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

Heartbroken

Such a beautiful and sad story, the characters and the scene were amazing. Can’t wait to read/listen to more from the author.

More than I expected

I enjoyed this very much! It was really more than expected, and not what I expected as well. There was a lot of heart, and so much angst and god, the twist. I don’t know what to believe or what to make out of the ending. Michael Crouch’s narration was so so good, he really made the characters come to life!

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.

not what I expected and I loved it

This story was beautifully written despite sometimes being confusing or long winded. I liked all of the characters. There were a couple of twists I wasn't expecting but really enjoyed. This book would make a really good live series adaptation so I hope Netflix or someone picks it up.

Mysterious

So captivating , never knew where it would go such an unusual ending! Loved the story

Beautifully written

The details in the monsters were insane. I felt like they were right next to me.

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. Amazing.

It's so hard to put into words how I feel after reading this book. I want back into the twisted, tortured world, but their story needed to end! I'm gutted. I'm emotional. I cannot wait to read more from this author!

Good ideas but mixed execution

I felt like this book had good ideas at its core, but I was mixed in how I enjoyed their presentation. I enjoyed the story overall in its often dark and harrowing way, but at times there was just so much teenage angst going on that I wanted to yell at the characters to go see a therapist or a doctor or something. Plus, at a certain point the story tries to go in a twisty direction that just feels way too scripted for me to believe was anything other than fiction even when I'm trying my best to play along.

So overall, I enjoyed it reasonably well, it just didn't live up to what I was hoping based on the core story ideas.

Words Escape Me

I am stunned by this exquisite production of this astonishing novel.

I’m old. I have listened to many hundreds of audio books over the years and read far, far more. This is a truly great meditation on loneliness, love and grief written by an enormously talented storyteller and wordsmith.

The reader and company behind this production clearly feel the same as I do about this novel or maybe (and this is the first time I have ever thought this), maybe this production treated the story with a love and respect that added to the experience. Maybe their thoughtful enthusiasm and wonder MADE me love it.

Don’t know, don’t care.
Getting a hard copy.