Early Review: A Girl Walks Into the Forest by Madeleine Roux

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Midsommar meets The Shadows Between Us in this alluring mash-up of horror and fairy tale from New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux, where a girl must embark on a harrowing journey through a deadly forest filled with otherworldly creatures, supernatural forces, and one maniacal villain who will stop at nothing to bring her down.

For as long as she can remember, Valla’s been told her beauty would give her a life most people only dreamed of. So when the mysterious Count Leonid calls on her to be his betrothed, Valla jumps at the chance to leave her small, bleak village. The only thing standing in her way? The journey through the dangerous Gottyar Wood that many don’t survive.

Filled with deadly and cunning creatures, the Gottyar immediately delivers on its reputation with an attack that leaves Valla injured; her face torn to shreds. Barely making it to the castle in one piece, Valla is relieved to finally be safe. But things have changed. Valla’s face is no longer beautiful. And the Count is not happy…Valla thought making it through the Gottyar was a victory, but when she sees what awaits beyond the palace walls, the true battle begins.

In this ruthlessly female-forward narrative that borrows from the best of horror, fairy tales, and folklore, a chewed-up-and-spit-out heroine must lean on the brutality of nature and her biggest fears in order to win back what’s she's been robbed her life.
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First line:
I am wrapped from head to foot in tassels and gray rabbit's fur on the day I depart to meet my husband.
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Source:
eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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Publication Date:
 June 10, 2025
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Rating:
 DNF @ 73%
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I did enjoy this book, but I DNF'ed because it's not for me. I'm not sure what I expected with a genre categorization of "fairy tale horror" but it apparently was not "fairy tale horror". Madeleine's vibes in this book are great! There is that eerie folklore feel that you can feel right from the beginning. I enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns that mess with your mind. I'm just not a horror girlie, and we were falling very much into that category about the place where I stopped.

I do think a lot of people will really enjoy this book. Like I said, I just don't really read horror novels. But you'll love this book if you like creepy forests, "wtf is going on" vibes, and female rage.



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