For fans of Stranger Things, Naomi Novik, and Katherine Arden's the Bear and the Nightingale. This book was hard to put down.

In Sovient Estonia, a 5 year old girl goes missing. 10 years later, she returns, but is still 5 years old. Her sister tries to investigate as best she can, suspecting fairies and creatures of folklore. The truth is much more real and sinister.

this didn't go in a direction that i thought it would. it was very good, writing and storyline wise. it was also very slow, it didn't pick up until like it hit the 60% / 70% mark.

Wow! What a read is really all there is to say about this one. Gigi really blew me away. And the trees stare back was creepy and sent chills down my spine the entire time. Such a enthralling read

And the Trees Stare Back follows Vik in 1989, Soviet Estonia after her sister went missing five years ago and her mother blamed her. When her little sister, Anna, walks out of the forest and bog, Vik is overjoyed, until she realizes that Anna hasn’t aged at all. Under Soviet rule, talk of witchcraft and the folklore lingering in the trees surrounding them is forbidden. But that’s the only explanation to Anna. Vik must uncover the truth or risk losing Anna a second time.

This one was quite interesting! I really enjoyed the concept and loved the folklore element. I can’t say I’ve ever read any Estonian lore before so this was really fascinating. I really liked the setting and time period. It made for a very tense and gripping read especially when the soldiers came around. It was a little slow at times, but the ending was really action-packed. The twist at the end was very surprising and I liked it. This is one of those books where you’re not sure if it’s speculative, folk-monster/creature, or just some natural, human explanation to what is truly going on. It toed that line of questioning really well.

I enjoyed the main character. I felt really bad for her home situation and its definitely really easy to root for her. I liked the progression of her relationship with her mom and her sister. Her friendship with Liis was really sweet and it was so nice how much they cared for each other even with their differences and tense past. Love Kaos—who doesn’t love a loveable fox?

Overall, if you like folk horror with interesting twists and books rooted in real history, then this is definitely one you’ll want to check out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is another one of those books where I feel like the advertised genre has tricked me. It was an "oooh, I want" because I saw that it was supposed to be a horror, but then I read it, and it is mildly sci-fi, but mostly just a regular young adult novel with historical backties. The first few chapters excited and hooked me, but the middle was dull. Even when the revelation happened, it was pretty predictable when it came to discovering the bad guy.
Perhaps the Anne and Liis thing was a nice curveball, but at that point, I was so over the book that I kept marching on because my heart wasn't in on it, but I was determined to finish what I started. Maybe if Vik weren't so damn unlikable, then it would have been easier to enjoy.
Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me the opportunity to read and review.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for a fair and honest review**

I loved this book. One of the best I've read in years and a rare 5/5 from me.

The title and the cover are so dark and foreboding. I requested it as soon as I saw them.

I really enjoyed the folklore of the story set against Soviet oppression. The resistance theme seems very relevant these days.

I especially liked that the story took a twist I wasn't expecting with a science-fiction element thrown in.

Thoroughly recommended.

This story was interesting, I loved the concept and mystery behind it.

And the Trees Stare Back is set in Soviet Estonia, 1989. It follows sixteen year old Viktoria (Vik) whose life was changed when five years back, her sister Anna went missing beyond the bog. One day, Anna comes wandering back from the woods, but there’s something off about her. Vik starts to wonder if this truly is her sister that came back or if it’s something else. Vik is determined to find the answers.

This story is shrouded in mystery and I had absolutely no idea where this story was going as I was reading. I kept trying to figure out the mystery, but in the end it was something completely unexpected.

I loved the characters Vik and Liis. I thought they were well crafted, lovable characters. I also adored Kaos. Who doesn’t love a story with a pet fox? This story felt darkly whimsical and I appreciated the bits of history tied in. I thought the twist at the end was unique. I expected something completely different from where this story ended up but I wasn’t disappointed by the route it took.

The only thing I really struggled with and what ultimately landed me at 3/5 stars was the pacing and the ability to draw me in. While I loved the characters and loved where this story ended up, I felt like this story struggled to entice me. The pacing felt unbalanced. While there was a lot of drama and mystery surrounding Anna, I also felt as though not much was happening until around 70% of this book. Once I hit this point, everything started to fall together and the story really picked up.

I am still grateful to have read this book and thank NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. All opinions are my own.

TW: child abuse, child death, confinement, death, mental illness, panic attacks, physical abuse, violence, medical content, kidnapping, grief, murder, war

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me this ARC in return for a review! I've rated "And the Trees Stare Back" a 3/5, it was okay!

"And the Trees Stare Back" seemed really interesting as a story - set in Soviet Estonia (near the end of Soviet occupation specifically), a cursed bog takes children away, until one comes back. There are twists by the end of it that I genuinely didn't expect, but it worked, I think!

As a start, I did like the characters. Vik, the mc, was really interesting and her relationship with all of the other characters, especially her best friend, Liis, and her sister, Anna, were well done. Vik's determination to save her sister was the central point of the story, and I think their relationship and Vik's love for Anna was the best part. I also enjoyed Vik's (/the author's) way of framing events through the cards that Vik has. I think it was a really interesting way to incorporate astrology and make it unique, and I liked that!

I did have some minor issues, hence the 3/5. There were parts of the story that I felt were overly repetitive, the same thing just kept happening to the point that I almost lost interest. While the overall plot really was interesting, there were just points where I was tired of nothing happening.

Overall, I thought this book was okay! It wasn't what I expected, but that isn't a bad thing by any means! There were definitely instances where it could have been a little better (in my opinion, of course.), but overall, it was okay!

I love reading books that take place in Estonia, Iceland, Greenland, etc. This was a very creepy book with a lot of Estonian folklore. Very much enjoyed and plan on buying

A great horror novel set in a time period which I adore. I loved our main character and anything to do with forest in horror books has my attention and love. Loved every part of the book. A very easy five star read.

Thank you NetGalley and Holiday House for the ARC.

I love any book that involves ancient mythology from a location around the globe. This is a great example, with so much to learn and say.

This is my second time reading a novel by Gigi Griffis. I very much enjoyed the other book and went into this one without prefacing what the story was about. I was hooked immediately. She is very good at building suspense and keeping you guessing.

The premise of the story was amazing, I learned a few things about Estonia and the mythology of the area. I have never read anything about this county or area and now I have an interest in learning more. The author did an excellent job painting a picture of the surroundings, that made it easy to visualize somewhere you have never been.

The characters were well thought out and in most cases proved to be sincerely human. The few that failed to show empathy or camaraderie with fellow humans were also well written, even though significantly flawed.

I don’t have a critique, however, I do think other literature and media have made something you find out at the end of the story a trope that is used too often. It feels unfair that others have used it carelessly when this author handles it masterfully. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next.

This is a beautiful YA that has really rich themes for young readers. The throughline of the oracle cards was lovely and the first few chapters are genuinely captivating with respect to imagery and narrative voice. I don’t think it sustains that level of artistry throughout, but still a very good book.

Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Gigi Griffis delivers a haunting and deeply poignant YA folk-horror novel in “And the Trees Stare Back.” Set in 1989 Soviet-occupied Estonia, this story masterfully weaves historical realism with folklore, exploring themes of humanity and resistance against oppression. With its evocative setting and gripping mystery, the book is a must-read for fans of atmospheric horror and historical fiction.

In a small Estonian village, 16-year-old Vik lives under the shadow of occupation, fear, and the looming threat of the cursed forest beyond her home. Five years ago, her younger sister Anna disappeared into the forest, a place whispered to be inhabited by lantern-eyed spirits and cursed with unspeakable dangers. On the anniversary of Anna’s disappearance, she miraculously returns—but something about her is unsettlingly off. As Vik begins to question whether this is truly her sister or something more sinister, she is drawn into a heart-pounding mystery that forces her to confront the forest’s dark secrets. Along the way, the story delves into broader questions about identity, humanity, and the lengths we go to protect those we love.

Griffis’s prose is both vivid and immersive, bringing the eerie bogs and dark forests of Estonia to life. The setting is an integral part of the story, its brooding atmosphere heightening the tension and underscoring the themes of isolation and resilience, making the bog almost like its own sentient character. The atmosphere and setting were definitely the strongest parts of the book, though I also really enjoyed the character development. The incorporation of Estonian folklore adds a layer of cultural depth and originality, blending seamlessly with the historical context of Soviet oppression, and the author had clearly conducted a lot of research on the topic.

The book tackles complex themes with remarkable nuance. It explores the dehumanizing effects of occupation and societal judgment while shedding light on issues such as marginalization and mental illness. These heavier themes are balanced with moments of hope and personal growth, making the story both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

The characters are a highlight, particularly Vik, whose determination and vulnerability make her a relatable and compelling protagonist. Kaos, the feisty one-eyed fox, adds charm and levity to the story, quickly becoming a fan favorite (Kaos remains safe throughout the book). The inclusion of LGBTQ and disability representation further enriches the story, making it inclusive and relatable for a diverse audience.

The mystery at the heart of the story is gripping, keeping you guessing whether the horrors are supernatural or human in nature. Griffis deftly blends magical realism and speculative elements with historical and psychological undertones, creating a story that is both eerie and profoundly human. This balance between the supernatural and human element was a bit ambiguous, though this ambiguity is likely intentional, reinforcing the story’s themes of uncertainty and fear of the unknown.

Overall, “And the Trees Stare Back” raises important questions about what it means to be human and who gets to decide whose humanity matters. It critiques systems of oppression and explores the toll of living under fear and judgment, making it as politically incisive as it is emotionally compelling. At its core, the book is also a story of love and the unbreakable bonds of family. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy folk horror, complex female protagonists, and stories steeped in cultural and historical richness. If you’re looking for a book that balances eerie suspense with emotional depth, “And the Trees Stare Back” will not disappoint.