I want to start off by saying the marketing team for this book was incredible and 100% SPOT ON. This gave THE BEST Vampire Diaries x Twilight vibes and also a little bit of Teen Wolf thrown in there.

The atmosphere is probably my favourite thing about this book. It is eerie and mysterious, it feels like there is always fog rolling in even when there isn’t (lol, hope this analogy makes sense).

I fell in love with all the characters- they are all so unique and well developed, and I loved seeing the character growth we see all of the characters go through.

The second book cannot come quick enough and I already know this is going to be a book I am going to reread next winter again for all of the atmosphere and eeriness.

This was an amazing book. Kept me guessing from start to finish, nothing is as it seems. I absolutely need more and can’t wait for this story to continue!!

The story follows Dusty, a quiet book-loving teen in a mountain town, whose life unravels when strange changes begin—dirt on her feet in the morning, food turning to ash on her tongue, a hunger she can’t name, and a dangerous pull toward blood. Her bond with her sister Opi grounds the story emotionally, while her slow-burn connection with Will adds tension, danger, and romance.

Cottle’s writing is lush and cinematic, painting the forests and the looming presence of Black River with eerie beauty. The book balances moody suspense with heartfelt character moments, capturing both the fear and thrill of transformation. It’s easy to see echoes of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries, but it never feels derivative—the atmosphere and emotional stakes make it stand on its own.

There are a few pacing dips in the middle, but the tension and mystery always pull you back in. The cliffhanger ending is powerful and ensures readers will be desperate for the next installment.

In short: Black River is a haunting, genre-blending YA debut—moody, romantic, and impossible to put down. Perfect for fans of paranormal suspense who want danger, longing, and a heroine you can’t help but root for.

I found this a disappointing story; a strong idea petered out with very little sense of resolution or completion. There is no indication that this is part of a series, but even if it was, I’d have found the ending very unsatisfactory.

One day 17 year old Dusty wakes up with dirt on her feet, as though she’s been wandering her beloved wilderness in her sleep. And it’s not long before she realises she’s also woken up with something new: a thirst for blood.

Frightened by the changes she’s experiencing, and not knowing where they’ve come from, Dusty is not exactly relieved to find she’s not the only local teen who’s changing. Exploring their new abilities comes with risks and outright dangers; but not using them also carries risks.

To protect the people, places and things that she loves, Dusty needs to explore and master her new abilities and discover their source.

The novel is quite slow paced, which I found irritating. I don’t mind a slow and thoughtful novel, but this one just felt kind of unfocused. It’s a young adult novel, and I think a good chunk of the intended audience would also have little patience with the pacing here.

The characters are strong and believable, but I was not completely convinced by their reactions to what happens to them. I’m not sure that the word “vampire” was mentioned once in the novel, but I can’t believe that a bunch of teenagers with a sudden urge to drink blood wouldn’t discuss this possibility.

A lot of their behaviour was pretty believable: friction with their parents, the push-pull of irritation with siblings they love, uncertainty about their next steps after high school. But when it came to the crux of the story, the physical changes they undergo and their reactions to them, I was unconvinced.

Despite the urgency of finding a way to feed without killing other people, the novel never conveyed that sense of urgency: the impression I have is that the kids wandered around a lot, and emoted and agonized, but didn’t actually do very much to try to find a solution.

And frankly, I found the end of the novel quite lame. It was deeply unsatisfactory, with no sense of what’s going to happen next in a practical sense: how are these kids going to shape their lives around what’s happened to them? No thought is given to the fact the kids didn’t consent to being changed, or to any sense of outrage or anger that they might feel about those changes.

This novel needed both a stronger sense of urgency, something compelling to pull readers forward in the story, and a much stronger ending. The ending was wussy and unconvincing, and didn’t seem at all connected to how teenagers might actually react to what’s happened to them.

This is not badly written, and no doubt there will be those who enjoy it, as it does have strengths. But the weaknesses are so fundamental that I find it hard to recommend it widely.

Dusty lives on the edge of the wilderness with her father and sister in the small town of Black River. One morning, during a foraging trip, something strange happens that marks the beginning of a series of unsettling events for Dusty. Soon after, she begins to wake up with heightened senses, an uncanny ability to see through others’ memories and eyes, and a reduced appetite for food—replaced by a hunger for something else entirely…

This YA sci-fi novel is not my usual go-to genre, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I went in blind, and the fact that I couldn’t predict where the story was heading kept me hooked. The eerie, haunting undertone added depth to the mystery surrounding Dusty and her peers, especially with the uncertainty of what was causing these changes. The world-building struck a nice balance—enough to picture the setting vividly without overwhelming detail.

While there is a touch of romance, it stays fairly minimal and only really comes together near the end. The real strength lies in the suspense and creeping sense of dread. I also wholeheartedly agree that this book gives Twilight vibes—in the best way.

The book closes with a bombshell ending, leaving plenty of questions unanswered—about Dusty’s mother, the villainous figures at play, and her sister’s fate. It definitely sets up anticipation for the next installment, and I’ll be eager to pick it up once it’s released.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, and apologies for the late review!

This story made me feel so many different things. Nature is a big theme and I love how well it blended through the story.

Dusty is a confused teen, who along with discovering how to exist in the world, has to try and navigate these sudden new bloodthirsty changes in her body and mind.
I loved all the characters, their personalities and how their relationships grew was intriguing to read! I felt the depth of their feelings viscerally and I was hooked 😍

And the ending?!?!?? I have more questions now and need to know more asap!

Tropes/themes:
🌳 blood/vampire themes
🖤 YA paranormal
🌳 mysterious nature

17-year-old Dusty much prefers her own company or that of her books to being around others. However, strange things have started happening. For one, she and her sister felt a dark presence in the woods near their house, and then they suddenly lost time. Furthermore, Dusty wakes up with dirt on her feet and then suddenly falls sick, waking up with a new hunger and heightened abilities. However, she’s not alone in these circumstances. Eli, a popular boy at her school, has been experiencing the same thing.

I really loved this book; it was incredible, it gave me Heartbreak High (the remake, not the original) vibes for some reason, I'm not totally sure why.

I really loved the characters and their relationships, I loved Dusty and Will’s slow burn romance, her and Eli’s bonding and connection and her and bestie Mali growing apart and then back together again they all felt realistic and relatable, I really enjoyed the world building and how the forest, the mountain and the river all played their part, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending but it still worked, it was just personal preference honestly.

I think, no, I know this is one of my favourite books this year, I cannot wait to see what else the author writes, and I know this book is going straight on my list of books to buy.

Thank you Simon & Schuster for the early copy! 3.5 stars

I went into Black River with minimal knowledge, only having read the synopsis and loving the cover and I highly recommend that for everyone. I knew it was a blend of genres which I loved and these were done well.

The story follows our female main character Dusty Silver and some unexplained events in her small town. Things pick up pretty quickly and we get to meet some pivotal characters to the story, I definitely had a soft spot for one of the male characters right from the get go.

I found that the story was gripping and was an interesting twist on a common theme in books nowadays, only thing I didn’t really love was the ending but I assume a second one is coming and might explain it a bit more!

Starting out, I was pulled into this book through its dark and unnerving vibes, which is the exact reason why I picked it up.

Plot wise, I was not disappointed. This story is definitely one that had me pulled in which is the reason why I pushed to the end, I absolutely adore a book with darker themes and really eerie plot lines. The characters I have to say I wasn’t completely on board with, I did love Will and Opie but the two main characters I found that I didn’t mesh with them as well as I had hoped but they were enjoyable enough.

The pacing for me was where I struggled a bit. I definitely think this could have been much shorter as in parts I did find that it dragged a little and I lost interest for a while in the middle.

All in all, I think this one is one for YA fantasy and gothic horror fans will love.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Australia for the opportunity to read this book.

4.5 ⭐️
What the heck was that? I'm actually in shock over this story and the way it ended. What a crazy, fascinating, genre-bending read. I'm not usually a sci fi reader but this story mixed together sci fi, horror and paranormal elements in the best way and I felt like I couldn't put it down. The way the coming of age YA elements fused with the sci fi / paranormal changes for our MCs was perfect.

Dusty is a great FMC, her inner turmoil is written so well! When everything is changing, how do you know what changes you can accept in yourself? Where is the line? Dusty's POV was fraught with worry, with what's happening to her and with how it affects those around her, with love and concern for her family and their safety as she changes and can't see a way of getting back to who she was.

I loved Dusty's relationship with Eli, with Mali, with Will, with Opi. The storyline around finding out what could have happened to her mum when she left the family is woven in so well, and I was on tenterhooks to find out what happened then and what would happen in the present.

Some of the plot points made my heart race and my stomach flop, that genuine discomfort that I get from a good horror read was alive and well for me in Black River. I love how the author merged and crossed genres seamlessly, it was such a good combination.

I'm devastated that I have to wait for another book to come out but thrilled that the story is going to continue - I can't wait to see where it goes!

Cottle’s writing in Black River is vivid and immersive.
I at times could truly imagine being within the forest, smelling the land around me. The pacing strikes a great balance between quiet, reflective moments and bursts of heart-pounding suspense, pulling me deeper into Dusty’s journey with every chapter.

At the heart of the story is Dusty’s bond with Will, the enigmatic and magnetic love interest. Their connection feels both electric and dangerous, adding a sharp edge to the romance that makes it impossible to look away.

Black River isn’t just a genre mash-up, it’s a story about finding yourself, stepping into the unknown, and fighting for what matters most. Beautifully written and full of heart, it’s a series I’ll be keeping a close eye on and one I’d happily recommend to anyone who loves fantasy, sci-fi, or romance with a fresh twist.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC copy I received to read and review

Dusty wakes one morning with dirt on her feet and a thirst she can't explain. So unfolds a haunting coming of age mystery, punctuated by very normal teenage tribulations and very abnormal paranormal trials.

This was not what I expected at all in the best ways possible. It was refreshing to read something that was unique with a creepiness that crept up to engulf you. This made me think of Immortal Dark (2024) by Tigrest Girma.

The story is moody, YA to its roots, exploring grief, growth and interdependence. Black River and White Mountain are evocative landscapes where you could smell the leaf litter and feel the mycorrhizal network at play. I loved the way the author wrote the colours of the mountain and the river.

The romantic subplot is a gentle, if not conflicted, young love in the face of the unknown. The layerd recognition of the need for friends, found family and lovers was deftly done.

My only compaints came in the shape of the pacing falling off a couple of times and there were a couple of conversation language choices that I wasn't 100% comfortable with. However, I will acknowledge that (some) teenagers, in real life, can be a^%hats and say things that are a^%hattish. In this case, referring to Will and his learning difficulty in less than inclusive language and some homophobic language referring to another student.

In all, this was a brilliant read. A coming of age in the most paranormal of ways and whiplashed by the cliffhanger.

With many thanks to the author, Ruby Jean Cottle, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for the copy of the eARC to read ahead of publication.

I loved this book — but it also totally frustrated me, in the best possible way.

As a Twilight girl from way back, the premise hooked me immediately. Dusty is seventeen, bookish, and happiest when she’s surrounded by stories and the wilderness of her mountain home. But when secrets start spilling — hers, her friends’, and her family’s — everything she thought she knew about her life begins to unravel.

Dusty is an epic FMC. She’s relatable in her love of books, and the way she navigates such huge, painful changes felt both inspiring and heartbreaking. Her relationships — especially with her sister and father — felt raw and genuine. I also loved watching her friendships evolve, mirroring the way Dusty grows into herself across the story.

The mystery at the heart of the book kept me utterly captivated — but also drove me a little mad. Answers were scarce, which was frustrating, though it left me desperate for more (thankfully, Ruby Jean Cottle has confirmed a sequel, White Mountain).

The storyline around Dusty’s mother, however, felt a little confusing. I would have liked more clarity there before the ending.

Dusty and Will’s slow burn romance was written so perfectly. Really captured that teen romance feeling. There is a slightly dangerous edge to their relationship which kept it interesting.

I loved Eli! At first I felt like he came out of left field but as the story progressed he became such an integral part of Dusty’s life. The tension between them at first was really intriguing, and I spent a while wondering if they will or wont hook up. I was really happy when their relationship took a different turn.

Overall, Black River is a dark, twisted, and atmospheric YA novel that completely pulled me in. Even with the frustrations (or maybe because of them), I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I can’t wait to see what happens next in White Mountain!

I was interested in this book because it was YA and had a cool cover. I also am trying to read my YA sci-fi.

This was quite a young YA, bordering on middle grade in many ways - including it's third person narration.

For me, the writing felt quite disconnected from the experiences of those on the page, and I couldn't connect with the story. As the story continued, there was a lot of characters, and I found it hard to differentiate between them and be interested in their contributions. In particular, the love interest fell very short.

This was possibly the most descriptive book I’ve ever read literally makes you feel like you’re there with them in the forest.

17 year old Dusty wakes up one morning and notices dirt on her feet, she can no longer stand the smell of food, and has a sound sensory overload, and she now craves blood 👀

Dusty is the type prefers to stay in doors reading her books, however her best friend Mali convinces her to go to a bonfire party.
It’s at this party that she notices the popular guy Eli appears to be going through the same changes as her, after Eli gets into a fight making another guy bleed she grabs Eli and says I know what you’re going through we need to get out of here now.

Eli and Dusty become close as they realise they’re going through the same changes and constantly craving blood, they start to notice others from school who also live on the mountain going through the exact same changes.. but how and why is this happening to them.

This was such an addictive read, and I LOVED that it was not like your usual vampire story where someone is bitten and turned.

Ok but that ending.. I need more now, I need to find out why they’re being turned into what appears to be vampires.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for the ARC of this YA sci-fi romance fantasy.

Dusty, seventeen and living high in the Adirondack Mountains with her sister and father, has already known deep loss. She keeps herself at a distance from her peers—until one strange night changes everything. She suddenly isn’t hungry, has boundless energy, loses track of time… and finds herself craving something she can’t name. She soon realises she isn’t the only teen in her community experiencing these unsettling shifts.

The atmosphere is wonderfully tense and immersive—dense forest, looming shadows, and a palpable sense of unease. Dusty’s relationship with her younger sister Opi is the emotional core of the book, grounding her as everything else unravels. Then there’s Eli, the boy who seems to understand what she’s going through, and Will, the one she can’t help but want, in more ways than one.

This is a well-crafted start to a series that feels fresh in the YA landscape. Unlike many fantasy romances set in entirely new worlds, this one unfolds in our own, making it relatable while still carrying strong fantasy vibes.

For me, the pacing wavered a bit—slower in the middle and then rushing through the ending—but overall it’s a solid, atmospheric read that I think teen readers will find very engaging. I’ll be recommending it and will be keeping an eye out for the next instalment.

This reignited a teenage twilight obsession within me. It was Twilight meets Wednesday and then some. I'm hoping there's a second book because boy oh boy do I have questions that need answers!
It's apparently a YA book but some of the scenes in this had ME terrified so if that doesn't say something about the writing of this book... I don't know what will 😂
The pacing, the writing style, the characters, this book was so well done!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for providing a digital copy to review*

I started reading this book with absolutely no recollection of the synopsis, and I highly recommend it. This story shocked me in the best possible way, and I was constantly questioning what the hell was happening and how.

I was completely drawn into this world, and you really got a sense of unease as well as how the mountains and the forest are an ever-present mysterious entity. At times, it reminded me of early 2000s sci-fi teen fantasy books and TV shows, which I just adored so much.

Dusty is our FMC, and who we are mostly with as we watch her go through this terrifying change. We also get to see the viewpoints of a few other characters, which I also enjoyed. Change is a major theme in this book, and I like how what is happening to these characters can be an allegory of moving from being a teenager into adulthood. It’s scary and, at times, makes you question your whole identity.

I was so invested in the mystery of what happened to these characters and honestly had no real theory as to what it was. When I got to the end of the book, I thought we were never gonna know, and to be honest, I kind of wished it had been kept a mystery. While I liked the whole meaning behind it, it just felt a little anticlimactic.

I enjoyed my time with this book immensely. I’m not sure if there is to be another book, but I would love to jump back into this world and learn more about why it happened to these characters.

Black River by Ruby Jean Cottle is an interesting YA Sci-Fi story that has a diverse range of characters with lots of shades of grey and with touches of vampire issues similar to the Twilight series but at that same time quite different and unique. An unusual and captivating story with underlining themes of family and friendship as well as the bigger picture of where is our world heading!

Well written and well developed storyline with several plots that at times intertwine. While at times heartwarming, it was also suspenseful and dramatic.

Certainly an interesting read

This review is based on a complimentary copy from Simon & Schuster (Australia) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#BlackRiver#NetGalley

I gave Black River by Ruby Jean Cottle 4 stars, and honestly, it was not quite what I expected going in—but I ended up loving it! The story grabbed my attention right away, and it kept me guessing the whole way through. The ending was definitely unexpected, which I think was the intention, however it landed a little bit short of perfect for me.

One of the things I really enjoyed was the way the atmosphere was built. There’s this underlying tension throughout the book that makes you feel like something is always just around the corner, which kept me turning the pages quickly. The characters also felt real and layered, which made the twists hit even harder.

This was so close to being a 5-star read—I was hooked, I loved the writing, and I couldn’t put it down. The only thing that kept me from giving it the full 5 was the way the ending wrapped up, but I still think it was a really strong, gripping read overall. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Ruby Jean Cottle. Thank you to NetGallery and Ruby Jean Cottle for this eARC!