Absolutely phenomenal. I loved the characters and setting right away but the best part was how spooky the story becomes. The other so easily painted a picture of these ghosts all while weaving the mystery together. It was definitely one that kept me up at night reading.

It Waits in the Forest is a novel based on Caribbean mythology, complete with bargains with an undefined, rarely name creature that trades wishes for lives. The main character, Selina, doesn't believe in the magic that pervades the culture of her Caribbean island, although her mother did - and possibly still does, but with her mother in a coma for the past two years, following the brutal murder of her father, it's hard for Selina to know what her mother would think about current events. Following the attack that left her father dead and her mother in a coma, Selina moved in with her mother's best friend, Muriel at the age of 16; at 18, she's still there, trying to find her way in the world, when a series of murders shocks the island. The accused murderer comes to the shop where Selina works as a clerk and mystic - playing on, but not really using, the magic her mother relied upon - seeking help for the spirit he says haunts him. Because of his visit, Selina becomes caught up in the investigation, which turns out to be far more personal than she could have imagined.

This novel definitely fits in with the mythology theme of other Rick Riordan Presents novels, although compared to the others I've read, it's a darker story, scattered with descriptions of murders and murder scenes, and more appropriate for older teens and adults than middle school students. It doesn't get too deeply into the mythology of the Caribbean, but does get in far enough to give readers a taste. At its base, this novel is a murder mystery, and it does a good job of leaving clues that will cause a reader to say "Of course it was that character" at the end, while not giving the murderer's identity away until then. There's also a fair amount of exploration of friendship and family, as Selina tries to deal with how her relationships changed, both with age and the change in her family life after she moves in with her mother's friend Muriel and Muriel's family.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This book was a bit darker than I thought it’d be. I’m enjoying reading about the various mythologies from various cultures. This had romance as well as a Faustian vibe to it.

This novel was my first from Rick Riordan Presents, but since I trust that man with my life, I knew it wouldn’t let me down. Sarah Dass is a masterful writer who spins an intriguing web of mystery, folklore, and chills. I am not an avid thriller-read, but everything about this story was thrilling, page after page. That being said, those that read thrillers more often might find the ending of this book predictable, but I frankly did not. Dass finished her story exquisitely, the ending of the novel was truly my favorite part. It was twist after twist and every time my jaw was on the floor. I can only dream of conjuring such a vivid masterpiece someday. I also cannot recommend this work enough for my fellow teachers. It would make an excellent addition to a classroom library, middle school or high school.

Thank you Netgalley and Rick Riordan Presents for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"It Waits in the Forest" by Sarah Dass offers a blend of mystery, romance, and supernatural phenomena set on the Caribbean island of St. Virgil. Selina DeSilva, a young woman ostracized by her community due to rumors of her family's supposed ties to the supernatural, finds herself thrust into a tangled web of murder and dark secrets when a body is discovered at The Amber Hotel.

Dass crafts a compelling protagonist in Selina, whose journey to unravel the mysteries surrounding her past and the recent murders on the island is filled with tension and suspense. The character writing in this book is definitely one of its strong points as well as the setting with the focus on Caribbean folklore, which is something I haven’t really seen tackled in YA literature before.

The novel excels in its portrayal of the vibrant Caribbean setting and its exploration of local mythology, adding depth and richness to the narrative. I absolutely loved the setting, like the descriptions of the forest and the hotel. I could just picture the setting in my head due to the rich descriptions, which added perfectly to the tension being built up throughout the book. I did, however, want a little more focus on the forest aspect, since that is included in the cover/title, and I feel like the author didn’t develop this location as much besides in the ending of the book. I did really like the use of botany throughout the book, especially Selina’s skill and knowledge in using certain plants.

I really enjoyed the engaging mix of supernatural elements and murder mystery as I wondered throughout the novel just what was real and what wasn’t. Additionally, the pacing in the first half of the book was a bit slow though it picks up significantly as the story unfolds. I was not expecting the twist at the end with the mystery, and I was completely caught off guard. That doesn’t usually happen with YA mysteries, so I definitely think Dass created a well-developed mystery where I honestly did not predict the different layers of the mystery. I enjoyed the romance aspect of the book, though it did sometimes overshadow the mystery aspect.

Overall, "It Waits in the Forest" delivers a captivating read with strong characters, unexpected twists, and a tantalizing blend of genres. I think this book would appeal to fans of YA supernatural thrillers and mystery enthusiasts alike, especially if you want to learn more about Jamaican folklore.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for this DRC.
Selina doesn’t believe in magic or seances or talking to the dead despite growing up on the Caribbean Island of St. Virgil with a mother who did and father who believed in her gifts. When a murder occurs that looks much like the one that killed her father and left her mother in a coma, Selina needs to start believing in something. Her ex-but-not-forgotten boyfriend Gabriel helps her face the facts that someone around her is evil but there is also something in the forest.

I liked this supernatural murder mystery love story very much. Strong characters, great twists and wonderful suspense.

#RickRiordanPresentsItWaitsintheForest #NetGalley

Holy Moly Sarah Dass, what did you do to me? The skeptic Selina forges a path in a town that hates her. The slower pace during the first half mirrors the slog Selina is feeling. She's adrift and floundering, when a greater power pushes her toward an unraveling. The states are high and lives are on the line. Thanks to NetGalley and Rick Riordan Presents for an early read in exchange for an honest review.

I’m left wondering if I blacked out while reading because for a book titled It Waits in the Forest, the forest is barely mentioned. There’s maybe 6% of the story that takes place in the forest and not even in a significant way. Not to mention this “It” that’s supposedly waiting in the forest is also not really a convincing threat to the story. I’m highly confused.

This leans more heavily towards a murder mystery and ya second chance rekindling of love than a suspense thriller. Honestly most of the story was spent on the love triangle Selina finds herself in when her ex boyfriend returns. Seriously thriller where? Suspense where? Sure, the FMC is haunted by hallucinations and there are multiple murders. That’s not enough to make a thriller.

For me, the story lacked tension, urgency, and a sense of consistent danger. The story doesn’t really get somewhat interesting until like 90% in. Not to mention the title and cover which I don’t think are fitting for the actual plot of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced eARC.

Yes.

I couldn't put this one down. I was do drawn into the narrative and utterly swallowed by Selina's guilt, grief, and poor decision making. She's as imperfect as she is compelling.

The story and cast is characters are sure to resonate with the target audience. I adored this one.

I absolutely loved this book. I instantly sank into the lush setting and Caribbean lore. I loved the mystery and intense relationships. I need a sequel asap. This newest Rick Riordan presents does not disappoint.

My first novel of 2024 and it's 5 stars! A masterfully written thriller. I especially enjoyed the setting and the book's examination of the double-edged sword of tourism on local communities. My only regret that is that I read this mostly at night (my fault, not the book's), but the great humor within got me through it.

I just finished "It Waits in the Forest" by Sarah Dass. I received an eARC from Netgalley.

Selina DeSilva doesn't fit in with the rest of the island population of St. Virgil, mostly because they think she's a witch whose parents made a deal with the Devil. Things seem to be going okay for her, until a body is discovered at The Amber hotel and the accused murderer shows up to her friend's shop hoping Selina can give him magical advice. Whether she wants to or not, Selina is forced to deal the past, trying to solve the current muders while also figuring out what happened to her parents.

This is a pretty good YA supernatural thriller. Selina is a relatable protaganist as she tries to navigate being othered while wanting so badly to be accepted by her peers. The mystery plays into Selina's inability to accept the reality of the supernatural, as the book keeps you guessing the entire time. At times it felt like the book missed the forest for the trees, and the tension never really got too high. The twist at the ending, while heartbreaking, was not entirely surprising.

With that said, I could see a lot of my tween patrons loving this book, and being fascinated by Carribean mythology. It feels like a good setup book for an ongoing series as we've met a lot of interesting characters that could pop back up and be more than we expect. I would read more in this series, and I think that 10-15 crowd would too.

Wow...these last couple Rick Riordan Presents YA books have been much darker stories than I expected - definitely YA and not MG. This one was described as a supernatural thriller, and it was definitely that! Kept me up reading way too late because I couldn't stop reading. It was scary without being full on horror. I enjoyed it a lot, but also can't wait until I can get the creepiness out of my head.

Sarah Dass takes the Rick Riordan universe in entertaining new directions in this weaving of youthful/middle grades voice, supernatural storytelling, and mythology. Another strong entry in this series.