Book Review: The Ghost Woods by CJ Cooke

I love a split narrative story! Different points of view on the same story can broaden the reader’s scope of what’s going on, and you get that lovely situation of the reader knowing more than the character. ‘The Ghost Woods’ is split between two female leads, one melancholy and meek, the other more assertive and bold, but both have found themselves in the same unfortunate situation - pregnant out of wedlock at a time when that was not tolerated by society. They are both sent to Lichen Hall to have their babies safely out of sight, and get them adopted. But the stories about the hall, its occupants, and the woods that surround it, suggest that something isn’t quite right there…

The story blends gothic tragedy, fairytale and folklore with more modern messages around womens’ rights and acceptance. It’s not subtle, but it doesn’t need to be; the situation the women of this story are in is a terrible, heartbreaking one, and the unfairness of it cannot be understated. It’s a haunting, melancholy read that gets you attached to the characters slowly and then ramps up the stakes at the end. And though I can’t say much more for fear of spoilers, I will say that you’ll never look at a mushroom in the same way again after reading this book! 

A highly enjoyable read, and I will certainly be looking out for CJ Cooke’s other books.