Discover your next great read with our book reviews
Cover of A GIRL WALKS INTO THE FOREST
3.75

Based on 618 Goodreads ratings

A GIRL WALKS INTO THE FOREST

by magical beings, the yiliksii, or “cursed children of the forest.” She’s accompanied by her brother and his wife, but when a beast attacks them in the forest, clawing Valla’s face and destroying the beauty the Count expects, she falls gravely ill, hovering near death. When she wakes from her fever, she meets with unexpected kindness from Ermo, her betrothed’s brother, that stands in stark contrast to the heartlessness of the Count himself. Both the man and his castle are nothing like she imagined: They’re dark, desolate, and steeped in cruelty. Joined in the castle only by the Count’s sister, Yulnia\u003B sinister physician Kiril, who’s Yulnia’s confidant\u003B a handful of servants\u003B and an unimaginable, foreboding presence, Valla begins to unravel the castle’s mysteries. As she does, something stirs within her, calling her to violence and awakening with every secret she uncovers. Well\u002Dcrafted and deeply unsettling, this folktale\u002Dinfluenced horror novel will captivate fans of the genre, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Valla’s character is richly developed, her transformation from a helpless sacrifice to something far more formidable unfolding with haunting intensity. Main characters are cued white."

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9780063284

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

A teenage girl confronts both the tangible wilderness and the emotional thicket of grief in this poignant novel that explores loss, family secrets, and the painful journey toward self-discovery. When...

Our Review

A teenage girl confronts both the tangible wilderness and the emotional thicket of grief in this poignant novel that explores loss, family secrets, and the painful journey toward self-discovery. When her older brother disappears, the protagonist is left to navigate the suffocating silence at home and the metaphorical forest of her own confusion, where reality and coping mechanisms begin to dangerously blur. This is a story that masterfully intertwines the suspense of a mystery with the raw, interior landscape of a young person in crisis. The atmospheric prose and unflinching emotional honesty will pull readers deep into its haunting world.

What makes this narrative so compelling is its refusal to offer easy answers, instead trusting its audience to grapple with complex themes of mental health, familial duty, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. The protagonist's voice is authentic and deeply relatable, capturing the specific anguish of being a teenager forced to shoulder an adult's burden. Readers who appreciate character-driven stories with a psychological edge and a touch of magical realism will find this a profoundly moving and unforgettable read.

0