Erin Craig is undoubtedly my favourite author for gothic, dark, fairytale-esgue type of stories. I love the creepy feeling as the plot twists and something unexpected happens, some trippy little secret is unraveled and truth comes to the surface. This book is no less interesting than other Craig books. And the town of Mistaken......well, what a creepy, strange little name for a town circled in stones. Mistaken, the town that if you stumble into and spend the night - well you just belong to the town forever. After all the stones that keep the town safe from monsters also keeps the people trapped forever.

This story follows Greer, a map-maker and dreamer who defies the stones and the town and its traditions to venture to the woods to save the love of her life Ellis. In this journey Greer is hunted by the Bright-eyed as well as secrets that want to be found out.

Buckle up and prepare for a trippy, interesting read - as are all of Erin A. Craig's books.

If you loved Craig’s Small Favors, you’ll love A Land So Wide. As gorgeously written but even more horrifying, A Land So Wide follows Greer, a mapmaker trapped in an isolated settlement in the Canadian wilderness by a magical boundary that keeps the villagers in and the Bright-Eyeds, the terrifying monsters in the woods, out.

The story is deeply unsettling and packed with beautiful prose and fascinating lore of both the settlement and the Bright-Eyeds. The Bright-Eyeds were not what I was originally expecting but I enjoyed where the plot took us.

That said, there were moments where the pacing felt a little odd- either too slow in the first half or too fast/repetitive in the second- and I really would have liked to spend more time with both MMCs.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to rereading it in the winter just to really soak in the creepy, atmospheric vibes.

Thank you Pantheon and NetGalley for the ARC- all thoughts my own!

4.5☆

An incredibly gripping dark fantastical story, A Land So Wide will without a doubt capture your attention from the very beginning. Erin A. Craig masterfully writes eerie and suspenseful imagery and plotlines that have you needing to know what comes next, as every single chapter ends with some sort of reveal or cliffhanger that you cannot stop at. Unique descriptions, mysterious secrets, and frightening monsters - human or not - all contribute to a thrilling read from the very first page all the way until the last word. Another stunning book by this author.

Greer Mackenzie is a wanderlust cartographer who longs to leave the confinements of Mistaken. However, the Warding Stones make that impossible because after sunset, no matter where you are, you are involuntarily and violently ripped back within the borders. With so many dangerous animals - and not-so-mythical monsters - this restriction is their only safety. Mistaken is the only town that has an agreement with the Benevolence where they offer feasts for the Reaping, but there is also another, more sinister, offer made each year during the Hunt. When Greer’s intended, Ellis, walks through the barrier and does not return, Greer does everything possible to get him back, and she uncovers the darker secrets of her land, people, monsters, and herself.

RELATIONSHIPS & CHARACTERS -
- Greer Mackenzie is the daughter of the wealthiest person in the land of Mistaken, though it does not come with the benefits she hopes for. She has been lucky enough to explore the world a little more than most while mapmaking, she is with the love of her life, and she does not have to worry about her next meal. However, she has lost her mother, her father only wants what is best for the land, and she is required to participate in the Hunt, which makes her the target of just about everyone. Readers learn about the world with her and she is able to mostly step up to the dangerous tasks at hand with her cleverness. I appreciate the character development she goes through and the bleak and morbid choices she makes which was an unexpected and pleasant surprise.
- Ellis Beaufort is Greer’s selfless love who does everything for the good of others. He is rather easily manipulated and is such a sweetheart, and his relationship with Greer is simple - a refreshing change on the typical forbidden relationship filled with banter and unnecessary problems. Ellis also has some surprises, but he is not a major character in the story apart from being the reason Greer goes on this journey.
- Noah Finn is a character introduced a little ways into the story, and I personally desperately wanted to root for him. At times I did, but he was part of a semi-creepy love triangle. He is still a great character, though his reveal is rather obvious from the first time he is mentioned.
- Bright-Eyeds are the sinister creatures that stalk the borders of Mistaken, waiting for a human to slip up so they can feed. They are seeingly intentionally unclearly described to maintain a mysterious lure and dangerous air around them, and they are certainly vicious.

ENGAGEMENT & ENJOYMENT -
This was an incredibly fast-paced read that had me immediately hooked, and continued to keep my attention on every page. There are so many secrets to uncover, backstories to understand, creatures to decipher, and lands to explore, and every single aspect of this book is done in a fascinating way that never lacks intrigue.

ATMOSPHERE & SETTING -
The atmosphere was the highlight of this book. The descriptions used to bring even the simplest things alive was extremely unique, and everything had such a dark and ominous tone to it. I really appreciated how there was no shying away from brutality, and the grotesque scenes that were so bluntly included will remind you to never get comfortable or expect a compromise. The Hunt was such an interesting concept (that I would hate to be a part of) and the cultish nature of the town to ensure that this happened amongst all of the recent tragedies was fascinating. The most prominent piece is the forest, and the way it was illustrated continued to add to the haunting unknown and created a disturbing, unsettling feeling that stuck throughout the entire story.

DEVELOPMENT & PLOT -
The story developed quickly while also giving the time to fully understand the events taking place before moving on to the next part. There were several aspects of the story that needed to be investigated, both present and past, and this did so in a way that logically progressed. While most of the reveals were not surprising to me, and there was one twist that I wish stuck, I was not disappointed. The brutality was shocking each time it came up, and if you like chaos like me, you will be delighted. There was never a time in the story where the interest waned, and I am again pleased with the darker direction this book took in order to get to its desired ending instead of finding the convenient, happy, easy way out. The ending of this book has my absolute favorite type of ending, so I will reiterate again that I was hooked from the prologue to the very last word, and I closed the book with a smile on my face.

Thank you so much Erin A. Craig andNetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my genuine review!

Oh wow I have so many thoughts. The first half of this book was immaculate and I loved the atmosphere and characters! Especially the nascent dread that followed our main character. However, I do feel like the book lost its vision a little bit in the second half, after the introduction to the second love interest. As Greer learns the truth about her town, herself, and her family I wish there was much more internal development. We never really saw her struggle or grow as a result of all that she learned. Most importantly the ending felt extremely abrupt and the choice Greer makes (going back with her family and first love interest while shunning the newly discovered part of herself) felt extremely abrupt and frankly a little unearned.

I am obsessed with this book! First, the writing is incredible. Craig weaves such beautiful sentences and descriptions. The way that she goes about setting scenes and moods is seriously so talented. There are lines that I had to stop and reread just to take it in. And the story itself is captivating! Greer lives in a town called Mistaken. Mistaken’s residents are sort of trapped behind these giant warding stones along the town’s perimeter. You can go beyond their borders during the day but must be back before sunset. If not, the stones will literally pull you back, no matter what is in the way. A gift from the Benevolence to keep the townsfolk safe from the dangerous Bright-Eyeds who hunt the forests a night. Greer, who suffers from wanderlust and curiosity, sees this as a blessing and a curse. When her beloved, Ellis, travels outside the borders and the stones don’t drag him back, Greer will stop at nothing to follow him and get him back. In her quest to do so secrets about her world and herself unravel.

I did not know where this was going to go and was delighted with the outcome! My advice would be, go into this blind. I saw someone already share what I consider to be a spoiler and that really disappoints me because it so surprised me. I really can’t express how much I loved reading this and how impressed by the writing I am! It has dark and gruesome moments, as well as beautiful moments. 10/10 recommend!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Pantheon for the e-ARC! I will absolutely be pre-ordering a physical copy. Book releases 9/9/25.

This fantasy novel delivered a richly imagined world and compelling characters that pulled me in from the start. While the pacing lagged in a few sections, the plot stayed engaging enough to keep me turning pages. The blend of magic, conflict, and emotional depth made for a satisfying read. Overall, I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars for its strong storytelling and immersive atmosphere.

I’ll start by saying I love Erin A. Craig’s eerie, atmospheric YA fantasy novels, so I was thrilled to dive into her adult debut, A Land So Wide. As expected, the atmosphere was beautifully immersive—one of Craig’s signature strengths. The story had a fresh feel, blending fantasy with rich folklore elements, which I really enjoyed.

The first half of the book was engaging, though the pacing felt a bit slow at times. In contrast, the ending came on too quickly and felt rushed, which left me wanting more development in the final chapters. Still, it was a unique and haunting read that shows Craig’s talent for world-building and storytelling!

Thanks for NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book sucked me in. I stayed up way later than I should to figure out what was happening. I was captivated from the jump. And then about 75% in I had no idea what was happening or how the story had gone where it went, but I still liked it a lot. I'd recommend this book to friends, I just wish there had been more....time? Spread it out over two novels, or build more of the latter half into the first half. It was such a shift that I wanted more time to process what was happening in the final 25% of the book. I needed more resolution than what I got, but overall, I had a great time, and I loved the novel. An excellent foray into adult fiction for Erin Craig, and I hope someone secures the rights because I'd LOVE to see this adapted into a limited series!

Erin Craig's adult debut is so suspenseful and powerful, it gave me nightmares. She excels at tense, atmospheric writing, but her romance is not something to discount.

This was an excellent fantasy novel. The worldbuilding was wonderful, set in a dystopian past where it's unsafe to leave the village after sundown. The characters were all extremely three-dimensional, the plot moved quickly (in a good way) and I found myself immersed in the story. I read this book in one day, and I would gladly read any other books in this universe, if the author chooses to write a sequel!
4.5 Stars!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the ARC!

The Queen of writing atmospheric eerie prose has done it again. This magical realism horror was so beautifully written—sorry I'm just in full gush mode. This was M. Night Shyamalan's The Village, but with a much more satisfying ending. I was a little worried because while I did really enjoy Craig's "House of Salt and Sorrows" the third act felt a little rushed—that is not the case here.

Greer was such a sympathetic main character and god you really felt her heartbreak, fear, and her tenderness for everyone she cares for. The willpower she has to keep going on for all of them while keeping calm during truly a HARROWING quest just shows how strong she truly is. I love her and the supporting characters so much. I feel so much right now and I don't know what to do. (Ellis and Finn are both so good *god* this book.)

This was PERFECT I'm so SO ridiculously happy. Also, if the author Erin A. Craig wanted to write a book on Selkies, I, for one, would inject that into my veins.

Thank you, NetGalley, Pantheon, Erin A. Craig for this E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5/5

A Land So Wide takes place in this mysterious town called the Mistaken, where villagers are caged and live in fear of the Bright-eye creatures that stalk the night. Greer McKenzie is the resident mapmaker and oddity of the village, who is deeply in love with her childhood friend Ellis. All their plans to be together are dashed, though, when Ellis disappears beyond the boundary. As her journey begins, Greer starts to question if the Benevolence is truly keeping her village safe?

As a longtime fan of Erin Craig, I was eager to read her adult debut. Her signature worldbuilding sets up the dark tone that something deadly is lurking in the woods. While I enjoyed unraveling the mystery, I found it hard at times to tell the difference from previous novels. Though Greer is 27 in the story, I'd forget at times based on her actions. It wasn’t until the horror elements kicked in that the shift to adult fantasy horror became clear. Fair warning, there is a heavy dose of blood, body crushing, and throat-ripping,g deadly creatures that sets it apart from her previous work and younger readers.

I am giving this book 4/5 stars🌟 because while horror is eerie, the romance was lackluster in the second part of the book. The two sweethears were separated for the majority of book, which boo not cool. I almost wanted the second lead to get a chance because of the number of scenes he was present. Overall, if you like to read a fantasy story with some horror and mystery, this book is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Erin A. Craig, Knopf, Pantheon, and the Vintage catalog for providing me with this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review!

Dark fairytale and fantasy romance in one book? Yes please. I must say that this book was a delight to read. I was drawn into this book right from the start and I spent this whole rainy/cloudy day immersed in this world. I went into this book somewhat blind and for that I'm glad as I think it gave me more to ponder about while reading. Greer is a great character and I was feeling what she was going through while discovering secrets about her life and her family. She wasn't sure who she could trust or if she could trust her gut feelings and this helped give the book a bit of mystery because we aren't really sure what is happening either.

To my knowledge this is a stand alone book and it has a great ending but if the author so chose, I feel she could expand upon this story and world. I would most definitely be interested in reading more in this realm. Wonderful storytelling and great world building.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Pantheon for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

**Thank you NetGalley, publisher and author for the eARC ** This does contain spoilers!!!

This book absolutely swept me away! Erin Craig has been one of my all-time favorite authors ever since I discovered her books—and A Land So Wide absolutely reinforces why I adore her storytelling. Her novels never disappoint, and this one left me completely breathless, it is a beautifully haunting story filled with eerie forests, mysterious legends, and characters you can’t help but love deeply.

Set in the hauntingly beautiful wilderness, this story follows Greer MacKenzie, a brave and headstrong young woman who draws stunningly beautiful maps and dreams of more than the confines of her isolated town, Mistaken. Craig masterfully weaves an atmosphere thick with mystery, folklore, and eerie tension, where the shadowy forests whisper secrets and danger lurks just beyond sight.

From the captivating and chilling prologue to Greer’s complicated relationships—including a heartfelt romance and family secrets—the narrative pulls you in immediately. The townsfolk fear creatures called Bright-Eyeds and rely heavily on mysterious protectors known as the Benevolence. But Greer, always daring and curious, pushes these boundaries, unraveling startling truths about her own heritage and the dark history behind her community’s rituals.

Craig blends suspense, romance, and vivid fantasy flawlessly, creating characters so memorable they linger long after the final page. The tension continually ramps up, filled with twists, emotional moments, and surprising revelations—especially regarding Greer’s own identity and the creatures she was raised to fear.

The ending left me breathless and emotionally torn: a mysterious dark shape moves across the sky—could it be Finn? Did he survive? It’s beautifully devastating, and I’m desperately hoping it's Finn!

A Land So Wide had my heart racing, my emotions spiraling, and the ending left me desperate for more answers. Erin Craig’s storytelling is spellbinding, atmospheric, and unforgettable. If you love stories that sweep you away, blur the line between myth and reality, and linger in your heart, don’t miss this book. It’s a hauntingly beautiful read from one of the best authors around—I’m already counting the days until her next story!

Erin Craig is the queen of atmosphere and vibes. Like her previous books, this will transport you to a different place. It's uncanny how she has this special ability to take you places with her words. I really enjoyed this story. Without sharing too many details (better if you go in blind), this has the vibes of a dark fairy/folktale. Perfect autumnal read.

If you were a fan of Small Favors by Erin Craig, you would LOVE this book! It gives all the spooky vibes with a dash of romance. Described as “an irresistible blend of dark fairytale and romantic fantasy set in the beautiful but brutal Canadian wilderness” this book follows Greer Mackenzie through quite a journey. Read the blurb of this book ASAP and then time how quickly you add this to your TBR (release date set for Sept. 9th).

I am afraid that if I start talking about the plot, I will give away too much. The twists and “NO WAY!” moments were phenomenal in this book. I finished this book over a week ago, and I am still thinking and dreaming (nightmares) about it. The creatures in this book are hauntingly beautiful and remind me a bit of the creatures in Small Favors. Greer is a complex FMC, and she was the perfect fit as lead for this storyline. This book is ACTION PACKED and paced perfectly. The little sprinkles of romance throughout the book ticked my romance reader fancy and softened the tone of the book at just the right moments. It's one of my favorite reads of 2025, so far!

Thank you @netgalley & @penchant4words for sending me an advanced reader copy of this book! I was THRILLED to be chosen as a reader! <3

Wow, what a ride!

Erin A Craig has become one of my favorite authors. I've read most of her YA books, and this is her adult debut. All of her books have very dynamic and immersive settings, usually with a creepy or gothic vibe. But this book! Oh my goodness! The town of Mistaken is positively teeming with creepy/spooky/horror vibes. Craig definitely captured the loneliness and isolation, as well as the feeling of wrongness within the town. The whole thing was very unsettling, especially the flashbacks to the past as you learn more about what happened in the town's history.

I found the worldbuilding to be really well done. Sometimes fantasy can be a bit confusing and overwhelming but I didn't find that to be the case here. I was intrigued from page one.

The characters were great as well, especially the protagonist Greer. At age 27, she longs to escape the town but also wants to appease the guardians who protect the town from attacks. I found her to be a likable and well rounded character. Others have said this doesn’t feel very adult (I guess because there’s no sexual content) but Greer felt like an adult to me. The whole hide and seek to find a husband game showed how little autonomy she had within the society and made it understandable that she would want to escape it.

The writing was excellent. It was descriptive and lyrical but also really easy to read. I absolutely flew through the pages.

Okay, here's where I'm going to get a little spoilery. You've been warned.

I will say that I enjoyed first half of the book (following Greer's day to day life in the creepy town) more than the second half, which introduced a love triangle among other things. I wasn't really expecting this to be about vampires? (I think that's what they are? The book never mentioned it outright.) Greer finds out she has powers and abilities as well (of course). I will say, her shouting power was giving me serious vibes of Ciri in <i>Witcher 3</i>. I was totally picturing this in my head for those scenes:

<img src="https://media1.tenor.com/m/nLJb9vi6f6QAAAAd/ciri-witcher-scream.gif" width="400" height="300" alt="description"/>


I wasn’t expecting Greer’s mother to basically have brainwashed the town into thinking she had always been one of them. Or that she was some kind of vampire queen. That was quite the twist!

This book is definitely adult in terms of blood and gore, but I didn't really find it scary. More like deliciously spine-tingling, especially the first half. I thought the second half lost a liiiittle bit of steam, especially with the character of Finn. I didn't care for him at all really. I was very vested in Greer and Ellis even though they’re already a couple at the start and I was really worried she would end up with Finn so I was glad that didn’t happen.

The ending definitely set itself up for a sequel or companion (they didn’t kill all the vampires???) and I would definitely read it. Erin A Craig has become an auto read author for me - adult or YA: I will read it all!

This is a perfect book for those who want a good introduction to horror and anyone who loves a good creepy read. Definitely recommend!

*A big thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage for the chance to read this ARC*

One of my favorite things about Erin’s writing is that I never accurately predict where the story is going or how it’s going to end. As expected, A Land So Wide lived up to this standard. Being that this was an ARC read, I won’t give away too much.

We meet our FMC Greer, a mapmaker with a dream to see the world. One little problem though. She was born in the settlement of Mistaken, which as its name might lead you to believe is not great. The woods surrounding the settlement are filled with monsters and her ancestors have stayed within their protective warding stones for generations. No one leaves, or if they do they certainly don’t make it far.

Greer challenges these rules when she sees the love of her life Ellis go beyond the stones and not return. Determined to bring him back, she discovers a way to defy the curse that keeps folks trapped in Mistaken and heads out after him. This journey is more than Greer bargained for as she not only faces the monsters in the woods, but the secrets of her settlement’s past, as well as her own family’s.

This is a can’t miss novel. It’s the best of fantasy, romance, and dark fairytales inspired by Scottish folklore and taking place in the Canadian wilderness. I love Greer, Ellis, and of course a character we meet along the way named Finn. I honestly could have used more of Ellis and Finn together because I feel like their banter would have been great. This is definitely worth a preorder and comes out September 9, 2025.

I don't know how Erin A. Craig does it, but every book I read by her is at least 4 stars. Magical realism is absolutely my favorite genre, and she has a way of creating these incredible worlds and characters. A Land So Wide is another hit for me. The settlement of Mistaken is filled with desirable rich resources, but all of the town's inhabitants have become trapped by its surrounding Warden Stones. When dusk comes, if anyone is outside of those borders, they are magically pulled back into Mistaken. Filled with fantasy, romance, and some incredible story-telling, A Land So Wide is an incredibly imaginative novel.

Eerie and atmospheric is the only way I can describe the feeling I got reading this book. This book gave me M. Night Shyamalan's The Village vibes and for me that is a good thing. The world building is well done. Making the reader feel trapped even in the vast wilderness. I could have done without the attempt at a love triangle. Would have preferred that Finn just remain a protective father like figure not a love interest but I know that kind of story line sells books. It did not take away from the story for me. I truly enjoyed this read.