Wowza! So so much fun! There's something super catastrophic about a train (though it's my fave way to travel) and thought Goldsmith's sense of place and setting was extraordinary. I also thought the idea of men abusing a woman's power and turning them into these horrible things was done well. Lara's journey of reclaiming her life didn't feel cheesy but rather earned given she was still beating herself up in the present over her ex controlling her life.

Minus a star because I thought the pacing felt off in some places which left a rather abrupt ending.

Although set in the present, this book has a delicious vintage vibe thanks to the luxury rail train, the Banebury, and the mysterious, rich siblings who join the journey along with their greenhouse carriages. Lara and Rhys, former friends, find themselves having to work together in a small space to serve the wealthy passengers in what seems like a dream job, but things start to change with the plants begin popping up on the train in strange places. The mystery continues as Lara finds that she has a special communication with something in the greenhouse, reminding her of the Welsh folktales of her childhood. She and Rhys have to face their past issues in order to come together to save themselves from a very out-of-control situation. What I liked about this book: A little taste of Murder on the Orient Express, a whole 'world' in a moving train, an amazing description of Banebury that makes you want to ride on it, and an interesting Welsh folk tale entwined. What I didn't like: The backstory between Rhys and Lara (and her ex-boyfriend) doesn't come through and impact the story in the way it should, but makes it a distraction from the main story and feels rather secondary. The ending is also less than: lots of strange things happening, but little offering as to why. Basically, I believe the entwining of the backstory and the folktale are weak and that the book would be better if those stories were more craftily braided with the main action. Still, it's a fun read and YAs will enjoy it.

Much like a real train, it takes a little bit to get the botanical horror engine of this book up and running. The amount of exposition and environment shoveled into the opening chapters

I also think their might be some cultural barriers that would keep readers from an area like mine from really understanding the protagonist and other characters. The independence of young adults in Europe far differs from that of those in America.

There are parts to this like I enjoy, everything about the train and mythos itself is interesting but is overshadowed by the past of Lara and her messy relationships. From a YA perspective though I think it would be a great reccomendation to teens who enjoy dark fantasy themes and a mystery more compelling to their age group.

I think the only thing holding this book back is the presentation of both sides of the plot feel like there is a lack of emotional or shocking weight to them. I chalk it up to the pacing and presentation.

If you love books that are equal parts beautiful and terrifying, with a creeping sense of unease that blooms into full-blown horror, Predatory Natures is a must-read. It’s a mesmerizing, one-way ticket into a world of secrets, danger, and botanical nightmares—and trust me, you won’t want to get off.

Amy Goldsmith proves once again that she is a queen of YA supernatural thrillers in Predatory Natures. A luxury train, predatory plants, and Welsh mythology combine into a book that is thrilling and haunting in equal measures.

When Lara Williams starts her new job aboard the luxury train The Banebury, the last thing she expects to find is a greenhouse filled with beautiful, strange flowers, overseen by a mysterious pair of siblings. Lara soon finds herself drawn to their alluring cargo; but as the journey continues, she discovers that the beautiful plants hide deadly natures, and everyone on the train is in danger.

I love any sort of botanical horror, so I was immediately on board as soon as I heard about this book; and sure enough, the plants were my favorite part of the story. Another thing I really enjoyed was the use of mythology; the way Amy Goldsmith incorporates myths & folklore into her books is one of my favorite parts of her writing. Welsh mythology is not something I was familiar with prior to reading Predatory Natures, and it was fun to learn about their folklore through the story. I also loved the descriptions in this book; the writing really builds the atmosphere and gives the reader a strong sense of place.

I didn’t find myself as invested in the main characters of Predatory Natures as I did in her former books, Those We Drown and Our Wicked Histories; but the characters and relationships are well-written.

Overall, I really enjoyed Predatory Natures, and fans of Amy Goldsmith’s work are sure to love this new story from her! I would recommend this book to fans of botanical horror, “locked room” stories, and YA supernatural thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House for the arc! All thoughts & opinions in the review are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Amy Goldsmith’s “Predatory Natures” delivers a suspenseful and chilling YA horror-thriller set aboard a luxury train, blending elements of science fiction and Welsh folklore. With its vivid imagery, sinister atmosphere, and layered storytelling, this book offers a gripping ride into a world where the natural and supernatural collide. Before going into this book review, I do want to provide a trigger warning for an abusive relationship depicted through flashbacks throughout the book as the main character, Lara, was in an extremely controlling and isolating relationship before the main premise of the book begins.

In “Predatory Natures,” Lara Williams boards The Banebury, a luxury train, hoping to leave behind her traumatic past. She’s fleeing the shadow of a toxic relationship with her ex-boyfriend Beckett and the fallout of a scandal that derailed her academic ambitions. A job as a crew member seems like the perfect escape—until she discovers that her former best friend Rhys, with whom she shares a fraught history, is also aboard. The real trouble begins when two enigmatic passengers, wealthy twins Gwen and Gwydion, join the train carrying a mysterious cargo of exotic plants. Gwydion claims the plants are part of a groundbreaking scientific project to rejuvenate drought-stricken areas, but something about them seems unnervingly unnatural. As strange events unfold—plants growing at unnatural speeds, passengers succumbing to bizarre maladies, and eerie voices summoning Lara—she realizes the plants might be far more dangerous than Gwydion lets on. Lara must unravel the truth behind the plants and their connection to her, all while navigating her complicated feelings for Rhys and battling her own inner demons.

The book’s setting aboard a luxury train is refreshingly unique for the YA horror/thriller genre. Goldsmith masterfully captures the train’s claustrophobic atmosphere, using its confined spaces to heighten tension and dread. I don’t think I’ve read a YA thriller set in a luxury train before, and I absolutely loved the claustrophobia the train created as the characters were all trapped on the train as the mystery elements continued to escalate. The imagery of the predatory plants is especially striking—they grow aggressively, feed on humans, and seem almost sentient; the predatory plants actually reminded me of an old Goosebumps story, and I really enjoyed the combination of the sci-fi elements with these plants and Welsh folklore, which was really unique. The incorporation of Welsh folklore adds a layer of intrigue and originality, while the book’s themes of greed and the predatory nature of humanity give it a thought-provoking edge. Goldsmith’s writing is taut and suspenseful, creating a cinematic experience that draws you into the story.

Lara’s character is compelling and relatable. Her journey of self-discovery—escaping an abusive relationship, rebuilding her self-worth, and confronting the past—adds emotional depth to the story. The flashbacks to her toxic relationship with Beckett and her fractured friendship with Rhys enrich her character arc, even if they sometimes feel disconnected from the main plot. I found myself wondering throughout how exactly her past connected to the present, as though the two different plots belong to separate stories. The love triangle between Lara, Rhys, and Gwydion is an unexpected addition that may not appeal to all readers, and some might find it detracts from the horror and mystery elements. I felt like the romance aspect wasn’t even really needed because I was just enjoying the thriller aspect so much.

Overall, “Predatory Natures” delves into themes of toxic relationships, self-actualization, and human vulnerability in a unique way that I absolutely loved. It juxtaposes the predatory nature of the plants with the darker impulses of humanity, particularly those driven by power and privilege. Lara’s growth as a character—from someone shaped by the expectations of others to someone who prioritizes her own needs—is a powerful and relatable message. Fans of eerie horror and stories of personal growth will find much to enjoy in “Predatory Natures.” It’s a haunting reminder that sometimes, the most dangerous predators are people.

2.8 ★ — much like lara's character, predatory natures is a "butterfly entering a cocoon and emerging as a caterpillar." there was so much potential—both after reading the blurb and the first few chapters, i was sure this would be one of my favorite reads—but as you continue with the story, it progressively gets more and more juvenile. rife with miscommunication, childish characters, and ridiculous romantic subplots. the tone, lara's narration, the plot progression, the utter naivete of the characters, everything was very middle grade coded. not really a fan, but i suppose this is the type of ya that's exclusively geared towards 12 - 16-year-olds and not anyone a day older.

also didn't really like the way the flashbacks were incorporated into the story. they cut in at random times and prevented the current, actually important, timeline from flowing nicely. i understand it was to provide glimpses of lara's character, her motivations, and her relationship with rhys. the thing is, i really did not care about her, or her past, and reading the flashbacks did nothing to make her more interesting. they were just roadblocks impeding my enjoyment of the horror storyline.

4.5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: mystery, eco-horror, train murders, plant magic

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 1/21 and will be posted to Instagram on 1/28 and to my review blog on 2/27.
TW past abuse
I came into this book mostly blind, so I was surprised that it was YA. For some reason I was expecting the characters to be early- to mid-20s and in an urban fantasy world, so imagine my surprise at the mention of frappuccinos and exams, lol. That being said, while it initially threw me off, I still enjoy YA so the age mix up didn't put me off the book.

The majority of the book takes place on the Banebury Express, a luxury trans-European line that goes from Cardiff (Wales) to Tallinn (Estonia). Each car is designed to be over-the-top, with natural wood and gold, velvet and leather. The world Goldsmith created within the confines of the Banebury seeps luxury, and I definitely felt drawn into that luxury throughout the book. It's definitely an elevated expereince compared to how most people travel by train, and the worldbuilding definitely adds to the atmosphere, especially as we get further into the book and the mystery.

Of course, the train ride starts normal enough, and we're introduced to a decently sized cast of characters. There's our FMC Lara, Lara's ex-friend Rhys, and three other crew members: the leader Shoshanna, chef Carlos, and Samira. Then there are the 13 passengers, who range from the relatively normal (Chao family and the Marriotts) to typical rich (Cass & co. and the Duchess) to the weird (Gwen and Gwydion). Since the Banebury goes across Europe, not everyone is along for the full ride, but the cast remains pretty big, which adds to some of the suspense and mystery.

Lara is looking to escape and the job on the Banebury, and the subsequent trip back to Wales, is the perfect opportunity for her to do so. At first we're not really sure why she wants to escape, but there's clearly tension between her and Rhys. Over the course of the book it comes out that she was in a toxic relationship that slowly took over her life and came to a peak during her senior end-of-year party. Lara clearly feels terrible about it, is isolated, and blames herself for everything that happened, which is why she needs this trip. It takes a while, but with the current and past events running parallel, Lara eventually comes to learn that none of it was her fault and is able to start healing. At the same time, there are all these weird goings-on on the train and the cars with the plants are both alluring and menacing. Lara wants to know more about the plants because of their draw, but as weirder and weirder things start happening, she also has a burning desire to solve their mystery.

Rhys was a somewhat confusing character for me. There were times when it felt like he blamed Lara for everything and then there were times when it just felt like he was a good friend. Toward the end he clarifies that he blames himself, which was a curveball (he and Lara were not dating, to be clear), and I kind of feel like the author maybe didn't totally know where she wanted to go with his character. That being said, I did overall enjoy Rhys' character. He's a solid presence and provides a nice sounding board once things start getting weird.

I really enjoyed getting to see more of what the plants were doing as the suspense ramped up. Being a luxury train line, the Banebury naturally has bouquets on tables and whatnot, and I really liked the juxtaposition of seeing or smelling flowers and having to wonder if it's just luxury or impinging terror. While the book is mainly eco horror, there are some mythological elements in the story as well, and I really like how it was built up.

One thing that I was a little confused on was the timeline. The end-year party happened, I thought, in May. This is supported by Lara and Rhys at different points alluding to the fact Lara hasn't talked to anyone in 8mos. But then in the first couple of chapters I thought Lara said she and Rhys hadn't talked/seen each other in 2mos and Rhys makes a comment about her 'healing nicely' (which also never comes back up and it doesn't sound like Lara was ever injured, and also wouldn't he already know that if he'd seen her recently?)...so I'm a little confused about that.

this book was interesting. the flashbacks threw me off a little bit, i am not sure how necessary they were? they also made out main character out to be a bit too weak (in my opinion). However, the book overall was interesting and i really liked the concept of the story

I was so excited for this one as the summary made it seem like it would be a wild ride. Parts of it were intriguing but when the flashbacks start the book immediately slows down and turns out MC into a damsel in distress. Somehow she becomes defined by a previous relationship but also she’s different and SPECIAL. Then the story proceeds to drag as people die and they find next to nothing about what is going on. At about 75% of the way through the book picks up and we see the villain but I’m just disappointed at how the MC’s past is woven into the story and how it plays out in solving their current problem. Seems like most people liked it but I wasn’t a fan. Yes to the out of control plant on a train. Complete no to the damsel in distress with power stemming from a previous painful situation.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

I fell in love with the cover of this book. It’s absolutely beautiful!!

What a wild ride! A horror story with the best creepy vibes! Lara discovers a greenhouse being transported. Lara knows something is off about the strange blooms. Lara learns she can’t outrun her troubles, she must grab them by their roots. Such an interesting read with so much going on. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. It was a quick read for me. I didn’t want it to end.

Thank you NetGalley, Amy and Random House Children’s for the ARC!!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: July 8 2025
#NetGalley #PredatoryNatures

Hop aboard the Banebury, a luxury passenger train as Lara discovers mysterious and dangerous botanicals aboard the carriages. Dual timelines give us a story of friendship, love, and self-acceptance as we learn the past between Lara and her ex-friend turned co-worker. At a train stop a peculiar pair of siblings bring with them strange and otherworldly greenhouse carriages. As the train approaches the destination, the circumstances become more and more deadly.

The writing throughout was descriptive and captivating. The plot kept me wanting to find out more about the present situation as well as the main characters strained past.

Wow. A suspenseful ride on a train straight out of Little Shop of Horrors. I loved how well thought out the main character was and how she grew over the course of the journey. I also liked the use of a Celtic legend and how it mirrored her experiences. I would recommended this book to YA readers who like face paced books with good description.

Solid four stars. This was a very good horror read. It wasn't too scary, but had very atmospheric creepy vibes. I love plant horror and the author did a great job of building up tension, both between characters and with the plants. There was plenty of suspense and I couldn't stop reading at about the 50% mark.
However, it did feel a little predictable at times, which is not necessarily a problem, but for a horror book I prefer more surprises.
One thing I especially enjoyed was the description sections. I think that can really make or break a horror book and the author did a great job building the atmosphere and making you feel like you're really there.
Overall, I would recommend this book. I think this could also be a great read for someone getting into horror but doesn't like gore or too much fear.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC.

Predatory Natures by Amy Goldsmith is a thrilling tale of Lara, a young adult working on a luxury train. Things take a dark turn when two mysterious carriages are added to the train during the night. As the days pass, the staff and passengers become increasingly unsettled by the strange occurrences and hidden secrets within the carriages. Lara and her friend, Rhys, must work together to discover the truth and stay alive.

This book is a must-read for young adults and horror enthusiasts. The action packed plot keeps you on the edge of your seat. The descriptions of the rare plants are vivid and the psychological thrills are expertly crafted to create a sense of dread and creepy suspense. A luxury train traversing the European countryside provides the perfect backdrop for this spine-chilling adventure. The story is told with alternating scenes from Lara’s past that could have been condensed to provide more of the current story from the train. I found the backstories distracting from the main story.

Thank you Random House Children’s and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This book was frustrating to read in a way I can't fully articulate. What should have been suspenseful and mysterious just felt incredibly frustrating, with characters to match that. The time jumps weren't really necessary, the relationships lacked any real depth, and I didn't end up caring about anyone. While the premise was really fascinating, the execution left a lo to be desired.

Thank you Netgalley and Delacorte Press for allowing me to read and review Predatory Natures! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Wishing there was a way to forget all this, to rewind the past, erase the darkness, the memories that always seep back when the night is quiet."

Amy Goldsmith wrote two of my favorite YA spooky reads: Those We Drown and Our Wicked Histories. I had no doubt that she would continue to shine with Predatory Natures and she did just that.

Predatory Natures is set on a luxury train where Lara and her ex-friend Rhys take on a customer service job, serving the guests, fulfilling their needs, and cleaning their rooms etc. Two guests come aboard during the trip with an unexpected cargo full of exotic plants. Each night becomes stranger and stranger as the train inches closer to their destination. Something otherworldly is taking over the train and it's passengers, leaving Lara questioning if the train will make it and if everyone- or anyone will survive...

I absolutely loved this book! The writing is creepy, the characters are fleshed out, and the killer plants are my favorite part of this story. I enjoyed the imagery and horror elements. Predatory Natures is a thrilling and mysterious joyride. I did like the realistic undertones with Lara's ex-boyfriend and the build-up of what happened to her and Rhys' friendship, why it went sour, and trying to repair their relationship over the course of the train ride.

Amy Goldsmith is an author you should not underestimate. Her writing continues to evolve as she creates a cinematic experience with each new release. For horror lovers, pre-order Predatory Natures, and go read her backlog, you will not be disappointed!

4.75 stars

Another hit from Goldsmith! I think my favorite aspect of this novel is the dual timeline element. it was executed brilliantly and the two stories wove together in such a satisfying way at the end! wonderfully done!

I had enjoyed the previous book by Amy Goldsmith, it had that element that I was hoping for from the previous book I read, it had that fantastic element that I was looking for and was hooked from the first page. I was invested in what was going on and enjoyed getting to know the characters and how they worked in this. It was interesting to understand what was happening with the greenhouse. I'm excited to read more from Amy Goldsmith.

I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Books on trains, mystery, sentient plants, and the most well rounded YA protagonist I've seen in awhile. I don't want to spoil the book but this was fantastic.