08/21/2023

Jackson (Under the Dome) examines themes of heartbreak, magic, and queer love in this exhilarating fantasy horror novel. Students are disappearing from Regent Academy, an ultra-exclusive boarding school in Winslow, Vt. And it’s not just their bodies that go missing—everyone’s memories of them vanish, too. Seventeen-year-old Douglas Jones, a Black queer scholarship student, seems to be the only person who remembers the teen who was found murdered on the perimeter of the school’s forest. Things get even stranger when Douglas—who has been hearing voices coming from the woods—is thrust into a world of magic after awakening in the forest covered in blood. Accompanied by the 17-year-old son of the groundskeeper who’s been tasked with keeping watch over the forest and the deadly creatures that live within it, Douglas must untangle Winslow’s dark history or risk being swallowed up by the mythical forest’s darkness. Uneven pacing and simplistic prose sometimes stymie the intricate worldbuilding. Still, the pulse-pounding twists, riveting premise, and the enticing character dynamics formed amid intriguing magical troubles ensure that readers will want to follow along to the end. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Oct.)

A gruesome modern fairy tale like this bloody, romantic tale gets its claws in you right from the start. I loved it.” — Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf

“In this nonstop roller coaster of suspense and intrigue, Jackson has crafted a tale rife with terrifying thrills, a perfectly ominous setting, and a healthy dose of heart.” — Kalynn Bayron, New York Times bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead

“Strange magic, mad creatures, and cruel curses abound in this eerie tale of becoming. This book calls to you sure as the dark forest calls to Douglas—and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll answer that call.” — Chuck Wendig, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Star Wars: Aftermath

“Magic, mystery, and murder combine in Jackson’s dark academia thriller that will have you jumping at shadows and eager to stay out of the woods. Sharp, visceral, and altogether stunning, The Forest Demands Its Due will haunt you long after the last page.” — Sasha Peyton Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven and The Witch Hunt

“Jackson’s compellingly complex dark academia captures the magic that is taking life into one’s own hands, of who gets seen as a monster and who is afforded humanity—a riveting exploration of academic privilege that flips the ‘chosen one’ script on its head. Don’t you dare miss it.” — Victoria Lee, bestselling author of A Lesson in Vengeance

“A delightful blend of fables and curses. Readers will revel in the atmospheric prose and determined protagonist. Jackson pulls no punches, crafting a book that captivates and thrills.” — Emily Lloyd-Jones, bestselling author of The Drowned Woods

“An atmospheric horror mystery about refusing to be prey to the powerful monsters that are determined to swallow you whole. Jackson deftly explores what it means to truly end cycles of suffering and how the cruelest monsters are often not monsters at all.” — Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of The Sunbearer Trials and Cemetery Boys

"Jackson digs deep to weave together an exploration of generational trauma, moral corruption, and the power that comes from letting go of the past. A fantastical, queer, grotesque, messy story that fans of dark academia and horror will love." — Booklist (starred review)

"This satisfying and suspenseful genre-bender delivers an uplifting gay romance: It’s the perfect choice for fans of high-intensity action, surprising twists, and fantastically frightening creatures. A bold addition to queer dark academia stories.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Exhilarating. The pulse-pounding twists, riveting premise, and the enticing character dynamics formed amid intriguing magical troubles ensure that readers will want to follow along to the end.” — Publishers Weekly

"Jackson’s forest ripples with misery and power. A measured pace gives readers a chance to absorb the complexity of the characters as they are introduced. Memorable." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The book shines in developing compelling motivations for its central characters. The action and suspense are a good fit for fans of both horror and dark academia. A solid choice.” — School Library Journal

11/01/2023

Gr 9 Up—A centuries-old curse plagues a prestigious academy nestled in a Vermont forest in this fantasy/horror novel. Douglas Jones, a queer, Black teenager from Washington, DC, is given a fresh start at Regent Academy in the aftermath of a deadly apartment fire he was unfairly accused of causing. However, he feels isolated and frustrated at the predominately white school, and is unnerved by strange voices he alone hears emanating from the Atolas Forest. Unease turns to horror when a student is murdered there, and no one other than Douglas and the groundskeeper, Everett Everley, even remember the student's existence. Douglas learns that this is due to an ancient curse, and that he was brought to Regent because the Headmaster believes Douglas holds a unique power that can end it. With the aid of Everett, 17, Douglas works to understand his powers, unravel the mystery surrounding the curse, and ultimately confront a presence that inhabits the heart of the forest. The book shines in developing compelling motivations for its central characters, but a romance between Douglas and Everett feels forced, and the book's resolution is uneven and chaotic. There are a few scenes depicted that might be too graphically violent for younger or more sensitive readers. VERDICT The action and suspense are a good fit for fans of both horror and dark academia, though veterans of the genre may find parts of the story uninspiring. A solid choice for larger collections.—Michael Van Wambeke

Desean Terry gives a compelling--if sometimes flat--performance of a twisted tale of a powerful queer, Black "Chosen One." After being unexpectedly enrolled at Regent Academy, Douglas learns he's the only one capable of breaking a centuries-long curse that stems from a nearby forest. But with the deceitful school headmaster on one side of the curse and a terrifying apparition on the other, who is Douglas to trust? As he enters the woods to complete his task with the help of his new love, Douglas realizes he must follow his own instincts if he wants to get out alive. While Terry commits to an emotional performance, the story's limited character development causes his narration to fall just short of fully immersing the listener. A.A.H. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

2023-08-11
A whispering forest surrounds a school full of deadly secrets.

After being accused of setting a fire that caused multiple deaths, Black high school junior Douglas accepts a full scholarship to prestigious Regent Academy in rural Vermont, an institution filled with privileged students that’s known for producing leaders. After a fight with a bully, Douglas comes to in the forest and realizes this opportunity of a lifetime has been twisted into something nightmarish. After another classmate goes missing, and no one seems to recall the boy’s existence, Douglas approaches Headmaster Monroe about the strange events. Monroe recognizes the significance of what Douglas experienced, and Douglas agrees to take part in Monroe’s plans. Lured to the forest (which seems to call to him in many voices) and unsure of his own senses, Douglas seeks answers from rugged and aloof groundskeeper Everett Everley, the blond 17-year-old descendant of a family with its own connections to the forest. As Douglas’ inner strength becomes clearer, Everett trains him for a standoff against a terrifying and powerful force. They both fear more lives are at risk, including their own. As they work together, the mutual attraction between Douglas and Everett grows. Alongside the growing body count, this satisfying and suspenseful genre-bender delivers an uplifting gay romance: It’s the perfect choice for fans of high-intensity action, surprising twists, and fantastically frightening creatures.

A bold addition to queer dark academia stories. (Horror/fantasy. 13-18)