WHAT THE WOODS KEEP

Deliciously creepy, this novel is a thrilling, fast-paced read. The author herself admits it struggles to fit in one particular genre, sharing elements between fantasy, science-fiction, mystery, and young adult.

The main character, Hayden, inherits her childhood home unexpectedly on her 18th birthday, alongside some mysterious instructions from her missing-presumed-dead mother from 10 years ago.

Determined for some closure before selling the house, Hayden and her flatmate Del make the trip to the small town of Promise, Colorado.

That’s when things start getting weird, eventually getting Hayden to doubt her tried-and-true defence system of scientific reasoning left over from the days when her father was a respected physics professor and not a Nibelung-obsessed eccentric.

Particularly considering it is a debut, this book is an astounding work.

Even when providing essential background and explanations of physics principles, de Becerra manages to keep the reader’s interest hooked — meaning the book is legitimately hard to put down. What the Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra is published by Allen & Unwin. Available now in bookstores. RRP $16.99.