In no way, shape or form did I know where this story was heading. M. Knight Shyamalan's The Village meets Jennifer L. Armentrout's From Blood and Ash. I was transfixed, BEWITCHED by the characters and the atmosphere created by Erin A. Craig. The new/old world, cold and chilling lore creeped into my bones. What an incredibly dark enchanting, spine-chilling read.

Trapped in a Canadian wilderness settlement with the rest of her community, Greer Mackenzie wants nothing more than to wed her true love Ellis and explore the great unknown beyond the familiar land of her home, Mistaken. However, she must make it back within the borders of her village each night before sundown or the village's protective warding stones will drag her or anyone, willing to test curfew, back behind the town's border.

The town survival depends on the protections laid in place by the original settlers and the mysterious "Benevolence" of the surrounding forest. In return for a tithing sacrifice, The Benevolence protects the village from the horrors of the forest, especially the "Bright Eyeds." The town's lore speaks of the haunting creatures as simply murderous beings out for flesh. This knowledge alone keeps the town of Mistaken peacefully behind the wards. Until one night, everything changes and everything they knew to be true shatters.

Greer is forced to discover the truth of the original treaties and what is actually required in order to save the thing and people she cherishes the most. Along the way, she discovers so much more than the knowledge she seeks.

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. It was eerie, romantic and paced so perfectly. The mystery kept unfolding until the very last page!

“Even if you don’t make it out alive, the world needs to.”

Erin Craig does it again with A Land So Wide!
A weaver of untold fairy tales in yet another unique atmospheric novel,

Mistakes were made in the making of Mistaken. Greer takes us on a journey of morale convictions from beginning to end. A Land so Wide takes you for a ride with what I would say is an enjoyable take on the Trolly Problem..

Getting to step back in to the story of Mistakens’ settlement was a fun touch, keeping Greers story on topic while delivering back story that may or may not be known to the FMC.

I had a great time and continue to marvel at Erin Craig’s creative mind.

A Land So Wide marks Erin A. Craig’s fifth novel, and it's another haunting addition to her growing collection of gothic-tinged stories. I’d call this Dracula meets The Village—dark, atmospheric, and dripping with a creeping dread that builds beautifully. The opening chapters immediately pulled me in, giving me the same eerie undertones I loved in House of Salt and Sorrows. Craig is a master at crafting that slow-burning terror—the kind that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and keeps your mind buzzing long after you’ve put the book down.

The atmosphere is everything in this book. The mysterious Bright-Eyeds and the ominous Benevolence that haunt the dark forest surrounding Mistaken give the story a mythic, almost fairytale-like edge, while still remaining deeply unsettling. Craig plays with the fear of the unknown so well—you can feel the isolation, the quiet horror, the ever-present sense of watching eyes in the trees.

Greer, our protagonist, is where things got a bit frustrating. At 27, her naivety and lack of awareness felt more fitting for a much younger character. As readers, we’re able to connect the dots far earlier than she does, and it was hard to stay patient as she remained blind to some very obvious truths. Her privileged life, protected by her father’s position as the town's mill owner, also distances her from the struggles of characters like her best friend Louise, which adds to her lack of depth early on.

Additionally, Greer’s inability to fend for herself—especially as the story builds toward its climax—left the final act feeling flat. Her helplessness during key moments in the forest, especially while searching for Ellis, made the ending feel more grueling than gripping. I wanted more growth, more resilience, and a bit more fire from her as things unraveled.

That said, I still really enjoyed this story. The setting, the tension, and the monster lore were fantastic. Craig never fails to deliver a deliciously creepy tale, and A Land So Wide is no exception. If you love your gothic horror with a side of folklore and slow-burn suspense, this is well worth the read.

The beginning had me intrigued and then it fell flat. I felt either book was too wordy i was getting distracted by other things it didn't keep my attention.

Erin Craig has done it again (and by "it" I mean "rip my heart and brain to shreds in a few hundred pages")... From the isolated town that lives up to its name to the vast Canadian wilderness and all the creatures it holds, you go through this heroine's journey wondering what's creeping after you (and if that something is named Finn, you can let it tag along 😉).

I wasn't expecting to fly through it so quickly, but everything in the first half--the town, the characters, the weird rituals they've set up--made me turn each page wondering if I'd figure out what was wrong with everyone, and the second half brought all the supernatural weirdness to the front, so I was turning the pages for very different reasons.

I'm going to go stare at a wall and see if I can process chapter 45 🫡

The more and more I read of Erin R. Craigs' books, the more and more I like them. Except for the rushed ending of course. BUT does it feel rushed because I liked the book? Because I expected just a bit more? Probably.. I did want more of this book. I did expect more.. It was still a good book. I really liked that Greer was a 27 year old and not 17 and expected to save the world. I mean, she was expected to save 'her world', but yeah. I liked it. Thank you to NetGalley and The Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage Catalog for this digital ARC.

I am going to be honest: This is Erin's adult debut but I couldn't really tell the difference between this and her YA books, because her YA characters have always read mature to me. Maybe a little more gore? Either way, Erin A Craig is an auto buy author for me. I love the way she does FMCs establishing themselves, seeking autonomy, challenging expectations. And gothic/creepy mysteries are always going to keep me engaged. If you ever wanted a version of The Village where the monsters were real, this is the book for you! Can't wait to own a physical copy when it comes out in September!

This story had potential but fell a little flat for me. I think there should have been something more with the pacing. It just was ordinary but a well written fantasy.

It is with a sad heart that I am writing this review. I have loved so much from this author, truly. However, the ending did not do it for me. I was so let down by the direction and repeat scenes that I can't help but give this a much lower rating than all of her other works. Part of me wonders if she is putting out so many book, that she is rushing stories. I don't know but whatever the case, this one did not work for me.

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for this e-arc.

This was the first story I’ve read by this author, and it certainly won’t be my last.
It had a M. Night Shyamalan flavor throughout but with more beautiful writing.
The society, scenery, and characters were richly detailed, emotionally engaging me with a blend of wonder, humor, horror, adventure, romance, suspense, action, and drama. This story truly encompasses it all.
I don’t often find time to read for pleasure, so I was delighted to have chosen this one.
I clicked on it out of curiosity because of its bland cover, but after reading the blurb, I was hooked and cozied up with it for my weekend escapism.
A LAND SO WIDE was a refreshing change from the many historical novels I usually read. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a magical journey away from reality.

I am a huge Erin Craig fan and overall this book was enjoyable. This author has always been a genius at creating settings and atmospheres in her books that are incredibly immersive and transports the reader. A Land So Wide follows Greer Mackenzie, who lives in the village of Mistaken. Mistaken is surrounded by a ring of stones that protects the townspeople from violent and dangerous creatures that live in the woods beyond the boundary. Greer is able to hear far better than the average person and has started to hear a strange voice on the wind. During a town event, Greer sees her beloved Ellis wander out into the woods after sunset. She then is determined to venture into the woods to find him and bring him home despite the inherent dangers before her. There were a few things that the book was lacking in that prevented me from rating it the top 5 stars. I found the major twists in the book to be a bit predictable, such as the reason behind Ailie's death or where her magic was located. In general, I didn't really connect to any of the side characters which tends to help me get through a book. This was an interesting setting and I enjoyed the Bright-Eyeds concept. However, the overall pacing of the book was a bit slow for my personal preferences. Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel in advance!

I have mixed feelings on this one. Let’s start with the good - the setting!!! I felt like I was right there in Mistaken. This is the perfect read for late fall into early winter.
I just was a bit disappointed by the end (I wanted the opposite outcome, iykyk). And either way, the ending just felt a bit rush. I was like 95% through thinking, how??
It definitely had a slow start, but was captivating. My favorite part were all the times with Finn.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

hank you Netgalley for this ARC!

Nearly four stars! After The Thirteenth Child left me disappointed, I was itching to give Erin A. Craig another chance (I’ve loved the rest of her work!).
This is more in the vein of Small Favors. Very much The Village/culty vibes for the first fifty percent of the book.

Greer lives in a town called Mistaken where no one can leave after dark, they serve the Benevolencr, and fear the Bright-Eyeds. The stones that circle the town and protect them from the monsters all of a sudden move closer to the town, encroaching on the safety the town has relied on for years. This sets off a chain of events Greer is in the center of.

The first half of this book sucked me in entirely, then we get out of the town and start learning the secrets that have held the town captive for so long. I wanted to love it, but the explanations and motivations of the monsters just fell flat for me.

Also Greer’s deductive reasoning skills left much to be desired. Some big bombshell info dumps happen so quickly, it kind of gets lost in the craziness of the last 50 pages. I think the author could have done with slowing down a bit, and expanding on the second half.

However, this is insanely readable and very interesting in a way that kept me invested until the end! Definitely worth the read!

Erin A. Craig's upcoming adult is a true gem and unlike anything I have ever read before! A LAND SO WIDE takes place in the somewhat mythical town of Mistaken somewhere on the coast of the American continent. It is a land ruled by magic and beasts in the woods that all serve to protect the town. The townsfolk know better than to leave the protection of the Warding Stones. When the love of her life Ellis Beaufort disappears beyond the protection of the stones, Greer Mackenzie takes it upon herself to find him and battle the creatures she has only heard about in stories.

Mistaken is the type of place that feels real which makes the fantastical elements so believable. The story is a little bit mythical, a little bit gothic horror, and a little bit romance! I read this story on my Kindle at night and found my heart racing and my blood pumping faster as I was drawn into the things that go bump in the night. I'm not a horror reader, but Craig's story is just enough for my fragile heart to handle and not only did I love it, I wanted more!

There is something about Craig's writing that is just so whimsical and intelligent. She makes the worlds she creates leap off of the pages. And not only do you feel them, you see them as well. I found myself so drawn in to the world and so interested in the rules of the magic as well as the characters who chose to follow it. As with all of her stories, I find myself thinking about the places long after I finish reading.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

This is not my first book I've read of Craig's and it definitely won't be my last. This is her debut in the adult category, but honestly nothing made this book stand out from her other YA novels to make it seem like it needed an adult label. Greer is technically 27, but acted more like a 20 year old than a nearly 30 year old woman. What I loved about this book: the setting, the plot, and Craig's prose. What I didn't love: the pacing and the romance. This book definitely gives creepy vibes and you felt immersed in the story. However, the beginning kind of dragged and she doesn't set out in to the woods for quite a while. I'm not a fan of love triangles and this one was very meh. I liked both MMCs and Greer wasn't a feelings flip flopper so that was nice at least. The ending was interesting and not what I expected. I believe this is a standalone but the door is left open and there's plenty more story that could be told. I recommend picking up this book if you love spooky forest vibes mixed with an interesting plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!

3.75- I liked this book but at parts the pace felt off, sometimes lagging sometimes rushed. It also felt unfinished (maybe a sequel is coming?). The writing was beautiful and the descriptions were vivid. The folklore was enthralling and the history gave the story a melancholy feel. It felt like the movies The Witch and The Revenant combined with the lost settlers of Roanoke….with vampires….all in all I liked it. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of a blend between T. Kingfisher and The Brothers Grimm. I really liked our FMC. Her will and determination were admirable. The story was definitely dark but it was engrossing. It was very well written, well paced, very well done. I really enjoy this authors storytelling.

I requested an eARC of this book through NetGalley because the setting sounded right up my alley: a tiny village way up in the North hidden deep in the woods. Yet somehow, I failed to realize that this book bordered right on the border of fantasy and horror. So I'd like to add a disclaimer to this review to say that this is not at all a genre I usually read nor enjoy. I've tried to make my review as unbiased as possible, seeing as there are plenty of other readers who might absolutely adore something with this kind of vibe.

A Land So Wide tells the story of Greer, a woman growing up in the town of Mistaken, which is a secluded village far up North. The villagers of Mistaken are unable to leave their town because every night, the warding stones surrounding Mistaken pull them back inside its borders. While in some ways, these stones are a prison, they also serve as protection from the Bright Eyed's - dangerous creatures that are known to kill humans deep in the depths of the forest.

Greer is deeply in love with one of her childhood friends, Ellis, whom she is hoping to marry in the coming year. However, on the day the two of them are meant to become engaged, Greer sees Ellis walk through the warding stones and disappear, a feat which should technically be impossible. Despite the wishes of her father, Greer embarks out into the woods to find her lost love, coming into contact with the mysterious Bright Eyed's as she does so.

I really enjoyed the setting of this novel. It was very wintery and eerie - perfect for October, when this book will be released. However, I did think that this book felt like two different stories smushed into one. To me, the first half was very strong. The concept of the warding stones was intriguing, and the idea of the Hunt, when the men of the village "hunt" for their future brides hiding in the forest, was...interesting, if not a little disturbing. However, once Greer departs the village to find Ellis, it started to feel like things escalated far too quickly. It wasn't that this part of the book was bad, it just sort of felt like a completely different story from the first half. Most of the characters from Mistaken (besides Ellis) are almost completely forgotten in the second half, and the explanation of plot points mentioned in the beginning, like the warding stones, seemed so haphazard once we finally got some answers.

Because the book felt like two different stories, neither one was really able to fully come into its own. Finn in particular suffered from the truncated storyline he was given. I thought he was a really intriguing character, but he just wasn't given enough time on-page to become fully fleshed out. The entire story also wraps up way too quickly - At 95% I was wondering how on earth everything was going to get resolved. And then it did, in like two pages. So I was left blinking going...oh. Ok.

Overall, just not for me, but I think that fans of eerie, dark fantasy will definitely enjoy, even if it isn't altogether an absolutely perfect book. And thanks to the publisher for the eARC!

In theory I should go feral over the books by Erin A. Craig with all the fairytale-esque folk horror, but in reality I just never do. I had high hopes for the author's adult debut (more on that later), especially since books about girls being thrown into the wilderness are very much my thing. Mapmaker Greer Mackenzie lives in the small town of Mistaken, close to a forest full of supernatural and very lethal creatures. Fortunately, the town is protected by a benevolent force, ensuring the safety of the residents, but also making it impossible to leave this place. Greer believes in the ways of her people and is dutifully partaking in all the traditions. But even though hers is the most important family in town and she plans a future with the baker Ellis, she is the odd one out in Mistaken. Greer is always hearing and seeing things that no one else can, and she might be deeper connected to the forest than she thought. When the town slowly loses the patronage of the Benevolence and her beloved Ellis disappears into the woods, Greer sets out into the monster filled wilderness. It's a good story for me. Nothing groundbreaking, but with the potential to be my new favorite thing ever because it checks many of my boxes. Creepy woods with creepy monsters, possible body horror, badass girl in the wilds. The ominous atmosphere was pretty good and the creatures were an interesting mix of known folklore. But I expected more. It's not like I disliked the story, but many things bothered me. I think the pacing was my biggest issue. Greer doesn't go into the woods until the 45% mark of the book, and that's literally the one thing I expected from reading the summary. Way too much time is spent in the village beforehand, and it basically felt like a super long prologue for the stuff I actually came here for. My second big problem was that I was excited for the author's adult debut, but I just can't see a difference to her YA books. Greer is said to be 27, but she could have been 17, it did not matter. She was the basic YA protagonist. She's special, but most people give her a hard time about it, and of course she would get herself in danger to save the boy she loves. And she still somehow ends up in a weird love triangle situation, don't ask me why. The horror aspect doesn't justify the adult marketing either in my opinion. I liked it, but it was hardly more gruesome than anything I read in YA horror before. Or anything I read from Erin A. Craig before. And then I thought: oh no, we have another adult-book-that's-actually-YA-but-with-more-spice situation here, but that wasn't the case either. It was pretty tame in that regard. So yeah, even after reading the entire thing I can't figure out why this book is considered adult when Craig's other books are not. But I think that also means that fans of the author will not be disappointed in the slightest with this new release. It's a matter of expectations, I guess.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Pantheon for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn’t sure about the book when I first started. I was getting a bit of YA storytelling and romance vibes. Read very cookie-cutter, until the bright eyed were introduced, then it got interesting. The gore and savagery were a welcome respite from the tedium of the first couple of chapters. But alas, I spoke too quickly, as soon as the MC left the village for the quest, the tedium returned in the form of repeated scenes and the weird, forced relationship between the MC and her “fated” consort. The ending was too neat and a letdown. It was a mixed bag for me. Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers, for the ARC.