I ate this book up, literally could not put it down. The writing was both easy to read and so well done I enjoyed it immensely. I loved the dark story telling aspect and language used through out that just added to the setting. I also loved the characters! I really have no complaints because a book that leaves me thinking is my favorite type of book. I am just going to thought dump in this review as well but the rest will be spoilers.

First off it was really well done how Dove was written in; I had no inkling that she was dead until Andrew saw the painting of the three of them and we heard more conversations between Thomas and Lana. Maybe that’s just me, but I think the first couple parts with Andrew seeing her in the car with him, her fight with Thomas that made Thomas “avoid” her, and the glare between Thomas and “Dove” in the auditorium on the first day that was probably between Thomas and Lana were excellent touches. So many things said from Andrew to Thomas also hit harder such as when they had their fight and Andrew told Thomas to “Go be with Dove then”. OOF I wonder if Thomas took that as “go die” or if he was only concerned for Andrew’s wellbeing. This leads me to Andrew’s imagination and how much of what was going on was actually real. Now it’s possible the monsters are real given the fact that Thomas could also see them and all the events that happened around the school, especially when everyone fell asleep and Andrew killed the monster; but I also think it’s possible they aren’t real and Thomas is going along with Andrew so he doesn’t upset him. I should have seen this sooner too because I kept thinking why wouldn’t they tell Dove? She is the smart one and can at least make a better plan for dealing with the monsters. This also puts into perspective the deaths that occurred; Thomas’s parents, Mr. Clemens and Bryce… Did thomas actually kill them? or was it the monsters? It could be Andrew’s way of coping with what Thomas may have done so that He can stay with him. This can also be backed up by the amount of injuries they stacked up that went unnoticed by peers and adults. Lastly, the ending!!!! Oh my god I can’t believe it would end like that. Now I don’t know if it was like they died together or if Andrew killed Thomas and when he spoke it was similar to the Dove that Andrew created and he is not real. Taking both the real monster and monsters not real theory; the forest needed a heart so we know one died, or Andrew ended up killing Thomas after dealing with all that trauma and grief. Either way it’s definitely a dark ending not unlike Andrew’s stories which made for the perfect finish.

Edit: I am still thinking about this book and if anyone wants to keep feeling it too I made a playlist on spotify at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1dyd0V1yjXpCvAkJNFANlj?si=1yZJs--SQNeMXpvkK3TeXA&pi=uOchxb4DQYaVP