*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
Quinn is a quiet kid and an outcast at his high school. He has a crush on his classmate, Amber, but her jock bully boyfriend beats him up for even talking to her. Seeking revenge, Quinn goes into the Black Woods to cast a spell and never returns. Amber is convinced the woods hold the key to finding him and the power of the woods looks to claim her as well.
The Black Woods near this town is a place of magic and monsters and the story boils down to how the lure of power and seductive promises can lead to ruin. It’s a creepy read but I felt like I wanted more. There are bits of lore I wish had more time to develop; like whatever the secret society was doing, the motivations behind the mysterious voice in the woods, things like that. I understand maintaining a sense of the unknown can be scarier but I bet this could be expanded and still maintain that mystique. 3.7 out of 5
