A Girl Walks into the Forest is a mash-up of horror and fairytale in this captivating read where I could not stop turning the pages. This one is about a girl who goes on a journey through a dangerous forest that has otherworldy creatures, unhinged villian and more just to stop her. The author wrote this well and I can not wait to read more books from this author. All of the characters in this one were good and I enjoyed Valla the most. Overall, I loved this one a lot and would recommend to any reader especially to any young adult readers or to those who love horror or fantasy. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books/ Quill Tree Books for this amazing read in exchange of my honest review of A Girl Walks into the Forest by Madeleine Roux.

First of all, thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
I really enjoyed this book. This really isn't the kind of book I typically reach for, but something about it jumped out to me. I honestly didn't expect to like A Girl Walks Into the Forest as much as I did.
With elements of fantasy, found familiy, and horror, A Girl Walks Into the Forest was an excellent book that fans of Rory Powers 'Wilder Girls' would like!

A Girl Walks into the Forest follows Valla, a teenage girl selected for her beauty to marry a member of the aristocracy of a neighboring kingdom.
Valla sees her betrothal to mysterious Count Leonid as a blessing. It's not just a way for her to escape the confines of her small desolate village, but it'll also win favor for the village. Life should be easier for everyone after this.

Unfortunately, in order to get to her new husband, and new kingdom, Valla must traverse the infamous Gottyar Wood, where many dangerous creatures lurk. Valla is escorted by her brother and sister-in-law, and it seems their journey is cursed from the start. After a vicious attack leaves Valla in a feverish stupor and her face maimed, they're lucky to make it through alive.

The Count isn't pleased when presented with Valla's new, altered appearance. Where is the beautiful bride he was expecting? Ugh, how frustrating for him...

Valla feels the same. Where is her beautiful prize? The luxurious lifestyle and extravagant castle, not to mention the sweet Prince, she was expecting? Because she's not finding any of those things here. But Valla's shock and surprise at the state of the castle, her soon-to-be husband and his family is just scratching the surface of the unpleasantness she is in store for.

This is such an engrossing, beautifully-told YA Dark Fantasy. The blending of Horror elements with the Fairy Tale-feel captured my attention from the start. I loved the incorporation of the Baba Yaga lore, and the atmosphere was very well done. I was also impressed by the level of body horror included, and how far Roux took some of the darker elements. I will say the 1st-half was stronger for me than the later half, but overall, I was happy with the conclusion, and the story as a whole. We like it dark!

I've never read from this author before, but I'm definitely interested in checking out more of their work. The writing was so readable. I liked that Roux didn't get too flowery with it. I hate when a plot gets lost with overly-purple prose. The way this was told was easy to follow, yet still complex and exciting as far as the themes and action.

I liked the feminist elements as well, and feel like this would be such a great story for younger Readers looking to expand further into the Horror genre. I think this is a great transition novel from YA to Adult, though it can clearly be enjoyed and appreciated by Readers of all ages.

Additionally, if you are a Reader like me, who craves lush, creepy atmosphere, you have to check this out. Starting with the forest, and then into the castle, Roux riddled this story with an atmosphere to get under your skin. I also appreciated how Roux paced the story. Once the main action in the castle kicks off, things escalate fairly quickly, until everything starts to unravel at once. I was so attached to Valla; I was at the edge of my seat wishing for her safety.

At the end of the day, I think this is a must for Readers of Dark Fantastical Fiction. Particularly, if you still enjoy novels in the YA-space. Bonus for the Feminist Feels. Thank you to the publisher, Quill Tree Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm definitely excited to pick up more from this author!

I wanted this to be memorable because the vibes are there but this just did not hit like I wanted it too. I loved the folk horror vibes but just was not vested in the characters. I also felt like the pacing was off. Thanks to Quill Tree Books & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 Star

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I absolutely LOVED this. Madeleine Roux has the most interesting way of blending her storytelling and world building. I loved the forest, and the fairy tales sprinkled throughout, they combined into the ultimate dark horror vibes. If you liked The Forest Grimm, I can guarantee that you'll love this one (possibly even more).

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC in exchange for an honest opinion. For a YA horror, I wasn't sure what I was expecting out of this book. But wow, this took me on a ride. I don't think I have ever read a book quite like this. The journey we take with our main character, Valla, is fraught with challenges. The pacing wasn't consistent throughout and that would be my biggest criticism with this book. The last 20% of the book, though? Chef's kiss on the plot, the characters, the pacing, and the execution. A very solid 3 stars that I would recommend to any horror lovers - especially those that enjoy themes focused on female empowerment. This one is now available to pick up from your favorite local book retailer.

I thought Midsommar YA horror this book we be exactly what I needed. Unfortunately didn’t hit exactly right. It was primarily the characters dialogue didn’t do it for me. But overall the lore and atmosphere did me in.

Thank you for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I don't know quite what I was expecting from this story. Ultimately, the idea was good and it was well-written, but the shift where the forest gives her power sort of detracted from the humanity of her and the story. Also, I felt like the brother only existed for the plot, he never really felt integrated into the story or the ending. If you like folk horror, you'll definitely enjoy this. While it wasn't totally my thing, I did love the folk horror vibes and the idea of the book was interesting.

This was a perfect book to read while in a slightly creepy cabin in the middle of a forest! I love haunted forest books, and my first Madeleine Roux book didn't disappoint! I really enjoyed the feminist undertones in this book, and the lack of a romance was a nice departure from romantasy. I liked Valla a lot, and even the villain characters were very well-developed and enjoyable to read about.

Wow! THIS BOOK!

I have been reading a lot of books lately that just feel like copy/paste of other stories, so I've really been craving something different. THIS BOOK DELIVERED! I was constantly kept on my toes and the twists the book took really surprised me--which is something difficult to do with how many books I've read.

This book to me was the anti-fairy tale in the best way possible. It's about a girl who has sort of a "Disney princess" dream for her life--she's the most beautiful in her land (village) and she's going to go marry a prince (a count in this case) in a far off land and live a lavish life where servants take care of all of her needs. It's the swept-away-from-your-provincial-life fairy tale so many girls dream of. Except, in this story, nothing about her journey is beautiful or ideal. Every step and new discovery is horrible and rotten to the core. I won't reveal all the vile things that happen to her because it will spoil things, but just know that there are many awful surprises in her new mansion that were so morbid and shocking in the best way possible. I was clapping for the author for her creativity with each new thing she thought up that made a chill go down my spine (while also being sad/mad for the main character and her pain of course). To me, this is a story about shattered expectations/dreams in life and what comes after. After you endure one disappointment/abuse/deprivation after another, what is next? How do you rise out of that and who do you become?

As a side note: I only had one issue with the book and that was part of the ending 20%. I don't want to give spoilers, but I felt like more could have been done to integrate this new person earlier and make that transition a little more smooth. I rate this a 4.5 because of that, but I'm rounding up a 5 stars book because of how much I loved the writing, the original story and the setting that felt VERY real. Bravo author! I'll definitely read more of your books (this was a new author to me and I LOVE her writing style).

I received a digital ARC “A Girl Walks Into the Forest” by Madeline Roux from NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | Quill Tree Books. Apologies for the late review.

I kept seeing this book described as ‘Midsommar meets The Shadows Between Us’ which is one of the reasons I requested this in the first place. To me it read more as a message on the destruction of nature, and the evils of mankind and industrialization. Nothing in here gave me Midsommar vibes, and I have watched the Director's Cut of that film an unhealthy number of times. I got more Princess Mononoke vibes than anything else with the focus on loggers and sawmills, a fire destroying the forest, forest spirits, and a giant stag.

It did bug me a bit that some of the words and phrases were ‘real’ Eastern European words and phrases, but for the most part the words and phrases were constructed to look similar… if you're going to use a real language in a book keep some consistency. Also, the over explanation of having to explain words/phrases in the book did frequently pull me out of the experience. A ‘dictionary’ of unfamiliar terminology at the front or back of the book would have been way better.

I can definitely see older teens enjoying this book, and the premise was good. I would recommend it for teens that enjoy dark fantasy, but it missed the mark for me.
3/5

This was just ok for me. I liked the writing a lot but I found the pacing to be a little uneven. I liked the themes but overall just felt a little meh about the whole thing.

DNF 15%

While I was very excited for the premise of this book and drawn in by the cover, I found both the narrative style and main character unappealing. Unfortunately, I am not the right reader for this book.

This YA thriller- mythology - fantasy had it all and was full of some fun twist and turns you might not see coming. I loved reading and and didn't want to stop reading. The cover is amazing and I can see many readers falling for this one! Perfect for some creepy summer reading! 3.75 stars

“There is nothing particularly brave in me, but tonight that must change.”

All her life, Valla has been told her beauty would be her greatest gift, envied and shunned by people in her community who would never have the chance to leave the village. So, when the rich and powerful Count Leonid chooses her as his wife, she doesn’t think twice. But between her and the Count’s grand estate lies the Gottyar Wood, the dark forest few people have ever escaped. The journey to her new life lives up to her nightmares, and Valla emerges from the woods battered and broken, her once-perfect face torn to shreds. Valla is no longer the girl the Count wanted, and he is no longer the husband she had hoped for. Surviving the terror of the forest was only the beginning of a new life of horror, and what lies beyond the castle walls is more monstrous than anything she has ever faced in the dark.

I absolutely loved this novel. I have been reviewing fantasy and horror novels for over a year now, but I have never encountered a book that seamlessly combines both genres while preserving their best features. Roux’s world-building is complex and stunning in a way that sent a chill down my spine, but also made me want to read more. The folkloric elements of A Girl Walks Into the Forest almost reminded me of the Brothers Grimm, as they are mystically treacherous and horrifying, rejecting the typical fairy tales told to children. As terrifying as Roux describes the Gottyar Wood, she adds a level of curiosity that seems to pull both the reader and Valla in. I loved the choice of first-person point of view, as the reader needed to experience the internal nightmares Valla faced as she transformed into a strong female lead throughout the story. Our heroine was initially a traditional village girl, longing for marriage and a better life. As she was exposed to more dark secrets of the Gottyar Wood, however, she transitioned into a fiercely independent and powerful character. As her ties to the creatures of the wood grew stronger and her actions became more violent, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for her next move. Supported by frightening imagery and dark secrets, A Girl Walks Into the Forest will have you fearing the forest and what lies within.

This was a solid 3.5-star book for me. It reads very much like a dark fairytale, and the vibes/atmosphere are established very well, which I loved. It's YA, but it doesn't read super young. The FMC was also easy to get behind, and the story really doesn't shy away from brutality. At times, this can be very bleak, but that's what makes you root for justice and vengeance.

I think it's great for its intended audience, especially because the themes are very thought-provoking. I enjoyed the questions this raises about all the value we place on beauty, morality, and the power of nature.

It did drag a little in the middle, so the pacing could've been better, but overall, this was a solid book. Plus, the cover is stunning!

this was such a beautiful blend of horror, fantasy, and folklore!

my favorite part about this was definitely the writing; i thought it was gorgeous writing and i had several quotes highlighted that gave me chills.

Well, I’ve learned not to walk into a forest fully prepared for what you might encounter. And that the man you’re walking through the forest to get to better be worth it.

While A Girl Walks Into the Forest is marketed as a blend of horror and fairytale/folklore, I’d argue it leans almost entirely into the latter. The horror element is so minimal it felt more like a whisper in the trees than a real presence. I spent much of the book waiting for it to ramp up—only to find it never really did, which definitely impacted my overall reading experience.

That said, the Slavic folklore woven throughout is rich, atmospheric, and genuinely enjoyable. I appreciated the main character and found the author’s writing style beautiful and engaging, even if the plot meandered a bit and lost me in places.

What stood out most was the thread of women’s empowerment and the nuanced exploration of the abuse women endure—those elements were handled with care and depth.

I do recommend this for fans of fairytales and folklore-infused fantasy—just don’t expect it to deliver on the horror front. Go in for the myth, the magic, and the message, and you’ll find plenty to appreciate.

This dark, folkloric tale draws you in with its haunting atmosphere and doesn't let go. Valla, a young woman chosen to be the bride of a mysterious count, journeys through a forest rumored to be cursed—one that’s devoured countless travelers. What begins as a hopeful escape quickly twists into something far more harrowing and transformative.

Roux’s prose is rich and evocative, weaving a world where beauty is both weapon and burden, and where its loss opens the door to a far more profound kind of freedom. The novel pulses with Slavic-inspired lore, eerie forest magic, and the sharp edge of vengeance. Readers who enjoy dark fairytales, "good for her" arcs, and gothic revenge stories will find much to love here.

This is not a tale of helplessness but of reclamation—bloody, beautiful, and utterly spellbinding.