Don't Let the Forest In

By: C.G. Drews

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

High school senior Andrew Perrault finds refuge in the twisted fairy tales that he writes for the only person who can ground him to reality—Thomas Rye, the boy with perpetually ink-stained hands and hair like autumn leaves. And with his twin sister, Dove, inexplicably keeping him at a cold distance upon their return to Wickwood Academy, Andrew finds himself leaning on his friend even more.

But something strange is going on with Thomas. His abusive parents have mysteriously vanished, and he arrives at school with blood on his sleeve. Thomas won’t say a word about it and shuts down whenever Andrew tries to ask him questions. Stranger still, Thomas is haunted by something, and he seems to have lost interest in his artwork—whimsically macabre sketches of the monsters from Andrew’s wicked stories.

Desperate to figure out what’s wrong with his friend, Andrew follows Thomas into the off-limits forest one night and catches him fighting a nightmarish monster—Thomas’s drawings have come to life and are killing anyone close to him. To make sure no one else dies, the boys battle the monsters every night. But as their obsession with each other grows stronger, so do the monsters, and Andrew begins to fear that the only way to stop the creatures might be to destroy their creator.

©2024 C.G. Drews (P)2024 Recorded Books

Beautifully haunting

Such an incredible story, and performance.
I didn’t want to stop listening, but never wanted it to end. I’ve truly never read anything like this and already want to read it again just to be immersed into this world.

Gorgeous and Haunting

I could not put this book down. The prose and narrative took me to a place of angst and longing. The characters will stay with me for a long time.

My favorite read of 2024

I read (both audiobooks and physical books) a LOT, but this book topped it all for me. I only wish it were longer so I could be in that world for longer. It’s as if old school, dark Grimms’ Fairy Tales met a coming of age story. The reading is GORGEOUS. It’s lush, cozy, creepy, and gorgeous. Please read it.

Haunting

Michael Crouch's narration elevated this story. It was beautifully written, the audiobook performance was amazing, I just wasn't crazy about the ending. But, the story does linger in your mind.

I’m covered

I bought this book by accident, not knowing what I was going to listen to. The story was an adventure, yet sad, disturbing, and I am lost in its sweetness and struggle of mental pain and sorrow of the characters.

As someone who has been left seen a love in my life jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge because he didn’t see any other way, I’m troubled by the sacrifice and struggle of his mental health and struggle. It’s so important to remember so much of these actions causes more pain to those left standing there wondering why.

I enjoy this book and the struggle of love, but a wound was reopened by this story and I’m sad. But the reality is, we need to remind others that this is possible, love is hard, scary, painful, but there are always ways to remain with all those who love you. Please find a way before taking your own life. Please.

Shape reality

I’m truly at a loss for words. I’m not sure whether I love or hate this book, but I can say it’s a hell of a story.
What stands out of the way it shows how grief can blur into a reality that feels overpowering. Yet, reminds us that we have the power for shape that reality.

Loved it

This was a fantastic book to finish on Halloween. It had great twists and turns, was creepy and imaginative, and kept me guessing while rooting for the main characters. The ending was crazy, and I'm not quite sure how to feel about it.

My song choice: Stripped by Depeche Mode

Uniquely creppy

Hmmm well this was something! I would recommend a listen as it was quite enjoyable and just very unique. I will remember it for a while…

beautiful, but predictable

I loved this book. Truly. I had the ending figured out by chapter 5, though. My only complaint.

it was beautifully told, imagery was spot on and at times I was transported, heart racing, while watching flowers and vines grow from skin and bone. I can't wait to read it again.

To the author, thank you for writing in such detail how...odd and torn it can feel being Ace. I felt seen in reading this, in knowing exactly how he was feeling and understanding how exactly un-understandable it can actually be. Thank you for painting a beautiful and horrible world and for tieing it all up in a lovely, but dirty, bow.

this was incredible!!

i actually only purchased this because i had a free credit, the cover was gorgeous, and i realized a while back that i have a thing for books that use body horror as a vehicle to explore grief.

i just finished this yesterday (i read it both by hard copy along with the audiobook at 1.5x speed which REALLY made it feel more intense/suspenseful IMO). this book the love child of romeo and juliet and annihilation.

i LOVED the narrator. he did an INCREDIBLE job. i am going to look for more books read by him.

i also LOVED how the author wrote, but i docked 1 star off because one plot point was VERY VERY obvious VERY VERY early on. i wish the author had been more subtle about it. I ultimately gave this 4 stars and was about to give it 4.5 stars when i was on the last page, but the very last sentence confused me so much and now i'm like HUH??

even so, i already want to re-read this one. this book is so unique, SO SO SO atmospheric, utterly absorbing, and is the ONLY book that managed to get me out of a 7 month reading slump!

thank you to the author, the narrator, and the person who designed the cover art or i never would have read this and would still be in a huge book slump.

actually, you know what? i'm giving this 4.5 stars. it's definitely worthy of that!

PLEASE give this one a shot! it's......weird and surreal and beautiful and horrifying and the author does do an incredible job of dropping bombs on you totally out of the blue and all of a sudden you see the story in a different light and now you don't know what to think which just makes you want to continue because you just need to know what is what! ahhh! loved this!!!