Thank you Netgalley and DAW for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In “They Fear Not Men in the Woods,” Gretchen McNeil takes us deep into the lush, eerie forests of rural Washington and doesn’t let us out without a few scratches—and maybe a body count. With a protagonist whose humor cuts through the horror like a dull pocketknife and a forest that might literally be out for revenge, this book is a wild, weird trek into a primal nightmare. A dark, witty, and atmospheric eco-horror novel that blends supernatural folklore with eco-terror and family trauma—like Midsommar with more moss, mayhem, and millennial sarcasm. When I saw that McNeil had written her first adult book after loving her YA books, I could not wait to read this story, and it definitely did not disappoint.

Seven years ago, Jen Monre fled Barrow, Washington, after the disappearance of her father—a forest ranger and tree preservationist with a fierce love for the wilderness and an equally fierce hatred for the logging companies consuming it. Now in her twenties and living far away from the woods and the fractured family she left behind, Jen is pulled back home when her father’s remains are suddenly discovered. Unconvinced by the official explanation and determined to uncover the truth, Jen joins a memorial camping trip organized by her well-meaning (and possibly clueless) ex-boyfriend. What starts as an emotional reunion and a reluctant walk down memory lane quickly spirals into a waking nightmare where the forest seems too alive, the trees may be watching—and something ancient, angry, and green is stirring beneath the moss.

McNeil absolutely nails the setting. The forest feels like a character in its own right—lush, breathing, watchful. You can practically feel the damp soil and hear the creak of ancient branches. The descriptions of nature are vivid and immersive, making the horror feel both surreal and rooted in the real world. Drawing from Finnish and Icelandic mythologies—particularly the huldrefolk—McNeil crafts a chilling take on the idea that nature isn’t just alive, but aware… and maybe a little pissed. There's a speculative edge to the horror, blending folklore with scientific curiosity (thanks to Jen’s background in botany), and it adds depth to what could’ve been just another slasher in the woods.

Once the blood starts flowing, it doesn’t stop. The kills are creative, gory, and deeply connected to the forest itself. You won’t find standard-issue horror deaths here—each one is disturbingly tied to the woods, giving the sense that the forest is punishing the group for intruding.

Jen is sharp-tongued, impulsive, and sometimes sounds more like a teen than a woman in her twenties, but her voice is unique and engaging. Her inner monologue brings levity to even the darkest moments, though it may not be for everyone—some readers might find her immaturity a bit grating. Still, her emotional journey, particularly her estranged relationship with her mother and her obsession with her father’s disappearance, grounds the horror in personal stakes.

The book takes a little too long to get going. The camping trip—the heart of the horror—doesn’t begin until nearly a third of the way through. You might get antsy waiting for the scares to kick in, though the forest scenes make the wait worth it.

While the climax is intense and rewarding, a few twists (especially regarding the mysterious character Sammy and the supernatural nature of the forest) are fairly easy to guess. That said, the story isn't about surprise so much as inevitability—like the slow, creeping crawl of roots under your feet.

Overall, “They Fear Not Men in the Woods” is a deliciously eerie tale for fans of nature fights back horror. It’s filled with heart, dark humor, and a growing sense that maybe the real monsters aren’t mythical—maybe they’re human. Or maybe they’re trees. Either way, Gretchen McNeil crafts a story where the wilderness doesn’t just defend itself—it devours.

🌲 Highlights: sentient forests, eco-horror, folklore, LGBTQ+ themes, mother-daughter tension, gruesome deaths
🩸 Content Warnings: gore, body horror, grief, logging industry violence (against trees and people)

This is an incredibly creepy novel which has hints of folk horror with an eco horror beat at it's heart. It's provocative, engaging, and terrifying.

Jen's father, a passionate park ranger who's dedicated his life to stop logging efforts, disappears on a survey never to be heard from again. Jen has followed in his footsteps and is as passionate about preserving old stands of trees from destruction.

When she receives the news that her father's remains were found, six years later, she reluctantly goes back to her small Washington state town. She doesn't believe he's dead though.

She eventually catches up with some high school friends who all work in some capacity for the logging company in the area. Jen wants answers but is getting nowhere. Her friends decide to hike for days, camping along the way, to the place she believes her father to be.

Deep in an uncharted forest, forces beyond comprehension begin to taunt them, turning violence and seemingly bloodthirsty. Lost, turned around, and with strange whispers and bizarre things happening, the group will have to fight for their lives against something impossible.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Rich evocative descriptions of the forest gave it a beautiful yet frightening atmosphere. Sammy is a character new to this group of friends and she seems connected to Jen is some strange way. The other characters are well rounded and believable.

This book creeps under your skin as the mystery of her father, what he discovered, and what lurks in the dense dark forest all combines to give a chilling visceral terrifying vibe. It's also extremely well written and Jen is a character who you'll love to read about. I loved this one and I highly recommend it.