IT WAITS IN THE FOREST by Sarah Dass
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“‘It’s one thing if you believed. Because then you’d be careful. Who knows what kind of problems you could’ve caused because none of it meant anything to you.’
I swallowed, my throat tight with a knot of emotion. ‘You don’t get it. People, when they hear my name, they have one of two reactions. It’s always the same. They either hate me or they fear me. So, I chose their fear… I know you want me to say that I completely regret it, but I can’t. Lying to people is wrong, I know, but it’s the only way I don’t feel totally defenseless… At least when they’re afraid, I know they’re less likely to try to hurt me.’
If they were afraid, then I didn’t have to be.”
TITLE—It Waits in the Forest
AUTHOR—Sarah Dass
PUBLISHED—2024
PUBLISHER—Hyperion
GENRE—YA supernatural thriller romantasy
SETTING—St Virgil (a fictional island in the Caribbean)
MAIN THEMES/SUBJECTS—fate, magic, Caribbean folklore, ghosts, fortune-telling, outsiders, complex & uncomfortable family & friends dynamics, trustworthy adults, love triangle, second chance romance, inherited powers, seances, scary monsters, tourism, island village setting, creepy old hotel, serial killer, ritual murders, redemption, justice
“Our ancestors knew what they were doing. They held on to their beliefs and used them to find strength, power, and comfort in difficult times. It’s that strength that fought wars and won rebellions. It can be used for good or bad. As always, it depends on the person practicing it… Listen to your instincts. And remember, belief can be extremely powerful. It may be your only source of strength in a time when you’ll need it most.”
Blurbs:
“It Waits in the Forest is a dark, tantalizing tale that will keep you on your toes as much as it will knock you back on your seat. A satisfying story about how grief and personal history can shape a person’s mind as well as their actions.” — Vincent Tirado
“An unsettling mystery that lures you into the darkness of the trees and refuses to release its grip until the very end. It Waits in the Forest begs the question of how far you would go to reclaim what you've lost and what you risk sacrificing to get it. Compelling, creepy, and complex, this story will haunt you long after you've finished reading.” — Liselle Sambury
My thoughts:
I loveddd this book! It literally had everything I love in a novel: a fast-paced, exciting plot, an evocative setting that reminded me of my hometown, lovable, believable, & relatable characters, supernatural elements like ghosts & magic & monsters & seances, the sweetest romance storyline, & solid philosophical underpinnings, with plenty of Caribbean folklore imagery & inspiration. Literally all I want is for this to be book one of a dozen-books-long series!
I would recommend this book to readers who like fast-paced YA thriller fantasies with horror elements, complex, relatable characters & philosophical depth. This book is best read in a beach house or on an island during a storm.
“‘I thought the sessions at the shop were fake?’ he said. I frowned, confused.
‘They are.’ He scrutinized me for a moment longer before looking out at the beach.
‘So you helped the elderly fisherman with his arthritis just to maintain your evil reputation.’ His tone sounded too sarcastic to be asking a question.
‘Yes,’ I answered anyway.
‘…maybe you’re not the villain you’re making yourself out to be.’”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
CW // death including death of parent, gore, grief
Season: Summer
Music pairing: ideally some kind of like “Spooky New Orleans” or southern or Caribbean gothic playlist… I’ve been trying to put one together but idk… I haven’t quite nailed the vibe yet…
Further Reading—
ROOTWORK by Tracy Cross (book 1 of the Conjure Series)
ROOT MAGIC by Eden Royce
WHEN WE WERE BIRDS by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo
HOODOO by Ronald L Smith—TBR
REDEMPTION IN INDIGO by Karen Lord
BAD CREE by Jessica Johns
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