They Fear Not Men in the Woods by Gretchen McNeil grabbed me right from the start. The initial descriptions of the forest as dense, eerie and alive completely pulled me in, especially when there was something else a little bit spooky happening in the early pages. This knack for perfect setting was carried on throughout the book and was definitely one of my favourite elements. As someone who spends a lot of time wandering around in the woods (though just wee ones, not these ancient places described in the novel) I felt right at home.

From the start I found the MC, Jen, quite interesting. I especially liked her descriptions of her work and studies with trees as it's a topic I know absolutely nothing about. But as for her...I'm not sure. I didn't dislike her but I found her a bit obnoxious too. Which is actually fine, it kept my interest but she wasn't insufferable enough to not want to spend any time with her. I was curious about her and invested in her journey. The rest of the cast were...ok? Some of them felt a little one-note but their interactions still kept things moving and built some good tension.

The book really kicks off once the group enters the woods. That’s when things shift from emotionally tense to deeply unsettling and the author builds a creeping dread so well!! I found myself thinking about certain elements whenever I was out walking the dog in our perfectly happy and safe woods at home and got so spooked. So that was a good sign of the horror working for me!

Then, a little later it hits full body horror mode. I'm not a huge fan of body horror and, while the descriptions here were visceral and graphic, they weren't over-the-top or unnecessary. Some of it was actually kinda satisfying (?) in a weird way. You'll see when you read it!

I'm not sure you would class this as full-on cli-fi but I definitely felt some elements of that threaded through. The ancient woodlands that need protected from the evil logging company. You're definitely on the side of the forests throughout this and it's a message I like to see in literature. It's something we all need to be thinking more of. I think this is maybe more "sustainability horror" - is that a thing? Can we make it a thing? Anyway, worth noting and something I really appreciated.

I think this would really appeal to people who also loved The Ritual by Adam Nevill, it has similar lost in the woods, folkloric elements.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book early, I really enjoyed it!

They Fear Not Men in the Woods is a terrifying look into what can happen if you mess with Mother Nature (fictionally speaking, of course!). When a young woman, Jen Monroe, learns that her father, who has been missing and presumed dead for the last six years, has been found, she returns to her hometown in Washington to pay her respects. When high school friends decide to camp in the area where her father's remains had been found, Jen jumps at the chance to join them, hoping to learn the truth about what happened to her father and better yet, learn that he hasn't died at all and is living peacefully within the woods he loved and care for so much. But, when starts off as a fun, high school reunion-esque trip quickly turns into a terrifying ordeal that leaves everyone around her dead.

Gretchen McNeil defied the odds with this novel. At first, Jen comes off as a bit immature, her inner monologues a bit annoying. But, when the action really starts, Jen becomes the beloved character you hope sees the end of this terrifying ordeal. The novel reminded me of Blair Witch Project, with the woods closing in around you and oftentimes finding the characters going around and around in circles, reminiscent of the three protagonists from the cult classic. At the end, it reminded me of The Happening, starring Mark Wahlberg, where the flora and fauna of the world began attacking the world, only leaving behind a few select people, in the end.

Going from a YA novelist to a horror novelist takes a lot of courage, and Gretchen McNeil definitely comes out on top.

Thank you to NetGalley, DAW and Gretchen McNeil for this ARC.

One of my FAVORITE subgenres of horror is "people are in the woods and it keeps getting worse and worse". Love the spiraling fear, the numbness as desperation sets in, the decisions made a few days earlier that come back to haunt the protagonists... I was ready to love this one. Unfortunately, the writing just isn't up to snuff. It felt very YA horror - never quite locking in on the characters' motivations or the terror of the situation - and I just did not connect with it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Man. I read the synopsis and took one look at the cover and thought "yes, a new atmospheric horror set in a creepy forest". I essentially got "group of people stumbling through the woods in a lousy horror". Listen, if something is being billed for fans of Midsommar then it better freaking deliver and this did not! I didn't feel like we got a good plot twist at any point and the pace was slooooow. Points to the author for leaning into the PNW vibes because I did feel like the setting was good, but not enough to salvage the other parts of the story.

This was eerie, atmospheric, and really delivered on the slow-burn horror vibes. The Pacific Northwest setting felt so immersive that it was almost like the forest was its own character, full of secrets, rot, and something ancient watching from the shadows.

I was immediately drawn into Jen’s story. Her determination to uncover the truth about her father’s disappearance pulled me through every twist. The build-up was steady, the mystery kept me engaged, and the final act took a turn I didn’t expect—but it worked.

I would’ve liked a bit more depth in some character relationships, but overall, this was a chilling and satisfying read that blends feminist horror with unsettling wilderness dread.

Thank you to DAW, Gretchen McNeil, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this. I really tried to. But it fell flat. Little to no characterization. The pacing was all wrong for the genre and scenes. It had potential to be an atmospheric horror, but the character relationships and loose plot points marred it.

I tried hard to like this one, since I loved the premise and this kind of story is right up my alley. Eco-horror and creepy disappearances in the woods - what's not to like, right? But the good enough plotting suffers from very weak characterization and uneven pacing. I had to wait for the last third of the book (perhaps even less) to experience anything horror-related. The characters and the dialogue felt bland and unfleshed out, whereas the pacing is marred by a lot of back and forth and several unnecessary introspective moments. I think my problem with the book is that it's written like a YA thriller romance novel, and will definitely appeal to readers of that genre, especially those without much experience of horror.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ /5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I honestly had no idea what to expect when starting this book. I love anything botanical horror and this felt within that realm — and I was NOT disappointed.

This book absolutely succeeded with the eerie atmosphere. While movies and shows easily make me anxious/scared regarding horror or thriller genres, books typically don’t really make me scared. BUT THIS BOOK!!! Oh this book had me shaking in my boots. The atmosphere of this book was written beautifully. I truly felt part of this story. There were multiple instances where I had to book down because I was getting creeped out LOL. The mystery of this book was super compelling too and helped really drive the story. Every time I set the book down because I was scared, I would immediately pick it back up because I was so interested and eager to find out what was really going on.

The only reason this book wasn’t a full 5 stars was because of the characters/relationships. I wish certain character dynamics were flushed out more deeply to make the ending have more of a punch.

Overall, this book was a great horror/thriller/mystery book with a great atmosphere and interesting plot line. While the characters fall a little flat at times, I think the mystery and world building honestly make up for it — which is saying something since I’m usually a reader that cares more for interesting characters than an interesting plot!

Really interesting premise and well written. The ending was a bit of a let down. It seemed rushed and too neat.

While I did enjoy the premise of this book and saw so much potential I felt that it fell flat.
Jen Monroe is a difficult character to care for. I felt for her with the finding of her father's body and the legacy she continued on from him with wildlife protection and going to school for that. However, the entire relationship she has at the beginning I felt was just another way to show that she was having "daddy issues" and felt miss placed when looking at the story as a whole.
I hated her mother, and her friends were superficial and felt like there was no personality behind them. They were just there as props.
I did enjoy the ecohorror aspects and wanted more once we finally got to that part of the book.
I feel like there was so much that the author could've done a slight bit differently and it would have been a completely different read.

It wasn't a bad read, but it's not something I would tell a friend to pick up. I wanted more from the book based off the premise.

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for this eArc!

I was very pleased with this one. The pacing was good, setting up the normalcy of the world before introducing the horror elements. I think some people will find this on the lighter side of horror. I’m a fan of gothic horror so a slower ramp up to horrific events is fine with me. I was worried the characters themselves were going to make this less enjoyable for me but they didn’t. They fit well. I think it helped that I can kind of relate to Jen. Nature can be a lot easier to connect with than people. There’s a mystery going on here as well and nobody’s being up front so that kept me engaged while the tension was rising.

Thank you to the author and publisher for giving me a chance to read and review They Fear Not Men in the Woods.

Proof you don't have to like the narrator for a book to be good! I absolutely hated Jen as a person, right from that first scene where we see her interact with others. She's cold, callous, and frankly as cruel as her mother, in her own way. The apple didn't fall far from either parent's tree in her case.

I had to take a few minutes to process after the book ended. That ending was an entire experience.

Liked the premise. I’ll always give a horror in the woods a try and I love a good botanical horror! I liked the eco accountability factor and the idea of the woods fighting back but the story was a just slow and never really got exciting for me. My main issue with this horror other then its pacing was the lack of actual horror. The story and horror aspects do not even pick up until the last 15% of the book. If more of the book was like the last 15% I think it would have been much more exciting and would have earned a much higher rating.

3.5 ⭐️

Listen, I love a good horror novel as much as I love a late-night Taco Bell run (thrilling AND regrettable). This book, McNeil’s first stab (pun intended) at adult horror, promised a feminist eco-creeper with Midsommar vibes, and I was here for it. Did it deliver? Well, mostly. It’s like ordering a deluxe burrito and getting a solid taco instead. It’s still tasty, but you’re left wanting that extra guac. Let’s unpack this forest of frights with some campfire storytelling.

Our girl Jen Monroe is a woman with more baggage than a cross-country Greyhound bus. Seven years ago, she fled her small town of Barrow, Washington, after her forest ranger dad vanished into the woods, leaving behind a legacy of tree-hugging passion and a town full of logging goons who probably sharpen their axes with glee. When Jen gets a text from her estranged mom saying Dad’s remains have been found, she’s like, “Nah, my dude’s still out there, probably braiding ferns or frolicking in a meadow like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music.” So, she hauls back to Barrow, determined to prove he’s alive. Cue her ex-boyfriends (because of course) suggesting a camping trip into the creepy woods to “honor” her dad. Spoiler: the forest is not serving up warm fuzzies. It’s got secrets darker than my sense of humor after three espressos, and Jen’s about to stumble into a nightmare that makes The Blair Witch Project look like a cozy picnic.

McNeil knows how to set a scene, and boy, does she lean into the Pacific Northwest’s misty, mossy menace. The woods are practically a character but “friendly oak” and more “that tree’s definitely whispering my Social Security number.” Her prose paints a vivid picture of gnarled branches and eerie silences. McNeil’s got a knack for building dread, layering it like a cursed lasagna until you’re sure something’s gonna jump out at you.

Jen herself is a solid protagonist. She’s scrappy, stubborn, and just relatable enough to root for (eventually). By the end, she’s got this mix of grit and grief that feels real, like the friend who’d sob over a missing puppy but also yeet a bear into next week if it got sassy. But, oh boy, Jen is NOT likable at the start. This woman kicks off the book as a hot mess, and not the fun kind. She’s having an affair with her married boss, an older guy who’s got the emotional range of a teaspoon with his, “lol, sorry can you send me your notes” in response to Jen when she learns her dad—missing for a decade in a national forest—is dead. Like, sir, your timing is worse than a rom-com misunderstanding. Jen’s delusion that this sleaze will pick her over his wife is peak “girl, get a grip,” and it makes her hard to root for early on. Thankfully, she grows on you like a stubborn lichen, her pain and tenacity smoothing out the rough edges.

The supporting cast, however, is where things get wobbly. Some characters feel like they wandered in from a B-movie, spouting lines that made me snort—like, “We’re fine, it’s just the woods!” Uh, buddy, have you seen a horror movie? The woods are never “just” anything.

The horror itself is a mixed bag of treats and tricks. McNeil weaves in folklore and eco-horror elements that give the story a fresh twist, like a haunted compost pile with feminist flair. But while the buildup is chef’s-kiss spooky, the climax feels like it tripped over a root. Without spoiling, let’s just say the big reveal is less “mind-blown” and more “huh, okay, I guess.” It’s not a total letdown, but I wanted a gut-punch that left me gasping, not a shrug that left me checking how much time I had left in my Kindle.

It’s a rollercoaster that thrills but doesn’t quite stick the landing. The pacing drags in the middle, like a hike where you’re stuck behind someone who stops to photograph every mushroom, and some plot threads dangle like cobwebs you’re too short to dust.

McNeil’s horror pedigree shines through, though. She’s clearly having a blast branching out into adult territory. The feminist undertones are subtle but sharp, poking at patriarchy and environmental greed. It’s like she’s saying, “Hey, maybe don’t mess with Mother Nature or women who’ve had enough.” I respect the hustle.

In the end, They Fear Not Men in the Woods is a creepy, atmospheric read that’s perfect for a stormy night when you want to feel like the forest is watching you (unless you live in Appalachia, then you know it already is). It’s got enough chills to make you double-check your locks, but it doesn’t quite reach the pantheon of horror greats. If you’re into Midsommar folk-horror weirdness or just want a quick, spooky escape, this’ll do the trick. Now, I’m off to burn some sage and apologize to my Monstera for side-eyeing them while reading.

TL/DR: it’s a fun, feminist fright-fest that’s more eerie campfire tale than nightmare fuel. Just lower your expectations for the ending.

Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book. I was hoping for atmospheric folk horror. And instead I got a story full of overused tropes, a large lack of horror, and annoying characters. I know that not every story will be for everyone, and unfortunately this one isn’t for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Dawbooks for an arc copy for an honest review.

3.25 stars. An eco horror. Let me start by saying the atmosphere is good. I enjoy Jen as a character and enjoyed very much learning about her and her relationships with herself, her home town and the people there.

Her job is interesting and I also enjoyed that aspect. The first 25% of this book is very solid.

The other characters don’t feel as fleshed out, there was a disconnect for me.

The climax of the book fell flat also. Not really scary.

I had a fun time reading it.

*2.5 stars rounded down to 2 stars

They Fear Not Men in the Woods is an eco-thriller/horror following grad student Jen as she searches for answers years after her father's disappearance into the forest near their home in the remote Pacific Northwest upends her life. When Jen returns home not much has changed, and all of her friends from high school are still hanging around their slowly dying hometown trying to make something for themselves out of very limited opportunities. The premise of this book had me very interested, a group of people going into the woods only to find out nothing is at it seems, but the execution in regard to the finer plot details left a lot to be desired and I felt the story lacked a clear direction.

The overall idea behind this book was solid, leaning into man versus nature and how humans try and fail (or don't try at all) to co-exist with the natural world. I would say this story leans more into thriller than horror considering the horror elements aren't fully introduced until past the halfway mark. I wanted more tense and terrifying moments throughout to hold my interest instead of everything snowballing over the last 1/4 of the story. Pacing was one of my main issues with the writing; it gets off to a slow, exposition heavy start with Jen telling us information about her life over the past six years to get us up to speed instead of interweaving it within the narrative. More to that point, the dialogue and interiority didn't feel they moved the story forward the way they needed to in order to keep me interested in what was happening to anyone. I don't mind the characters are fairly unlikeable, though I think some more meaningful interactions between them could have gone a long way to flesh them out.

I will say the strong suits of this book were the descriptions of nature and the disorientation of feeling lost in an already unfamiliar place as the characters traveled deeper into the woods. The setting lended well to the eerie and unsettling atmosphere as the true horrors of what lies in the forest are slowly revealed. Gretchen McNeil is working with a lot of themes I don't believe were explored to their full extent like family/relationship trauma, loss, and sexuality, but I can see the effort. I wouldn't say the ending wraps up everything with a neat bow, but there's a lot that gets explained in a rather strange way that feels somewhat disconnected from the rest of the novel. Elements of this book reminded me of The Dark Between the Trees by Fiona Barnett.

This was eerie, immersive, and hit all the right notes for what I want in a modern horror novel. The moment Jen returns to Barrow, that slow-burn dread starts to build, and by the time we’re deep in the forest, the story fully descends into something primal and feral—and I was hooked.

The setting is a character in itself: claustrophobic, mysterious, and full of rot. It gave off strong Midsommar meets The Ritual vibes, with a creeping sense that something ancient and wrong is watching from the trees. I loved how it leaned into feminist horror without ever feeling heavy-handed—just this constant thread of inherited trauma, buried truths, and the quiet rage of being told you’re imagining things.

There are moments that get a little surreal, especially toward the climax, but honestly it works. That ending was wild in the best way—unexpected, chilling, and somehow inevitable. If you like your horror smart, atmospheric, and a little unhinged, this one’s absolutely worth the trip into the woods.

They Fear Not Men in the Woods brings readers into a chilling atmosphere, gradually unraveling a dark and eerie tale centered around a mysterious forest. The tension builds slowly but effectively, with McNeil creating an unsettling vibe that pulls you deeper into the story as you read.

The strength of the novel lies in its atmosphere and suspense. The author does a great job of setting up moments of fear and unease, which will keep fans of horror hooked. The pacing allows for occasional pauses to reflect, which enhances the tension during the more intense scenes.

However, I found that the character development didn’t quite hit the mark for me. While the protagonist’s journey is central to the plot, I felt that some characters were underdeveloped, which made it hard to feel emotionally invested in their fates. This lack of depth made it harder for me to fully connect with the story.

The conclusion wraps things up, but I was left wanting a bit more detail about some of the events, especially when it comes to certain plot points that feel a little too ambiguous.

Overall, They Fear Not Men in the Woods delivers a solid horror experience with a great atmosphere, but the lack of deeper character exploration and some unresolved elements kept me from fully embracing it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.

I had such high hopes for this book. The cover is so beautiful, the title is great and the first chapter starts out so good. I loved the setting and the atmosphere in the first chapter so much, but then we don't really get back into the creepy, woodsy vibes for quite a while.

I didn't like the main character in the beginning, but I was really hoping that she would grow on me. She never really did. She felt more immature than her supposed age in the book and I really hated how judgemental of other women she was. Being a tomboy is great, but judging other women for getting their nails done (calling french manicure stripper nails?) is just internalized misogyny. 

Very hard to articulate my problems with the queer storyline without getting into spoilers, so I'll just say that I wasn't too happy with how it was handled. 

The atmosphere in the woodsy parts of the book was great and it did feel like a love letter to the woods which I appreciated. The horror parts felt a bit more YA than adult horror and there wasn't a lot of it until the very end. 

I get what this book was trying to accomplish, but it just didn't do it for me and I'm very bummed about that.