Netgalley gave me access to this book awhile back and I’m kicking myself now that it took me so long to read it! What a dark but beautifully woven story. I don’t even know how to describe it but the author’s writing makes every description come alive.

at first I was like okay this is gonna be poetic and flowery and then it went HARD and DESTROYED ME and OMG HOLY PLOT TWIST AND THEN THROW ME ANOTHER PLOT TWIST?!? The ending is ambiguous which is not my favorite thing because I like concrete answers but the whole story was very engaging and in trying to discern just exactly what the heck was going on with these characters and how in the world would this resolve? This is definitely not everyone's cup of tea but boy did I drink the whole kettle. Thank you Netgalley for the arc.

This book is eerie and lyrical. The cover is PERFECT for the vibes of the story. It is a dark, queer, YA fairytale. The book immediately pulls you in and gives you so much to digest while you're reading it. The relationship between Andrew and Thomas is complex and angsty. Both characters feel completely unique.

It does have the dark academia atmosphere but it doesn't have much of a dark academia related plot in my opinion. In some areas I think the book leans a little too much into flowery prose which makes some pieces feel like filler but it is so well-written it doesn't bother me. This book has great queer and asexual representation.

Definitely worth checking out.

This is a book that I want to have on my shelf sitting and waiting for me when I need to fall back into an atmospheric, poetic story of horror and whimsy. Dark academia, a creepy forest filled with monsters and a mysterious artsy twist. This book was amazingly well written and focuses on two queer characters (asexual rep) struggling for identity and the weight of world on their shoulders.

“It hadn’t hurt, the day he cut out his own heart…No one would want a heart like his. But he’d still cut it out and given it away.” – just pure chills.

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for an E-ARC copy of this book.

This was so eerie and disturbing, but the in the best way. Such a deliciously dark book, so lush and atmospheric and with complex and compelling characters. I was on the edge of my seat reading this one, and it was the perfect thing to pick up during spooky season. I would 100% recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

This was honestly one of my best reads of the year. It was creepy, horrifying and mysterious. I kind of clocked what happened with Dove pretty early on but I didn't except the actual ending of the story. The whole story had me literally shaking with nerves for the boys and the ending was literal, scary perfection. I can't wait to read more from CG Drews!!!

4.25 stars

This is a beautifully written dark fairytale-type story with plenty of angst and atmosphere. We follow Andrew, who's in his senior year at boarding school with his best friend/maybe more than friend, Thomas. The boys have a deep connection, with Thomas' rebellious attitude balancing Andrew's quiet sensitivity. They've always been a trio, them and Andrew's twin sister, Dove, but this year feels different. Andrew suspects that Thomas and Dove might be involved, and his own feelings for Thomas paired with his asexual angst is eating him alive. What else is trying to eat him alive? The actual literal forest.

When suddenly the monsters Thomas draws to illustrate Andrew's stories come to life in the woods by their school, they're desperate to save each other and stop the forest. But they'll have to sort out if their feelings for each other too, and really, which is scarier? 
I read this while in a big reading slump and since I knew one of my friends loved it I had high expectations and kept setting it down when my mind wandered because I didn't want to miss anything. This led to it taking longer for me to read than it normally would have, and made it feel a little slow. Once I got around 50% in, though, I read the rest in a night. I did see the twist coming, but it was very well-done and I enjoyed the writing. I would say if you're very literal, this might not be for you because there is a lot left to your interpretation, but that didn't bother me. I look forward to reading more from this author! Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I'm not usually one for horror or YA, but there was something so enticing about the cover that I couldn't resist picking this book up. And honestly? It surpassed all of my expectations.

Don't Let The Forest In is tragically beautiful, gloriously unsettling, and chaotic in all the right ways. Drews has masterfully crafted a macabre tale that digs its claws in on the very first page and doesn't let you go, even long after you've finished reading it. The prose is STUNNING, the queer representation is fantastic, the characters dark and complex, and that plot twist?! However, what really sets this book apart, at least for me, are the descriptions of the monsters that torment our angsty, co-dependent main characters throughout. Often, I find it difficult to visualise the more fantastical elements within books, but these horrifying, fascinating creatures were truly as real to me as they were to Andrew and Thomas.

In the acknowledgements, Drews mentions that "if you've finished the last page and are now frowning at the wall, then everything is as it should be", and that honestly could not be a more accurate summary of how I felt after reading this book, but in the best way.

This was genuinely one of the best reads I've had the pleasure of absorbing right into my brain in a long time. I knew little about it but the cover is just superb, and I'm a superficial person when it comes to that. But the content is even better and I might be mildly obsessed.

In a way, <i>Don't Let The Forest In</i> reminded me of another one of my ya favourites: K. Ancrum's <i>The Wicker King</i>. Both depict toxic codependency between two teenage boys and best friends in a really creative, fantastical way that packs a punch, both are the kind of stories that stay with the reader long after they've finished the book. This one is very much a horror story too, though, and the horror elements are incredible.

The book tells the story of Andrew who loves his twin sister and his very best friend and roommate, Thomas - the boy with hair like autumn leaves. All of them go to an elite private school where they stay most of the year. While Andrew is the shy wallflower type, Thomas is a troublemaker, and they would both die - and kill - for each other. Literally. Andrew also writes very dark and gruesome fairytale stories and Thomas, a talented artist, draws them. All is well until the new school year begins and suddenly, Thomas and Andrew's sister seem to have had a fight that puts a strain on their friendship, and also, the monsters Thomas is drawing are coming to life. Hence the horror begins.

The writing is very flowery, but absolutely gorgeous and befitting of the story told. This book is an emotional experience, even though admittedly there are a few very predictable twists and minor plot holes throughout the story. The vibes, the horror of it all, the exploration of both Andrew's asexuality and the relationship between Andrew and Thomas that turns into an exploration of much more, it all makes up for it, though. I could not put this book down and it'll live with me for a long time.

So yeah, 5 stars, easy, and a new autobuy author.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘍𝘦𝘪𝘸𝘦𝘭 & 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊.

I'm going to start by saying that this is not a children's book. I think horror has a place within children's literature, but there are so many disturbing themes/ideas/images here that the overall effect is too overwhelming, the ending too ambiguous. It has just about every trigger warning going and that quickly manifests into a tidal wave of emotional bruising.

HOWEVER - what a stunningly realised piece of gothic/horror fiction. It has blood in its teeth, skin beneath its nails and scars from the skull's crown to the tips of the toes. I often struggle with magical realism because I like to know whether the fantasy elements hold actual weight or whether the protagonist is mentally ill. I'm not sure it matters here. Not when the prose's sole purpose is to make you squirm and coil into yourself and shudder in utter repellence. Sewn lips and briary bodies. Exposed ribs, spilled ink, spiked words and monsters that never stop coming.

It's queer in every sense of the word and I think it's so important for the publishing world to hold space for texts like this. It's an experiment. And it doesn't always work. I can only take so much emotional bruising before I need to be offered a choccy mint and a reprieve. But it's so twisted and unforgiving and gutsy that - even if I didn't find joy in the pages - I certainly found 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.

I devoured this. Gritty dark. Loved it. The monsters were described I could see them and pulled vibes from my chest. Highly recommend.

This captivating tale is steeped in haunting imagery and emotional depth. Set in an atmospheric boarding school, it weaves a dark academia narrative that draws readers into its spellbinding world. Ideal for anyone who revels in a blend of fantasy and suspense, this story offers a thrilling journey through shadowy corridors, whispered secrets, and a gripping sense of foreboding. It's a perfect read for those who appreciate intricate plots and richly developed settings.

A story that’s tragically beautiful and creepy in a way that burrows and blossoms under your skin like mushroom spores among decaying plant matter.
Set in a boarding school and an ominous forest, the book explores love, obsession, and the monsters real and metaphorical that we create.
Andrew, a shy boy writes creepy fairytales for his best friend Thomas to draw and bring to life. But when Thomas's drawings actually come to life as monstrous creatures that are hell bent on hunting them and their classmates down the two boys have to face the horrors and their blossoming feelings for each other together.
I adored this book! The dark academia vibes, the longing unrequited feelings of love, the snippets of fairytales woven through the main story, and the lengths that we go to deal with trauma.

I picked this book based on the beautiful cover, and the themes of a horror/romance/YA. The book is beautifully written, with a plethora of flowery prose. Even though I liked the flowery prose, I also found them to be a little too much in some areas of the book. I also enjoyed the horror elements of the book.

The biggest things I didn’t like about the book were the pace and the ending. I had a hard time getting into the book itself, and ended up skimming sections to move it along. Additionally, I didn’t like what I found to be the open ended ending of the book. That’s just a personal thing I don’t love in books, so it may not be a total turn off for others.

I will be reading this book again!
I’m speechless after finishing and I’m just not sure how to explain why I love it so much.

This book is haunting, devastating, beautiful like a nightmare with so much craziness mixed in. The characters are written so well and Andrew with all of his pain and anxiety. I just love him.
The art and poetry, the forest description it’s just all so well written.
It speaks to our fears deep inside. The monsters that live within us.

High school drama, bullying, queer teens, love, pain, anxiety, real and imagined fears.
This book might not be for everyone but I loved it!

"All my stories are about you. They will always be about you."

“It hadn't hurt, the day he had cut out his own heart ... No one would want a heart like his. But he'd still cut it out and given it away.”

5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced readers copy I read I also ran out and purchased the hardcover book

Creepy, Queer, but ngl I found it a bit Cringe. The mental health and psychological twists with magical realism didn’t work for me. I ended the book feeling unsure of anything.

# Don't Let the Forest In
# 11/24/2024 ~ 11/25/2024
# 3.0 / 5.0

This book cover is killer and the synopsis sounded interesting but I couldn’t get into the story. I considered not finishing this book a few times but stuck with it since it’s rather short — and I was really hoping to love it in the end.

I think the main reason I didn’t like it is because I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and I didn’t find the main characters (Andrew and Thomas) lovable.

Monsters coming to life is a great idea. I love how the written stories and their pictures brought these twisted fairy tales to life. And most of the scenes with those monsters were descriptive and interesting. But the rest of the story fell flat.

I did also love the queer representation, especially having an asexual main character. I don’t see that in novels enough.

Maybe, just maybe, this is a case of wrong-book wrong-time and I’d give this author another chance in the future.

2.5 stars

BEAUTIFUL. HORRIFYING. TOXIC. QUEER.;

this debut had no right to be as good as it was. This WAS MADE for the raven cycle girlies.

The writing? Stunning. The relationships? Low key toxic just the way I like them. And the twist at the end?!? I mean utter perfection. There is a reason this book has the ratings it does.

4.75

this was incredible and definitely would be 5 stars if i hadn't taken so many break in between reading it. The writing is very descriptive and flowery? which doesn't always work but it made this book so immersive. i LOVED the portrayal of Andrew's anxiety he is literally me.

“Andrew wanted to step outside of his skin and be someone who could talk easily, fit next to other people and not want to take himself apart and analyze everything he'd done wrong"

Insane how the author captures this so perfectly. Also, Andrew figuring out he's asexual and having Lana and Chloe there to support him. i am a sucker for tragic siblings so Andrew and Dove really got to me. the ending actually freaked me out so bad i was reading it at night and getting so paranoid i had to pace around my room. i absolutely did not expect that plot twist.

“His twin had been severed from him, and he hadn't even been awake to feel it."

most devastating line ever im so serious. this whole book is so gory and twisted and atmospheric and i loved it so much.

thank you netgalley for the arc! i feel so bad about this review being late oops

"Get ahold of yourself. But he didn't know what part of himself was safe to hold on to."

This was haunting and messy and I loved it. I'm not usually one who reads a lot of horror stories and if I do they're usually more in the gothic horror category. As it's a YA book it's probably relatively light on the horror theme compared to adult horror books, but in my case I quite enjoyed it. It was just the right amount of creepy. This was a really great read though and if the platform had allowed me to I would've given 4.5 ⭐️

🌳 Queer characters
🥀 Asexual MMC
🌳 Body horror
🥀 Unhinged monsters
🌳 Deliciously messy

The story was gripping, atmospheric and intriguing. The fact that this is a debut makes it even more impressive, in my opinion. I went in completely blind aside from some of the quotes and short descriptions I had seen shared by the author. About 80% into the story when I suddenly realised what was happening and it was honestly great to be in suspense for that long and not being entirely sure what's going on. Then at one point it just clicked.

These boys were so messy and codependent 🥹 and the ending was really well done. I believe my first response was "wait, what???" and I think that's perfect for this haunting and unhinged story.