I really enjoyed this! Thank you to NETGALLEY for giving me an e-arc.

I found the first half really interesting. We learn about the dynamics of Mistaken, a cult-like village where, once you spend a night there, you are never able to leave its borders thanks to the protection of Benevolence and their Warding Stones that keep out the monstrous Bright-Eyed. You try to leave, and the stones will pull you right back.

Well, this sucks for our main girl, Greer, because she loves making maps and wants to explore the world. But there’s something else that’s different from Greer, aside from her wanderlust. She can hear INCREDIBLY well. It’s almost inhuman, you could say.

Knowing she’ll never be able to travel, she’s happy to marry her long-time love Ellis, once he finds her at the next Hunt, a ritual where the ‘of age’ woman of the village go hide and have to marry the man who finds them. But of course, things don’t go as planned. Ellis shows up to the Hunt, but never goes to find Greer. Greer leaves her hiding spot, as the sky darkens and impossibly, she witnesses Ellis leave the borders of Mistaken to enter the forest. A Bright-Eyed follows to hunt him.

I rounded the book down a star because of the second half, and not because I didn’t like the plot. I really liked where the book went. Greer discovers secrets about the Bright-Eyed (and herself) as she ventures into the forest in search of her beloved. The Bright-eyed are basically vampires. Bat-like creatures that can shape shift and turn humans by feeding them their blood. The tales that the Mistaken have been telling their people about the Benevolence? Yea, they might not all be true.

I loved this development, as I love a good vampire book. However, I wanted more! The pacing of this part felt too rushed to me. We learn a lot of new information in the second half and there didn’t feel like enough time for Greer, or the reader, to get a handle on it. At one point I felt we were being set up for a larger continuing story since it felt like there was so much to cover before the book’s end. But the plot is wrapped up.

There also felt like a lot of repetition. Whilst in the forest Greer meets Noah Finn, a mysterious, handsome stranger who looks out for her and often says “I’ll be right back” only to…not be right back or get waylaid and not meet her at the intended spot. At first I thought it was because he was going to double-cross Greer or maybe there was something else going on. But that wasn’t the case. It was meant to be a way to force Greer to handle certain situations on her own and while I understand that need story-wise, I just wish his long absences felt more natural.

I’ve read a few other reviews on here talking about how this book doesn’t feel more adult compared to Craig’s other YA novels and I agree. Despite the fact that we’re told Greer is 27, there’s nothing in her attitude or actions that makes her feel different from a 17 year old. Her father tells her he wants her to let another boy of his choosing find her at the Hunt? But Daddy I love him and am marrying him no matter what you say! There’s no super spicy scenes either, but there is a lot of gore (which I don’t mind).

In A Land So Wide, Greer and the other townsfolk are trapped in their village of Mistaken. They accept their recorded history, that the woods are filled with monsters called the Bright Eyed and that only a truce with the force called the Benevolence keeps them safe within the boundary of their warding stones. Greer wants to marry her childhood sweetheart Ellis, but her wealthy father Hessel, the owner of the mill that is the reason for Mistaken’s existence, is against it. He figures out a way to keep her from marrying Ellis by sending him into the woods as a sacrifice. Greer manages to run away from Mistaken to try and find him, which should not be possible. What she finds out in the woods is completely unexpected. She learns the truth about the founding of the town, the Bright Eyed, her mother’s secret past and her own secret power.

I am a fan of Erin A. Craig, but I have to admit that the first half of this book was way more interesting than the second half. The atmosphere of the first half was so good- it reminded me of her book Small Favors. The second half had a lot of supernatural elements to it that I was not fond of and a very basic antagonist.

This is a dark, atmospheric journey steeped in folklore and suspense. Set in the isolated village of Mistaken, A Land So Wide follows Greer, a brave mapmaker who risks everything to uncover the truth behind her town’s eerie boundaries and save the one she loves. I enjoyed the gothic, and lush setting. Perfect for fans of moody, romantic fantasy!

I always love Erin's books and this one was no different. Super imaginative writing that feels so encapsulating. Fast paced and kept me wanting to know what's going to happen.

Erin A. Craig's adult debut, "A Land So Wide," truly swept me away with its premise and atmosphere from the very beginning. I was immediately captivated by the setting – the isolated settlement of Mistaken, surrounded by a Canadian wilderness that felt both beautiful and intensely brutal as I read it. The story follows Greer, a mapmaker dreaming of escape, whose world is completely upended when her love, Ellis, vanishes beyond the town's mysterious magical boundaries, pursued by something monstrous. Her quest to defy the rules and venture into the unknown to rescue him felt incredibly high-stakes and compelling to follow.

I found Craig's writing to be exceptionally atmospheric and evocative; she really brought the haunting, wild landscape vividly to life for me. The blend of what felt like dark fairytale elements with romantic fantasy seemed seamlessly woven together throughout the narrative.

The novel seemed to me to explore profound themes about the tension between security and freedom, the lengths we go to for love, and perhaps humanity's complicated relationship with the natural world. Following Greer's brave journey into the unknown was certainly inspiring.

Overall, "A Land So Wide" struck me as a spellbinding and unforgettable read. The combination of lush storytelling, a compelling quest, dark fairytale vibes, and a vividly realized setting made it a truly enthralling experience for me from beginning to end. It feels like a stunning adult debut.

Thank you to NetGalley, Erin A. Craig, and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the ARC.

This was a delicious read, I loved the atmosphere. It was dark, foreboding, and just the right level of creepy. The story kept me intrigued and entertained throughout, and I enjoyed the ending.

I adored how strong and determined the main character was. She was scared, tempted, and hurt, yet she never gave up. The relationship between Greer and Ellis was sweet and lovely, they treated each other with mutual respect and trust.

However.
I enjoyed the first 60%, but the remaining 40% felt disconnected from the rest of the story, plus it became repetitive. At 60-70% a sudden and unnecessary love triangle appeared, and it soured my mood. Why? There was no point in it.
I also wanted to learn more about the Bright-Eyeds, especially their past/origins.

But overall, I enjoyed this book and will definitely read more by this author.

Ahhh, I’m really sad this is not a new favorite of mine! Erin A. Craig is a favorite author of mine, and I always love to support authors from Michigan as well.

I really really liked the first half of this book. Craig sure knows how to write
spooky, and I loved the culture of Mistaken, and learning about the curse that befell its people. I was super intrigued with the mystery and finding out about more of the Bright Eyeds and the Benevolence.

However, I did not really like the second part of this book. I think the plot moved slow, with events mentioned on the description of the book not happening until 50% of the way through. I can’t mention due to spoiler reasons, but the mystery element, once revealed, took this book into a direction I did not like.

I love Erin A. Craig and I am so happy she is exploring adult fiction, but this still felt like a YA book to me.

So many twists and turns! I loved not being able to predict what was going to happen next.
I felt like there were a bit of questions I still had at the end that I wish were answered in the story though.

I loved Small Favors and House of Salt and Sorrows so you can imagine how excited I was to receive an ARC for Craig’s adult debut but somehow it didn’t quite hit for me. As always, Craig is an absolutely master at writing atmospheric novels with a thread of horror but something felt like it was missing with the characterization and the plot this time around.

Erin A. Craig is another autobuy author for me. Her previous books include, “A House of Salt and Sorrows” and “The Thirteenth Child",” among others. She excels at setting a mood, usually a spooky, gothic kind of mood. “A Land So Wide” continues this but adds an old west flair, that works really well here. Greer is a young woman living in a small town that’s being protected from the horror of the Bright-Eyeds by the Benevolence. When circumstances of the protection change and Greer learns some unexpected truths, she heads out on a journey outside the town to save everything she knows.

You know I work hard to remain short, sweet, and spoiler-free so, if you enjoy frontier fiction that’s got a spooky, otherworldly vibe; I think you should check this one out.

This was a great immersive fantasy.

I loved the style of writing - we got glimpses of the history and founding of the settlement, while following the main story of a girl living there in later years. The world building is clear and believable and I quickly grew to like Greer and hope for her. I loved her pluck and determination to forge her own path.

The creatures created in this story are scary but fascinating. I enjoyed the slow build and reveal of them, and of the depths of their lore.

I found the ending disappointing and satisfying and hopeful and sad all in equal measure. It was a great end to the story, and I appreciated the messiness of it.

Thank you to Pantheon and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a longtime fan of Erin A. Craig, I was excited to dive into A Land So Wide. Set in the eerie town of Mistaken, the story follows Greer, a mapmaker torn between duty and desire, who embarks on a dangerous quest to save the boy she loves from supernatural forces. The atmospheric setting, emotional stakes, and haunting lore drew me in immediately. However, the pacing slowed in the second half, with predictable plot twists and a more subdued horror tone compared to Craig’s previous works. While not my favorite of hers, the ending was beautiful and left me hoping for a sequel. I still enjoyed the journey.

I really liked this book. I can't wait until I can read the next book by Erin A Craig. Four out of five stars from me as I was wanting just a bit more.

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!