Courtney Gould has done it again, shocking no one with how phenomenal this take on the horrors of "wilderness therapy" (i.e., kidnapping and attempted brainwashing) are. The supernatural horror elements are on point too, as ever, but it's the characters and the inherent horror in their circumstances and the betrayal of their guardians that really drives the narrative. It was a hard read at times, particularly in the first sections, but it was so, so good.

This book was a thrilling, entrancing, horrific, beautiful adventure about found family, trauma, resilience, and how not everything is as it seems.

This is the first book I've read by Courtney Gould, and it will NOT be the last.

The characters are real, raw, and relatable. You love or hate them, or both. The rich prose adds so much depth and atmosphere, and like most books I give 5 stars to, I felt like I was part of the story, immersed in the environment.

I highly recommend What the Woods Took for anyone interested in Queer YA horror, enemies to lovers, dynamic characters, and a fantastically different antagonist.

Thanks to Wednesday Books and Courtney Gould for letting me read an early edition in exchange for an honest review.

I will start out by saying that I adore Courtney Gould and will read anything she writes. Her writing is beautiful, original, and a gift for the queer community.

Devin has spent just a short time in her latest foster home when she's awakened in the night and taken away. She soon learns that her foster parents have sent her to the Revive Wilderness program, a program for troubled youth where a small group of teens spends 50 days in the woods with two counselors. You know, the teens are there against their will, but whatever, right?

Devin clashes immediately with Sheridan, another strong-willed female in the group, but has better luck with Ollie, a lost and troubled soul; the younger Aiden; and religious Hannah. It doesn't take Devin long to realize that things seem off (beyond the forced kidnapping) and soon counselors disappear, the woods seem extra eerie, and more.

This isn't true horror, I don't think, but it sure is creepy and certainly sinister. Gould does a wonderful job of building up the tension. Unfortunately, it takes a while to get to a lot of the scary parts, and they sometimes fizzle out. A huge part of the novel's beginning is spent on the discord between Devin and Sheridan, to the point of repetition and frustration. There's far more focus on interpersonal relationships and the camper's backgrounds than the horror vibes. What does show up is unique and intriguing and often quite spooky.

I especially loved the focus on these wilderness camps, which really do exist, and how they can affect the psyche of already fragile young teens. Also important is Gould's emphasis on queer relationships and her consistently strong portrayal of teens overall. This is a bit of a slow burn, plot-wise, but there's a lot to love here too.

**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**

....I am speechless after reading this. When I asked the Universe for a good horror/thriller book, it told me, "Hold my beer." I seriously have no idea how to give this book the props it deserves, other than to say the characters will snatch you by the throat and hold you down until the very end of this book. The creepy setting had me devouring my nails as I tried looking away, but I couldn't stop. Seriously, read this, and enjoy the ride.

Is it enough to just say what a story? I answered my own question and that would be a no.
Devin has had a hard life, and her current foster family decides that having her taken in the middle of the night, to a place for troubled teens is a good choice. Newsflash: I can’t imagine that being the right answer for anyone ever.
The other teens have just as many issues, but Sheridan in particular manages to press all of Devin’s buttons. The worst thing in these woods might not be the counselors, the program, or these damaged teens. Something ancient lies here, and it is hungry and more determined to leave than even Devin.
Holy creepy story! The character development was amazing. If I ever get a chance to spend five minutes with Courtney Gould, I’ll tell her what a great story she wrote, and how wrong I was about the ending. Considering the subject matter, I can’t say that at times it wasn’t a tough read. However, it was well worth some uncomfortable moments to go on the journey with these characters.

Title: What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould
Genre: YA Thriller
Pub Date: December 10, 2024

🌲 Troubled Teen Program
✨️ Dual POV (Devin + Ollie)
🌷 Sapphic Romance
🔀 Twisty Paranormal Thriller
❣️ Character Development

My Review:
This book was so good! It's giving "troubled teen wilderness program in Appalachia."
The set-up is a little slower but once it picks up it's pretty fast paced! You literally won't be able to put it down. What the Woods Took is a must read YA thriller!

Thank you so much, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the digital review copy!

Courtney Gould has a wonderful way of writing. Enjoyed this one quite a bit. Will continue to read from this author.

Feral. Unhinged. Beautiful. Tense. Heartfelt. Raw. Emotional. Gayyy.

I could keep spitting out words upon words to describe this book, and it wouldn't be enough. I've read (and ADORED) both of Courtney Gould's previous novels, but I can safely say that WHAT THE WOODS TOOK is her best one yet--I can't remember the last time I was so sucked into a story. Did I devour this book, or did it devour me? It's got everything I love: atmospheric woods, gripping personal stakes, freaky monsters, and a love story that will stay with me for a long, long time. Seriously, I don't think I've encountered a dynamic like Devin + Sheridan in YA before, at least not one that's struck me so sincerely. It's imperfect and ragged and god, I only want the best for them (and the others).

A+ group cast. A+ monsters. 100000/10 recommend.

Suspense begins with the first words of this one and doesn’t let up til the end. Be prepared to give up a couple days to reading, you won’t want to put this book down.
This story has so much to offer, survival, strong characters, and a timely take on the troubled teen industry. It will appeal to lots of readers, put this in the hands of those loved Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis, The Lake House by Sarah Beth Durst, or fans of the series Alone.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. all opinions are my own.

I will post my full review once SMP address the insensitive comments of their employee.

What the Woods Took is a spooky forest horror that will have you on the edge of your seat and questioning who to trust.

This book starts off with a bunch of troubled teens enrolled in environmental therapy program and isolated in the woods against their will. What starts out as a therapy program ‘designed’ to better the teens quickly turns into a nightmare.

I highly recommend What the Woods Took! I can’t wait to see what else this author does.

There were several strong aspects to this work. I loved how interesting the characters were and how well they were written. From the very beginning, I was drawn to the two protagonists. Their voices were strong and compelling, and it was enjoyable how different they were from each other. The characterization of the secondary characters was also strong and made for a compelling read. The setting was also wonderfully written and added much to the atmosphere.

This was a very slow horror, with the creepy vibes and tension taking a long time to start. I find that in most horror books, I either find the reveal to be terrifying or I feel disappointed. I was a little disappointed with this one. While it was certainly creative, I just didn’t find it as compelling as I wanted. But with the strong characters, I was invested in their stories, so it didn’t detract too much from my experience.

I also quite liked that this story is based on the very real topic of wilderness therapy and many of the issues that are inherent in that industry. If you’re interested in a slower YA horror with great characters, then you’ll likely enjoy this one. My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this work, which will be published December 10, 2024. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

3. 75 stars

This was a good book, but lacked a certain spark that made it a great one for me. It was slow, chilling and creepy but I found the inner monologues a little too much and the set up to the monsters a little too long. I also never really felt compelled by the characters' personal storylines. I felt for them, and I felt their confusion, anger, fear etc., but again, something was lacking that kept me from being pulled into their pov.

Overall, a creepy, compelling and atmospheric queer horror that I'm sure will delight a lot of readers,

Courtney Gould's What the Woods Took is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. The chilling atmosphere is palpable from the first page, with Gould's vivid descriptions making you feel the oppressive weight of the woods as the teenagers venture deeper. Every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig becomes a potential threat, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

But What the Woods Took is more than just a scary story. Gould crafts characters you truly care about. As their secrets unfold, you find yourself invested in each camper's survival. Devin and Sheridan's dynamic is particularly captivating, but the growth Ollie experiences throughout the journey is equally compelling.

This is a powerful coming-of-age story that explores themes of survival, the strength of friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of trauma. Gould handles these sensitive topics with care, and it's evident that meticulous research went into the book's development. What the Woods Took is a thrilling and thought-provoking read, leaving you eager to see what Gould brings us next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for allowing me to read an eARC of this title.

When I saw that Courtney Gould had another book coming out I knew I had to read it.
What the Woods Took is the story of five very different teens who have been forced into a 50 day wilderness therapy program. They come from varying socio-economic backgrounds, have different levels of dysfunctional family issues, secrets and monsters in their pasts. When they wake up one morning and find their counselors gone they must band together to make it out of the woods alive. Oh, and there is something in these woods, monsters who are after them.
Can they band together, learn to trust each other, and survive? This reviewer is not going to give you any spoilers, but instead just tell you that this NEEDS to be on your TBR list.
I know I will be purchasing this one for my high school library as soon as it comes out.

Content Warnings:
substance abuse
mentions of suicide
death/harm of a child
mentions of (NO details) sexual assault/child sexual abuse
gore/violence
Language
Some kissing

What the Woods Took is a YA thriller about a group of kids who go on a wilderness therapy camping trip. As others have said it has very atmospheric writing which will draw you into the fear of being hunted in unfamiliar woods by something you cannot understand. I thought it was quite good. The characters were very well written which makes you root for them to survive. The plot was interesting with the wilderness camp, disgruntled teens, and monsters that mimic people. Definitely worth a read!

What the Woods Took is a fascinating story that examines fraudulent camps that prey on families with delinquent children. In this case, two people in their young 20s take a group of teenagers deep into the woods and straight into trouble.

I read this book because the synopsis mentioned Yellowjackets. It didn’t really feel anything like Yellowjackets, but I’m still glad I read it. Additionally, I liked this book more than the author’s last, which I had liked well enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

This book was heavily atmospheric and well-written. The leads were unlikable but in the way angsty teens are, not in a bad way. The mood switch to more straight psychological horror and body horror a quarter of the way through was fantastic and I know I'll need to read it again to fully understand all the foreshadowing and such.
I loved the character development and found family. These kids really do just want to get out of the woods and survive. I also think one character kind of got the short end of the stick but I guess it makes sense that one of the creatures wouldn't be able to survive.
The representation is also pretty well done and places in normally instead of being the center of drama it just creates a Sapphic Enemies to Lovers (or Maybe strong dislike, not hate...) that has a decently positive ending.

What the Woods Took is Gould’s best work yet! Her writing is incredibly atmospheric - I could feel the woods pressing in as the teens hiked deeper into the forest. Every moment was full of suspense, never knowing what was going to happen next.

The character development was superb - I could emphasize with and root for each camper individually as more of their story was revealed throughout the course of the book. Devin and Sheridan especially jumped off the pages, but I also really appreciated how much Ollie grew throughout their journey.

This was an incredible story of survival, friendship, and overcoming trauma. Gould handled all the subject matter sensitively and it’s clear a lot of research went into the story. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you to Netgalley, Wednesday Books, and St. Martins Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This story was a ride. It is an emotional ride for anyone who has been impacted by addiction (directly or indirectly) and it is a very interesting mix of supernatural horror and social commentary. I really enjoyed the ride.

Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, in many forms and haunt us all. I found the way these were written into the story a brilliant way to not only convey the topics but also the emotional aspects of the story. The story starts out a bit slow as the tension and the horror gets going but once the ride takes off, grab your seat and enjoy the ride.