2.5 stars

My 'meh' attitude towards this book is that I've read several books that have done this same thing, but better. There is nothing, NOTHING original or unique about this book.

The characters all blend together for me. I was listening to the audiobook and kept getting confused as to who I was following. It was written in third person, which is fine, but the author didn't give any of these kids a unique personality. This could've been about two or three people and still have been the same book. I don't feel like I really know any of them.

Also, there was this weird thing where the author felt the need to describe everyone as they were introduced beginning with their race. "The white girl came through the door", "Two white boys were talking", "The white girl she'd seen the day before strolled over", "she was pale-faced", etc. Perhaps if I had been reading the physical copy it wouldn't have stood out so much for me, but I think the bigger problem is that every character (with one exception) is white in this book. There is one woman who is described as black, but she is in one scene and is literally pointless. She serves zero purpose in the story and we never see or hear about her again (as far as I recall. Again, all of the characters kind of blend together in this book. But the narrator gave this woman an exaggerated southernish accent, so I think I would've remembered if she showed up again.)

It was strange that every character in this book was white, because in the sexuality department, it felt like the author when to the other end of the diversity spectrum. I am all for LGBT rep in books, but it felt like the author was trying to meet some sort of marginalized rep quota and because all of her characters were white she tried to inject some sexual diversity in order to meet the quota. Also, the fact that one of these characters being bisexual is treated almost as a twist (not for the reader. It's super obvious throughout the book if you're paying even the slightest bit of attention. But one of the main characters is surprised by it because she's apparently the most un-observant person on the planet) that was thrown in during the next-to-last chapter.

Aside from all of that, I just didn't find the writing, plot, or setting compelling in the slightest. This is a story about a town surrounded by a creepy forest that may or may not be home to some sort of monster. It could have been SO GOOD. But the writing is basic. The story plays out more like a teen high school drama. It actually felt very Riverdale to me. Not season one Riverdale, but more like what the show became in subsequent seasons (a.k.a. a mess).

The plot and motivations of the characters was muddled. We are presented with a lot of exposition to explain history and characters but there are so many lapses in common sense that I cannot suspend my disbelief.

Four people set out in search of a place to settle, and they decide on an area that is home to a creepy demonic beast? WHY?! Why would they not just...go somewhere else! It makes no sense to me.

Also, the idea that these teenagers would be held to such high regard just struck me as silly. I don't care if they've got powers or whatever, I just didn't buy it.

I also wanted more from Violet's relationship with her mother. There's no real growth in their relationship throughout the book and then because of a plot contrivance everything is all forgiven at the end. It felt like a cheat, totally unearned.

If you are looking for a story that has spooky atmosphere that is actually well-written, I humbly suggest:
Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand (This is what The Devouring Gray wishes it was.)
The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones