I just devoured "A Girl Walks into the Forest" and wow, Madeleine Roux has created something really special here! This dark fantasy-horror mashup feels like discovering an ancient fairy tale that's been given a deliciously modern, twisted makeover.

Let me start with the absolute star of the show - the Gottyar Wood. Holy crow, this forest! Roux's writing makes it feel so alive and menacing that I actually caught myself holding my breath during certain scenes. Every creaking branch, every shifting shadow is written with such atmospheric precision that the forest becomes its own character. I'm not usually someone who gets spooked by books, but there were moments when I had to remind myself I was reading safely in my well-lit living room!

Valla's journey from sheltered dreamer to hardened survivor really worked for me. Sure, there are moments when her transformation feels a bit quick, but Roux does such a good job with her emotional core that I was completely invested in her story. There's something really compelling about watching her navigate this nightmare while holding onto pieces of who she is.

Count Leonid makes for an effectively creepy antagonist. While he might not be the most original villain I've encountered, Roux writes him with enough menace and presence that he serves the story perfectly. His scenes definitely gave me the shivers I was hoping for.
The way Roux blends fairy tale elements with horror is really clever. You can feel the echoes of classic folklore, but she puts her own dark spin on everything. Yes, the pacing dips a bit in the middle, but honestly? I was so wrapped up in the atmosphere that I didn't mind the slower moments - they felt like catching my breath before the next intense scene.

Some real standout elements here: the gorgeous, haunting descriptions; several genuinely surprising plot turns; and some beautifully crafted scenes that will stick with me for a while. Roux has a real talent for creating moments that feel both dreamlike and nightmarish.

Is it perfect? No, but what book is? What matters is that "A Girl Walks into the Forest" delivers exactly what it promises - a dark, enchanting story that keeps you turning pages well past your bedtime. It's the kind of book that makes you want to check if your houseplants have moved while you were reading.

Four solid stars from me! If you're into dark fantasy with a horror edge, or if you love fairy tales that bite back, you should definitely add this to your TBR pile. Can't wait to see what Roux writes next - she's definitely earned a spot on my auto-buy list!
(Also, can we talk about that ending? No spoilers, but... WHEW! Did not see that coming!)

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | Quill Tree Books for sharing this gripping fantasy reading with me in exchange for my honest reviews that I fully appreciated it.

The cover is what drew me in and was so glad I got to read this, it had that element that I was looking for from the description. The overall feel worked with this story and had that blend of horror and fairy tale element that I was looking for. The characters had that feel that I wanted and enjoyed the overall concept worked with the world and characters. Madeleine Roux always does a great job in writing this story and had that element that I was looking for.

A delightfully morbid fairytale.

Valla has been an outcast in her village ever since the Count declared that she would be his bride. The day has finally arrived for Valla to leave the village and journey through the wood to meet her Prince Charming. But the wood isn’t kind and when an attack leads to scars on Valla’s face, her beauty won’t be the only thing she loses.

I liked this so much. I can already see myself rereading it. It isn’t what I expected and all the better for it. I was pleasantly surprised by the grim and gloomy atmosphere. I didn’t immediately connect with Valla, but I really really liked her by the end. This is absolutely worth the read.

4.5/5 stars

If Mike Flanagan needs new source material I do believe this book would be the perfect muse.

‘A Girl Walks into the Forest” to meet the mysterious Count who upon observing her portrait deems her beautiful enough to become his bride , but it is not a journey of longing and love as she finds herself along a road of monsters leading to her home of nightmares.

Was a spooky little thing.

I don’t know where to begin with this it feels very much like a fairy tale whispered under candlelight but also like a book of horrors you can’t quite escape from. The mythology was very interesting and while I’m somewhat familiar with the tale of Baba Yaga there were some pieces and creatures that I am not sure are unique to this story or also that of folklore but I would be very curious to find out.

Our characters were fascinating as we slowly pull back the layers or masks in some cases to uncover what they are truly made of and I couldn’t get enough of it! As the reader you are just as I’m the dark as Valla trying to figure out if there are any allies to be found in the lonely tower and that isolation builds beautifully to its ultimate conclusion. There’s a bit of a steampunk vibe that felt a tad out of place when going against the religious and old world like traditions that didn’t really get explored much to explain such contrast but if that’s the only criticism I have it’s truly the smallest of its kind.

This is a book of suffering and death and I enjoyed every second of it.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

This book is brutal, but it's the kind of brutality that shapes, that forms, that chips away until blood spills and something new is forced to emerge. It's about a girl forced confront cruelty around every corner, and the way it forces her to change. It's full of anger, but the kind that is almost self-contained, an anger towards the anger itself, that the emotion even needs to be felt.

It's such an incredible book.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for providing me a Arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

ARC Review: A Girl Walks into the Forest

Alright, y’all, this book is an absolute vibe. If you’re into moody, atmospheric reads that mess with your head in the best way possible, A Girl Walks into the Forest by Madeleine Roux is about to take over your life. It’s giving major “main character energy” with a side of “wait, what just happened?” and I’m here for it.

The Lowdown (No Spoilers, I Swear)

Let’s talk about Eliza. She’s that girl—you know, the one who looks like she has her act together but is lowkey battling some serious inner demons. She’s bold, smart, and kinda stubborn, but not in a way that makes you roll your eyes. You just wanna shake her and be like, “Girl, don’t go in that forest!” But she does, obviously, because plot.

The forest? Oh, it’s not just a bunch of trees. This place is wild. It’s creepy, beautiful, and so alive it feels like it’s watching you. Eliza steps in, and suddenly it’s like the forest is the main character, too. Every twist and turn is unsettling in a way that keeps you glued to the page. You’re like, “This can’t get weirder,” and then it does.

The story itself? Think survival drama with a sprinkle of supernatural spice. It’s layered, it’s deep, and it’s not afraid to hit you with those existential questions. Like, what are we even doing here, y’know? But in the most engaging way.

Why It Slaps

First off, the aesthetic of this book is unmatched. It’s moody, dark, and so immersive. You can practically feel the damp forest air and hear the crunch of leaves under your feet. If this book were a TikTok trend, it’d be one of those vibey edits with haunting background music.

Second, the unpredictability. Look, we’ve all read books where you’re like, “Oh, I know where this is going,” but this one? Nah, it keeps you guessing. Just when you think you’ve cracked the code, Roux hits you with a plot twist and you’re left clutching the book like, “What just happened?”

And the themes? They hit. It’s not just a spooky forest adventure; it’s a deep dive into grief, identity, and what it means to keep moving forward when life throws you to the wolves (or the trees, in this case). It’s emotional without being too heavy, which is a hard balance to nail.

Let’s talk about this cover because, whew, it’s a 10/10. Dark, mysterious, and so on point with the story’s energy. If I saw this sitting on a shelf, it’d be an instant “add to cart” moment.

The writing? Roux knows how to paint a picture without going overboard. It’s the perfect mix of descriptive and let’s keep it moving. And while there are a few slower moments (especially in the middle), it feels intentional, like it’s giving you time to breathe before things get wild again.

This book is giving me life. I’d rate it 4/5 stars, and honestly, the only reason it’s not a full five is because there were a couple of spots where the pacing dipped. But other than that? Obsessed.

Would I recommend it? Abso-freaking-lutely. If you’re into books with major , a protagonist you can’t help but root for, and a plot that keeps you on your toes, this is it. It’s the kind of story you’ll finish and immediately wanna talk about, like, “Did that just happen??”

This book is a whole experience, and if you’re not reading it in 2024, you’re sleeping on a banger. Trust me—this one hits different.

I liked the writing and atmosphere but felt like something was amiss or missing from the storyline. I couldn't really get into the book but felt like it had potential. 3 stars.