e-Audio, 12:09:15
Narrated by: Alexis Campbell
Release Date: September 12, 2023
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: September 6-11, 2023
Stand-alone
Source: PRH App
TW: Violence, Death, Domestic Violence on page but very light and very little, Homophobia, Panic Attacks/Disorders, Blood, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Injury/Injury Detail, **Spoiler: Snakes**
For Readers Interested In: Monsters, Romance, LGBTQ+ (Lesbian), Horror, Mysterious, YAForced to spend her summer in her aunt’s strange small town, a teen girl discovers dark secrets hidden in the woods. From the author of Bad Witch Burning comes another pulse-pounding novel perfect for fans of Supernatural and Lovecraft Country.
Don’t go outside past dark. Come straight home after church. And above all—never, ever, go into Red Wood.
These are the rules Latavia’s aunt tells her as soon as she arrives in Sanctum, Alabama for the summer. Weird, but Latavia isn’t here to solve any scary small town mysteries; she’s here for six weeks and six weeks only, and then she’s off to college and won’t look back. Still, Sanctum has its perks—mainly, the cute girl who works at the local ice cream shop.
But Latavia can’t ignore how strange her aunt’s tiny town is. The residents are suspicious of her and at times hostile, and it’s clear she’s some kind of outsider. That’s proven when Latavia is dragged out of her house in the dead of night, into the forbidden Red Wood, and presented as a human sacrifice to an ancient monster.
Latavia won’t be eaten without a fight. She’ll do whatever she has to do to survive—even if that includes making a deal with the monster, endangering her crush and family, and even risk turning into a monster herself.
*MY THOUGHTS*
This was one of my most anticipated books of Fall 2023. And it did not disappoint. Not only is it creepy/scary because of that huge ass monster, there’s also a lesson buried in there too. Those are my favorite types of books. A hidden lesson and some things to talk about. Definitely a good book to use for a book club or even my library’s event, Tournament of Books.
Ok so first things first. The monster itself wasn’t creepy, but I’m not scared of what it is. (Now if she writes a book about that crow one that was mentioned in the book? THEN I’ll be scared.) Now if you’re scared of these animals, please be aware that this thing is mentioned A LOT so please be careful with yourself. But I didn’t really find this thing actually scary, but it is considered horror because it’s ancient evil, monster typed horror. And I LOVED it.
This was my first book by Lewis, but I can tell you now I put her witchy book on hold already because if this was that good?! Then yeah I need it. I was hooked. I wanted to read this in one sitting, but with a toddler and me reading a trillion books at one time, it just didn’t happen. But please know, that I wanted it to. The characters were amazing, the premise had me biting all my nails off and everything. I was so on edge every time she had to make a decision on what she wanted to do to the people. One thing that stood out to me about this book is how Lewis not only gives you an actual monster, but she also explores what it’s like to be monstrous. Like is she just as terrible as them for wanting revenge? Does this not count? And as the reader, how did you feel by rooting for her to exact revenge? I like that it makes you think deep about the kind of person she is and you are.
And there is so much drama in this lol I was not expecting it to be that way, but the way these characters were? Lordt they had a lot going on. And they were all crazy! I know what she was doing, using them to get the info she needed, but mayne come on! I agreed with the monster. You are NOT supposed to get on their good side and forget what you were supposed to be doing. But then again, that’s where they monster bit comes from. And that small bit about who the love interest was?! I legit said out loud, “GIRL, WHAT?!” It was a lot. And I was said that Latavia didn’t even get to have that. Because Lord knows if anyone broke my leg and left me to get eaten, I’m coming for EVERYONE. And like the way they were acting, like they didn’t understand why she was doing this. And begging her to forget what was done to her because that was her relative? Ain’t no damn way. I would have still done it because she WAS my relative. You’re supposed to keep me safe, and you did THIS? Naw.
The romance is full of wtfs tho lol I was hesitant to like them, and then I just out right disliked her, and then I DID like her, and then I HATED her again when all the secrets were out. I went through a lot of different emotions when reading this ok lol I don’t think I’ve ever been so indecisive. I wish I had recorded my reactions tho because I know I was going through it.
I don’t know if there’s a sequel, but I would like to read one. If nothing else I’d like to see the other monsters. Like the crow thing that was mentioned. Scared as I am of birds, I’d read that lol Also, them people in Hollywood says they can’t find any BIPOC stories to bring to life as movies, well this one is perfect. Make it come out in the fall and it will be a hit I’m telling you!
Overall, I give this
