S.T. Ashman's "You Can't Stay" is an utterly original take on the "evil witch in the woods" horror trope, or to put it in the book's own words about what's going on inside, a "Norse spin on The Blair Witch Project"... with soldiers! Genre-wise, it's a very clever mash up of horror and fantasy, as it pits the American Army against a witch-like figure lurking deep in the woods of New Hampshire - a place, apparently, where both Norse mythology and Native American lore vie for dominance against nature itself. It's fast-paced, with brilliant characterization and extraordinarily detailed; the author even hired appropriate experts to check everything's been respected properly, since a lot hangs on the faithful representation of the Pequqwket Tribe and the Abenaki People, on the one hand, and Vikings, on the other. The result is an amazing tale of government cover-ups, human sacrifices, monster attacks, and the meaning of sisterhood. (And is that terrific ending the promise of a sequel or what?) A must-read for everyone who enjoys backwoods horror, conspiracies, and Viking mythology!

Oh my goodness. This was really WILD. All over the place at times but I did love the Viking vibes. I’ve heard a lot about IKK by this author and will check that one out. Recommended if you’re up for chaos in kind of a fun highly creepy way.

This was so different for me - and I really loved it!
It was part thriller part fantasy i feel - it really works!
I could see this book being made into a film
Highly recommend!

I absolutely loved I Kill Killers by S. T. Ashman, and this book was also fabulous! People keep disappearing in the White Woods in New Hampshire, including Esther's sister. Each year the government sends a search group looks for them, but they don't come back. This year Esther is going to be a part of the search party.
Holy cow this book was anxiety provoking and intense. I was so uneasy at points that I needed a deep breath to continue. I love S.T. Asman's writing because it brings you in, and you don't know that you're about to be in for the ride of your life.

As always S.T. Ashman kept me hooked with this book, it had great twists and turns throughout, the use of mythology was great and added to the creepiness for me.

This was a brilliant book!
As soon as I saw it listed I was hoping I would be accepted! Thank you for the ARC copy of this I really appreciate it!

The perfect blend of thriller and fantasy this novel transported me into the wild world of the White Mountains and I loved every minute of it. The Norse mythology throughout was spellbinding and gruesome in equal measures. Fans of mythology with a twist of a thriller will love this one!

This wasn’t really my kind of thing. I was excited when I read the description but the writing style and confusing nature of the story didn’t meet what I thought. It was interesting to read something of different traditions though.

Packed with action, culture, mythology, and suspense. I loved Esther’s character arc, as well as Jasmine and Ryder’s. The folklore and the cultural history really sets this book apart. Really enjoyed it!

Esther, the Ex veterinary student, is coping with her past losses and trauma, and suddenly, her sister Jasmin disappears without a trace. Police are not at all bothered about Jasmin as she is junky.
One night, Esther is contacted by a soldier who tells her about the secret mission happening in White Mountain, exactly where Jasmin disappeared. Esther becomes determined to join the mission, impersonating a Navy Seal sniper to discover the truth about White Mountain.

I went into the story thinking 💭 it was a horror thriller, but it turned out to be a mix of thriller, mythology, goddess, and Viking lore—a unique plot. It was fun to explore this genre.

The story is action-packed, full of tension, monsters, and drama. I love Esther's determination to go to any length to find out the truth about her sister's disappearance.
The story gets a little repetitive in the middle, but that doesn't diminish the suspense and enjoyment of reading it.

It's a well-researched book about Native tribes, Vikings, Norse history, and gods of woods.

If you love mythology fiction with a twist of thriller, you should definitely try this .

I love the I kill killers series and will definitely read anything S.T. Ashman writes! So I was excited to dive into her new book and it definitely kept me intrigued and was such a unique plot! You Can't Stay blends horror, thriller, and supernatural while delving deep into North mythology and native lore! I really liked Esther's determination and devotion to finding her sister. This book keeps you engaged throughout and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. Thank you NetGalley and S.T. Ashman for the privilege of an ARC of this book.

You Can't Stay by S.T. Ashman is a psychological thriller about a young woman trying to find her sister in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Victory Editing and of course the author  for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.



My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Esther's sister vanished a year ago, but no one seems to care, but Jasmine was the only person she had left in the world.  Esther has been struggling.  She couldn't concentrate at school, so she's one course shy of her veterinarian certificate, but she had to quit.  She's working as a vet's assistant, but is about to be fired from there too.  Yes, Jasmine was an addict, living on the streets, but she's everything to Esther.

Since the police won't help, Esther has turned to the internet, where she has discovered that there are dozens of missing people,  mostly those on the edge of society. People that no one seems to care about.  People that were last seen getting into a black SUV.  It looks like they are being taken deep into the woods in New Hampshire's White Mountains, never to return.  Someone thinks it's the government.

With the help of one of her website contacts, Esther lies about her identity, and enters the woods with a group of highly trained military personnel.  She's not sure how she's going to fit in, but her only priority is finding her sister.  She's going to have some unlikely help.

Meanwhile, Ryder, a convicted murderer, and one of the best trackers in North America, has been removed from prison and is headed into the woods as well.  He immediately pegs Esther as an imposter, but decides to just watch her.




My Opinions:
Well, that was an interesting tale, combining both the Vikings, and the history of the Pequqwket Tribe and Abenaki People.  Folk lore and mythology combined well for a spooky tale. The author did a great job with combining the histories of these two, with a modern-day story.  There was also an appendage providing additional details of these - the author did her research!

The plot was filled with plenty of action, and some notable characters.  Personally, the white fox was my favorite, followed closely by Esther and Ryder.  Their backgrounds were deep enough, and very interesting.

Be warned that some of the scenes are gruesome, but that didn't bother me.  They were just part of the story.

Overall, a really good, fast-moving story, and a reminder that I must get back to her other books.

This was such an amazing read. The way I learned so much about Norse mythology while still being engrossed in the book was awesome. my favorite character was Jensen with all his funny side comments including "Dying by a shield maiden's hand-kinda kinky. And I like kinky." Im so happy i got to read this before it was published because now i cannot wait to see what else you as a author will come up in the future.

You Can’t Stay by S.T. Ashman blends sci-fi, horror, and thriller elements into a dark, atmospheric story that definitely has its strengths. The concept is original and intriguing, and the author does a solid job building suspense and unease throughout.

That said, the book just wasn’t quite my cup of tea. While the story overall was great, I found the pacing a bit slow in places, which made it harder for me to stay fully engaged. There were moments that really worked, but others that dragged for me personally.

For readers who enjoy a slow-burn sci-fi horror with a tense, unsettling tone, this could be a great fit. It wasn’t the best for me, but I can still appreciate the storytelling and creativity behind it.

In this dual POV, Esther's sister disappears and she's driven to uncover the truth. Her search reveals a shocking pattern: dozens of people have vanished in New Hampshire's White Mountains, and the government is involved. Esther joins a group sent into the mountains, determined to expose the secrets. But as she delves deeper, she realizes some secrets are meant to die. Will Esther survive to uncover the truth? You Can't Stay is a wild ride! It's got a little bit of everything - horror, supernatural stuff, fantasy, mystery... and it's all mixed together with some really cool mythology and folklore. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, wondering what would happen next. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley, S. T. Ashman, & Timeless Papers for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you, S.T Ashman and NetGalley for this amazing ARC!
Wow this was so gripping, suspenseful and the slight Norse mythology vibe is just so phenomenal.

The story is about Esther who is determined to find her sister Jasmine who went missing.
As Esther searches for Jasmine the trails lead her deep within the white mountains of New Hampshire a rather eerie environment only adding to the suspense.

The part that stands out the most to me is just how determined and resilient Esther is when it comes to searching for Jasmine.
Esther is such a compelling character due to how she navigates through the eerie wilderness, facing all kinds of danger showing off her courage. Her bond with her sister is what makes it so emotional, really emphasizing how great the stakes are.

Overall, You Can't Stay is not just another mystery, it's about perseverance and love while in the face of adversity.
If you like a bit of folklore and Norse mythology, then this is definitely the book for you!

I have to say this book really took me by surprise. Esther's sister vanishes without a trace and nobody cares but her. After her parents die in a fire, her sister Jasmine is all she has left. When Esther gets a chance to go into the secretive wooded area the government sends people that vanish she takes it. Will she find her sister? Will she disappear also? This book takes you on a ride from page 1 you won't soon forget!

Grown adult, now sleeping with a nightlight because of this absolute masterpiece? That’s me. I was clutching my sheets, heart racing, flipping on every light before stepping into a room. I went in expecting a thriller, what I got was pure, pulse-pounding horror-thriller excellence. OH MY GAH… this book devoured me!

Esther is on the hunt for her sister that has been missing for 2 years. Esther goes undercover and hooks up with some military guys to go up a mountain with many challenges.
Truly enjoyed this book. I didn't want to put it down.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and to the publisher Timeless Papers.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in advance.
Great story!!!! When I started I had no idea I would be taken on a journey of mythology and then blending that in with everyday characters. I really enjoyed the storyline and how each person brought the story together. Had a hard time putting thus book down. Cant wait to read more from this author.