I've been following this author's book reviews on Goodreads for years, which is how I found out she wrote a book and why I was interested in reading it. Her writing in her reviews can be gorgeous and lyrical at times, and I was hoping that would translate to her novel.

At times, it did, and at other times it didn't. There were moments of beautiful descriptions and lush prose, but sometimes it became too much, and the descriptions felt as if they were meaningless.

My favorite part of the book was the setting: a boarding school with a dark off-limits forest behind it. Unfortunately, most other aspects of the story fell short for me. The main characters seemed almost like caricatures, not fully fleshed out beyond their initial descriptions. The side characters read rather one-dimensional to me and I struggled to connect with any of them. Even now writing this review, about two weeks after I finished the book, I cannot remember any characters' names outside of Andrew and Thomas, the two main boys.

I liked the idea behind Thomas's monster drawings coming to life, but I also don't feel like it really made sense why that was happening. I don't know why I struggled so hard to connect to this book.

Overall, Don't Let the Forest In was fine but unmemorable for me. I don't think young adult novels hit the same for me as they did when I was younger and more in that age bracket, sadly. But if you don't mind YA books and you enjoy psychological horror novels with botanical elements and two boys who toxically yearn for one another, then you will likely enjoy this novel.

Author C.G. Drews’ Don’t Let the Forest In is a compelling, dark academia narrative that explores the underbelly of obsession, sexuality, and friendship. From the very beginning, the story immediately immerses us into the world of Andrew and Thomas, setting up an atmospheric and intoxicating read that compels you to turn the page, determined to unravel what’s happening. But just as all things are not as they seem, neither are the boys, and the more you invest into them, the more harrowing their investment is in one another.

As someone who tends to shy away from young adult narratives, I was drawn in by the way Drews’ paints the world of these boys, using artistic language to reflect the artwork in the stories. As typical of a YA narrative, there were several points that were more easily resolved than others and twists that were both easy to see coming while also pleasantly enjoyable. However, Drews is a wizard, twisting the story at the very end in a way you never see coming. I’d had some hesitance about it as the story unfolded, but placing both faith and trust in the author, I read on, determined to find out what was truly happening. I, like Andrew, was completely caught off-guard and found the hesitance I had was well-crafted foreshadowing. The final descent in the last few pages also left me satisfied as I could find on better way to end such a deliciously horrifying piece.

Thank you to publisher, Feiwel & Friends, as well as author C.G. Drews for the opportunity to read and review early.

This book will be released Oct 29th — just in time for Halloween 🎃

This book was absolutely INSANE. What a rollercoaster ride of emotions and visceral images. I loved this books twists and turns. It was deeply gory without grossing me out completely, which is good, because I tend to pass out when I think about gore too much. I was able to feel squeamish and uncomfortable without passing out, which is a testament almost to the age appropriateness of the gore.

Other than this, I want to really emphasize how much I love the asexual representation in this book. I felt like this book's asexuality is most similar to my own, and I was almost relieved to hear it written about in this sort of way. I am almost obsessive when I form attachments, though sexuality is not part of that. This was one of the first times I felt seen, which is interesting considering the dark nature of these characters and their minds. Maybe I should see a therapist.

Overall, a spectacular read worth picking up.

Don’t let the forest in review.

First of all let me thank both the Author and Netgalley for letting me read a ARC of this book.

This book became something I did not expect both in a good and bad way.

Let’s start here:
The cover is so beautiful it hurts and that is exactly what the aim of this book is.
It screams macabre horror that is going to break you.
It promises themes such as forest core and horror with many representations including mental health, identity and much more… how could you not want to pick this book up?

I loved the over all ideas and plot - it’s is written so well by the author with beautiful prose.

I was thrown into this book expecting a story of two boys who loved each other so much that they brought horrors to life in a unique way.
However, while it delivered on that for the most part, it also felt like it came secondary to the self discovery of the boys themselves.
In truth, at times, I felt like I was reading two stories at once.
This is not a completely bad thing but it could sometimes be confusing and because of this I also felt that occasionally I couldn’t easily distinguish between the main male characters and their mental health issues.

I really enjoyed the creepy parts and the monsters that appeared almost tangible due to the authors skill.
Some of the imagery was so real, it felt like I was the one with dirt in my mouth.

Overall I ended up enjoying the book, and I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

Again I want to say thank you to the author for being brave enough to give a little pieces of themselves on the page for us to devour, thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to be a ARC reader of this book.

4.5/5. Incredibly unique and singular. It’s beautiful yet so disturbing and creates this sinister fairy tale that burrows beneath your skin. I quite literally could not stop reading. A perfect read for fall/Halloween.

This is a great autumn read but it felt a little rushed at times. That being said I do plan to pick up the next authors work as I feel like I’ll probably enjoy it more than this one depending on what it’s about.

Don’t Let the Forest In follows Andrew who will do anything to protect Thomas. When Thomas gets accused of murdering his parents Andrew wants to help. However there is something off about Thomas, he seems haunted by something. Turns on there are monsters haunting him and Andrew wants to help him before it’s too late.

This book sounded like it was going to be wild. I did enjoy it for the most part. But some parts of this book didn’t seem very well thought out and felt kind of rushed. I don’t think this is one that I will ever go back and reread. But I was hooked and the story was interesting. This is a great read for spooky season.

[Book Review]

Don’t Let The Forest In | @paperfury
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Gothic/Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Fiewel & Friends

🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

If you are a fan of:

✔️ Forestcore
✔️ Dark Academia
✔️ Fairy Tale Monsters
✔️ Friends 👉🏼 Lovers

This was the MOST anticipated book of the year for me and it did not disappoint.

From page one until the end, I could not put this book down, and acquired one epic bookish hangover 😵
When you work life gets in the way of your literary one 😒

What an amazing cast ensemble, short chapter sequences and the most unique storyline I’ve ever read 🙌🏽

All your senses are engaged with CG Drews practically writing the reader into this book.
At times I felt like I was there alongside Andrew and Thomas during their forest visits: smelling the moss, feeling the mud, seeing the vines…

Not to mention a plot twist I never saw coming 😮
Well played, CG, well played 👏🏼👏🏼

A huge thank you to @netgalley @fiercereads and of course, @paperfury for giving me the opportunity to experience my favourite forestcore book yet!
#straighttothepoolroom

You can get your hands on this beauty Tuesday 29th October, 2024
Set your calendar alarm ⏰
Don’t walk, run! 🏃🏻‍♀️

5/5 ⭐️
Everyone that has been raving about this book is absolutely correct, this was hauntingly beautiful. The story reminded me a little of Ava Reid’s almost grotesque horror mixed with Mike Flanagan’s use of allegory and then mixed with Olive Blake’s style of revealing the harsh realness of humans and their experiences.
This story is dark and atmospheric and beautiful and filled with so many lines I found myself highlighting. For example:
“I think someday you’ll hate me. You’ll cut me open and find a garden of rot where my heart should be.” “When I cut you open, all I’ll find is that we match.”
And
“I think it sucks to be ace.” “I think the world sucks for making you feel this way.”
I loved the allegory of the dark, sentient forest for grief. I loved how the main character’s experience with anxiety and depression was represented, feeling more real than I have seen anywhere else. I loved the conversations about love and sexuality. I loved the folk tales interspersed throughout. But I especially loved the mystery. We were constantly told just enough to wet our appetite to keep going. Then one mystery would be sort of answered to only then reveal a new mystery. Then the plot twists! It lured me one way only to smack me across the face with the real twist. Then the ending!
This story was exactly what I needed after feeling so meh about every book I’ve been reading lately. Plus it is perfect to get you into the fall, spooky season. I cannot recommend this enough.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

I enjoyed the relationships between the two main characters as they both struggled with their own issues that came together. The atmosphere in the book is perfect for autumn!

This book was an absolute masterpiece, a symphony of words that flowed like poetry, transforming a mere story into something transcendent. From the first page, I was captivated, drawn into a world that seized me completely—only to spit me out, leaving me utterly exhilarated by the experience. The characters' struggles gripped my heart, and I felt every high and low right alongside them. I’m in absolute awe of both the book and the author’s incredible talent.

*sob* I think I need to sit by myself for a little bit after that.

This was a story about an anxious and desperate boy, the larger than life one he loves, and the forest and its monsters that threatens to uproot everything. These were some of the most visceral horror scenes I have ever read and I will absolutely be reading again.

This is a digital advanced readers copy I received from netgalley and Macmillan children’s publishing group, this has no affect on my rating nor my review.

The main characters has amazing development, the angst between the characters was top tier.
This was written beautifully and addicting to read, I was comfortably disturbed and filled with suspense!!

Andrew enjoys writing twisted fairy tales and Thomas his bestfriend brings them to life with his art. Thomas protects Andrew from the bullies in their school. Dove ,Andrew's twin, is the complete opposite of her brother being ambitious and competive. The start of a new school year starts with Dove still angry with Thomas about an argument from the previous year and Thomes showing up with what suspiciously looks like blood on his shirt sleeves. Police show up the first day to talk with Thomas about his missing parents and blood found in their home. Thomas is acting strange and disappearing into the woods at night. Andrew is worried for his best friend and grappling with his feelings for him. Could Thomas be into something dark and malicious?

The cover for the book is what drew me in initially. It is such a beautiful and intriguing cover art. The writing is what made me stay around. It is dark and ominous perfect for this dark academia setting. I would have finished this in one setting if I didn't have work. The concept of someone's artwork coming to life to go after you and your loved ones is such an intriguing idea.

The school I think is portrayed very realistically. The dynamics of the bullies, wallflowers, and popular kids is done in a way that makes the school come to life. I couldn't help but root for Andrew throughout the whole book. I was very much like Andrew when I was in school but luckily had a better support system.

The relationship between Andrew and Thomas is toxic, condependent. It is unsettingly but beautiful at the same time. From the very beginning you sense that something is not right but you just can't look away.

" Every one saw Andrew as shattered and fragile, and maybe he was to them. But when Thomas looked at Andrew's sharp edges, he thought them dangerous and beautiful-not weak."

" They were beautiful together, they were magic and monstrous, and they had created a whole vengeful world between them."

Do not sleep on Don't Let the forest in by CG Drews. This is the perfect book for spooky season.

Thank you to Macmillan publishing and Netgalley for an arc.

Thank you Feiwel & Friends and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I love a good dark academia! Andrew enjoys writing fairytales but they’re all a little twisted. However Thomas loves them and brings them to life with his drawings. It’s the start of their senior year and Thomas is acting strange and the cops are asking questions. Andrew’s twin sister, Dove, and Thomas aren’t speaking either. This just adds to the strange. Secrets are being kept, strange things are happening, and the woods are a place Andrew needs to avoid especially after last year. Can he figure out what’s going on? Exciting, dark, twisted, and so intriguing! I couldn’t put it down!

This is my perfect type of book. It has a gothic vibe and is a YA queer book. I think this is my new favorite book of the year and I want the book when it comes out. I’m HOPING this author has other books I can read because seriously, I think I am in love with the book. Everything is where it should be and would make an excellent movie or tv series. This is a MUST READ for sure! It will be released on October 29th (right after my birthday but before Halloween which is perfect timing for it to be released.) I preordered it right after reading it. This is going to be a super popular book! I cannot wait for others to read it!

This is an ARC read for NetGalley. Thank you so much to the Author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this art! I can’t wait to get my book! This is my honest review and I was not paid for it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an E-ARC to review!
This does not in any way shape or form alter my opinions or rating of this books.
I’m just going to say WOW! I have not had a book that has given me literal goosebumps and verbalizing “but what do you mean?”” I was shocked and I could not help but read this book without a break. Few psychological thrillers I’ve read actually follow through, but this one I would recommend 100%. 5/5

Wow. I really enjoyed this book, while the pacing was slow everything else was wonderful. The characters were very easy to love and understand. Normally I have a hard time sitting through YA books but this one was captivating I didn’t want to put it down. The concept of the monsters coming to life is what hooked me on this on this one and the author wrote it perfectly. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a perfect fall read!!!

3.5. stars. This is a dark, lyrical tale with surrealism and haunting atmospheres. There really is an unsettling quality throughout and the narrator pulls you in, despite the pacing being a bit slow at times. Come for the character development, stay for the spooky vibes and themes on grief. A good addition to your fall TBR.

The only thing high school senior, Andrew Perrault, find more comfort in than writing his dark fairy tales is Thomas Rye, the boy he’s secretly given his heart to. Thomas seems to know exactly how to draw the monsters from Andrew’s tales. When Thomas’s parents go missing Andrew is willing to do anything to help his friend but first he needs to uncover what Thomas is keeping from him. When he follows him into the woods one night he finds Thomas fighting a monster straight from his sketch book. As the boys grow closer the monsters become stronger and they are running out of options to stop them.

Don’t Let the Forest In immediately captured my attention with its unique horror plot and beautiful cover art. As much as I wanted to love this novel I had a hard time getting into it. It’s definitely a dark and twisted tale perfect for adding to your Fall reading list. Just because I had a difficult time connecting to the characters doesn’t mean other readers will not fall in love with this dark horror infused romance…it just wasn’t a good fit for me.