Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for this ARC Audio Copy!

If you enjoyed the show Yellowjackets then you will enjoy this book. I love how the author was able to cover so many different and sensitive topics with such care and honestly. The Narrator did a great job with this story and really helped you feel immersed in the world, which could be quite uncomfortable at times.
The pace that the author used to introduce us to each of the characters and their backstory really did a great job of creating connections that really had you feeling things right alongside them.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this audiobook for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a slow-burning and eerie addition to the YA horror genre. The atmosphere and tension that Gould was able to build was incredible. I will admit, the beginning was a little too slow for my taste, with it taking around 25% to get to creepy stuff going down in the woods.

The first 25% of the novel was spent setting up the relationship between the five teens, especially the conflict between Devin and Sheridan. It felt a bit repetitive on occasion, but I imagine that repetition is similar to what these programs would actually feel like, so it felt quite purposeful.

The rest of the novel was an excellent build up of tension and suspense as the five teens have to work together to survive in the wild with some terrifying monsters. I think the last quarter of the novel is what really shone. The twists and reveals in that portion of the book were so well-thought out, and by that point I really cared about the characters. The resolution was satisfying as well!

The narration of this audiobook was fine, not my favorite, but also not the worst I have heard.

What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould is a breathtakingly atmospheric and emotionally charged novel that will captivate readers from start to finish. A stunning blend of mystery, horror, and coming-of-age storytelling, Gould crafts a deeply immersive experience that explores grief, family secrets, and the power of the past. Set in the hauntingly eerie town of Sallow Ridge, where the woods seem to have a life of their own, the story follows the two sisters, Ivy and Nora, as they confront their tangled family history and the darkness that lurks in the forest.

Gould's writing is lush and vivid, perfectly capturing the eerie beauty of the setting while also delving into the emotional depth of the characters. The bond between Ivy and Nora is complex and full of heart, and their individual journeys of self-discovery are compelling and layered. Ivy’s internal struggles with guilt, loss, and the weight of family expectations create a character who is both relatable and unforgettable. The tension in the book builds steadily as Ivy unravels the town’s dark secrets, and the eerie presence of the woods adds a constant, palpable sense of dread.

The plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, with each revelation more chilling than the last. Gould expertly weaves elements of horror and suspense into a story that is also deeply emotional and rich in character development. The themes of grief, trauma, and the things we carry with us are explored beautifully, making this more than just a typical thriller—it’s a poignant exploration of family, love, and the things that haunt us, both literally and metaphorically.

What truly makes What the Woods Took stand out is its ability to balance the eerie with the emotional, creating a narrative that feels both unnervingly tense and profoundly moving. The atmospheric tension, combined with the rich character arcs, makes for a truly compelling read.

What the Woods Took is a five-star triumph. It’s dark, haunting, and beautifully written—perfect for readers who love atmospheric thrillers that blend mystery with emotional depth. Courtney Gould has delivered a novel that will linger in your mind long after the final page. Highly recommended! I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.

As always when it comes to a Courtney Gould book, I loved it. There's just something about Courtney's writing that makes me feel like all my sense are apart of the experience. The way things are described, it's like I'm there. I loved it

Thank you to NetGalley, Courtney Gould, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 rounded up.

What the Woods Took is a wilderness therapy horror story where a group of troubled teens wander into the wrong part of the forest. While they're trying to survive "therapy," something begins to hunt them.

The characters who were thrown together in this program all had unique personalities, backstories, and dialogue which made them interesting to follow around. I will say there were times when the story felt a little slow and I wanted the creatures - I love the way they're described - or the teens to do something. I felt for some characters while others just made me angry.

As I mentioned, the writing around the creatures was phenomenal. I found them to be disturbing, yet not too out there to ruin my suspension of disbelief.

"What the Woods Took" is a deeply immersive audiobook about a group of troubled teens who's guardians have enrolled them in a nature survivalist camp as an intervention, without them knowing. While these kinds of therapeutic camps are quite problematic to begin with, and Gould uses her story to call attention to the issues, the group of 2 counselors and 5 teens quickly find that it is even more dangerous when the Woods are inhabited by something they are not prepared for. As the counselors go missing and the teens have to work together to survive, trust becomes a difficult but necessary thing.

The narrator did a good job of contrasting the different personalities and voices in the story while also dialing up the creepy vibes when needed. Each character has their own issues that make what they present on the outside and what they are dealing with internally complicated, and it is the characters that really drive the story forward. While not the group you would want to be stranded in the woods with, Gould makes us care about these kids and want them all to survive. However, the things in the woods are real and quite dangerous and not everyone will leave them alive. Personally, I didn't find the monsters that scary, and I felt the mystery was a bit predictable, but the longer I listened them more I needed these kids to be okay.

If you are looking for a solid ensemble story with creepy atmosphere and strong teen characters, you will enjoy this book. This is a YA where the characters act like teens coping in situations that have forced them to grow up too quickly, and where the only thing scarier than the woods might be what they have to face if they ever get out.

I always say I dabble in YA so when I saw this was Yellowjackets meets Girl, Interrupted I knew it was one I should try. This hooked me from the beginning as you could feel how scared Devin was to be pulled from bed. The characters were strong, each with their own personal demons. Once the couselors went missing, things really amped up and the survival side of the story begins.

Do you remember when two movies with the same plot used to come out and it was clearly a coincidence of ideas but you still couldn't help but picking a favorite and comparing them endlessly? Yeah, this book was not my favorite of kids get sent to Correction Camp and get eaten by monsters that I read.

First of all, this book is so slow in the first part. There is no hint of monsters or anything for at least 20 percent of the book. Then one thing happens but then nothing else happens after that for another 10 percent of the book. There is no creepy build up of tension during the first third of this entire book. Nothing is happening and then suddenly it is happening which is a shame because Gould did have some creepy tension skills when they finally did happen. If I didn't know the description of this book was horror with monsters, I would have thought I was reading a fairly straight forward camp drama for the first third of this and I would have DNF'd because....

The camp does not really make any sense. These kids are sent to a corrective camp unwillingly for 50+ days of outside living. They are kidnapped and forced to go and then its just....basic camp? With untrained early 20s camp leaders who apparently despite working with 'troubled' kids are shocked when they say no to anything and don't know how to handle it. Not only is this program so so so so DANGEROUS (one character is detoxing in the wild...with no way to get medical help if needed), but its also financially unsound. It makes no sense for any of this non-wealthy kids to be here because this would be SO EXPENSIVE (one character comes from money but the rest are very obviously poor or middle class) there is only 5 kids in this program. Those 5 kids have to pay two months salary for two camp counsellors, supplies, kidnapping fees. There is no way this is sustainable but there is nothing about funding and its clearly a private company.

But the main issue is just that this really did not pay enough respect to how awful this situation and programs are for kids. But the whiplash from forcibly grabbing a child from their bed to just kumbaya around a camp fire was astronomical and frankly, insulting to kids who had to do these kinds of programs and deal with the kinds of people that kidnap children for 'their own good'.

I ended up getting interested when the monsters finally arrived and that helped me finish the book that didn't end up overcoming these problems with it and a terribly slotted in love story with a very terrible love interest and general teen drama.

I'll end on a good note so like I said: the monsters were actually pretty interesting. Their concept was different and I liked the little twist that happens.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Yessss! This YA Horror slapped!

Teen reformation camps in themselves are terrifying…add *something* in the woods. 👏👏
This kept me on the edge of my seat and I loved the relationships that developed at the camp.
Truly a fun time.

The narration was great.

Thanks to netgalley and Macmillan audio for an alc

I really enjoyed this. As someone who has always been fascinated and horrified by "behavior camps", it was a must read for me and I love that it took an already uncomfortable subject and gave it a paranormal twist.

It preys on the seemingly unloved. It uses your lack of self-worth and low self-esteem to convince you that you don't matter to anyone. Once you reach that low you will freely give your body to the mimic.
When troubled teens are sent to a camp to help them return better, they face horrors no one should experience. Not all will return. Yet, those that do return will definitely return better.
This is a life experience that definitely changes you.

This was an interesting look at both the troubled teen industry and the idea of mimics. The writing was well crafted and the characters were well developed. I found that there were some spots that dragged, but that may be a me problem.

This YA horror novel took awhile to capture my attention in the beginning but it picked up about a quarter of the way in. The characters started to develop more and I become more invested in them. The character development as the novel progresses and they experience more trials was really good. There were a couple spots I felt like dragged a little in the middle and I wanted more information on the mimics and what exactly they were. The ending of the book wrapped it up quite well though because it didn't just end abruptly. They really focused on found family and what it means to each character from the story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this book.

Devin Green is whisked away into the Idaho Woods. Dropped off with other troubled teens in the middle of nowhere, counselors eventually show up to explain that if they can survive a fifty-day hike through the wilderness, they’ll come out as better versions of themselves. There’s something weird about the woods, and when the counselors dissappear, they’re left to fend for themselves.

This was a quick, mysterious, interesting read. Bonus, queer rep. It explores the cost of becoming someone (or someTHING) new with an atmospheric and creepy vibe. I’ve been meaning to read it for a while, and I’m glad I finally moved it to the top of my list.

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

I loved this creepy survival story that involved monsters, but you will see that there is so much more to this story. It has found family vibes, it’s a YA thriller/mystery, with great queer rep, and horror.

In this book you will meet Devin who is ripped out of her bed in the middle of the night at her newest foster home. She is driven to an unknown location with another boy, Ollie, and they find out that their parents have signed them up for an experimental wilderness therapy program. It’s a 52-day trek into the woods along with four other teens and two counselors, but nothing is going right and the more that they hike into the woods Devin can sense that something is off about the woods. When the counselors disappear and don’t return, the teens have to learn how to survive in the woods alone until they get help, but with something that is unnatural stalking them, can they survive?

I loved Gould writing with Where Echoes Die, and when I saw this book I knew that I needed to read it. I love that with Gould writing you will always see different layers. You will see the mystery and try to figure out what is going on, another layer is the romance/friendships that you will see being built and of course the plot in general. I love Gould's writing style, she really knows how to write a book with an out of the world atmosphere, and the plot will draw you in wanting to know where this horror story will lead. I found that having the campers with all different backgrounds and finding out their stories was really nice because it helped me to understand the characters better. I liked that the characters were well rounded, and they all felt like real people to me, I was able to connect with them at least a little bit in areas. I found that the survival story really is more about the growth of the teens, their friendships that they connected, and their healing of traumas that might have added to why they’re at the camp in the first place.

Devin’s character was strong. I liked that she was determined to escape from this camp and get back to her “semi-normal life”, she was courageous when it came to taking charge of the book and getting a plan in place and making sure everyone knew what they were supposed to do. Ollie's character has strength even when he is quiet, but he is also a thinker of everything making sure that everything makes sense to him, I loved that these two made a connection easily and you will see that throughout the book and see their struggles and how they help each other overcome them. I loved seeing the really rude, disrespectful Sheridan come around and that you will see a whole new light to her after finding out a few things. Aidan, honestly, I just wanted to reach into the book and hold him close and tell him everything will be alright. Hannah, I really didn’t connect with her, but I loved how sweet she was.

I also received the audio of this book, and I found Lindsey Dorcus did a great job making this book connect with the readers. She really brought out the emotions of the characters.

I can’t wait to see what Gould will write next.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin Press/Macmillan audio for the opportunity to review this book.

*4.5 Stars*

What the Woods Took was a creepy and fun story. I really got carried away by the plot. I found this creepy in the best way and it truly kept me on my toes. I didn't see a lot of the twists coming and I really enjoyed the dual points of view, with a preferences for Devin's, of course, cause I love an Angry Gay. But yes, I really enjoyed the plot, the characters and the relationships between the characters. I also really loved the budding romance and Courtney Gould's storytelling.
So yes, another great story by Courtney Gould and I cannot wait to read more.

This was a delightfully creepy YA horror story that has a group of 'troubled' teens taken from their homes and left stranded in the woods for a summer 'rehab' program. None of them are happy about the situation but when their counsellors go missing and they are forced to rely on each other to survive things really amp up. Full of forced proximity survival, a great cast of queer characters, lots of mental health and trauma/grief rep and some freaky creatures set on taking over the teens' bodies. Good on audio, this would make a fantastic spooky season read! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

what a spooky read!!! a wilderness camp for troubled teens gone wrong. after being kidnapped from their homes 5 teens are taken against their will to a remote part of the wilderness and taken on a 50 day hiking journey. it isn't until a a couple weeks in that there is something not human lurking in the woods. with their "camp" counselors missing the teens are forced to survive and find their way home.

I just finished this book and thought it was a pretty good book. I will say though that the creepy horror aspect took a little too long to happen. I was waiting in anticipation for things to kick off. But once the action started to happen, things picked up and I really enjoyed myself. I do agree that fans of yellowjackets will like this book with the "paranormal" aspect to the woods but there is no cannibalism, which is good! I liked the characters and their character development was good. Overall I did like it but parts could have been executed a bit better.

Audiobook specific: the narration was good. A little slow but I think that helped with the suspense aspect.

Content warning: death, mentions of past sexual child abuse, mention of past suicide, suicidal thoughts, mentions of drug addiction, vomit, body horror

Thank you to NetGalley, Courtney Gould, and Wednesday Books for an Advanced Listening Copy of this title!

The troubled teen industry reaches an all-new low in "What the Woods Took", which follows the Devin, Sheridan, and their fellow unwitting hikers as they are frog-marched unto the wilderness to "become a better version of themselves" through the power of nature. But the woods are not all they appear, and as the group struggles to not kill each other with every group exercise and misplaced counselor comment, they quickly realize they may have bigger problems on their hands when said counselors disappear after days of seeing and hearing things that should be impossible.

This was an excellent spooky woods/camp horror, and if I didn't dislike the thought of a long-term camp adventure enough already (I love the woods and being outside as much as possible, but I also know what I am about, and that is a hot shower and electricity at the end of the day), this definitely solidified it for me. Equal parts psychological thriller and body horror thriller, this story highlights the horrors within and without, as our teenaged heroes are challenged with the threat of the woods and with the traumas (individual and otherwise) that led their caretakers to trusting two random 20-year-olds to "fix them" with a 50 day hike, not to mention making friends, budding romance, queer identity, and the Lord of the Flies-esque dynamics of making group decisions.

I loved the audiobook for this title and think the narrator did a great job of distinguishing between all the characters (real and imagined), and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat with inflection through both fight and flight parts of the story.

Overall, woods-fearers and fans of what awaits in the trees, as well as those who love a good coming-of-age and the dynamics of people thrust into survival mode, will enjoy this title!