What the Woods Took

By Courtney Gould
** Publication Date 10 December 2024 **
​4 stars
This book definitely has some trigger warnings, which is fair, since it focuses on kids attending a ‘wilderness’ program to try to rehabilitate bad behaviors. Just prefacing in case that might be an issue for you.


The story starts with Devin, a foster teen, being kidnapped. But she’s not really being kidnapped, as it becomes clear, her foster parents have arranged this abduction. Forced into a van with another teen, Ollie, they find out that they’re headed a long way to the forest. Ollie appears defeated, Devin is still angry.


When they reach the destination they find three other teens and two adults waiting. Sheridan, Hannah, and Aiden, who have also been sent by their families as a last resort to curb bad behaviors. Their leaders Liv & Ethan don’t look much older than them. Handed a pack of what they’ll need and an overview of what’s to come, they begin their 50 days in the wild.


As the days progress, things get strange. The leaders vanish. The five teens are stuck trying to figure out how to survive. And something is living in the treetops and tormenting them. 


Unbelievably frightening and detailed, this novel really gave me pause about sending your kids on one of these encounters. Not to mention whatever it was stalking them in the forest. It’s a chilling account that definitely leaves some things in the woods that are better left there. No spoilers, but these kids have to pull their crap together and work as a unit, something none of them is really comfortable with. Great story. Loved how intense it was.