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ryantlabee's review
4.0
A Nightmarish Journey: A Review of ‘The Boy in the Woods’ by Scott Thomas
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
Scott Thomas’s ‘The Boy in the Woods’ takes readers on a chilling and suspenseful ride through the dark recesses of a summer camp, delivering on the promise of a blood-soaked, page-turning horror novella. Anchored by a relatable protagonist and an atmosphere dripping with dread, this tale will surely satisfy fans of the genre.
Eddie Reicher, a young boy burdened by a disfigured face and the scars of childhood taunting, finds himself stranded for another night at Camp Cottonwood. With only the company of the camp staff, teen counselors, and a fellow camper left behind, the stage is set for a night of unspeakable horrors. Thomas skillfully portrays Eddie’s suffering and resilience, creating a character that elicits genuine empathy from readers. As the suspense escalates, we are compelled to follow Eddie’s journey through his worst night, feeling the weight of his fear and determination.
While ‘The Boy in the Woods’ succeeds in crafting an atmosphere of constant danger and a sense of impending doom, there are moments when the narrative falls short in providing sufficient exposition. Certain aspects remain shrouded in mystery, leaving unanswered questions that might have enriched the overall experience. Additionally, aside from Eddie, the supporting characters lack the development needed to truly make them shine.
However, the ending of ‘The Boy in the Woods’ is worthy of special mention. Without venturing into spoiler territory, I can say that it left me with a lingering sense of unease and provoked contemplation about its implications long after I closed the book. It is an ending that horror aficionados will relish, encapsulating the relentless terror that permeates the entire novella.
Scott Thomas skillfully weaves a web of increasing dread, never allowing readers’ hearts to find respite. The pacing is relentless, propelling the story forward with a sense of urgency that keeps us engaged until the final pages. Thomas’s evocative prose paints vivid images of gruesome encounters, immersing readers in a chilling atmosphere where every shadow conceals an unknown horror.
Drawing on classic horror tropes, particularly those associated with “Summer Camp Slashers,” ‘The Boy in the Woods’ delivers an action-packed and gore-soaked experience that will leave fans of the genre satisfied. While the depth of character development could have been more pronounced, the overall impact of the novella remains undeniably effective.
For those seeking a suspenseful and unsettling read that will keep them guessing and haunt their thoughts long after the last page is turned, ‘The Boy in the Woods’ is a worthy choice. Brace yourself for a nightmarish journey that peels back the veneer of summer camp nostalgia and reveals the darkness that lurks within its deepest corners.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
Scott Thomas’s ‘The Boy in the Woods’ takes readers on a chilling and suspenseful ride through the dark recesses of a summer camp, delivering on the promise of a blood-soaked, page-turning horror novella. Anchored by a relatable protagonist and an atmosphere dripping with dread, this tale will surely satisfy fans of the genre.
Eddie Reicher, a young boy burdened by a disfigured face and the scars of childhood taunting, finds himself stranded for another night at Camp Cottonwood. With only the company of the camp staff, teen counselors, and a fellow camper left behind, the stage is set for a night of unspeakable horrors. Thomas skillfully portrays Eddie’s suffering and resilience, creating a character that elicits genuine empathy from readers. As the suspense escalates, we are compelled to follow Eddie’s journey through his worst night, feeling the weight of his fear and determination.
While ‘The Boy in the Woods’ succeeds in crafting an atmosphere of constant danger and a sense of impending doom, there are moments when the narrative falls short in providing sufficient exposition. Certain aspects remain shrouded in mystery, leaving unanswered questions that might have enriched the overall experience. Additionally, aside from Eddie, the supporting characters lack the development needed to truly make them shine.
However, the ending of ‘The Boy in the Woods’ is worthy of special mention. Without venturing into spoiler territory, I can say that it left me with a lingering sense of unease and provoked contemplation about its implications long after I closed the book. It is an ending that horror aficionados will relish, encapsulating the relentless terror that permeates the entire novella.
Scott Thomas skillfully weaves a web of increasing dread, never allowing readers’ hearts to find respite. The pacing is relentless, propelling the story forward with a sense of urgency that keeps us engaged until the final pages. Thomas’s evocative prose paints vivid images of gruesome encounters, immersing readers in a chilling atmosphere where every shadow conceals an unknown horror.
Drawing on classic horror tropes, particularly those associated with “Summer Camp Slashers,” ‘The Boy in the Woods’ delivers an action-packed and gore-soaked experience that will leave fans of the genre satisfied. While the depth of character development could have been more pronounced, the overall impact of the novella remains undeniably effective.
For those seeking a suspenseful and unsettling read that will keep them guessing and haunt their thoughts long after the last page is turned, ‘The Boy in the Woods’ is a worthy choice. Brace yourself for a nightmarish journey that peels back the veneer of summer camp nostalgia and reveals the darkness that lurks within its deepest corners.
zacnation's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
reads_vicariously's review
4.0
Knocked this out in about an hour and really enjoyed it! Biggest takeaways for me, and what made this so great, are the edge-of-your-seat suspense and the wonderfully detailed imagery of the setting. This is a short read, and after a big of exposition it rips along at a break-neck pace. I was constantly fearing for the safety of our leads, and the author does an excellent job of ratcheting up the tension and the gore!
I also really enjoyed the setting of the summer camp (classic horror fare). The story did a great job of putting me right there in the moment and helping me picture exactly what was happening. Especially that scene in the dark pit of the amphitheater...oh man. I'm getting chills just thinking about it. I believe I was also having flashbacks to Boy Scott camp (which were less bloody, but sometimes just as horrifying).
The plot is fairly routine, which is mostly why I knocked off a star, but that doesn't make it any less fun. Reminds me of a blend of camp slashers, a little of Cabin Fever, and definitely some of Sean Seebach's THE BUCK STOPS HERE. All in all it was a blast to tear through and I would definitely recommend it!
I also really enjoyed the setting of the summer camp (classic horror fare). The story did a great job of putting me right there in the moment and helping me picture exactly what was happening. Especially that scene in the dark pit of the amphitheater...oh man. I'm getting chills just thinking about it. I believe I was also having flashbacks to Boy Scott camp (which were less bloody, but sometimes just as horrifying).
The plot is fairly routine, which is mostly why I knocked off a star, but that doesn't make it any less fun. Reminds me of a blend of camp slashers, a little of Cabin Fever, and definitely some of Sean Seebach's THE BUCK STOPS HERE. All in all it was a blast to tear through and I would definitely recommend it!
spooky_librarian's review
5.0
“Eddie Reicher was a freak. They all said it, and so that’s what he believed.”
•
Scott Thomas has done it again with this gripping horror about a night at camp gone terribly, terribly wrong. Young Eddie-Dog Face-Reicher is bummed about staying at Camp Cottonwood one more night, wishing his parents could’ve picked him up on schedule like the other kids’ parents. But maybe it won’t be so bad! After all, he’s not alone. The cool camp counselors are also staying behind as well as June, the one person who never treated Eddie like “The Freak” everyone else thought he was. But when night falls and an unknown evil starts making its way through camp, Eddie wishes more than anything to go home.
•
I read THE BOY IN THE WOODS easily in a day! In only 142 pages, the story had such a strong, steady build up to the terror awaiting somewhere in the woods. What I absolutely loved about it, was the fact that I had no idea what was in store for Camp Cottonwood and those left behind! I found myself anxiously asking questions and taking guesses as to what it was I needed to be afraid of. Plus it’s gory, it’s creepy, and I will be shocked if this story doesn’t make you itchy.
•
THE BOY IN THE WOODS is the perfect, quick read to make your skin crawl and it’s available on the inkshares website!
(Special thanks to Inkshares, Night Worms, and author Scott Thomas for this surprise copy for review! )
#NightWormsBookParty
•
Scott Thomas has done it again with this gripping horror about a night at camp gone terribly, terribly wrong. Young Eddie-Dog Face-Reicher is bummed about staying at Camp Cottonwood one more night, wishing his parents could’ve picked him up on schedule like the other kids’ parents. But maybe it won’t be so bad! After all, he’s not alone. The cool camp counselors are also staying behind as well as June, the one person who never treated Eddie like “The Freak” everyone else thought he was. But when night falls and an unknown evil starts making its way through camp, Eddie wishes more than anything to go home.
•
I read THE BOY IN THE WOODS easily in a day! In only 142 pages, the story had such a strong, steady build up to the terror awaiting somewhere in the woods. What I absolutely loved about it, was the fact that I had no idea what was in store for Camp Cottonwood and those left behind! I found myself anxiously asking questions and taking guesses as to what it was I needed to be afraid of. Plus it’s gory, it’s creepy, and I will be shocked if this story doesn’t make you itchy.
•
THE BOY IN THE WOODS is the perfect, quick read to make your skin crawl and it’s available on the inkshares website!
(Special thanks to Inkshares, Night Worms, and author Scott Thomas for this surprise copy for review! )
#NightWormsBookParty
angelmaria1919's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
pbanditp's review
4.0
Short and entertaining. Filled with action, gore and brutality. Can Eddie and June escape the monsters chasing them through the woods? Can you stand the suspense when you hear a twig snap in the underbrush?
“He had once heard that the weight of a soul was a few grams, but the unbelievable heaviness left by its absence was immeasurable.”
“He had once heard that the weight of a soul was a few grams, but the unbelievable heaviness left by its absence was immeasurable.”
tiahales's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
readingvicariously's review
4.0
Knocked this out in about an hour and really enjoyed it! Biggest takeaways for me, and what made this so great, are the edge-of-your-seat suspense and the wonderfully detailed imagery of the setting. This is a short read, and after a big of exposition it rips along at a break-neck pace. I was constantly fearing for the safety of our leads, and the author does an excellent job of ratcheting up the tension and the gore!
I also really enjoyed the setting of the summer camp (classic horror fare). The story did a great job of putting me right there in the moment and helping me picture exactly what was happening. Especially that scene in the dark pit of the amphitheater...oh man. I'm getting chills just thinking about it. I believe I was also having flashbacks to Boy Scott camp (which were less bloody, but sometimes just as horrifying).
The plot is fairly routine, which is mostly why I knocked off a star, but that doesn't make it any less fun. Reminds me of a blend of camp slashers, a little of Cabin Fever, and definitely some of Sean Seebach's THE BUCK STOPS HERE. All in all it was a blast to tear through and I would definitely recommend it!
I also really enjoyed the setting of the summer camp (classic horror fare). The story did a great job of putting me right there in the moment and helping me picture exactly what was happening. Especially that scene in the dark pit of the amphitheater...oh man. I'm getting chills just thinking about it. I believe I was also having flashbacks to Boy Scott camp (which were less bloody, but sometimes just as horrifying).
The plot is fairly routine, which is mostly why I knocked off a star, but that doesn't make it any less fun. Reminds me of a blend of camp slashers, a little of Cabin Fever, and definitely some of Sean Seebach's THE BUCK STOPS HERE. All in all it was a blast to tear through and I would definitely recommend it!
brandontscott's review
4.0
I loved this novella! It made me feel like I was in Sleepaway Camp or Friday the 13th, but with a group of possessed camp counselors that wish to hunt down the only two campers left in their care. I thought the pacing of this story was well done, and I was intrigued to find out what was going to happen next. It had great heart, tension that continued to build as the story went on, and characters that you couldn't help to root for. Give it a shot!