Review of 'Through the Woods'
Through the Woods
By Emily Carroll, 2014, Margaret K. McElderry Books
Graphic novel, Fairy tales, Short stories, Horror, Supernatural, Mystery, Ages 12 and up
Rating: 👻👻👻👻 (4 out of 4 boos)
“Journey through the woods in this sinister, compellingly spooky collection that features four brand-new stories and one phenomenally popular tale in print for the first time. These are fairy tales gone seriously wrong, where you can travel to ‘Our Neighbor’s House’—though coming back might be a problem. Or find yourself a young bride in a house that holds a terrible secret in ‘A Lady’s Hands Are Cold.’ You might try to figure out what is haunting ‘My Friend Janna,’ or discover that your brother’s fiancée may not be what she seems in ‘The Nesting Place.’ And of course you must revisit the horror of ‘His Face All Red,’ the breakout webcomic hit that has been gorgeously translated to the printed page.”
What’s the main character like?
Since there are five stories, there is no true main character for the entire book… unless you count the woods, the connecting point among all the stories. The different characters all must come to terms with the sinister, dangerously enthralling, and mysterious qualities of the woods.
How scary is it?
The visuals in this book are stunningly haunting, artistically gory, and beautifully scary. The stories themselves are unsettling. The graphic novel’s old-fashioned nature (with settings seeming to range from nineteenth century to early twentieth century) gives off an eerie fairy-tale quality while also removing some of the modern-day terror that newer horror movies can have.
Who might like this book?
Anyone who loves Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark might love the visuals and weirdness of this book. Readers of fairy tales (like the creepy old versions by the Brothers Grimm) may also appreciate this book.
What did I like best?
I loved everything about this book, but one thing in particular I find memorable is Carroll’s attention to eyes. You can always tell when something is off with a character from the way their eyes take on shadows and darkness or become rounder, smaller, or bigger.
What was not so great?
I wish there were more stories! The book was satisfying but too short!