Don’t Let the Forest In - Dark Romance / Cottagecore Novel
Don’t Let the Forest In Cover
I will be completely and utterly honest here: I read this novel in a single day, not quite a single sitting, but I would have if I could. It is dangerously seductive and so creatively inspiring it oozes decadence.
‘Don’t Let the Forest In’ tells the story of two teenage boys in their last year of school, Andrew and Thomas. They form a close bond dictated by the art that they create. Andrew writes macabre novels, and Thomas draws the monsters. But something happens and Thomas’ drawing seems to come to life threatening everything both of them hold dear.
The first thing to mention about this novel is the vocabulary used; it's incredibly indulgent and fits perfectly with the decadent atmosphere created. I also appreciate the fact that the words used are not excessively complex, and this really allowed me to power through the book and feel very addicted to its pages. As I also mentioned, the atmosphere in this novel is wonderful and a perfect tribute to the intensity and emotional ride that being a teenager entails. Saying this, it never felt overdone or excessive, Drews walked a fine line perfectly and I really felt the deep emotional bond not only between the two characters but between them and their art.
Including the art as an aspect in this novel was also an excellent choice by Drews, it allowed for the multi-layered plot that they were telling and increased the luxurious feel of the novel. As a reader, I also feel it connected us better to the novel, most of us are probably creative in some way, and to have the emotions of the characters tied succinctly to this piece of creativity they were forming together really enhanced the plot.
Both Andrew and Thomas were characterised excellently, both differently but it was conceivable how they fit into each other so well. They were, in truth, fairly simple character types, but the way that they were presented in collision with each other made them so elevated. Their relationship and its twists and tumbles were extremely vivid and realistic, leading me further and further into the labyrinth of the novel without me even realising it. The plot was similar, fairly simple but perfectly executed and made a little more complex by the inclusion of a story within a story.
The whole novel to me felt fresh, it used elements of novel writing that have been done a thousand times before, but the whole concept together was highly unique and excessively enjoyable. I never guessed the ending, and in fact, I am still not sure I truly understand it. This annoys me a little but I understand completely why Drews has chosen to end the novel in this fashion. Having taken a breather from the story, I can also see how much of the deep, richness I missed the first time, how much was being hinted at me without me even realising.
This is definitely worth a read, or two! Anyone who enjoys something a little dark, a little different and a little romantic would enjoy this novel. I have little if anything bad to say.
