DON'T LET THE FOREST IN

Andrew Perrault would do anything for Thomas Rye. He lives and breathes for Thomas Rye. He would die for Thomas Rye. So when Andrew returns to Wickwood Academy for senior year and his twin sister decides to cut both Andrew and Thomas out of her life, Andrew knows he has to be there for Thomas more than ever before. Thomas needs him--and he needs Thomas.

But something strange is happening at Wickwood. Something to do with Thomas. Something Thomas won't tell him. When the police arrive on campus with questions about Thomas's parents, rumors start flying that Thomas murdered them. Thomas won't say a word, not to anyone. Not even to Andrew.

When Andrew catches Thomas sneaking out, he follows him into the off-limits forest on the edge of campus. Andrew expects to confront Thomas, to comfort him, to support him. Whatever happened, Andrew knows the truth: Thomas did what he had to do. But the forest isn't how Andrew remembers it. No, the forest is teeming with monsters--monsters that Thomas drew, come to life. And these monsters are dangerously close to invading the campus and killing off anyone close to Thomas--anyone, that is, still left.

THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed this book. There's just nothing quite like reaching the twist, the climax, and finding that a book you were already enjoying is now 10x better than before. The monsters here are appropriately oozy and rotten, and the escalation of these eldritch horrors proves masterful. I really, really enjoyed this.

PROS

Beware the Creator	There's a certain catharsis in creating horrors. In writing them, in drawing them. And this book really twists that catharsis by asking, "Yes, but what if those horrors you depict peel themselves off the page and come after you next?" After a spat of dark academia books that promised me monsters and gave me less-than-compelling monsters-within, it was really refreshing to dive into a book that had, you know, actual monsters. Monsters with fangs and vine-y tentacles and a thirst for blood. Monsters that drip maggots and rot. Monsters that are violent and disturbing--and thoroughly appreciated.

Ace Spectrum	It's also really refreshing to have asexuality representation. Ace rep is so rare, especially in YA where romantic subplots are king. I appreciate Andrew, who is falling in love with his best friend but isn't sure he can give his best friend everything a romantic partner would. The aro/ace distinction here is nice. It's appreciated. Andrew is utterly infatuated with Thomas, and his own insecurity with his sexuality adds a layer to his jealousy when he thinks Thomas might be interested in others instead.

Supportive Friends	Andrew really isn't in a good place, and the bad place he's in isn't the kind of place a friend can help him out of. He needs more professional help than that. But I really appreciated the help that Andrew does get from friends anyway. Thomas wants to support Andrew. Thomas sees how Andrew is struggling. And Thomas tries to push and prod Andrew back to somewhere better. But Thomas also doesn't take the burden of Andrew's failing mental health onto himself, which is very important, too.

CONS

As I've said above, Andrew isn't in a good place. I am sure the author has listed content warnings for this book more extensively than I will, but I will say here that severe anxiety and disordered eating are a big part of what's happening here. If you're not in a place where you can read about that, this book isn't for you. Because reading through Andrew's perspective if very much like wallowing in this mentally-unwell mire. It is uncomfortable and unhealthy, and while that fits the story and the character, it might not be the right place for every reader to spend time.	Wallowing

For all its bloody, gory monsters, this book is otherwise set in a boarding school that is real, concrete, realistic. So the fact that one teacher just seems to have it out for Andrew to an extreme extent feels... not quite right. I get why this sort of monstrously-out-to-get-you teacher archetype is being employed in a YA book, but at the same time, Clemens feels a bit hyperbolic for the text as a whole.	Too Far

I think the twist at the end is great. It pulls so many pieces together. It adds a lot of emotional impact. And then... it leads to an ending that left me mildly confused. Don't get me wrong. I don't dislike the ending. I just wasn't 100% sure how we were leaving things off. I read it a few times, trying to reorient myself, and I just couldn't ground myself in it fully. The payoff was still there, but that actual clinching moment in the conclusion wasn't.	Mild Confusion

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8/10

Those who enjoyed Victoria Lee's A Lesson in Vengeance will like diving into a campus haunted by the students who have lived and learned there. Anyone who loved Kosoko Jackson's The Forest Demands Its Due will adore these new eldritch horrors clawing their way out of the forbidden woods.