Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for giving me a the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Synopsis: Maggie St. James is a sucessful childrens book author that goes missing at the height of her career. Her disappearance becomes a mystery when there is no trace left behind save for a small charm. After years of searching and desparate for answers her parents hire a man with a special gift to try and find out what happened to their daughter. What he finds pulls him into the mystery and doesn't let him go...

A History of Wild Places drew me in from the very beginning--the cover artwork, the story line and the promise of something mysterious and dark. Yes please. Starting as the story of a search for a missing woman, it develops into so much more. Beyond the disappearance of Maggies St. James, it dives into the intricacies and weaknesses of the human mind, as well as the places that we call home.

What I liked: Ernshaw has a magical way with words. The imagery throughout the book created such vivid pictures in my mind and made me feel so much a part of the story. I did not want to put it down. I felt connected to every single one of the characters and was very invested in their story and growth throughout the book. I appreciated the pace of the character development, it was not rushed and felt realistic. She also did a excellent job of seamlessly alternating between multiple points of view. In terms of the story, I loved the mystery aspect of it and was certainly surprised by the ending. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and hope to read more by Shea Ernshaw.

A History of Wild Places grabbed my interest as soon as I read the synopsis.. Unfortunately, it’s one of those books that’s difficult to describe in detail without accidental spoilers, so I apologize in advance for being so vague.
My favorite thing about this book was the deeply atmospheric setting combined with the mystery to solve. It was just the right combination of creepy and suspenseful. I thought the characters were well developed-especially Bee! I really liked her a lot. Travis too! All of them! This reminded me of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village, which I loved and also just a touch of AHS Roanoke, in that it involves insulated communities that are not quite what they seem. It’s about so much more than that though, really. It’s also about the search for people who have gone missing. It’s about family and loyalties and choices that can change everything. It’s about history. As the synopsis states, "A History of Wild Places is a story about fairytales, our fear of the dark. and losing yourself within the wilderness of your mind." This is a beautifully written psychological thriller that will make you question everything you've read. LOVED IT!

Wow at no point did this turn out how I thought it would. I haven’t read something like this in a long time. Usually I don’t like open ended endings like this (does everyone else in Pastoral have the same history) but it was enough closure that I felt satisfied.

Originally I was drawn to the cover of this book. And I so glad I was. A curious book with a plot that is as twisty and shadowy as the North Carolina mountains where it takes place.

I am a thriller book lover, and this novel kept me intrigued and surprised throughout the entire journey.

Travis Wren is a man who finds people, but is himself lost. He is given a case that could mean redemption. Maybe if he find Maggie St. James, Travis will be able to come to terms with his tragic past, and find some peace.

Travis has a gift. A sight of sorts that shows him memory flashes of people. Will it be the right skill for him to track down Maggie? Will it be enough?

I really enjoyed this thriller. It had a hint of supernatural and stayed high suspense throughout the story. The closer to the end I got, the more enraptured I became.

Almost as big a character as the people in this novel, is the setting. The Northern Carolina mountains were painted in a vivid and vibrant way that reminded readers of both the peace and tranquility many nature lovers know and appreciate. The flip side to this is the dark, brutal life that the mountains demand of those who live in the remote places.

All in all I really enjoyed this novel and have already recommended it to others!

A History of Wild Places took hold of my imagination and refused to let go. Unfortunately, it’s one of those books that’s difficult to describe in detail without accidental spoilers, so I apologize in advance for being so vague.

Shea Ernshaw has really honed her strengths in her first adult offering, providing the reader with a deeply atmospheric setting, a wild mystery to solve (which is not, in my opinion, too predictable), and characters that feel as richly developed as the setting.

It reminds me of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village and Agnes At The End of The World by Kelly McWilliams, both of which I loved, in that it involves insulated communities that are not quite what they seem. But it’s about more than that. It’s also about the search for people who have gone missing. It’s about family and loyalties and choices that can change everything. It’s about history. The way the stories intertwine will leave you breathless and wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In theory not every cult is a commune and not every commune is a cult, but in reality the difference between the two can be minute enough to vanish into details and semantics. Which worked for me, because this is technically a novel about a commune, but one that certainly seems like a cult. And I do love a good cult story.
Pastoral is the idyllic lifestyle of those disenchanted with mainstream life. Pastoral is a word whispered by a mother of a missing daughter to the man hired to find her. Pastoral is a place conceived with the best of intentions in the 1970s when such things were in vogue, a commune of likeminded individuals intent on living a simpler life away from the loud world. In this novel all the roads lead to Pastoral. It’s the getting out that’s difficult.
So once upon a time a man named Theo was hired to find a woman named Maggie St. James. Theo, singularly qualified for the task, is a psychic, able to find a trail when all others have given up. It has been five years, after all. Maggie had her reasons for vanishing, her popular line of children’s book deemed too dark by many has apparently inspired some violence, there was a certain level of infamy one might want to get away from. Theo traces Maggie to Pastoral’s boundary, a place that has given no evidence of existing for ages and then…fade to black.
Come into the light and zoom in on Pastoral. Still very much in existence, albeit much, much has changed since the passing of the original leader. From here on out it’s pretty much a fictionalized account of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village, an out of time community terrified of the woods surrounding them. The main characters in these chapters are Travis and Calla, integral members of the community who begin to ask questions and challenge the new leader and the new order of things. A dangerous thing to do in general and especially in a cult. And you know what they say about matches and fire.
So that’s essentially the novel. I do hope I’ve made it sound interesting, because it is, but you know how I said I love a good cult story…where here’s why this isn’t a great one. The book is the author’s adult debut and had I not known this, I might have guessed it. There’s something about the writing that reads like upgraded YA. The contents are perfectly adult, but the writing itself…the short sentences, the repetitions for emphasis, the hyperbolic quality, the way every other statement is made to sound like a revelation and a certain hyped up dramatic quality. AM I explaining this right? Essentially it reads like every other line is an exclamation. You know, like a certain terrible texting technique that seems so popular. And the thing is the story is dramatic enough without any of it. There’s basically just a surplus of emphasis.
Also…don’t read the next paragraph if you haven’t read the book.
Also, the use of hypnotic powers is done as if by someone who learned all about it from watching Now You See Me movies. I mean, it just doesn’t work like that, it isn’t magic. Then again, the novel presupposes psychic powers, so why not this too.
Ok, we’re back. So anyway, not a perfect novel, but a perfectly good one. I was entertained, I liked the twist, however credulity testing it might have been. I liked the ending too.
And here’s a crazy thing…the top reviews for this book at the time of posting this are all by people who have not actually read the book. Just think about, dozens of likes for exuberant one liners with emojis. You actually have to scroll past all that noise to get to the actual reviews from actual readers of the book. It’s sad that the tragically superficial social media culture approach is winning out even on this, arguably the best and most intelligent of such outlets. Anyway, that’s my two disappointed cents about the state of the world.
And oh yeah, this was a fun read. Ideally in the future the author will tone down the hyperexcited narrative thing. Anyone interested in cults/communes is going to want to check this out too. Thanks Netgalley.

I loved this thriller. It was a great combination of creepy and mystery. I was reading in bed one night and kept looking around the room because I was sketched out in the dark lol I fell in love with the characters, especially Bee! I loved her so much. Also, there were two plot twists that I definitely didn’t see coming, one of them until right up near the end of the book! I want to read it again to see what little clues I missed along the way. As usual, Shea Ernshaw has a beautiful and lyrical way of describing things that make me feel like I’m there feeling it too. Loved it so much, I won’t say more so that I don’t give anything away, but there’s a ton more I could say!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Ernshaw is one of my favorite authors and when I heard she had her first adult book coming out I knew I had to get my hands on it! Ernshaw's writing is creepy, suspenseful and fantastic! I never saw the end coming; it was such a fantastic twist. I hope she keeps writing adult books.

I wish I could give this book more stars. It makes me reevaluate how easily I’ve given 5 stars in the past, because this book WORKED for it. A History of Wild Places starts off seemingly as a detective story, with Travis on the hunt for a missing author named Maggie. It seamlessly merges into something else entirely when Travis’s quest brings him to a hidden commune called Pastoral. What happens next is a slow and beautiful burn. I was sucked so deeply into this story. The writing is so ethereal and effortless that I felt a part of the characters’ experience in ways I rarely have before. I truly have zero negative feedback for this novel. It was dark, sometimes gritty, and mysterious with major cult-y vibes. Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A HISTORY OF WILD PLACES is an odd book about a rural community that keeps to itself for fear that outsiders, or even traveling outside the community will bring disease. I definitely enjoyed the book but honestly felt as though it didn't go deep enough into the story. I wanted a lot more of an explanation about how and why things happened as they did. Travis, for example, was an interesting character with very interesting gifts, but he really only enters the story briefly and so his gifts are not fully explained. It did make me interested in checking out more of Emshaw's work, though.

A History of Wild Places is, among other things, unequivocally beautiful. It's lush and atmospheric and wildly different from whatever it was I was expecting. Bonus stars would be awarded for that mesmerizing cover had I not already awarded the maximum number allowed on this app.

I love everything about the way Shea Ernshaw writes. I think the one thing I can always guarantee is that her books will have the most vivid, beautiful winter scenes, or nature scenes that you will read. I love that in real life, her IG stories show how beautiful her home is & makes it seem like she is in the middle of the wilderness (if you aren’t following her for that and tea content alone, you really should) that it almost makes it seem like her real life bleeds into the stories she tells.

Needless to say I was insanely excited to read this book when she announced it. It is her first adult novel that is considered a psychological thriller/mystery/suspense and I promise it does not disappoint. I had huge Jennifer McMahon ‘Winter People’ vibes for the style of the story (the whole book isn’t during the winter I feel the need to mention that) but overall has a spooky - there is something we are all missing right in front of our faces feel. I absolutely LOVED this book, especially since I didn’t guess the ending at all which is super hard for this book style.

Rave review from my corner ✭✭✭✭✭/5 stars! I can’t wait to preorder this book which comes out in December and read it again (love a book that I know I won’t be able to resist a few rereads, I’m looking at Winterwood by her and gosh I want to read that one again already)

Thank you to @netgalley, @atriabooks & @sheaernshaw for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Make sure to keep an eye out and pre-order this once it becomes available, this book comes out December 2021!

I fell in love with Shea Ernshaw's writing style in The Wicked Deep and Winterwood, but A History of Wild Places may just be her best book yet.

A History of Wild Places is essentially a book within a book. When the novel starts off we are introduced to Travis Wren. Travis has a strange talent for finding people who have gone missing. All he needs to do is touch an object of the person who is missing. Travis has been hired to find Maggie St. James, an author of macabre children's stories. When Travis's search leads him to a small community called Pastoral, he disappears. Years later we meet Theo, Calla, and Bee. They are citizens of Pastoral. One night, Theo finds Travis's abandoned truck, which he finds odd as no one is allowed in or out of Pastoral. Theo begins to questions all he's ever known. I don't want to give too much away with this review. As the synopsis states, "A History of Wild Places is a story about fairytales, our fear of the dark. and losing yourself within the wilderness of your mind." This is a beautifully written psychological thriller that will make you question everything you've read.

A History of Wild Places is my favorite read so far this year. I cannot wait for it to be released so I can add it to my bookshelf.

Thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

I’m screaming at the top of my lungs: THIS IS THE BEST BOOK THE AUTHOR HAS WRITTEN!

Plot: Night Shyamalan’s Village meets second season of Sinner with the girl who loved Tom Gordon vibes!

It’s sad, twisty, confusing, tricky, intense, dark, depressing, disturbing the hell of you!
The book has powerful beginning by introducing us Travis Wren who helps the police to find lost people with his unique skills, detecting the cold cases nobody can solve, helping families for having their closure or reuniting with their loved ones.

Travis reminded me of another Shyamalan character David Dunn from Unbreakable played by Bruce Willis. He touches people’s hands and sees their entire life stories flash before his eyes. With his gift, by touching the belongings of the lost people or hanging around the places they spent time, he can gather clues to find where they have been hiding or what kind of traumatic experience they’ve endured. He seems like Atlas carrying the entire world’s weight on his shoulders. He’s always sad, exhausted, seeing his life crumbling into pieces behind his eyes.

And his gift turns into his curse, causing him suffer from guilt feelings because he couldn’t act faster to save his own sister’s life before she committed suicide.

As he finds the lost people, he starts losing more pieces of himself, staying at his old truck, feeding himself greasy diner foods, cutting his connections with outside.

For his best friend’s request, he gets one last case to find the traces of Maggie St. James- the author of dark macabre children’s books.

As he follows the traces she left behind, he stops at the entrance of Pastoral: a reclusive community has been founded on 70s by like minded people searching for a simpler way of life.

After Travis passed the border to walk into Pastoral, another chapter begins to introduce us the family of three: husband Theo, wife Calla and Calla’s blind, young sister Bee sharing the same house, keeping secrets from each other.

The community leader Levi forbids its folks to pass the border because a contagious disease: pox starts to affect the trees and kills each people who dare to leave the place.

But Theo passed the border several times. Nothing has happened to him and he has found the abandoned truck of Travis and the damaged photo of Maggie St. James.

Bee confesses him she felt a man’s existence at their summer room before. Could Travis stay at their place without their knowledge and what about the books were found by Calla, buried in their garden written by Maggie. Why both partners keep secrets from each other? What is happening in the woods harming those trees? Why both three of them are still healthy even though they were affected by pox! Are they immune?

Don’t worry! The author answers all of your questions by pulling the rug out from under you! Some of the twists were foreseeable but I didn’t see a few of them coming.

Levi’s reminded me of Robert Pattinson’s reverent character(Preston Teagardin )he recently played on Netflix’s Devil All the time. The sneaky, power thirsty, manipulative and one of the most dangerous characters you freely hate!

Overall: the characterization were impeccably well build, the tense atmosphere construction were eerily successful. The conclusion is hopeful and meaningful.

I’m giving my five gazillion stars! Smart, dark, delicious and highly recommended journey you should never miss!

Millions of thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

I love this slow burning atmospheric book about a commune. The book version of the Midsommar. I highly enjoyed this.