Andrew, Thomas, and Dove, Andrew’s twin sister, were three main characters who all felt so real. I don’t know how Drews did it but it worked so so well. The characters, along with the atmosphere of the setting, allowed me to feel as if I were right there along with them; going to school with them, battling the monsters in the forest with them. Even though Dove featured less than the boys you still got a feeling for her personality, how much she loved her brother, had a confusing relationship with Thomas. I loved how codependent the boys were. It made me think of The Wicker King by K. Ancrum – another book I loved. Andrew and Thomas wanted to be near each other, had to be near each other. Even if it sometimes seemed to be a bad thing, their relying on each other. That they both had this innate need to be near each other. I drank it all in so much.

Thomas with his “I hate everyone but you” attitude (a microtrope I do love). Andrew with his near-obsession with Thomas. Dove pulling away from her brother and Thomas even though she was close before. I couldn’t pull myself away from any of it. I did think their school was a bit weird/unbelievable for not being more present in their lives. But also I’ll choose to believe that either they had no idea how to deal with everything or the school was (dealing with it) and the characters just refused to listen. I think with another writer I would’ve gotten annoyed at how many times Andrew went on about Thomas, how almost all of his thoughts and (nearly) his whole world revolved around him; but I never got that with Drews. I think that spoke of how good their writing was.

The plot was interestingly weird and there was a definite focus on the characters rather than the plot. Even so, the plot was still excellent. it balanced whatever weird things were happening in the woods with their lives and glimpses into their schooling. Obviously the focus wasn’t meant to be on their classes, it never was. Only what they were going through that day, how it made them feel. The book did something I love (specifically in horror movies) where things seem to be fine… until they aren’t. Until odd things start happening, keep rising until they’re so visible. It’s one way to get me into a story and to keep me there.

The writing was so good. I easily fell into the world and the descriptions of Andrew’s writing and Thomas’s drawings were so well-written they came alive. Also the physical books have illustrations (I think maybe the normal ones not just special editions). Now I know what to look forward to for Drews’ backlist books and their new releases (the cover for Hazelthorn just released and it is absolutely excellent). It’s magical and stunning and I thoroughly recommend it to you all!

Delayed in posting this, but devoured this book. The representation, the pining, all mixed in with the perfect amount of horror. Right up my alley. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book!

4.5 stars

i hate to admit this but i read this book literally months ago, i got an arc and was meaning to write a great review but... i forgot haha

but i can at least say now that this book is so so so good!! its definitely something you need to read even if you don't like horror. I never read horror bc its not my fav but this was soo good, its so bingeable i read it in one sitting. im gonna have to reread it one day for sure!

*Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

What do you get when you combine a boarding school, a haunted forest, horror themes, an unreliable narrator, and two queer boys who love to draw and write, respectively? Well, for one, you get a constant internal monologue of, "do I ACTUALLY know what on Earth is going on in this story?" The answer... varies.

Overall I quite enjoyed this novel. The horror/fantasy themes reminded me a lot of "House of Hollow" by Krystal Sutherland. Though the level of horror/gore-y imagery did have me wondering at times how this was a YA novel. The premise of a mythical forest full of monsters brought to life by drawings was so interesting but at times was a little too reminiscent of "Ink Heart".

I think this book would have been a 5 star read for me because I did love the characterization and I thought that Drews wrote the unreliable narrator very well. But I am not a fan of open endings and so the end really fell flat for me. If that's something you don't mind or even enjoy, I can see this being your next favorite read. 4/5 Stars.

***Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. My review contains my honest thoughts about my reading experience.***

I was immediately intrigued by Don't Let the Forest In and never wanted to put it down. From the beginning, I could tell something wasn't quite right with the main character, Andrew. The mystery of it sucked me in, and the delightfully grotesque monsters were the icing on the cake. The premise of the monsters coming to life from the art of the characters was really interesting. I appreciated how well it was executed.

The relationship of Andrew and Thomas in Don't Let the Forest In was obsessive to the extreme. They were the textbook definition of codependency, and I completely ate up the mutual pining between the two of them. Andrew experienced a lot of anxiety, and following his character felt like slowly descending deeper and deeper into madness. He was also asexual, and I liked that the author took time to include information about it. I just wish it had been explored a bit more. I also wanted Thomas to be a little more fleshed out, especially considering how much Andrew obsessed over him.

The plot of Don't Let the Forest In was interesting and kept me on my toes. I do wish some elements, such as the fate of Thomas's parents, had more of a concrete resolution, though. I really liked how the story explored the expression of pain and trauma through art and creative endeavors. It was really inventive and smart. I don't want to say anything else about the plot/themes because I want to avoid spoiling anything. Just know that I enjoyed it overall even if I was hoping for stronger dark academia vibes.

Overall, Don't Let the Forest In was a great read that I never wanted to put down. If you are looking for a best friends to lovers story that has lots of mutual pining, this might be the book for you as long as you don't mind some monsters along with it. The premise was unique and kept me engaged even in the slower moments. Therefore, I rate Don't Let the Forest In 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This was a truly interesting YA fantasy/horror book. It takes place in a boarding school that borders a forest. Something happened in that forest last year, the school has forbidden the students from entering the forest. What happened? And what’s going on with the forest now?

Don't Let the Forest In is a wildly imaginative, gruesome, and whimsical ride. The writing is absolutely captivating. CG Drews has perfectly paired horror with fantastical elements in this book. I am so intrigued by the world they have created and really would like to revisit it one day!

I have yet to find a nice way to say “YOU DIDNT NEED TO RIP MY HEART OUT TOO”
Amazing book. Instant favorite.

This definitely felt like a nightmarish/ fairytale type of novel and it was good and conflicting for me. The whole idea of this plot was definitely a plot twist and I was wowed at the end. It definitely talks about mental illness, death, & self inflicted trauma. It was a good read and lots of symbolism in the book.

I ... am not sure how to rate this. I'm settling on four stars, but like ... I'm also a mess? And kind of annoyed? But not sure if I'm annoyed with the author or with myself because the author definitely warned me, and I just ... didn't listen. Because I am a naive, gullible little idiot, I guess. I just want to curl up with a blanket and not talk to anyone for a while.
I came for the ace rep and left weeping. The ace rep was done well. Like. I kind of wish the ace horror had been leaned into a little more, but what bites we got was DELICIOUS and I was so here for it. But also I feel like, while I love this author and their work, I also get kind of triggered by their writing. It's so gutting and honest and real and just ... baby steps are required for me to make it through the book without coming apart. So definitely check the content warnings on this one, friends. But also ... read if you want sad, panicked, frantic gays hunting monsters and being angsty? Might come back with more coherent thoughts later. Who tf knows with this one.

Netgalley gave me access to this book awhile back and I’m kicking myself now that it took me so long to read it! What a dark but beautifully woven story. I don’t even know how to describe it but the author’s writing makes every description come alive.

at first I was like okay this is gonna be poetic and flowery and then it went HARD and DESTROYED ME and OMG HOLY PLOT TWIST AND THEN THROW ME ANOTHER PLOT TWIST?!? The ending is ambiguous which is not my favorite thing because I like concrete answers but the whole story was very engaging and in trying to discern just exactly what the heck was going on with these characters and how in the world would this resolve? This is definitely not everyone's cup of tea but boy did I drink the whole kettle. Thank you Netgalley for the arc.

This book is eerie and lyrical. The cover is PERFECT for the vibes of the story. It is a dark, queer, YA fairytale. The book immediately pulls you in and gives you so much to digest while you're reading it. The relationship between Andrew and Thomas is complex and angsty. Both characters feel completely unique.

It does have the dark academia atmosphere but it doesn't have much of a dark academia related plot in my opinion. In some areas I think the book leans a little too much into flowery prose which makes some pieces feel like filler but it is so well-written it doesn't bother me. This book has great queer and asexual representation.

Definitely worth checking out.

This is a book that I want to have on my shelf sitting and waiting for me when I need to fall back into an atmospheric, poetic story of horror and whimsy. Dark academia, a creepy forest filled with monsters and a mysterious artsy twist. This book was amazingly well written and focuses on two queer characters (asexual rep) struggling for identity and the weight of world on their shoulders.

“It hadn’t hurt, the day he cut out his own heart…No one would want a heart like his. But he’d still cut it out and given it away.” – just pure chills.

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for an E-ARC copy of this book.

This was so eerie and disturbing, but the in the best way. Such a deliciously dark book, so lush and atmospheric and with complex and compelling characters. I was on the edge of my seat reading this one, and it was the perfect thing to pick up during spooky season. I would 100% recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

This was honestly one of my best reads of the year. It was creepy, horrifying and mysterious. I kind of clocked what happened with Dove pretty early on but I didn't except the actual ending of the story. The whole story had me literally shaking with nerves for the boys and the ending was literal, scary perfection. I can't wait to read more from CG Drews!!!

4.25 stars

This is a beautifully written dark fairytale-type story with plenty of angst and atmosphere. We follow Andrew, who's in his senior year at boarding school with his best friend/maybe more than friend, Thomas. The boys have a deep connection, with Thomas' rebellious attitude balancing Andrew's quiet sensitivity. They've always been a trio, them and Andrew's twin sister, Dove, but this year feels different. Andrew suspects that Thomas and Dove might be involved, and his own feelings for Thomas paired with his asexual angst is eating him alive. What else is trying to eat him alive? The actual literal forest.

When suddenly the monsters Thomas draws to illustrate Andrew's stories come to life in the woods by their school, they're desperate to save each other and stop the forest. But they'll have to sort out if their feelings for each other too, and really, which is scarier? 
I read this while in a big reading slump and since I knew one of my friends loved it I had high expectations and kept setting it down when my mind wandered because I didn't want to miss anything. This led to it taking longer for me to read than it normally would have, and made it feel a little slow. Once I got around 50% in, though, I read the rest in a night. I did see the twist coming, but it was very well-done and I enjoyed the writing. I would say if you're very literal, this might not be for you because there is a lot left to your interpretation, but that didn't bother me. I look forward to reading more from this author! Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I'm not usually one for horror or YA, but there was something so enticing about the cover that I couldn't resist picking this book up. And honestly? It surpassed all of my expectations.

Don't Let The Forest In is tragically beautiful, gloriously unsettling, and chaotic in all the right ways. Drews has masterfully crafted a macabre tale that digs its claws in on the very first page and doesn't let you go, even long after you've finished reading it. The prose is STUNNING, the queer representation is fantastic, the characters dark and complex, and that plot twist?! However, what really sets this book apart, at least for me, are the descriptions of the monsters that torment our angsty, co-dependent main characters throughout. Often, I find it difficult to visualise the more fantastical elements within books, but these horrifying, fascinating creatures were truly as real to me as they were to Andrew and Thomas.

In the acknowledgements, Drews mentions that "if you've finished the last page and are now frowning at the wall, then everything is as it should be", and that honestly could not be a more accurate summary of how I felt after reading this book, but in the best way.

This was genuinely one of the best reads I've had the pleasure of absorbing right into my brain in a long time. I knew little about it but the cover is just superb, and I'm a superficial person when it comes to that. But the content is even better and I might be mildly obsessed.

In a way, <i>Don't Let The Forest In</i> reminded me of another one of my ya favourites: K. Ancrum's <i>The Wicker King</i>. Both depict toxic codependency between two teenage boys and best friends in a really creative, fantastical way that packs a punch, both are the kind of stories that stay with the reader long after they've finished the book. This one is very much a horror story too, though, and the horror elements are incredible.

The book tells the story of Andrew who loves his twin sister and his very best friend and roommate, Thomas - the boy with hair like autumn leaves. All of them go to an elite private school where they stay most of the year. While Andrew is the shy wallflower type, Thomas is a troublemaker, and they would both die - and kill - for each other. Literally. Andrew also writes very dark and gruesome fairytale stories and Thomas, a talented artist, draws them. All is well until the new school year begins and suddenly, Thomas and Andrew's sister seem to have had a fight that puts a strain on their friendship, and also, the monsters Thomas is drawing are coming to life. Hence the horror begins.

The writing is very flowery, but absolutely gorgeous and befitting of the story told. This book is an emotional experience, even though admittedly there are a few very predictable twists and minor plot holes throughout the story. The vibes, the horror of it all, the exploration of both Andrew's asexuality and the relationship between Andrew and Thomas that turns into an exploration of much more, it all makes up for it, though. I could not put this book down and it'll live with me for a long time.

So yeah, 5 stars, easy, and a new autobuy author.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘍𝘦𝘪𝘸𝘦𝘭 & 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊.

I'm going to start by saying that this is not a children's book. I think horror has a place within children's literature, but there are so many disturbing themes/ideas/images here that the overall effect is too overwhelming, the ending too ambiguous. It has just about every trigger warning going and that quickly manifests into a tidal wave of emotional bruising.

HOWEVER - what a stunningly realised piece of gothic/horror fiction. It has blood in its teeth, skin beneath its nails and scars from the skull's crown to the tips of the toes. I often struggle with magical realism because I like to know whether the fantasy elements hold actual weight or whether the protagonist is mentally ill. I'm not sure it matters here. Not when the prose's sole purpose is to make you squirm and coil into yourself and shudder in utter repellence. Sewn lips and briary bodies. Exposed ribs, spilled ink, spiked words and monsters that never stop coming.

It's queer in every sense of the word and I think it's so important for the publishing world to hold space for texts like this. It's an experiment. And it doesn't always work. I can only take so much emotional bruising before I need to be offered a choccy mint and a reprieve. But it's so twisted and unforgiving and gutsy that - even if I didn't find joy in the pages - I certainly found 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.