated the references provided at the end of the book for further reading, as historical fiction is new for me. The characters were, if not enjoyable, real and fully-fleshed. And Mandelo does creeping horror justice so well.

10,000,000,000,000 stars - beautifully written, creepy, atmospheric, and romantic topped off with a spectacular and well-deserved roaring rampage of revenge. Loved every page from start to finish.

"The Woods All Black" by Lee Mandelo is a haunting and evocative blend of historical horror, romance, and revenge, set against the backdrop of 1920s Appalachia. This captivating novel delves deep into themes of identity, prejudice, and the darkness that can lurk within communities.

Leslie Bruin, a character forged by the horrors of World War I and transformed by his experiences in Paris, arrives in the backwoods town of Spar Creek as part of the Frontier Nursing Service. Leslie faces challenges not only due to his role as a nurse and midwife but also because of his identity as a trans man. The novel sensitively explores Leslie's journey of self-discovery and the struggles he faces as he navigates a community that judges him based on his appearance.

Mandelo skillfully weaves together various threads, including the darkness that has taken hold of the local congregation and the enigmatic atmosphere of the woods surrounding Spar Creek. The tension and unease in the story build steadily, creating a palpable sense of dread that lingers throughout the narrative.

The characterizations in the book are rich and multi-layered. Leslie is a compelling protagonist whose resilience and determination make him an inspiring figure. The exploration of his romantic relationship adds depth to the story and showcases the complexities of love in the face of adversity.

One of the standout elements of "The Woods All Black" is its examination of reproductive justice and bodily autonomy, which are timely and relevant themes. The novel also delves into the dangers of religious extremism and the impact of small-town religiosity on individuals who dare to challenge traditional norms.

Mandelo's prose is lyrical and atmospheric, painting a vivid picture of the Appalachian setting and the eerie woods. The sense of place is vividly portrayed, enhancing the novel's sense of foreboding and unease.

Overall, "The Woods All Black" is a powerful and thought-provoking read that masterfully combines horror, romance, and social commentary. Lee Mandelo's storytelling prowess shines through as they delve into complex themes and deliver a tale of resilience, love, and the struggle for identity and justice. This book is a must-read for those who appreciate atmospheric and immersive historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural.

This book goes hard. It's queerness is beautiful, nuanced, transgressive, and label-defying. I loved the historical setting and details, particularly how a queer person might have understood themself through the lens of contemporary inter-war gender/sexuality mores among queer communities (and potentially, how they might have felt out of place even within that community). I also loved the Appalachian forest that is so central to the story. There's a lot of ugliness in the pages of this novella but there is also liberation to be found.