Books like Don't Let the Forest In by C. G. Drews

Andrew Perrault, a senior at Wickwood Academy, channels his feelings for Thomas Rye into twisted fairytales, hoping the stories will help him cope with his turbulent emotions. With a twin sister, Dove, keeping him at bay, Andrew leans more heavily on Thomas for emotional support. Thomas, whose entire home life has suddenly disappeared, arrives at school with blood on his sleeve and remains tight‑lipped about his past. Their relationship deepens while their drawings of grotesque monsters begin to take on a life of their own—first small sketches curiously mirroring the forest’s shadows, then larger, violent versions that haunt the school grounds. When Andrew discovers Thomas fighting a monstrous creature that seems to have sprung from his own drawings, the pair realize they must battle night after night to protect friends and classmates. As the monsters grow stronger and the bond between the boys intensifies, Andrew fears that the only way to stop the horrors may be to destroy the very creator of the nightmarish beings. Set in a gothic atmosphere and exploring themes of queer identity, adolescence, and the power of art, the novel blends romance, fantasy, mystery, and horror in a young adult narrative.

First publish date: 2024