courtney gould is an author whose books i always look forward to reading, and she did not disappoint with this one. the characters were fleshed out beautifully and their development was amazing. i loved the atmosphere in this and how unsettling the story is.

Devin is what they call a product of the foster system. She’s only been at her latest foster home a short time, when she's awakened in the night and roughly removed from the house. Is she being kidnapped, no, well yes. She soon learns that her foster parents have sent her to the Revive Wilderness program, a program for troubled youth. This wilderness camp is where a small group of teens, all with behavior issues, will, spend 50 days in the woods with two counselors. Every teen is there against their will. Can you imagine the attitudes?!
As they sit on fallen logs with the only supplies in what their backpacks can hold, tempers begin to fly almost immediately. 

Right off the bat, Devin clashes with Sheridan, the cruel-mouthed, lavender-haired bully who mocks every group exercise. Both Devin and Sheridan are alpha females. Ollie is a lost and troubled soul, Aiden is a bit younger than the rest and last is Hannah, who has faith in her religion. Devin is astute and it doesn’t take her long to realize that something is off, that is beyond the forced and planned kidnapping. We don’t get to know the counselors, Ethan and Liv, because they soon disappear, and the woods seem extra eerie.
Yeah, something is not right out here. 

Courtney Gould does a wonderful job of setting the stage for for chills and building up the tension. After the rough intervention and the arrival in the wilderness, it takes a while to get to the interesting and scary parts, and even those sometimes fizzle out. A huge part of the novel's beginning is spent on the Devin and Sheridan clashing to the point of being repetitive.

But that being said I must also remark that the character development was superb, to the end that readers know and can root or boo for each camper individually as more of their backstory is revealed. Devin and Sheridan are the two that highlight the journey.

But, THESE WOOds, miles away from civilization… there is something strange out there, inhuman faces appearing between the trees, visions of people who shouldn't be there flashing in the leaves, and of course there is the morning campers wake up to find both counselors missing. Therapy now becomes the least of their problems and The Lord of the Flies begins, even down to Aiden’s broken, bloody, dirt encrusted glasses. The vulnerable teens who have no experience in wilderness survival, are left to fend for themselves. They soon realize they’ll have to trust each other if they want to survive. You see, what lies in the woods may not be as dangerous as what the campers are hiding from each other. If the monsters have their way, no one will leave the woods alive.

Stick with it reader as you journey through a tale that is unsettling, raw, and you may find terrifying. What the Woods Took us a slow burn, creepy and unique tale.

What the Woods Took is Courtney Gould's newest release, officially entering the world this December. Having loved her previous works, I was ecstatic to see that this one was available on NetGalley. This book had a hard task, tackling wilderness therapy and the mental strain that comes with it. Altogether, I felt equally compelled by the characters and the mystery presented. Gould is a master at weaving the monsters inside ourselves with the real monsters present in her stories, and this book exemplifies this. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy.

Content Warning: What the Woods Took contains:

substance abuse
mentions of suicide
death/harm of a child
mentions of sexual assault/child sexual abuse
gore/violence
I periodically receive emails from NetGalley telling me what books are “Read Now”. In the most recent email, What the Woods Took was listed among the books on offer. While I had previously seen Courtney Gould’s other books on NetGalley, I had not been lucky enough to be chosen to read them. But since this one was “Read Now” I managed to snag it. I’m so glad I was able to get it.

In this book we follow five teenagers who have been sent away to “wilderness therapy” by their parents/guardians. Our illustrious group consists of:

Devin – nearly 18 years old, has been in foster care for most of her life, resorts to violence to solve her problems.
Sheridan – a rich girl with a tragic past, she has a tendency to be quite the bitch to others
Hannah – a girl you’d think would be the last person on earth to be sent to “wilderness therapy”
Aidan – a younger teen who just wanted to be liked
Ollie – a teen relatively close in age to Devin who did something bad, but not what his dad thought
As we follow these five teens on their wilderness therapy journey, we find that things in this wilderness aren’t exactly what they seem. One of the things I loved about this book is that the enemy isn’t what you’d expect – and in some cases might actually be someone you know!

I found the writing style in What the Woods Took to be extremely easy to follow and I was very impressed with it. Ms. Gould crafted this story with the utmost care and made it so easy to read that I finished in just a few hours. It also helped that I didn’t want to put the book down!

I gave this book a four star rating – I can’t wait to pick up Ms. Gould’s other novels from the library. She has gained a fan for life.

This book was very unexpected as I haven’t read anything from this author before, I wasn’t sure if it was horror, suspense or YA and honestly I’m still not sure, it’s probably to me YA horror/suspense since it is pretty tame for adults. It is about troubled teens taken to the woods for a REVIVE rehabilitation program that goes sideways due to monsters that may be lurking in the woods. The premise was very interesting but admittedly this started off very slow. A lot goes into the backstories of the teens, which is appreciated but the ‘scary stuff’ or suspense doesn’t get started until past the 50% mark. I did have my suspicions about a few of the twists but overall I liked the setting and storytelling. I did want a more twisted ending (that’s a me problem) and have a lot of lingering questions about the monsters, but it was pretty fun to read.

Read this if you like:
* Secluded settings
* Teen drama/family issues
* Monster tropes
* LGBTQ friendly storylines

An outstanding YA novel! I loved the way the author has tackled some of the heaviest topics with so much sensitivity and depth. The characters are relatable and their journey is both moving and inspiring. I loved reading it.

I am such a fan of horror involving the woods, but adding the element of “are we really us?” amplified my enjoyment a lot. This was hard to put down, and was definitely a tense read at times.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book! This will be out in December!

Horror of the delectable sort, thrilling and deep. There is a well set up “monster” system that has just the right amount of creepiness. Incredible prose and lyricism. Gould has once again brought all the wonderful and horrible feelings and wrapped them up in a sapphic horror blanket. There are layers of self-discovery, which helps the characters to be truly relatable and easy to understand, even when you’re meant to hate them (kind of).

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for providing this press service!
5/5💫
Release scheduled for December 10, 2024

After reading The Dead and the Dark, it was impossible for me not to read this author's new novel. We find a heavy atmosphere, filled with mystery with a hint of horror. I loved the setting of the story as well as each character. Happy reading 😄

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Courtney Gould’s latest novel, "What the Woods Took," is a chilling and thought-provoking journey into the depths of human trauma and survival, wrapped in an eerie and suspenseful plot. This book takes a turn into the supernatural with strange creatures called “mimics,” though the book is also a commentary on wilderness programs that should be illegal. If you have enjoyed Gould’s previous books (especially with the amazing queer representation), then you will definitely love this book.

The story centers around Devin, a teenager suddenly uprooted from her foster home and thrust into the Revive Wilderness Program—a supposed therapeutic retreat for troubled youth. Alongside a diverse group of teens, including the strong-willed Sheridan, the lost Ollie, the religious Hannah, and the younger Aiden, Devin must navigate the perils of the wilderness and the psychological horrors lurking within their group dynamics.

Gould masterfully constructs a complex web of characters, each with their own deeply ingrained scars and backstories. Sheridan (one of the main characters) is a deeply flawed person, and I actually really didn’t like her at the beginning, but there was extremely well-written character development for all the characters, especially Sheridan. The initial discord between Devin and Sheridan is intense, setting the stage for a series of interpersonal conflicts that drive much of the book's early tension. This focus on character development adds layers of depth and realism to the story, which helps in the beginning of the story. There is definitely a slow start to this book, which made it difficult for me to get invested in the story and characters, especially when I started with a strong dislike of Sheridan’s character. Once the horror elements started though, I was instantly hooked.

The author’s depiction of the wilderness program’s sinister undertones and the eventual revelation of inhuman creatures, or mimics, adds a unique twist to the horror genre. Gould does a fantastic job in showing how these wilderness programs can be extremely detrimental to mental health, leading characters to give up on themselves. I really liked how the mimics were essentially a metaphor to poor mental health and how wilderness programs really only ever do more harm than good. While the horror of the program itself is somewhat downplayed as the supernatural elements take center stage, the psychological impact on the characters remains a constant, driving force. Gould provided a brief commentary about these wilderness programs that are still going on today at the beginning of the book, which I appreciated, especially when the book started with the (should be illegal) kidnapping. As for the horror elements and the mimics themselves, the lore surrounding these entities is skillfully woven into the plot, making the supernatural elements feel both believable and terrifying. The moments of horror are interspersed with heartfelt scenes, balancing the story and making the characters' emotional journeys just as compelling as their physical survival.

The pacing of the book as well as my immediate dislike of Sheridan did disrupt the flow of the story for me as well as my investment in the plot itself. The story’s direction can be hard to pin down at times, especially when the story splits into two different perspectives, often occurring at different times and places.

Overall, "What the Woods Took" is a slow-burn horror novel that excels in character development and thematic depth. While it may not deliver nonstop thrills, its rich story with the creepy mimics (which reminded me of the creature from “The Thing”) and complex characters make it a compelling read. Fans of Gould’s previous works will find much to appreciate, and newcomers will be drawn into the haunting world she has crafted.

I just finished What the Woods Took and LOVED it. Thank you @netgalley for the ARC!

Trouble teens, camp reform in a spooky forest, and even some sapphic rep! Camping not only bores me, but honestly it freaks me out. Sleeping out in the open, nothing really stopping random anythings coming to get you! 🧟‍♀️ Nah, count me out.

I loved the character development. The characters showed excellent growth, instead of staying stagnant throughout the whole book. I loved watching them grow up and change. Fantastic

I enjoyed this story overall. It started very slow but the character development really made up for that.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WOW. I enjoyed Courtney Gould's books in the past but this blows it away. I could not put it down. It's a creepy horror book that's not too scary, a survival story, and a story about trauma and adolescence. What's that you say? Sounds like Yellowjackets? Yes! Yellowjackets is one of my favorite TV shows and while clearly an inspiration for a lot of the themes here, it's not too close to it in actual plot or characters to make it seem too similar. It also highlights the Troubled Teen Industry, which is something I've been interested in for a while, and the abuses of wilderness therapy. The one aspect that didn't fully work for me was the romance - I suppose it was nice, but I wasn't as attached to it as I was to the individual characters and their journeys. Still, an excellent read and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes YA Horror or lighter horror like T. Kingfisher.

Courtney Gould has done it again, shocking no one with how phenomenal this take on the horrors of "wilderness therapy" (i.e., kidnapping and attempted brainwashing) are. The supernatural horror elements are on point too, as ever, but it's the characters and the inherent horror in their circumstances and the betrayal of their guardians that really drives the narrative. It was a hard read at times, particularly in the first sections, but it was so, so good.

This book was a thrilling, entrancing, horrific, beautiful adventure about found family, trauma, resilience, and how not everything is as it seems.

This is the first book I've read by Courtney Gould, and it will NOT be the last.

The characters are real, raw, and relatable. You love or hate them, or both. The rich prose adds so much depth and atmosphere, and like most books I give 5 stars to, I felt like I was part of the story, immersed in the environment.

I highly recommend What the Woods Took for anyone interested in Queer YA horror, enemies to lovers, dynamic characters, and a fantastically different antagonist.

Thanks to Wednesday Books and Courtney Gould for letting me read an early edition in exchange for an honest review.

I will start out by saying that I adore Courtney Gould and will read anything she writes. Her writing is beautiful, original, and a gift for the queer community.

Devin has spent just a short time in her latest foster home when she's awakened in the night and taken away. She soon learns that her foster parents have sent her to the Revive Wilderness program, a program for troubled youth where a small group of teens spends 50 days in the woods with two counselors. You know, the teens are there against their will, but whatever, right?

Devin clashes immediately with Sheridan, another strong-willed female in the group, but has better luck with Ollie, a lost and troubled soul; the younger Aiden; and religious Hannah. It doesn't take Devin long to realize that things seem off (beyond the forced kidnapping) and soon counselors disappear, the woods seem extra eerie, and more.

This isn't true horror, I don't think, but it sure is creepy and certainly sinister. Gould does a wonderful job of building up the tension. Unfortunately, it takes a while to get to a lot of the scary parts, and they sometimes fizzle out. A huge part of the novel's beginning is spent on the discord between Devin and Sheridan, to the point of repetition and frustration. There's far more focus on interpersonal relationships and the camper's backgrounds than the horror vibes. What does show up is unique and intriguing and often quite spooky.

I especially loved the focus on these wilderness camps, which really do exist, and how they can affect the psyche of already fragile young teens. Also important is Gould's emphasis on queer relationships and her consistently strong portrayal of teens overall. This is a bit of a slow burn, plot-wise, but there's a lot to love here too.

**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**

....I am speechless after reading this. When I asked the Universe for a good horror/thriller book, it told me, "Hold my beer." I seriously have no idea how to give this book the props it deserves, other than to say the characters will snatch you by the throat and hold you down until the very end of this book. The creepy setting had me devouring my nails as I tried looking away, but I couldn't stop. Seriously, read this, and enjoy the ride.

Is it enough to just say what a story? I answered my own question and that would be a no.
Devin has had a hard life, and her current foster family decides that having her taken in the middle of the night, to a place for troubled teens is a good choice. Newsflash: I can’t imagine that being the right answer for anyone ever.
The other teens have just as many issues, but Sheridan in particular manages to press all of Devin’s buttons. The worst thing in these woods might not be the counselors, the program, or these damaged teens. Something ancient lies here, and it is hungry and more determined to leave than even Devin.
Holy creepy story! The character development was amazing. If I ever get a chance to spend five minutes with Courtney Gould, I’ll tell her what a great story she wrote, and how wrong I was about the ending. Considering the subject matter, I can’t say that at times it wasn’t a tough read. However, it was well worth some uncomfortable moments to go on the journey with these characters.

Title: What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould
Genre: YA Thriller
Pub Date: December 10, 2024

🌲 Troubled Teen Program
✨️ Dual POV (Devin + Ollie)
🌷 Sapphic Romance
🔀 Twisty Paranormal Thriller
❣️ Character Development

My Review:
This book was so good! It's giving "troubled teen wilderness program in Appalachia."
The set-up is a little slower but once it picks up it's pretty fast paced! You literally won't be able to put it down. What the Woods Took is a must read YA thriller!

Thank you so much, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the digital review copy!

Courtney Gould has a wonderful way of writing. Enjoyed this one quite a bit. Will continue to read from this author.