Book Review: ‘A Girl Walks into the Forest’ by Madeleine Roux

Book Title: A Girl Walks into the Forest
Author: Madeleine Roux
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Number of Pages: 323
ISBN: 978-0063284845
Date Published: Jun. 10, 2025
Price: INR 803

Book Review

“A Girl Walks into the Forest” by Madeleine Roux is a dark, unsettling blend of fairy tale and horror that leans heavily into atmosphere, folklore, and feminist rage. The story follows Valla, a teenage girl whose beauty has always been treated as her greatest currency. When she is chosen to marry the mysterious Count Leonid, she believes it is her escape from poverty and a gift to her struggling village. But first, she must survive the Gottyar Wood—a forest whispered about in fear, crawling with grotesque creatures and ancient magic. From the very beginning, Roux establishes a sense of dread, making it clear that beauty, safety, and happy endings are fragile illusions in this world.

The journey through the forest changes everything. A brutal attack leaves Valla permanently scarred, her face torn apart, and when she finally reaches the Count’s castle, she discovers that survival was only the first test. The Count’s disappointment in her altered appearance, the decaying castle, and the disturbing presence of a dead patriarch seated at the family table all deepen the horror. Drawing from Baba Yaga lore, Roux fills the story with body horror, monstrous beings, and morally twisted “gifts” that blur the line between protection and cruelty. Allies are uncertain, enemies wear polite smiles, and the castle proves just as dangerous as the forest. Valla’s struggle becomes not only about staying alive, but about reclaiming agency in a world that only valued her for how she looked.

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While the novel is rich in atmosphere and vividly imagined, the heavy world-building and descriptive passages may slow the pace for some readers. The first half, especially the forest journey, feels tighter and more gripping than the latter sections, though the story regains momentum as events spiral toward a dark and satisfying conclusion. Roux’s writing remains clear and readable, avoiding overly ornate prose while still delivering chilling imagery. Ultimately, this is a strong choice for readers who enjoy lush, creepy settings, feminist undertones, and fairy tales that bite back. For fans of dark fantasy and YA horror looking to push into deeper, more unsettling territory, “A Girl Walks into the Forest” offers a haunting and memorable experience.

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