One of the books I picked up at KillerCon last year! I’d love to count this as a backlist read, but I’m not sure if it counts considering I very recently acquired it.
THE FOREST – Lisa Quigley (Released October 5th, 2021)
Book Description:
Everyone in Edgewood believes their annual tithes at the fall festival are what purchase Edgewood’s safety, but as Faye and her husband prepare to take over as town stewards—a long tradition carried out by her family for generations—they learn the terrible truth: in order to guarantee the town’s safety, the forest demands an unthinkable sacrifice.
In the midst of everything, Faye is secretly battling debilitating postpartum anxiety that makes her all the more terrified to leave the safe cocoon of her enchanted town.
When everyone turns against her—including her own husband—Faye is forced to flee with her infant son into the forest. She must face whatever lurks there and, perhaps most frightening of all, the dark torments of her own mind.
The Forest is an adult folk horror novel appealing to fans of ‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson and Bird Box by Josh Malerman, with a hint of The Changeling by Victor LaValle. It is Quigley’s debut novel.
My Thoughts: 4/5 stars
Did someone say folklore horror?? Probably one of my favorite subgenres within horror – if you have any recommendations, please send them my way!
Can someone also tell me why I continue to read horror books with creepy and haunted or cursed woods?? I live in the middle of the woods and constantly am out at night with the dogs. Twig snaps? Nope. Back inside 😂 I NEVER shine flashlights at the wood line either. I don’t know what I’d do if I saw the reflection of eyes in the woods.
All that to say that Lisa Quigley has now added to that heightened awareness when I’m in the yard at night. Would you want to live in an isolated town in the forest where you could live happily and free from illnesses? What’s the catch? Well, the new town steward, Faye, is about to learn the sacrifice that the forest demands of them in exchange for their good health and safety.
The build up to the end was intense and creepy and sent that chill down my spine. I would love to get more history on this town and how the forest came to be. I highly recommend to those that love folklore horror, some psychological horror, and an atmospheric read that consumes you.
Jessicamap Reviews 