Witch Words

“Don’t go in the woods alone” trope is one of my favorites. Where the narrative plunges deep into the forest, where fear takes root, and that sinister presence lurks among the trees never fails to send shivers down my spine. Something about that eerie feeling envelops me as I listen to the book while walking through the woods at Lunatic Ridge. I can’t help but remind myself that, aside from bears, I am the scariest thing in these woods—the witch of my woods.

“Beware the silent woods when you walk alone”

Traveling Witch

Aren’t all woods brimming with secrets? 

The Woods are Waiting unfolds with unsettling darkness as it delves into crimes against children, exposing the darkest facets of human nature. It’s unsettling, and I questioned why I was immersing myself in it. Yet, it’s precisely this exploration of the darker aspects of our psyche that kept me walking and listening, along with the incorporation of superstitions and customs surrounding the legend of the Hickory Man, who lurks in the woods waiting for children. While a whodunit, the author interweaves doubt through the story, hinting at something sinister and menacing lurking amidst the trees.

“Among the trees, something waits”

The constant sense of danger and the ever-present fear of the unknown propel the story forward, making this a spine-tingling read. The woods conceal far more than meets the eye, and the final reveal is satisfying. I was happily surprised despite feeling like I should have seen it coming.

BUT

The pace is slow to start, and the narratives started to feel repetitive the more I got into the story, as we were hearing similar things from both POVs. I decided to switch to the audiobook because I prefer to listen to stories when this happens. I find my busy mind wandering too much when I listen, so when the pace is slow and repetitive, I find I don’t miss much and can still keep up with the story.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.