The Willows

by K.L. Allister

A town with a dark secret. A sheriff seeking absolution. Things are not what they seem in New Cresthill.

The deadly forest awaits with bated breath for its next victim. Blood drips from the trees' lifeless branches and the ground is soaked in viscera. When the fog creeps up and the sun is blotted out, the rhythmic chanting and low clicking grows louder. Those who lie within the forest's depths will rend you limb from limb!

Beware The Willows...

From the author that brought you "CARNIVORES" and "Last Call" comes his junior entry that takes on a much different approach. More character and plot based, The Willows takes you on a bloody and emotional journey following our characters as they try to balance self-righteousness and utter hopelessness, all the while combatting an evil they have never known. The forest awaits...

Genres: Horror

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 23, 2024

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm pretty stumped on this one. I enjoy KL Allister's writing. Great story. Fun character dynamics and banter. Monsters and gore and tons of interesting depth and lore. Even the segment of how Brett met his wife had me laughing, too. However, I just couldn't connect with it at all. I can't even say that this wasn't a fit for my particular preferences, because that would be a lie. Just something with the story left me feeling very fatigued. Possibly the depth and scope of the cultist dealings, which got pretty out there at several points, dragged on a bit more than it needed to. But, I dunno...just a weird reading experience for me today. Beyond that, this had all the makings of a great story. Ignore me. I still highly recommend it.

[KorenaJo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this a 4.5. This book was scary AF the characters were great and towards the end it gets so intense I literally yelled out WTF at Starbucks while I was finishing it up. Keisha broke me 🫣

[Paige Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The last thing he perceived to feel was his left leg being ripped from its socket in one clean, swift motion. The audible tearing and squelching of sinew were so loud that it shook the very foundation of the Earth. The creature then tossed Sean’s bloody, lifeless body aside. It heaved the dismembered appendage above its dark, vicious maw and long, snake-like tongue, draining the limb of blood and satiating its terrible hunger.” 👀😱🫣

This story… terrified me. I was also pleasantly surprised by how different this story was compared to Allister’s previous works. This story is still 100% chilling and horrific but definitely falls into the folklore horror category vs his prior works being of the extreme horror/splatterpunk genres. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever find a book that could terrify me as much as Stolen Tongues did but this one definitely landed a spot right next to it! All of the characters were very nicely written as well as the dialogue. K.L.’s writing is so immersive. Every story I’ve read never disappoints and immediately has me hooked until the very last page each time! He’s such a great story teller and The Willows definitely showcases it perfectly.

[Veronica ☠️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Cresthill is a ghostly town. People keep disappearing in the woods without answers. Would you survive The Willows?

Sean was a young boy with his friends when they were daring him to enter the woods. The kids were always told to stay away from the woods because horrors live there. Kids being kids, they didn't believe these tales and were daring Sean to enter. He does to not get made fun of but once he enters the misty woods, Sean is scared and starts to see things.

James was the sheriff of New Chresthill when he got the call from Sean's mom that he's been missing and the last place he was seen was in The Willows. Memories of 20 years ago come flooding back to James as he remembers the one awful night that changed his life forever and the town. Now he must gather his team to get rid of the monsters taking over.

From start to finish, this book was excellent! I've been diving into folklore and monster stories more and this book delivered everything I love. Lovable characters, delicious gore, and an excellent story line. I love a cult story and this was one of the best out there! My heart broke for James and Brett was a breath of fresh air! If you love cults, folklore, monsters, violence, and great gore, I highly suggest to grab The Willows! You won't be disappointed!

[🥀TheBookWyrm🥀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author was amazing and gave me an ARC of this novel. For me this was a big comfort read. I was really sick and fell into this world. It gave me hours of comfort. The characters were alive and the world was just beautifully written. I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved this story. And the author was just amazing.

[Mandy Baumann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave it a shot, got to 50% like I told myself I would and DNFd it because it was getting insane.
It started out incredible. So gripping and atmospheric, the detail was amazing! But it got so wild and off the rails, and the cult perspective got so confusing, I gave up.
It just wasn’t for me, and couldn’t keep my attention.

ALSO just adding I have no hate for the author or story what so ever, this just wasn’t my jam. I hope it’s everyone else’s 🙂

[Sarah DeRosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike Allister’s first two novellas, this read ventures from the realistic elements we are familiar with in his writing to a twisted horror story of folklore. You get all the sick depravity that you can expect from a multi-talented author who is so skilled at writing gore. However, this is action packed while still maintaining strong character development and story telling. Definitely one to grab!

[Angel Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the first two books from this author. This is a departure from the extreme horror that I've read from K.L. However, despite that this was an excellent novel. Instead of extreme horror, the author heads into something more realistic and perhaps more sinister. A forest that contains creatures ready to devour those foolish enough to enter.

While the first two books were great, I could tell he really enjoyed writing this one. I saw the effort put in to make the world shine. The description of the forest really got me into the story. The details in the story tell me that the author is evolving. He did mention this was his passion project and it reads like one. It is a different book, but it's still filled with gore and action just like the other two books he's written.

Go read it today if you love forest and creature horror.

[Kat Kerlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will not want to stop turning the pages of this book!!! Amazingly written with the characters’ depths of their emotions and back stories all while simultaneously creating the horrors they are brutally encountering. Everything worked so well together in these book and of course with the gore vividly described as well. 100/10 horror and splatterpunk readers y’all NEED to read this book.

[Zaq Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good story. The plotline, the story itself, the characters, the absolute LORE was really well done and all played together to deliver something truly entertaining to horror readers.

There were a few times that the tone wasn't fully realized before changing in a bit of a jarring way. For the record, this could entirely just be me.

Great work by Allister.

[Rachal Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allisters third book is a different approach than his former two but still brings forth the gore and humorous banter that makes his writing top notch. Character driven, mysterious and full of intensity I highly recommend.

[Jessie Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

God damn this book has an eerie feel throughout! An unusual one for me but I absolutely loved this creature feature! This author has shown he can write pretty much everything with releasing this abomination. With the fair share of gore that we would expect but also an outstanding story to pair!

[Dylan Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and I really, really enjoyed it. It is a bloody adrenaline rush without sacrificing character development (characters are another story) or storyline. I can't wait to dive into this author's other books---past and future!

[Erin Sterett · Rating 5 out of 5]

K. L. Allister is coming out with his third book, and I was lucky enough to snag an ARC. If you have like nasty creatures, creepy woods, and gore you’re in for a real treat! This one is a different tone than his last two books, but still packs a punch. It was a great read! You’re not going to want to miss this one! Always remember, “Beware of the Willows!”

[Jerod Doughty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one hell of a wild ride. From the first page to the last I was on the edge of my seat. Great book by an amazing author.

[Michelle Doughty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was suspenseful from the very first chapter. Very well written. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Jamie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Willows is Splatter Chatter’s book club pick this month!
🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸

As soon as you start reading you’re diving into action in The Willows. Following quite a few different characters and you’re not sure what secrets they are keeping or what side they are on which was a fun addition to keep you invested in the story.

K.L. has a way with words especially when it comes to gore! Descriptive and visceral with that poetic quality. Gore is always more fun to read when it sounds pretty!

I had fun with this book, I enjoyed the characters and the story and also without spoiling too much, K.L. doesn’t care about whether he’s giving you a happy ending or not throughout. This is one reason I enjoy the whole horror genre so much. They often say “f*ck your happy ending” but you still get to the end you’re like “damn, that was good”.

Can’t wait to check out other books by K.L.

Happy reading 📖

[lolly Storm sparrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear I wrote a review for this. However it appears not.
This story had an eerie undertone from the off, this remained throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline.
It had loads of twists and turns, was beautifully written and I'd highly recommend it. 🖤

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware The Willows...K.L. Allister's newest book is nothing short of a bloody good time. This is a departure from this first two stories, which are phenomenal by the way, as it is less extreme and more focused on the plot. But that doesn't mean it doesn't feature gore galore!

I love the intensity with which K.L. Allister writes, and this time, in a character and plot driven story, he really let his talent shine. I couldn't burn through the pages fast enough to unravel this delightfully twisted tale. If you like menacing monsters set against a hauntingly beautiful setting, this is the book for you. K.L. Allister really finds his voice, and is sure to draw in fans new and old with this one.

[Stu Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the newest and most exciting writers in the genre. His first two books delivered us a bouquet of guts and gore. This one has that in abundance, and a masterfully told story, that shows the versitality of the writer.
Skips along at a beautiful pace that delivers from beginning to end. Nice divergence of characters, that lead you to an absolutely climatic ending. This author will undoubtedly carve a fantastic reputation.

[Colin Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading Alisters work since carnivores and he never disappoints. His venture into folk horror was incredible the guy is fantastic and keeps banging out winners