Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with an arc.

This book was perfect for my horror-fantasy loving heart. The prose is beautifully written in a lovely, lyrical sort of way and I was instantly drawn in.

There’s a lingering thread throughout the narrative of something bad happening to Andrew in the previous school year that everyone remembers except for him and I couldn’t wait to find out what it was. Once I finished the book, I went back to the first chapters to see how Andrew’s perception of events foreshadow the reveal, which was fun.

I loved the snippets of Andrew’s dark fairy tales that were added in between or at the end of certain chapters. I want a whole book of Andrew’s tales!

If you liked A Study in Drowning, this macabre, at times heartbreaking tale, is for you.

You can see fanart I drew of the characters here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C48r1TNLlKh/?igsh=MWpjOGtzdTVjcHRiZQ%3D%3D

High school is hard for pretty much everyone in the school, especially senior year. But when you go to a private prep school in a country where your accent stands out, and you are coming back after a traumatic end-of-year… well, people stare and things are worse. Andrew Perrault finds the only refuge he can in the comfort of the dark and twisted fairytales that he writes. He writes them for Thomas Rye, the only one in the world who can ground him in reality when Andrew's twin Dove becomes cold and distant when they return to Wickwood Academy.

Andrew finds himself with friends who look at him with a mixture of pity and sadness, and when strange things start happening with Thomas Andrew feels like he is losing his mind. What is happening to make Thomas pull away from him? Where does he sneak off to in the middle of the night? And why was there blood on the cuff of his sleeve the first day back at school? Andrew must discover the answers before it becomes too late for them, and for the school.

I love a good twisted fairytale! The writing was smooth where it needed to lull the reader into a false sense of safety, and then stabbed at just the right moment to make it hurt in the best possible way. The imagery pulled from the pages the way monsters crawled from the imaginations of the two boys. The fairytale snippets and descriptions of the drawn monsters were delightfully wicked. My only con about Don't Let The Shadows In was that it ended too soon!

I would fully recommend this book to anyone who loved Grimm's Fairytales, the dark original tales of all the stories we've seen prettied up in movies. It is a book to keep you reading under your covers all night long.

Content Warnings:
Major
Bullying, Homophobia, Mental Illness, Eating Disorder
Moderate
Violence, Injury Description, Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor
Death of a Sibling / Child Death

What a dark and twisty ride. The imagery is horrifying, disturbing, repulsive, and gorgeous. The fantasy elements of this book, specifically the excerpts from Andrew's stories, worked extremely well for me. However, it did feel at odds with the "real world" setting/tone in a way that was jarring at times, and some of the discussions about queerness and asexuality felt dropped in from a different book entirely. I also felt that the pacing was a bit off - it took a while for the story to pick up, and while the third act was breathtaking and compulsively readable, the actual ending felt too rushed. I think it could have used more of a build in the tension and drama, instead of starting with the pedal all the way down and never really letting up.

Ultimately, this book was unique, unsettling, and gripping enough to overcome these complaints, and I think it's pretty successful viewing it through a YA lens.

Initially, this was a 3.5 star read for me. It's a Raven Boys knockoff with some occasionally lovely bits of prose, so it was fun enough to read. However, the further I read, the more uncomfortable this book made me, and not in a good way.

First of all, it spends a lot of time glamorizing eating disorders and self harm, and I just really don't enjoy books where starving yourself is repeatedly depicted as being interesting, appealing, and beautiful. Furthermore, the approach to asexuality is weirdly... sexual? The book spends all its time lingering thirstily on descriptions of mouths and backs and cheekbones and hands, so we get this odd, contradictory thing where the protagonist repeatedly says he experiences zero sexual attraction while also having intensely erotic, physical fantasies about his best friend. It ended up feeling like the author wanted to write an asexual character because they're trendy, but wasn't actually willing to change their approach or the way they view the world at all.

I wish this had spent more time exploring the spooky forest and less time fetishizing asexuality.

This book was dark, beautiful, and frightening. I can safely say that I will be going nowhere near any forests anytime soon 4.5/5 stars.

I could not put this book down! I was constantly on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what came next. Every time I thought I knew what was going on and what was next I was proved wrong. It had me questioning what was happening the whole time and fully unprepared for the ending.

The writing in this book was both lovely and incredibly unsettling. It drew me in even as the terrifying imagery made me want to hide away and save the book for the morning when I wouldn't have to fear the dark.

The romance was also incredible! It was as gorgeously dark as the rest of the book. They had the type of love and friendship where they would burn down the whole world for each other and not care as long as they had each other. Full of contradictions, they were both so soft, yet their jagged edges were sharp enough to make the other bleed. Their love felt so all-encompassing. Plus an asexual main character and M/M romance!

If you like dark academia, dark fairytales, and all-around dark books then this is for you!

Wow this was so much better than I could’ve imagined. I read this all in one day,

To be fair, the first 50% of the book is the description of the book but with more details. Therefore I wont reiterate the plot in this review. At first I was wondering, well when do we get more information. Not that I didn’t mind the fantastical element and the horror of fighting monsters that get stronger and more gruesome.

The plot twist did get me. Quite good too I might add. There were lots of hints towards it but then there’s false hope and then you’re crushed. I don’t want to spoil it on here but I knew something was up, I just couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was.

Can’t wait until this book is publish to tell my friends to read so we can discuss in detail

The story itself and the characters were very well written, I appreciated the representation for the LGBTQ+ community. It was in my opinion very well represented.


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

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I have followed this author on twitter for years, where she's been a whimsical bright spot. The premise of this book, but also the gorgeous cover, made this one of my top anticipated reads for the year, so I was excited to receive an ARC.
The execution left something to be desired, mainly the ending, of which I wasn't a fan, but of course that's subjective. I would still recommend this book to any dark academia or fantasy reader. I think calling it horror is a bit of a stretch. The monsters were well done, and the tension high whenever one was around, but that still seems more fantasy than horror to me.
The plot isn't super original, but it's well written (kinda gave me Charles de Lint, Memory and Dream vibes). Her writing style is gorgeous and worth the read for that alone.
All in all, I had a good time with this book, and highlighted many gorgeous lines.

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC copy in exchange of an honest review.

"Don't Let the Forest In" by CG Drews is an enchanting journey through the tangled woods of grief and resilience. Drews' lyrical prose weaves a captivating tale that will linger in your thoughts long after you've turned the final page. With richly drawn characters and a poignant exploration of loss, this novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartfelt and beautifully crafted story.

What a twisty, deliciously creepy, can't-quite-tell-what's-real horror story. I loved main character Andrew with his frantic storytelling, undying devotion to his friends, and relentless anxiety. He has anxiety and panic attacks, and boy was it realistic. I really felt for him and appreciated the support his friends show him. That's what all us anxious people deserve.

The story is slow to get started, but around 20% it picks up and held my interest for the rest of the book. At that point I read the rest of it in one sitting. There are some magical realism vibes in addition to horror. The cover is very representative of the book. It's great.

There are a few love stories going on here. One is Andrew's love for his best friend Thomas, even though that love is complicated because he's figuring out his asexuality and not totally comfortable with who he is. Then there's Andrew's love for his twin sister Dove, which was one of my favorite parts of the book - I'm always a sucker for sibling dynamics. And then there's the love Andrew and Thomas have for their art (drawing and writing, respectively). You can tell that the author put their own devotion to writing into their characters, and that's really admirable.

I did not see the twist coming, and I'm usually pretty good at guessing these things. I only guessed it one chapter before it happened, to which I say: Well done CG Drews.

I will definitely read this author's future work. Their writing has matured and improved since their first two books, which I also loved. It only gets better and better.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy of one of my most anticipated books of the year.

When I finished this young adult horror, I wanted to go back and re-read it to figure out what I missed! The ending was certainly a surprise, so if you're into twists then stick with it. At times, the horror scenes were overdone and some of the killings were not deeply written about to be fully understood. But, if you love a thriller and some horror and gore and a psychological mind bender, then read this!

this is probably my new favorite book! it’s going to become my personality! i’ve been getting into the horror genre a lot recently because it’s such a nice change of pace! a huge thank you to netgalley for letting me read this early as an arc! i cannot wait to purchase my own copy and reread it again and again!

This is how you write a psychological horror!!!
This book is extraordinarily good! It's the dark and twisted eerie horror I never knew I needed!
In this story, we follow Andrew as he makes his way back to Wickwood Academy as a senior, along with his twin sister, Dove, and his best friend, Thomas. Thomas, Andrew, and Dove have been inseparable ever since Thomas stood up to Andrew's bullies during their first year. This year, however, seems to be different- Dove has distanced herself from her twin all the while still being angry with Andrew for something that happened last year, and Andrew and Thomas are both battling internal conflicts dealing with sexuality, their feelings towards each other, and relationships with abusive parents (Andrew). At some point Andrew was also accused of killing his parents, which makes this school year all the tougher. Through all of this though, Andrew and Thomas have always been each other's safe space. They also share this love for twisted fairytales- Andrew writes them, and Thomas brings them to life through his artwork.

Literally.
But who would have known they'd really be bringing monsters and macabre creatures to life through their art and ways of expression?!

At first, I honestly found myself dissatisfied with the lack of world-building in this book. I figured since we're talking about forbidden forests and monsters that live in them, there should have been some level of world-building. It wasn't until about 60% through the book that I actually understood what was going on (MAJOR plot twist!) And then multiple twists after that that left my jaw dropped to the point my mouth got dry lol.

This book is incredibly good, and I recommend it to anyone who loves horror, mystery, or something that'll just mess you up psychologically!

Thank you NetGalley and C.G. Drews for such an amazing ARC! I can't wait to get my hands on the physical copy!!

Literally look at the cover art! It's beautiful and so unique and I love it so much! And the cover art of this YA fantasy-horror, queer novel totally sets the tone for a creepy and sensational story that you won't be able to put down.

The plot revolves around monstrous drawings coming to life to hunt down their creator and loved ones, with a focus on the intense chemistry between the main characters, Andrew and Thomas. The gothic school setting, detailed descriptions of monsters, and realistic portrayal of school dynamics add depth to the narrative, making readers care deeply for Andrew. The story follows Andrew's return to Wickwood Academy with his twin sister, Dove, and his growing bond with Thomas, who brings his twisted fairytales to life through art. As mysteries unfold and tensions rise, the novel delves into themes of love, jealousy, and darkness, creating a hauntingly beautiful tale that is both eerie and heart-wrenching.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and queer romance. I absolutely devoured this book! Appreciated the way the author weaved the story and executed the interesting characters and plot! Can't recommend it enough, especially for the dark academia gothic fan out there, this one is for you!

Thanks a lot to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Don't Let the Forest In by CG Drews is a supernatural horror novel set in a prestigious boarding school. Andrew Perrault, writer of dark fairy tales, arrives for his last year at Wickwood Academy to find that his relationships aren't what they used to be. His twin sister Dove, an extremely studious young woman, is not as close or supportive as she once was, and his best friend Thomas, who draws pictures of all the monsters Andrew creates for his stories, is keeping secrets. Andrew soon learns that Thomas is fighting literal monsters from the forest that borders the Academy grounds, monsters who may have killed his parents, monsters who seem to have sprung from Thomas's own drawings. Andrew and Thomas would do anything for each other, and together they try to figure out where the monsters are coming from. How does Andrew cope with all these changes? Not well, unfortunately. As the monster attacks grow ever closer to the school and the people he cares about, Andrew spirals. Thomas and others try their best to help, but there are some battles Andrew has to fight on his own. Only downside was a twist that didn't seem very surprising, but the ending more than made up for it.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book:

I would have finished this sooner had I not come down with the flu. I had to pause reading this book because I could hardly read even when I wanted to!

I started this book not knowing what I was getting into. I requested it on Net Galley because I thought the cover was awesome! I still do! I’m glad I was approved to read it because I pretty much loved everything about this book. I found myself engrossed in the details and the language used. Andrew and Thomas were fantastic characters and I was very invested in their story. They were very much ‘ride or die’ for each other characters and I am here for it! I also loved the ace representation! Thank you!

I did find myself wondering if everything I was being told true or not. I wanted to believe, but I was getting so much trauma from both parties that I couldn’t be sure. Very much the case of an unreliable narrator. And that ending left much to be discussed as well. I don’t want to say any spoilers because this books hasn’t been published yet, but I can’t wait to see others thoughts on it. I almost want to reread it because after the ending I’m sure there are things that I missed that gave other things away.

I very much got The Wicker King vibes from this book. If you know you know.

Overall, I will be buying a copy of this book when it comes out and I look forward to its release! Highly recommended!

WHAT

THE

ACTUAL

FUCK
FUCK
FUCK
FUCK

OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

THIS BOOK

I AM SCREAMING

and crying

always crying

why do I cry more with the horror books than I do the cutesy romantic shit

Absolutely stunning writing.

I loved the characters & seeing their relationship progress! The way their thoughts, feelings & experiences were described was just beautiful.

I also enjoyed the aspect of the monsters coming to life, but the budding romance & monster-slaying plot lines battled for my attention at times. They could have been interwoven a bit more seamlessly.

I’m also a bit confused by the end? Sometimes the writing was so atmospheric and beautiful that it could almost be a bit difficult to tell what was going on.

Overall really enjoyed reading this story and in awe of CG Drew’s beautiful writing style.

Absolutely lured in by the beautiful artwork on the cover and the creepy YA horror kept me there.

This novel was gripping, ominous and very interesting in my opinion unlike anything I have heard to date.

Received an ARC of Don’t Let The Forest In through Net Galley and I’m so thankful I requested it. What a hauntingly strange and unusual story in the best way possible. The story follows main characters Andrew and Thomas at boarding school, picking up after a previous year where we know something happened involving them that seems to be haunting Andrew. I was immediately drawn to the darkness that seemed to surround and encompass Andrew. We get to see him struggle with bullying, mental health, trying to find himself and define his sexuality and his feelings for Thomas.

Thomas too was dark and mysterious, but showed immense compassion and love for Andrew, who seemed isolated from the world and haunted in a way I just couldn’t figure out. This was so beautifully written, and I was second guessing myself throughout the whole book. As the story progresses we get to experience this fantastical and haunting scenes in which the forest comes alive through the stories Andrew writes and the monsters Thomas draws.

I don’t want to spoil anything for readers, but I will say it kept me guessing until the end. AND THE ENDING. How dare you CG Drews, I need more and cannot decide what I think about that ending. I can’t stop thinking about this book. It’s been a few days since I finished it and I’m still replaying some of the scenes over and over in my head. This one will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys creepy, haunting, dark and mysterious reads!

This is a fabulously atmospheric queer dark academia YA horror. It's got so much, from the ace/gay representation of the MC to truly terrifying monsters and botanical horror that will leave you scratching your skin sympathetically. The narrative voice is quite propulsive too, as is the plot.