One day, Jen's father, a forest ranger passionate about protecting old trees from the aggressive logging business, vanished without a trace. Jen held out hope that he was alive, even seven years later after she left her hometown of Barrow, Washington. But then, remains are found and linked to her father. Jen returns home in disbelief that her father is really dead. She decides to investigate, starting by heading out to find the hidden old-growth forest that her father had protected so fiercely.
I really enjoyed the theme and concept of this story. And it was straight up bone-chilling towards the end. But I also struggled through the beginning and middle chapters of this story.
The FMC was difficult to relate to and even more difficult to like. Her messy and contradicting views on romantic relationships and herself overshadowed the majority of the beginning. It set an atmosphere that did not feel like it would hold true to the promised theme of the story.
The group dynamic was also difficult to enjoy. The dialogue was strangely overshadowed by topics and hormonal energy one would expect from teenagers rather than people in their mid-20s.
The pacing lacked due to the repeated discussions of the aforementioned nature within the group. I believe a quicker progression to the heart of the plot would've improved the flow of the story.
The atmosphere of the forest was thrilling and finally solidified my interest in this story. The FMC finally focused on the mysteries of the forest and the threats hidden within.
This part of the story was quick-paced, jaw-dropping, and exciting. I could not stop listening until I reached the end.
Despite the slower pace and the heavy focus on the group dynamic, which did not always push the plot forward, I enjoyed this story and was eagerly awaiting the big reveal. The narrator, too, did an excellent job and set a spectacular tone in the final chapters.
