Into The Dark We Go

“𝘖𝘣𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.” This book is fantastic! Filled with missing persons cases, creepy small towns, haunted forests, mysteries, and witches, Into the Dark, We Go is definitely one to add to your Appalachian horror tbr! Nellie’s boyfriend disappeared without a trace. Now, two years later, a pair of siblings have arrived with a startlingly similar tale about their sister, and a potential new lead to follow. Nellie joins them as they journey to a creepy small town where the locals are less than forthcoming and it feels like something is lurking in the woods. I really enjoyed the eerie feelings throughout this story! DG Woods has a done a great job of passing along that feeling of dread to the reader, so they experience it alongside Nellie as she investigates the disappearances. The scenes in the woods especially brought forth that creepy, Appalachian horror vibe! 🌲 Mysterious Disappearances 🌲 Witches & Rituals 🌲 Investigations & Betrayals 🌲 Appalachian Horror 🌲 Suspicious Small Town 🌲 “Something Evil Lurks in the Forest” “𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬, 𝘐 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵.” *Disclaimer: I was generously provided with an advance copy from the author. However, all viewpoints expressed above are my own!

The truth is, I had little to no expectations as I randomly found the author's ig page and decided to read the book based on the aesthetic (never judge a book by its cover, yeah yeah). But I actually really enjoyed 'Into the Dark, we go'! Great pace all the way through, I was constantly eager to find out what happens next and how the story will unfold in the end. I liked D.G. Woods' writing style - great use of language, just the right amount of complexity, without being pretentious. The story was intriguing with lots of little twists and turns, although (as other comments mention) I would have loved to dive a little deeper into the underlying mystery/fantasy elements. The main drawback for me were the characters - I couldn't quite connect with them, I felt like I don't know enough about them, and the relationships they made amongst one another felt a bit undefined and forced at times. Mostly Mitch and June, but even Nellie - despite being in her mind. I would love to see how D.G. Woods grows as a writer, and I'm looking forward to reading 'Fairbanks' and 'Loud as Bones'. 3.75 stars ★ P.S. I'm not an ARC reader

3,5

Disappointed I chose this book as I grew up in an area surrounded by Appalachian folklore and this book boasted connections to that. It only alluded to the commonly known elements of folklore, didn't fully explain the motive behind major plots, and ended in an underwhelming and predictable way.

This book is insanely good. It gets under your skin in the best way possible. It’s creepy, it’s woman-power coded, and it’s extraordinarily written for a first novel. Run! Read this! Now!!!

I wanted so badly to love this book... it was slow-paced. I'm very disappointed.

Rated 3.5 stars

Into the Dark We Go was my first horror read of the year, and it absolutely delivered. From the opening pages, the tension never lets up; there’s a constant, creeping sense of unease that pulls you forward and refuses to loosen its grip. The writing flows effortlessly, making it an easy yet immersive read, but what truly stood out were the horror elements themselves. The atmosphere is thick with eerie suspense, and the descriptions and metaphors are hauntingly beautiful; so vivid they sent genuine chills down my spine. The characters feel grounded and realistic, which only heightens the dread as the story unfolds. Their reactions and emotions feel authentic, making the horror hit even harder. A compelling, unsettling read that lingers after the final page. I’d absolutely recommend this to fans of atmospheric horror.

Fantassssstic book. Was really hooked in and finished within a few days. Author did a great job with this one. Def recommend

“Obey the rules. The darkness often hides in plain sight.” From the very first page, Into the Dark, We Go had me curious. The mystery hooked me immediately, and I loved constantly trying to piece together what was really going on. It’s the kind of story that keeps your mind racing. The story follows Nellie, a 23-year-old college dropout trying to rebuild her life two years after her boyfriend vanished without a trace. When two strangers approach her at work, claiming their sister disappeared under eerily similar circumstances, Nellie is pulled back into the unanswered questions she’s been trying to outrun. Drawn together by shared loss, the three begin following a trail of clues that eventually leads them deep into the Appalachian wilderness, where folklore, grief, and something far more unsettling begin to intertwine. The atmosphere is eerie, melancholic, and consistently unsettling. The first half of the book is fast-paced and gripping, while the second half slows slightly before picking up again toward the end. Even when the pacing dips, the tension never fully releases. One of my favourite aspects was the inclusion of Appalachian folklore. It added so much depth to the setting and heightened the sense of dread. Appalachian folklore has always fascinated me, and while I loved seeing it woven into the story, I do wish we dived further into the lore and the mysterious presence lurking in the woods. For a debut novel, DG Woods did an incredible job. The writing is haunting and atmospheric, with a quiet intensity that lingers long after the final page.