A Girl Walks into the Forest

For as long as she can remember, Valla’s been told her beauty would give her a life most people only dreamed of. So when the mysterious Count Leonid calls on her to be his betrothed, Valla jumps at the chance to leave her small, bleak village. The only thing standing in her way? The journey through the dangerous Gottyar Wood that many don’t survive.Filled with deadly and cunning creatures, the Gottyar immediately delivers on its reputation with an attack that leaves Valla injured; her face torn to shreds. Barely making it to the castle in one piece, Valla is relieved to finally be safe. But things have changed. Valla’s face is no longer beautiful. And the Count is not happy…Valla thought making it through the Gottyar was a victory, but when she sees what awaits beyond the palace walls, the true battle begins.

"Well-crafted and deeply unsettling, this folktale-influenced horror novel will captivate fans of the genre, but it’s not for the faint of heart. A grim triumph." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"This dark and foreboding mash-up is rife with shadowy secrets and scary fairy-tale touches. Excellent character development, unsettling and atmospheric world building, and numerous but well-woven folklore references combine for a deeply suspenseful, darkly vengeful tale of self-discovery." — Booklist (starred review)

"Riveting action and break-neck pacing, Roux conjures a raw horror narrative using deliciously grisly moments that subvert traditional fairy tale fare." — Publishers Weekly

"In fine Gothic tradition combined with a folkloric, ecofeminist perspective, Roux conjures a superbly atmospheric tale of horror and radical empowerment. The novel’s feminism displays nuance, showing that institutional patriarchy has harmed not just women but also men and even the natural and supernatural worlds." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books