Haunting, Lyrical, But Just a Little Uneven

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Don’t Let the Forest In is one of those books that sneaks up on you. At first, it feels like a quiet story about grief, family, and the lingering ache of loss, but before long, it grows into something much darker, stranger, and more unsettling. C.G. Drews has a real talent for weaving emotion into atmosphere, and this book proves it.

The central theme of the novel—trauma that you can’t quite shake, no matter how far you try to run—hit hard. There’s a rawness to the writing that feels almost confessional, like you’re peeking into someone’s diary while they try to piece themselves back together. The forest itself, which plays such a huge role, becomes this living, breathing presence. Sometimes it feels like a metaphor, sometimes like an actual threat, and often like both at once. That blurring between reality and nightmare is where the book really shines.

Drews’ prose is lyrical without being overwrought. Some passages are gorgeous enough to stop and reread, while others punch you in the gut with their simplicity. I loved how the writing captured that strange disjointedness of grief—where everything feels slightly off-kilter, like you’re awake but stuck in a dream you don’t quite understand.

That said, this wasn’t a perfect read for me. The pacing, especially in the middle, lagged a little. There were moments where I felt like I was circling the same emotions and imagery without moving forward, which pulled me out of the story. It didn’t ruin the experience, but I did find myself wishing for a bit more momentum at times.

The ending, though, more than made up for it. Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say it landed in that sweet spot of haunting yet satisfying. It doesn’t tie everything up with a neat bow—and I wouldn’t want it to—but it lingers in a way that makes you keep thinking about it long after you’ve put the book down.

Overall, Don’t Let the Forest In is a beautifully eerie, emotionally resonant novel that explores grief and memory through the lens of horror. It’s not a straightforward story, and it requires you to lean into the ambiguity, but if you’re in the mood for something that’s equal parts heartfelt and haunting, it’s well worth your time.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don’t expect a traditional horror story—this is more of a slow-burn psychological tangle, with shadows creeping in from the edges.