Kate Anderson's debut novel, „Lonely Places“, is a captivating young adult folk horror that delves into the complexities of trauma, family dynamics, and the allure of the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of an isolated fire lookout nestled within a grove of aspen trees, the story follows sixteen-year-old Chase as she confronts her own past while trying to save her sister from a sinister otherworldly threat.

Plot and Setting

The narrative centers around Chase and her family, who have made a lifestyle of running from difficult conversations. Their latest escape leads them to a remote fire lookout, where the isolation amplifies the tension and unresolved issues within the family. Anderson skillfully uses this secluded setting to create an atmosphere of unease and foreboding, perfectly complementing the folk horror elements of the story.

Character Development

Chase, the protagonist, is a well-crafted character whose journey of self-discovery and bravery forms the heart of the novel. Her struggle to confront her own childhood trauma while desperately trying to rescue her sister Guthrie from a strange and sinister world is both compelling and emotionally resonant. The dynamic between the sisters adds depth to the story, highlighting themes of loyalty and the lengths one will go to protect family.

Themes and Atmosphere

Anderson explores weighty themes such as trauma, isolation, and the supernatural with a deft hand. The book's folk horror elements are effectively woven into the narrative, creating a sense of creeping dread that permeates the story. The author's ability to balance the real-world struggles of her characters with the encroaching otherworldly threat is particularly noteworthy.

Writing Style

For a debut author, Anderson demonstrates a strong command of atmosphere and pacing. Her prose effectively captures the eerie beauty of the aspen grove and the claustrophobic tension of the fire lookout. The gradual unveiling of the supernatural elements keeps readers engaged and eager to uncover the mysteries lurking in the lonely places.

Minor Criticisms

While the book is generally well-executed, some readers might find the pacing in the middle section a bit slow. Additionally, certain secondary characters could have been developed further to add more depth to the overall narrative.

Conclusion

„Lonely Places“ is a promising debut that showcases Kate Anderson's talent for blending realistic family drama with chilling folk horror elements. It's a thought-provoking exploration of how trauma and isolation can shape our perceptions and relationships. This novel will appeal to fans of young adult literature who appreciate a darker, more introspective story with supernatural undertones. Anderson has established herself as an author to watch in the YA horror genre.

Immersive and gorgeously written, with spooky and really eerie elements. I really connected with the characters and found them really well developed. Overall an interesting read with a really important message.

Thank you to NetGalley, North Star Edition, Flux and the author for an e-ARC for my honest review.

Chase and her family have been living in a converted school bus for nine years across the USA. After a traumatic experience six months ago, her parents decide to settle down for a year in Pando where they will be living at a fire lookout to give the family some much needed stability. Chase and her sister, Guthrie (Gus) have always had a very close relationship but after “that night” 6 months ago Gus has stopped talking and Chase has become more protective of her.
Soon after arriving at the lookout Gus starts talking to trees, finding bones and even though her parents think she’s slowly become herself again, Chase senses and observes that something is terribly wrong. This place is not making Gus become herself again. This place is something that changes Gus and everyone who visits the woods completely. This is a place where birds sing in loops and bones sprout like mushrooms and you start seeing things that aren’t really there - or are they?

Lonely Places is a YA fiction/horror with a psychological plot. It’s a slow burn and it keeps its readers guessing of what comes next. It gives off dark and eerie vibes and you get the feeling that someone is always watching. These Aspen trees are creepy. Actually the whole forest is super creepy.

The book touches upon trauma, healing, family, love, guilt and relationships. The whole book is based on traumas in different forms: buried traumas, childhood traumas, family traumas and new traumas. All of the themes are linked and it’s intriguing to read how all details in the book are connected and how the story unfolds.

The characters are very believable and and I really enjoyed how Chase’s character develops throughout the book. She acts as a third parent for Gus but gradually that changes and she starts to live her life as a teenager with a new job, having friends and a boyfriend. Her relationship with Wilder is very sweet and turns out to be life changing for her. The family dynamic and the change in it is captivating and honest, and their healing as a family is beautiful.

Lonely Places is very well written and I really enjoyed it! I will never ever visit Pando after reading it 😅 but I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense, eerie and dark vibes, YA and psychological plots and twists.

I was hoping for more insight about “that night” and I would really have liked to hear more about “The Lonely Place”. I could read a whole book just about that place. Please make that happen, Kate! The book ended way too fast 🤍

This was such an immersive real with great spooky forest atmosphere and a deft handling of family trauma and silence. I didn't love all aspects of the ending, but some of the messaging was great. The main character is really well-developed, too.

Always on the go, always on the road, sixteen-year-old Chase and her younger sister Guthrie are always moving. To allow their children an upbringing off the beaten tracks and society's expectations, their parents travel through the country, never stay anywhere for too long. After their recent move to a fire lookout, deep in the Utah woodlands, Chase is tired of the nomadic lifestyle and yearns for a more stability and a true home. But her future is not her only concern, after an incident with her sister Guthrie in the woods prior to the move, the little girl stopped talking altogether. In the new environment, she shows increasingly worrisome behaviours, which didn’t seem to concern her free spirited parents, but Chase all the more.

Lonely Places is a well-crafted, creepy story surrounding family, relationships and trauma. I immensely enjoyed my read, as the story unfolded quite slowly around the well fleshed out characters, like the roots creeping in, you immediately get a feeling of dread from the atmosphere of the place. Chase is a great main character, with a lot of self-reflection, especially for someone her age, and it’s great following her and her inner turmoil and witnessing her opening up slowly. I enjoyed the love story as well, it’s tender, slow and purposeful.

The story carefully grows as more and more unsettling and supernatural situations come into play, giving the place a truly haunted feel and brings our characters to reflecting on their past, present and future.

It’s a great, eerie, summer read with lovely characters in an enticing setting. 4.25 - 4.5

Chase and her little sister Guthrie "Gus" have lived a nomadic life with their parents on a skoolie - a converted schoolbus. But since "that night," Gus hasn't spoken a word, and their parents decide to live in a lookout in the middle of Pando, an interconnected forest in Utah. But the forest seems to bring back the feelings of "that night." Chase is seeing things, and Gus keeps wandering off and collecting bones. When Chase starts working at the local summer camp, she learns of bad things happening at Pando...

This book sucked me in and didn't let go. Chase was an intriguing character with her unconventional history, and the hints at what happened "that night" drove me on to find out. Plus the forest was so creepy! I loved the setting and the atmosphere. Chase's romance with Wilder was cute in a way I didn't expect. I also loved how everyone's histories ended up interconnecting in the end just like the forest.

If you've ever been haunted by a house, this book is for you.

Chase and her family have been living in a remodelled school bus for long enough. Now they're moving into a Fire Lookout Tower in the middle of the woods- something else Chase has had enough of.
Chase suspects her life on the road is the result of her family running away from something. But all Chase wants is to go back home, where Grandma and Grandpa lived before The Accident. Her home long before That Night, when her kid sister went missing in the woods.

But life at the Fire Lookout is strange- Dad is acting cagey, Mom is in denial, and Chase's little sister Gus will only talk to the trees.

Chase makes friends while working at a summer camp, but also learns of the dark history of the Fire Lookout Tower.

This is a very well written creepy novel about trauma, liminal places, and how one event can alter your life forever.

The family in this book have been living in a converted bus, traveling across the country trying to be self reliant and be more attuned to nature. At least that's what the father wants. The rest of the family, including his wife and two daughters, are less sure about it.

The main protagonist is the oldest daughter. She looks forward to being on her own and having a more stable connected life. She doesn't want their current lifestyle at all.

When her father takes a job as a fire lookout at Pandora (a very real place that I recommend you Google. It's fascinating!) for a year she decides to get a job at a campground nearby to save money for her independence.

A year earlier, she left her younger sister in the woods and her sister became lost. When they found her, she was traumatised and hasn't spoken a word to anyone since. She's normal in every way except she doesn't speak. The guilt eats away at the older sister.

But being at Pando and living in the fire lookout tower soon takes a frightening turn. She begins seeing things that could not be there and her younger sister becomes obsessed with collecting bones from the woods surrounding them. And her sister seems to talk to the trees.

There's something really creepy about the way this author writes about Pando. The backstory of a young girl who went missing from that very watchtower years ago adds to this horror mystery as the past and the present collide.

This is more psychological horror and there's not a lot of blood and gore but it is effectively tense and keeps you reading as the mysteries of Pando slowly begin to be discovered.

This novel deals with past trauma and guilt in a way that perfectly fits the supernatural elements and it makes for a fantastic page turner. I highly recommend it.

Loved this book so much! The plot and the characters are amazing and I give it 4 stars because I couldn't put it down. I totally recommend everyone to read this.

Kate Anderson’s Lonely Places covers the topic of trauma and its impact on a family in Utah. While Chase is our main character, we can still see how the other characters shared trauma impacts them without being directly in their headspace. Utilizing horror to convey the terror of revisiting painful memories was beneficial for the story being conveyed. As a fellow order sibling, Chase’s perspective and response to her trauma was relatable. I found my drawn to the story more and more as it continued. If you’re looking for something not too heavy that leaves you distraught but draws you to it, I would highly recommend this book. In addition, the horror aspect in this book was a unique take to me and I found it to be a great vessel for the story.

This is one of those YA books that I wish existed when I was a teenager. It ticked all of the boxes: isolated woodsy setting, summer camp, a heartwarming romance, an exploration of trauma, and a loveable main character that you just can’t help but root for. The writing style & eerie atmosphere were very reminiscent of T. Kingfisher.

My one critique, and I’m sorry to be so pedantic, but the description of Scattergories within the book was incorrect. It was described as 10 topics per round, a 26 sided dice, and a 2 minute timer. The real game has 12 topics per round, a 20 sided dice (excluding the letters U, Q, V, X, Y and Z), and a 3 minute timer.

4.5 ⭐

“Lonely Places” is a ya horror novel written by Kate Anderson. A mysterious and dark tale characterized by an eerie and vivid setting, captivating and evocative prose, a fast and brisk pace, and short chapters. A book about which I had rather high expectations and which did not disappoint in the end! I really enjoyed it a lot and am very happy with it!

The story revolves around Pando, a grove of Aspen trees clones connected by a massive underground root system. A gloomy, labyrinthine place, within which stands a clearing that houses the fire lookout where Chase's family, the protagonist, moves in search of stability and a new beginning. A place isolated from the nearby town and camp on the other side of the grove, marked by strange phenomena: birds that sing on a loop, animals that kill themselves, twisted bones that sprout from the ground and in between the trees like wildflowers, sinister apparitions and more. A treacherous, hostile place, made even more oppressive by the isolation to which it is subjected. I loved this setting! I found it beautifully described, with an eerie atmosphere that sent me into a swoon!

The story proceeds amid increasingly mysterious and chilling events, plunging Chase's family into a true waking nightmare. Creepy apparitions, spooky sounds, treacherous creaking and rustling, mysterious footprints and signs, strange light plays, sleepwalking episodes, and bizarre behavior are just some of the episodes that occur throughout the book. A typically horror side mixed with a lighter, funnier ya component that sees Chase struggling with her summer camp job, new friends, and a potential love interest. And let's not forget the whole involving part about family ties: Chase's overprotective relationship with her little sister Guthrie, contrasts with her parents, and much more. The psychological component of the characters takes a really important role in the tale, which I found interesting. I was definitely captivated by the narration, glued to the pages pushed by the need to know, without any moments of boredom or heaviness. Perhaps the ending felt a bit rushed compared to the rest of the story, but overall I was pleasantly satisfied!

Chase, protagonist with her only third person pov, convinced me. Chase is a 17-year-old girl who lives with her parents and her younger sister in a converted school bus, moving from place to place, without ever stopping for long. An arrangement that irritates her and from which she wants to escape, eager to put down roots and find stability. In this sense, her goal is to earn money with a few small jobs, come of age and return to their hometown, from which they fled eight years earlier. Chase is a determined, courageous and practical girl who tries to keep everything under control. Marked by doubts and fears, she lives with guilt about what happened to Guthrie, her 10-year-old sister, who stopped talking after a traumatic experience. I liked Chase a lot! I found her to be well portrayed and with excellent development. I enjoyed Guthrie, her relationship with her older sister, but I admit that I found the attitude of the parents annoying, although it had its own reason. The secondary characters pleased me, the romance seemed tender and never dominant over the story.

All in all, “Lonely Places” is a ya horror novel that fully satisfied me and that I recommend to lovers of the genre!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Where do I start? I received this book as an ARC via NetGallery, and I can’t hide my excitement about being selected.

The book tells the story of two sisters: sixteen-year-old Chase and her little sister Guthrie, who has lost her speech after a traumatic episode in the woods.

Their family moves to an isolated fire lookout in Pando, and it is there where things start to get very dark and weird.

While reading, I had a constant sensation that the main character and her family were being watched by something in the woods surrounding the lookout, and this feeling never left me until the very end.

The story addresses important and sensitive themes, such as PTSD and the acceptance that not everything is under our control. Sometimes, we need to let go of our past to fully move on and find happiness.

I loved how the story was a nice mix of many elements: the relationship between sisters, a family struggling with their past, and first teenage loves. All of this is perfectly blended with the never-ending feeling that something is about to happen.

I highly recommend reading "Lonely Places" if you enjoy psychological horror narratives as much as I do.

Tropes of "Lonely Places" are:
- Something is always watching
- Unresolved matters
- Friends to Lovers
- Healing Journey
- Sisters Relationship

"Lonely Places" tells the story of a family seeking solace in the wilderness but uncovering unexpected darkness in their new forest home. The book explores themes of trauma, avoidance, and the impact of poor communication and trust on relationships. It delves into the search for truth, the meaning of family, and the repercussions of not confronting personal struggles.

The well-crafted narrative creates a haunting atmosphere and evokes strong emotions. While I found it gripping and recommend it, I suggest checking trigger warnings before reading, as it may not be suitable for everyone. In essence, "Lonely Places" is a powerful and emotional read that lingers with you.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Some good life lessons and themes in this books. I think maybe it was a little long at times. I will recommend this book to my daughter as she is 15 years old and I think the life lessons and trauma that goes on is perfectly suitable for her age range.

Thank you Net Galley and North Star Editions for an ARC of this book to read and review.

Wow this was such a a different, beautiful, and haunting story. It's definitely a slow burn and you don't really know where it's going for a while but that's what makes it so good.

In all honesty if I had known it was such a tale of trauma I might have not read it, at least right now, but I'm still very glad I did.

It really was a true tale of coping and healing. One quote toward the end that really resonated with me was "You can't just ignore things and expect them to go away." And that really sums up this story and life in general.

I especially loved that Boone, NC was such a special in this story. It's such a special place to me as well and I'm packing up to head there as I finish this story. It really made it even more a perfect timing to read it.

The only reason I stayed at 4.25/5 is I wish the Lonely Places were fleshed out a bit more and I also wish the initial "night" with Guthrie had a bit more to it. Those both left me wanting a little more.

Otherwise if you want a haunting summer read, this is perfect. But maybe don't read it in the woods 😂

Guthrie stops speaking after a traumatic event so her nomadic family settle in the woods when her father takes a job as a fire lookout. Her sister, Chase feeling responsible for the fallout becomes overprotective of her little sister (or so her parents think). When Gus goes missing, her family needs to face their own wounds to save her.

I am sort of at a loss. This was a beautifully written story about a paranormal manifestation of grief and trauma set in the forest surrounding a fire lookout tower. It was such a unique narrative but will totally make sense to anyone who has faced tragedy in their life.

An eerie, unnerving story set in an unsettling forest with a strong theme of family and healing.

Lonely Places follows sixteen-year-old Chase after she and her family move to an isolated community in Pando. They live in the middle of the woods in a fire lookout, a grove of Aspen trees all around them. The lookout is supposed to be an opportunity of stability after spending years traveling the country in a converted school bus and a traumatic experience causes Chase’s younger sister, Guthrie, to stop talking. The only problem is Chase just wants to go back to their hometown and build roots there. In the meantime, she gets a job at a summer camp where she learns that something awful happened at the lookout—and no one wants to talk about. Odd things begin happening: birds singing on a loop, deformed bones sprouting from the ground, and Guthrie acting strange. Chase has to overcome childhood trauma and figure out what’s happening in Pando before she loses Guthrie forever.

This is such a good book! It had the perfect balance of mystery and horror and healing from childhood trauma. I really enjoyed the plot, and the ending reveal was really well done. The vibes are so good! The forest was perfectly creepy and unsettling and dark while still giving off summery vibes. I think this is the perfect book to read in the summer. I loved the concept of the lonely places, it's so intriguing and had me so invested.

I thought Chase was a really good main character. She’s so protective of her sister and it felt very real to how a teenager would react and act in the tense situations. She has a lot of love and guilt surrounding Guthrie and I really enjoyed how that was explored. I loved her romantic subplot–Wilder was so lovely. They fit together really sweetly and I loved seeing Chase’s arc and opening up more throughout the course of the novel. I also really loved the conversations with Chase and her parents. It was a really interesting family dynamic. Guthrie, while a cute kid, was a bit unnerving the longer the book went on. The author did a really good job of keeping you guessing and unsettled with the setting and the characters.

Overall, this is such a perfect summertime read if you love creepy forests and quite eerie, tense scenes!

Thank you to NetGalley and North Star Editions for an advanced copy of this title.

Lonely Places by Kate Anderson is a captivating read that held me entranced until the very last page. This book projects a 'campfire tale' atmosphere, rich with suspense and an ever-present sense of being watched. Anderson’s storytelling prowess shines through in her ability to create an eerie, almost tangible sense of tension that keeps readers on edge.

The narrative, while deliberately paced, is intricately crafted, allowing Anderson to delve deeply into the nuances of her characters and setting. This slower pace works to the book’s advantage, as it provides ample room for the development of a rich, immersive world filled with small details that later reveal themselves to be crucial to the plot. The atmospheric tension is meticulously built, layer by layer, drawing readers into a web of intrigue and mystery.

Additionally, Anderson’s ability to draw readers back to previous moments in the story is nothing short of brilliant. This technique not only enriches the plot but also engages the reader in a way that makes the book hard to put down. The echoes of past events reverberate through the storyline, creating a complex, interwoven tapestry of suspense and revelation.

I also appreciated the depth of the characters. Each one is meticulously crafted, with their own backstories and motivations that add layers of complexity to the plot. Anderson’s nuanced portrayal of her characters makes them feel real and relatable, even as they navigate the eerie and often unsettling events of the story.

This Review will be published on my Goodreads account (https://www.goodreads.com/jenna91), it will remain there as I have no intention of taking it down.
Lonely Places follows 17-year-old Chase and her family as they settle for the first time in nine years. Chase has pushed her family to settle in one place following an incident that left her 10-year-old sister Gutherie traumatized. Now they are set to live in an old fire watch tower in Pando Aspen Grove. Chase finds work at a nearby summer camp and begins to realize there may be more to the grove and her new home, the watch tower. At the same time Gutherie has begun to speak for the first time since the incident, but her conversations are limited to an old tree that appears to have a face, and now she has taken to collecting bones. Bones that seem to be in abundance near their new home.
This book provides a summery atmosphere with a spooky spin. The Pando Aspen Grove takes on a personality that will leave you feeling uneasy. Although there is a scary element to the novel, it is not an overbearing one for those who are not frequent readers of horror.
I really enjoyed following Chase’s character development; she embodies the spirit of the older sister perfectly. The setting of the story adds a further challenge to her growth but does not inhibit it. This novel explores navigating shared and other people’s trauma in a digestible format. I found myself highlighting different passages that made me think critically in the way I have approached other people’s trauma and how I view community.