I can honestly say They Fear Not Men in the Woods is unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s billed as a horror novel, and it definitely becomes that by the end, but it’s more of an ode to nature and the beauty that can be found hidden within the forest. The protagonist’s knowledge of the natural world is a constant presence in the book, turning from interesting facts to horrifying truths as reality starts to warp around them. Things happen slowly and you’re constantly trying to figure what’s going on. The ending was strange enough for me to not see it coming at all. It felt very original and I’m kind of in awe of the author’s idea. For me, this wasn’t a scary book, but it was mesmerizing in the best way.

The Best Bits

There are definitely spoilers below, so don’t read beyond this point if you want to go in blind…

A Few of My Favorite Things

Geeking Out About Forestry

Jen is a mixed bag of a protagonist, perfect for a horror novel. She’s not really all that likable at the start, though more so than the horrible people surrounding her. It’s clear she hasn’t made great choices since the tragic disappearance of her father and she’s found solace in forestry. Her knowledge is on full display  and it makes the setting come to life. I didn’t expect to be riveted by facts about fungus and undergrowth, but this book got me there. Everything was detailed perfectly.

The Slowly Unraveling Mystery

The first half is essentially a slow meander through Jen’s life, her crappy hometown, and an eventual trek toward the place she was always intending to go – a mystical trail her father always talked about. As things start to happen in the woods, it’s impossible to figure out what’s actually going on. My mind imagined, not necessarily in this order, fairies, cannibals, a crazed woodsman, a cult, or some kind of monster. The reality is so much stranger, so strange that I didn’t figure it out until it happened right in front of Jen’s eyes. That slow build and the lack of understanding made this thrilling by the end. 

A Shocking Back Half

To say the back half of the book is vastly different from the first half is an understatement. The horror really amps up and it’s worth it. The final reveal is strange, kind of gross, but ultimately beautiful in its complexity. I’m always drawn to nature-based fantasy and this felt similar to that subgenre, trumpeting a love of the forest and the hidden power that could reside in places mankind has barely visited. There is gore, fear, and wild happenings, but it’s a great ending, right up to the final sentence.