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We're Not Safe Here
Wispy Falls' town motto "You'll be safe here!" but that doesn't seem to be true. Because in Wispy Falls, monsters live in the woods, and children go missing, and the bodies are beginning to stack up.
A seventeen year-old vlogger known as Storymancer is determined to get to the bottom of what's wrong in Wispy Falls. A few years ago his six-year-old brother went missing in the woods and no one in town seemed to care enough to find him.
So now he's investigating why every household participates in something called the Bloodmoon Ritual, Why crpytid sightings are so common. And why everyone who goes into the woods, goes missing. If he can't fix what's wrong with the town, he just might be the next body in the woods.
Told primarily through video transcripts, message boards, and radio shows, this Welcome to Nightvale inspired horror will chill you to your core.
A seventeen year-old vlogger known as Storymancer is determined to get to the bottom of what's wrong in Wispy Falls. A few years ago his six-year-old brother went missing in the woods and no one in town seemed to care enough to find him.
So now he's investigating why every household participates in something called the Bloodmoon Ritual, Why crpytid sightings are so common. And why everyone who goes into the woods, goes missing. If he can't fix what's wrong with the town, he just might be the next body in the woods.
Told primarily through video transcripts, message boards, and radio shows, this Welcome to Nightvale inspired horror will chill you to your core.
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2025
63 people are currently reading
9179 people want to read
About the author
Rin Chupeco
24 books6,658 followersGone.
Newsletter: http://www.rinchupeco.com/newsletter
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Newsletter: http://www.rinchupeco.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
November 5, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the pre-release copy of We're Not Safe Here by Rin Chupeco. Below you'll find my honest review.
I absolutely LOVED Rin's The Sacrifice. My experiences with Chupeco's work have shown that they have an extremely creative mind and that they try to push boundaries with new ideas, and I love that.
Alas, for me We're Not Safe Here led to mixed feelings.
PROS: Really strong weirdness vibes. Good characters. Excellent creepy cryptids. Compelling enough to be hard to put down, just because you want to see what happens next.
CONS: At times, it was vague in its answers in a way that wasn't satisfying (sometimes the vague answers are satisfying because you can fill in the blanks), including the ending. The blog post/video/chat/forum post format was an interesting twist, but at times, it could be difficult.
All in all, I enjoyed this one, but I do wish there were some tweaks that would have kicked it up a notch. And Rin, if you're reading this (you're probably not), I'd love a novella prequel to give us a bit more information!
I'd give this one three and a half stars, but after waffling a bit on how to round it, I rounded down to three. I liked it but didn't love it.
Definitely still recommended for horror fans who like creative creatures. I still liked the book and think it's worth a read, especially when my misgivings might be someone else's shining gem.
I absolutely LOVED Rin's The Sacrifice. My experiences with Chupeco's work have shown that they have an extremely creative mind and that they try to push boundaries with new ideas, and I love that.
Alas, for me We're Not Safe Here led to mixed feelings.
PROS: Really strong weirdness vibes. Good characters. Excellent creepy cryptids. Compelling enough to be hard to put down, just because you want to see what happens next.
CONS: At times, it was vague in its answers in a way that wasn't satisfying (sometimes the vague answers are satisfying because you can fill in the blanks), including the ending. The blog post/video/chat/forum post format was an interesting twist, but at times, it could be difficult.
All in all, I enjoyed this one, but I do wish there were some tweaks that would have kicked it up a notch. And Rin, if you're reading this (you're probably not), I'd love a novella prequel to give us a bit more information!
I'd give this one three and a half stars, but after waffling a bit on how to round it, I rounded down to three. I liked it but didn't love it.
Definitely still recommended for horror fans who like creative creatures. I still liked the book and think it's worth a read, especially when my misgivings might be someone else's shining gem.
July 1, 2025
ARC for review. To be published November 4, 2025.
2 stars
Told through mixed media, which is a format I love, a teenager called Storymancer is investigating the disappearance of his younger brother in a town that is filled with missing people, but no one really looks for them. Wispy Falls is an isolated town, surrounded by woods; those who live there believe there’s nothing beyond it (this isn’t explained at all, nor is it explained how the town has internet, get its supplies (what, they make their own chemotherapy there?) and this sort of thing drives me insane, so I hated it pretty much from the beginning.). The woods are filled with they call cryptids, but I don’t know that we think cryptids are the same thing. The shady town is filled with shadiness and shady people hiding shady doings. I really didn’t like it, but it’s YA, so 2 stars instead of just one.
2 stars
Told through mixed media, which is a format I love, a teenager called Storymancer is investigating the disappearance of his younger brother in a town that is filled with missing people, but no one really looks for them. Wispy Falls is an isolated town, surrounded by woods; those who live there believe there’s nothing beyond it (this isn’t explained at all, nor is it explained how the town has internet, get its supplies (what, they make their own chemotherapy there?) and this sort of thing drives me insane, so I hated it pretty much from the beginning.). The woods are filled with they call cryptids, but I don’t know that we think cryptids are the same thing. The shady town is filled with shadiness and shady people hiding shady doings. I really didn’t like it, but it’s YA, so 2 stars instead of just one.
November 20, 2025
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 8 hours 6 minutes
🎤: Full Cast
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
General Thoughts:
On paper this should have been a slam dunk. But there was just a few things about this that did not overall work for me. I really liked the premise, but even with a full cast, all the characters felt pretty much the same. I really thought I would like the message board aspect, but honestly, it created so much distance between me and the characters that I found it hard to care about anything that was happening.
The overall premise as I mentioned was really interesting. The shady town and conspiracy theories abound. The unsavory and corrupt government that can't be trusted. various threads of the story that just did not seem to tie together until the end. For all of those reasons, I do really feel like this would be a novel that would work for a lot of people if you are into the format in which the story is told.
Overall, I did not hate this, but unfortunately, I can't say that I loved it either. An average read that I recommend to people that it might work for.
Disclaimer: I read this audiobook via free ALC through NetGalley and PRH Audio. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
⏰: 8 hours 6 minutes
🎤: Full Cast
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
General Thoughts:
On paper this should have been a slam dunk. But there was just a few things about this that did not overall work for me. I really liked the premise, but even with a full cast, all the characters felt pretty much the same. I really thought I would like the message board aspect, but honestly, it created so much distance between me and the characters that I found it hard to care about anything that was happening.
The overall premise as I mentioned was really interesting. The shady town and conspiracy theories abound. The unsavory and corrupt government that can't be trusted. various threads of the story that just did not seem to tie together until the end. For all of those reasons, I do really feel like this would be a novel that would work for a lot of people if you are into the format in which the story is told.
Overall, I did not hate this, but unfortunately, I can't say that I loved it either. An average read that I recommend to people that it might work for.
Disclaimer: I read this audiobook via free ALC through NetGalley and PRH Audio. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
September 30, 2025
Do you love youtube comments and discussion boards? What about endless online discourse, and pesky conspiracy theorists?
If you answered yes- this book might just be for you.
I would describe this as "Scooby Doo" meets "The Blair Witch Project” meets… “The Matrix”?
This story ended up being quite different from what I was expecting it to be, but I wasn’t really upset about it.
Here, we have a teenage boy who makes videos about his small town.
A town where everyone who goes into the woods gets lost, and none of them are ever seen again. Nobody looks for them, and the people that once loved them become indifferent to their disappearance.
After loosing his younger brother to whatever creatures lurk within the trees, he uses his online platform to try and get to the bottom of things.
To start, this entire book is basically video manuscripts, comments and forums.
This style won’t be for everyone, but I happened to really enjoy it.
It makes things pretty fast-paced and easy to read (for me, at least. Perhaps I am just chronically online.)
Though I must say, it feels like a lot of “telling” and not as much “showing”.
A good chunk of the story is discussion, instead of action- which isn’t the end of the world, but I think it did need a bit more horrific display.
With that being said, for most of this story I was really engaged and excited to find out what was going to happen next.
I also love a horror book with a variety of creatures, and good descriptions of them. This had that! So I was pretty satisfied there.
Things got a little bit tricky for me at the end.
I was a little bit… confused!
I am still not sure I understand why this was going on, even though I think I was supposed to. I didn’t really have that “AHA!” moment that I usually have at the end of a book like this, where I am shocked to discover what was actually going on.
I won’t rule out the possibility that it might be my fault though. Maybe I am simply not clever.
Despite not understanding the ending that much, I did like the story overall. I think for a young adult horror, it is done really well. It wasn’t super graphic, but also not too silly or light.
I think the style might appeal to a young audience, given the social media vibe.
Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Fire and author Rin Chupeco for providing me with the eARC of “We’re Not Safe Here”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: November 04, 2025
If you answered yes- this book might just be for you.
I would describe this as "Scooby Doo" meets "The Blair Witch Project” meets… “The Matrix”?
This story ended up being quite different from what I was expecting it to be, but I wasn’t really upset about it.
Here, we have a teenage boy who makes videos about his small town.
A town where everyone who goes into the woods gets lost, and none of them are ever seen again. Nobody looks for them, and the people that once loved them become indifferent to their disappearance.
After loosing his younger brother to whatever creatures lurk within the trees, he uses his online platform to try and get to the bottom of things.
To start, this entire book is basically video manuscripts, comments and forums.
This style won’t be for everyone, but I happened to really enjoy it.
It makes things pretty fast-paced and easy to read (for me, at least. Perhaps I am just chronically online.)
Though I must say, it feels like a lot of “telling” and not as much “showing”.
A good chunk of the story is discussion, instead of action- which isn’t the end of the world, but I think it did need a bit more horrific display.
With that being said, for most of this story I was really engaged and excited to find out what was going to happen next.
I also love a horror book with a variety of creatures, and good descriptions of them. This had that! So I was pretty satisfied there.
Things got a little bit tricky for me at the end.
I was a little bit… confused!
I am still not sure I understand why this was going on, even though I think I was supposed to. I didn’t really have that “AHA!” moment that I usually have at the end of a book like this, where I am shocked to discover what was actually going on.
I won’t rule out the possibility that it might be my fault though. Maybe I am simply not clever.
Despite not understanding the ending that much, I did like the story overall. I think for a young adult horror, it is done really well. It wasn’t super graphic, but also not too silly or light.
I think the style might appeal to a young audience, given the social media vibe.
Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Fire and author Rin Chupeco for providing me with the eARC of “We’re Not Safe Here”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: November 04, 2025
January 11, 2026
Pretty gutted about this one to be honest. I found it on the Libro ALC programme and was so excited to see it was entirely told in mixed media format. Some of my favourite books are mixed media. So immediately downloaded the audiobook. I think the storytelling was done well, the audio production was great, some creepy music thrown into the mix, LOTS of narrators giving everyone their own voice. However, the story itself seemed to lack some depth. The world building wasn't great, there were too many unanswered questions all the way through the books and honestly, I couldn't even tell you what happened at the end of this one. And I JUST finished it.
Overall, not a great read. But a pretty quick one.
Overall, not a great read. But a pretty quick one.
November 8, 2025
Horror Fans!!! Take note.
This is such an amazing and intense epistolary horror book and I'm really excited about that. Rin Chupeco, I love your weird little brain because it speaks so much to my own weird little brain. As a child of internet culture, who eagerly bounds down rabbit holes, and adored Buzzfeed Unsolved, this was basically written for me and my internet friends.
This story is so wonderfully creepy. You don’t just read the story, you live it. Every message board thread, every glitchy video log, every eerie radio segment pulls you deeper into the illusion until you start questioning what’s real. It’s immersive in the most chilling way. The creatures are nightmare fuel, the tension is relentless, and the sense of dread is constant.
But what really makes this special is the experience. It’s less about traditional character arcs and more about being caught in the web of mystery and mythos, like you’ve stumbled onto something you weren’t supposed to see. Unique, immersive, and unforgettable.
I also think some of the harsher reviews are missing the point of the book entirely. This one really hits different if you spend a lot of time online. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I absolutely loved it.
Thank you so much to ColoredPages Book Tours + Sourcebooks fire + the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This is such an amazing and intense epistolary horror book and I'm really excited about that. Rin Chupeco, I love your weird little brain because it speaks so much to my own weird little brain. As a child of internet culture, who eagerly bounds down rabbit holes, and adored Buzzfeed Unsolved, this was basically written for me and my internet friends.
This story is so wonderfully creepy. You don’t just read the story, you live it. Every message board thread, every glitchy video log, every eerie radio segment pulls you deeper into the illusion until you start questioning what’s real. It’s immersive in the most chilling way. The creatures are nightmare fuel, the tension is relentless, and the sense of dread is constant.
But what really makes this special is the experience. It’s less about traditional character arcs and more about being caught in the web of mystery and mythos, like you’ve stumbled onto something you weren’t supposed to see. Unique, immersive, and unforgettable.
I also think some of the harsher reviews are missing the point of the book entirely. This one really hits different if you spend a lot of time online. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I absolutely loved it.
Thank you so much to ColoredPages Book Tours + Sourcebooks fire + the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
December 3, 2025
3.5
Wispy Falls is Not Safe.
Despite a lot of friendly advice and warnings from authorities....there's plenty not to be safe about.
the various Monsters/Cryptoids out in the Woods make it not safe.
you know....people go missing in those woods...
there's videographers...bloggers trying to help ..but when the Authorities can't be trusted..who can?
Wispy Falls is Not Safe.
Despite a lot of friendly advice and warnings from authorities....there's plenty not to be safe about.
the various Monsters/Cryptoids out in the Woods make it not safe.
you know....people go missing in those woods...
there's videographers...bloggers trying to help ..but when the Authorities can't be trusted..who can?
Read
July 2, 2025Thank you for Netgalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Ok I’m gonna be completely honest, I dnfed it. Idk if it was because I’m in a major slump, or the writing style, or the videos and podcasts and stuff, but I couldn’t stand it. I wish this author well but there is no way I’ll pick up this book again.
Ok I’m gonna be completely honest, I dnfed it. Idk if it was because I’m in a major slump, or the writing style, or the videos and podcasts and stuff, but I couldn’t stand it. I wish this author well but there is no way I’ll pick up this book again.
January 13, 2026
2.5/5
as is the case with many a thriller/horror/mystery, the whole is only as good as its ending
while i had a lot of fun following along during the first 80% of the book, everything tied up so abruptly that i was left annoyed rather than horrified
the multimedia aspect of the storytelling was inventive and engaging, but ultimately the story itself did not fully deliver. truly disappointing
the first 3/4 of this book? solid 3.5/5
the final act? 1.5-2/5
thank you to libro.fm for this alc!
as is the case with many a thriller/horror/mystery, the whole is only as good as its ending
while i had a lot of fun following along during the first 80% of the book, everything tied up so abruptly that i was left annoyed rather than horrified
the multimedia aspect of the storytelling was inventive and engaging, but ultimately the story itself did not fully deliver. truly disappointing
the first 3/4 of this book? solid 3.5/5
the final act? 1.5-2/5
thank you to libro.fm for this alc!
Read
January 23, 2026dnf at 16%. chupeco... this just ain't it. if i wanted to read forum creepypasta posts and comments, i would have opened reddit
December 16, 2025
Ahhh, the idea of this one was so good!
A town and its community kept safe by the forest that surrounds it from the outside world that is apparently gone. Also, monsters.
I enjoyed the format, a series of video blogs, online posts and voice overs from the main character. This is such a cool way to build dread in a story/setting like this, and it definitely worked. The downside is you lose any connection to the characters as there is always that distance. Throughout the entire story we don't even know the main character's name, just his username: Storymancer. This disconnect unfortunately lowered my overall rating.
Minor spoilers... one thing that keeps bothering me, if this is a small, isolated town and the rest of the world is gone, how are SO many people liking these blog posts/videos?! Like thousands of people upvoting and downvoting....
The not knowing is the true horror.
3.5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
A town and its community kept safe by the forest that surrounds it from the outside world that is apparently gone. Also, monsters.
I enjoyed the format, a series of video blogs, online posts and voice overs from the main character. This is such a cool way to build dread in a story/setting like this, and it definitely worked. The downside is you lose any connection to the characters as there is always that distance. Throughout the entire story we don't even know the main character's name, just his username: Storymancer. This disconnect unfortunately lowered my overall rating.
Minor spoilers... one thing that keeps bothering me, if this is a small, isolated town and the rest of the world is gone, how are SO many people liking these blog posts/videos?! Like thousands of people upvoting and downvoting....
The not knowing is the true horror.
3.5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
November 8, 2025
What did I just read? And not in a good way..
This books was so engaging and page turning, but it lacked some important fundamental elements. The world building was nonexistent which made the beginning and the end of the book super confusing. I’m not even sure I could explain that ending. I enjoyed the mixed media of video descriptions, podcast transcripts, and chat rooms, but really wish it could have been paired with some exposition. I also enjoyed the mystery the main character was hunting down and truly was hoping for a resolution. Maybe it’s just me and I didn’t comprehend it.
This books was so engaging and page turning, but it lacked some important fundamental elements. The world building was nonexistent which made the beginning and the end of the book super confusing. I’m not even sure I could explain that ending. I enjoyed the mixed media of video descriptions, podcast transcripts, and chat rooms, but really wish it could have been paired with some exposition. I also enjoyed the mystery the main character was hunting down and truly was hoping for a resolution. Maybe it’s just me and I didn’t comprehend it.
November 1, 2025
I was just…confused the whole time. The writing was unique and the concept had potential, but I never fully understood what was happening or why. Definitely one that left me scratching my head more than anything else.
September 8, 2025
Huge thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this!
3.5/5 stars.
i knew nothing about this going in and it was absolutely bonkers! This is told in video style format and while i always think thats very cool i felt it pulled us away from any connection to our main character. i will say, this will probably make for a dope ass autobook!
this was also a lot darker and grittier than i was expecting! the descriptions of this stories crpytids was so disturbing! There were several times after we were introduced to one I had to take a break because it gave me the CREEPS!
I will also say I was also very confused a lot. That might be purposeful tho as I felt this was as much a mystery as it was horror. This town the author has built is widely complex and down right creepy.
Overall I am intrigued to read more horror from this author and I am glad I got to read this.
3.5/5 stars.
i knew nothing about this going in and it was absolutely bonkers! This is told in video style format and while i always think thats very cool i felt it pulled us away from any connection to our main character. i will say, this will probably make for a dope ass autobook!
this was also a lot darker and grittier than i was expecting! the descriptions of this stories crpytids was so disturbing! There were several times after we were introduced to one I had to take a break because it gave me the CREEPS!
I will also say I was also very confused a lot. That might be purposeful tho as I felt this was as much a mystery as it was horror. This town the author has built is widely complex and down right creepy.
Overall I am intrigued to read more horror from this author and I am glad I got to read this.
January 7, 2026
Eh, this was okay but didn't really rock my world. I'm a big fan of books with fun formats so I did really enjoy the idea of a horror novel told through stuff like online forums and video transcripts and thought that was fun. I kept constantly getting hung up on the world-building, though–it never made sense to my why the town in takes place in is apparently the last bastion of a world overrun by monsters but everything in it functions completely normally down to having cars and cellphones (and is also always referred to as a "town" even though it apparently has thousands of people in it and can support a university, a museum, and a hospital) and I thought the explanations being dumped on the reader at the end about what was up with the cryptids were kind of convoluted. Some cool ideas, though!
January 13, 2026
really enjoyed the mixed media analog horror vibes, but was i supposed to be astronomically confused at the ending? like am i missing something?? don’t get me wrong, i loved the style and writing, but is my brain supposed to be jumping through fire-flaming hoops at that last page??? but is my puzzlement gonna deter me from trying my hand at another chupeco novel? ? no, because the sacrifice sounds fantastic
September 12, 2025
This could have easily been a five-star book, but it needs some serious proofreading. Even despite the editing errors, it was still a lot of fun to read, and I was never yanked out of the captivating plot.
December 4, 2025
A book both unsettling and intriguing.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
January 4, 2026
Het was een spannend boek om te lezen. Ook een originele manier van schrijven. Ik kreeg er een reddit vibe, wat het lezen interessant maakte. Ik geef dit boek 4 sterren en geen 5, omdat dit boek mij teveel vragen laat houden. Veel vragen zijn mij niet beantwoord met het einde, omdat het einde erg open blijft. Dit vind ik persoonlijk jammer
Read
January 12, 2026Dnf
November 5, 2025
I’m mind blown 🤯 this is like next level thriller/mystery I love the paranormal aspect. People going missing the cryptids I couldn’t stop reading this one it was just so good
November 3, 2025
This novel is a love letter for the ones who enjoy late night deep dives into conspiracy theories, creepy pasta, and the corners of the internet that leave us wondering if there is something bigger going on out there and if we’ll be able to survive what is coming for us.
Wispy Falls is safe. You are protected. Nothing can harm you. Just don't go into the woods. If your loved one begins acting strangely, do not approach. Call the authorities. The government will know what to do. The government will keep you safe. You'll be safe here...You'll be safe...
When young vlogger Storymancer decides to get to the bottom of the strange disappearances happening in Wispy Falls, the truth he reveals will be darker than anyone could have imagined. But curiosity killed the cat... and he might be the next person who ends up missing.
What a ride! This was a novel I just couldn't put down. Honestly I'm still trying to process exactly what happened and determine for myself what is going on. Told through a series of reddit style posts, transcripts, emails, informational messages, and radio broadcasts, We're Not Safe Here is unlike anything else I have ever read.
As a 90s kid and millenial, I really enjoyed the way the cryptids that plague Wispy Falls seemed very Creepypasta coded. These horrifying eldritch like entities rank right up there with Slenderman or The Smiling Man in my mind. The way the citizens of the town discuss these cryptids and the conspiracies that may surround them triggered a nostalgia that I didn't even realize I had.
I really feel like We're Not Safe Here showcases Rin's diverse writing ability. My only other experience to date with Rin's work is The Bone Witch trilogy and this was such a vast departure from that. The talent it takes to write in such vastly different genres is astounding. I've just found myself another auto-buy author for sure.
If you love books that sink their claws deep inside your flesh and refuse to let go, this is the read for you. We're Not Safe Here will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time you're reading.
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Fire for the gifted copy of this book.
Wispy Falls is safe. You are protected. Nothing can harm you. Just don't go into the woods. If your loved one begins acting strangely, do not approach. Call the authorities. The government will know what to do. The government will keep you safe. You'll be safe here...You'll be safe...
When young vlogger Storymancer decides to get to the bottom of the strange disappearances happening in Wispy Falls, the truth he reveals will be darker than anyone could have imagined. But curiosity killed the cat... and he might be the next person who ends up missing.
What a ride! This was a novel I just couldn't put down. Honestly I'm still trying to process exactly what happened and determine for myself what is going on. Told through a series of reddit style posts, transcripts, emails, informational messages, and radio broadcasts, We're Not Safe Here is unlike anything else I have ever read.
As a 90s kid and millenial, I really enjoyed the way the cryptids that plague Wispy Falls seemed very Creepypasta coded. These horrifying eldritch like entities rank right up there with Slenderman or The Smiling Man in my mind. The way the citizens of the town discuss these cryptids and the conspiracies that may surround them triggered a nostalgia that I didn't even realize I had.
I really feel like We're Not Safe Here showcases Rin's diverse writing ability. My only other experience to date with Rin's work is The Bone Witch trilogy and this was such a vast departure from that. The talent it takes to write in such vastly different genres is astounding. I've just found myself another auto-buy author for sure.
If you love books that sink their claws deep inside your flesh and refuse to let go, this is the read for you. We're Not Safe Here will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time you're reading.
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Fire for the gifted copy of this book.
November 21, 2025
I appreciated the unique concept and storytelling format, which I found to be quite novel.
However.....I felt that the execution needed some improvement, as there were several aspects that seemed inconsistent and left me with numerous questions.
However.....I felt that the execution needed some improvement, as there were several aspects that seemed inconsistent and left me with numerous questions.
July 4, 2025
I think I keep reading Rin Chupeco's books because I want to revisit the perfection of The Girl From the Well. And in this instance the premise was one of my favourite horror scenarios where the townspeople are told not to leave their house at night or not to go in the woods, etc. I was wary when I saw "Told primarily through video transcripts, message boards, and radio shows" but I felt that such a setup could work and perhaps even bring the story to life more vividly.
So, I did delve in with hopes and anticipation, but it just didn't work for me. The whole transcripts thing caused it to bounce around and rather than giving me a greater sense of the character's voice, it just felt dialogue-heavy. The horror scenes stopped abruptly rather than flowing into the next scenes. The characters felt two dimensional and I never got the full sense of the atmosphere of the woods.
I feel bad giving books 2 stars but in the author's defence could I urge other readers to pick up The Girl From the Well.
I received this arc from netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for my honest review.
So, I did delve in with hopes and anticipation, but it just didn't work for me. The whole transcripts thing caused it to bounce around and rather than giving me a greater sense of the character's voice, it just felt dialogue-heavy. The horror scenes stopped abruptly rather than flowing into the next scenes. The characters felt two dimensional and I never got the full sense of the atmosphere of the woods.
I feel bad giving books 2 stars but in the author's defence could I urge other readers to pick up The Girl From the Well.
I received this arc from netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for my honest review.
January 25, 2026
I bought this on a whim based on the blurb. Lone teenager, lost brother, secrets about their creepy town, it drew me in...
But this fails due to one major flaw... it strains credulity, meaning that I was (and I fear, many readers are) unable to maintain any suspension of disbelief.
I wasn't paying attention, as it said it clearly on the blurb, but I didn't realise this was "epistolary" style, with all kinds of mixed media. When I first discovered that I was interested... but that became one of my biggest frustrations with the book. Because the main medium of this book is VIDEO.
This means that the majority of the action is dialogue interspersed with action described in square brackets.
Now, I say "main medium", but arguably this book is meant to be "all video" because each section is titled "video" instead of "chapter", even when that chapter is almost entirely chatlogs on some IM, email, or a messageboard. So, is every video just a slowly scrolling screenshot???
It took me out of the story more than once because I couldn't concieve of how, exactly, this medium was being presented.
Also, the way that videos would describe things attacking, jumping at characters, or moving, it was clear to me that the writer was describing a very visual story... so many elements - which I won't spoil - are hidden in the backgrounds of videos, or move in unusual ways, or appear in unexpected places, all of which would make for fascinating viewing but made unimpressive reading. It's one thing for videos to have jumpscares, but it's a much worse, unscary thing to have a jumpscare described to you. Especially since this writer seems to think that the scariest thing is when people or monsters act in an uncanny way, which is creepy once or twice, but when they rely on it consistently it becomes predictable. And when some of the media being described is published radio, television shows, and news, it broke my suspension of disbelief when they, too, had people suddenly screaming or talking in a stilted way.
Even the transcripts of videos, within the square brackets starts to be written in an uncanny way, which makes *no sense* because this was presented as though it were some objective narrator, so having its "personality" change makes no sense... maybe it was meant to be scary, but I just found it annoying.
And, as other reviewers have said, this has many monsters called "cryptids"... by definition, a cryptid is unknown, and these monsters are well known enough to have museums and PSAs about them, so that's not a cryptid. But that's not my issue. My issue is that they're not scary to read.
See, the book describes the Backwards Lady, then there's Quiet Brothers, Carrion Pigeons, Bloats, Gentle Regrets, Puppetmasters, and I can't really care anymore because it's too much, and they're not described consistently. So, when there's a monster instead of going, "Oh no, it's a monster, run away!" I'm thinking,"Wait, is this the one that you have to slowly walk away from, or the one that kills you instantly, or that one that's harmless unless you feed it... or, was that don't feed it?"
Fear can come from uncertainty, but this isn't uncertainty, just inconsistency.
Throwing inthe creepy secret organization is cool, but even that was getting on my nerves when the story kept insisting that this town was THE ONLY ONE LEFT. As in, everyone else is dead... but, there's still the internet, food, power, radio, and television.
Despite the fact that it's supposedly being attacked by monsters all the time?
So, add on top of that a widespread, and clearly resource-heavy organization which also would require even more resources to keep its top-secret projects going?
Just... no.
I feel like this project was meant to be an actual, online project. That explains the SCP/Slenderman style bestiary, the mixed media, the alternate reality of this story being in a dying world... all of that fits into common unfiction tropes and the "visual" style of storytelling.
Whilst I still have some issues with this story, I feel like it would be better in that style because I'd much rather experience a project like this for real than simply *read about it.* But as it is, I don't feel like this book was worth reading.
But this fails due to one major flaw... it strains credulity, meaning that I was (and I fear, many readers are) unable to maintain any suspension of disbelief.
I wasn't paying attention, as it said it clearly on the blurb, but I didn't realise this was "epistolary" style, with all kinds of mixed media. When I first discovered that I was interested... but that became one of my biggest frustrations with the book. Because the main medium of this book is VIDEO.
This means that the majority of the action is dialogue interspersed with action described in square brackets.
Now, I say "main medium", but arguably this book is meant to be "all video" because each section is titled "video" instead of "chapter", even when that chapter is almost entirely chatlogs on some IM, email, or a messageboard. So, is every video just a slowly scrolling screenshot???
It took me out of the story more than once because I couldn't concieve of how, exactly, this medium was being presented.
Also, the way that videos would describe things attacking, jumping at characters, or moving, it was clear to me that the writer was describing a very visual story... so many elements - which I won't spoil - are hidden in the backgrounds of videos, or move in unusual ways, or appear in unexpected places, all of which would make for fascinating viewing but made unimpressive reading. It's one thing for videos to have jumpscares, but it's a much worse, unscary thing to have a jumpscare described to you. Especially since this writer seems to think that the scariest thing is when people or monsters act in an uncanny way, which is creepy once or twice, but when they rely on it consistently it becomes predictable. And when some of the media being described is published radio, television shows, and news, it broke my suspension of disbelief when they, too, had people suddenly screaming or talking in a stilted way.
Even the transcripts of videos, within the square brackets starts to be written in an uncanny way, which makes *no sense* because this was presented as though it were some objective narrator, so having its "personality" change makes no sense... maybe it was meant to be scary, but I just found it annoying.
And, as other reviewers have said, this has many monsters called "cryptids"... by definition, a cryptid is unknown, and these monsters are well known enough to have museums and PSAs about them, so that's not a cryptid. But that's not my issue. My issue is that they're not scary to read.
See, the book describes the Backwards Lady, then there's Quiet Brothers, Carrion Pigeons, Bloats, Gentle Regrets, Puppetmasters, and I can't really care anymore because it's too much, and they're not described consistently. So, when there's a monster instead of going, "Oh no, it's a monster, run away!" I'm thinking,"Wait, is this the one that you have to slowly walk away from, or the one that kills you instantly, or that one that's harmless unless you feed it... or, was that don't feed it?"
Fear can come from uncertainty, but this isn't uncertainty, just inconsistency.
Throwing inthe creepy secret organization is cool, but even that was getting on my nerves when the story kept insisting that this town was THE ONLY ONE LEFT. As in, everyone else is dead... but, there's still the internet, food, power, radio, and television.
Despite the fact that it's supposedly being attacked by monsters all the time?
So, add on top of that a widespread, and clearly resource-heavy organization which also would require even more resources to keep its top-secret projects going?
Just... no.
I feel like this project was meant to be an actual, online project. That explains the SCP/Slenderman style bestiary, the mixed media, the alternate reality of this story being in a dying world... all of that fits into common unfiction tropes and the "visual" style of storytelling.
Whilst I still have some issues with this story, I feel like it would be better in that style because I'd much rather experience a project like this for real than simply *read about it.* But as it is, I don't feel like this book was worth reading.
November 11, 2025
We’re Not Safe Here by Rin Chupeco
Published by Sourcebooks Fire — thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
Imagine if Reddit, Blair Witch, and The X-Files had an anxious, over-caffeinated baby, and then handed it a GoPro and a cryptid survival guide. That’s basically We’re Not Safe Here, a mixed media YA horror novel that’s trying very hard to freak you out, and mostly succeeds — while occasionally tripping over its own narrative wires like a podcaster running from a mothman in the dark.
Wispy Falls is the kind of town that slaps a big, cheery “You’ll Be Safe Here!” sign out front — and then politely ignores the blood trails leading into the woods. Enter our chaotic good protagonist, a 17-year-old vlogger named Storymancer (yes, really), whose brother vanished years ago and who now broadcasts cryptid-hunting exposés to his remaining dozen subscribers and maybe some government agents. The entire book unfolds in found footage style: transcripts of videos, forum posts, DMs, public access radio warnings, and chilling PSAs that say things like: “Remain still. If she walks backwards, do not speak.” Cool cool cool, no thanks.
The atmosphere? Top-tier. There’s a real sense of dread baked into every page. The creatures? Disturbing enough that I now flinch when I hear a twig snap. The format? It’s a double-edged machete. On one hand, it’s inventive and immersive. On the other, I frequently felt like I was eavesdropping on five conversations at once while someone screamed in the distance — which, to be fair, might’ve been the point.
Emotionally, I wanted more. Storymancer is grieving, raging, questioning everything — but the format keeps him at a distance. We know what he’s doing, but not always why he’s doing it, and that robs the story of some much-needed emotional weight. Still, the ambition is undeniable. Chupeco doesn’t play it safe — they swing big, with cryptid lore, town-wide conspiracies, and a creepy government facility named Penumbra, which is either wildly ominous or just trying to sound like a perfume.
Did the ending answer all my questions? No. Did it leave me unsettled and slightly paranoid? Absolutely. And isn’t that what you want from a horror novel in the end?
“Don’t go into the woods. The stones will protect you.” That’s not advice — that’s a warning.
⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5 stars, rounded up for the vibes and the monsters)
#WereNotSafeHere #RinChupeco #YAReads #CryptidHorror #FoundFootageFiction #BookReview #ARCReview #MixedMediaBooks #SpookySeasonReads #YAHorror #Storymancer #NetGalley #SourcebooksFire #WispyFallsWTF #BackwardsLadyNeedsToChill
Published by Sourcebooks Fire — thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
Imagine if Reddit, Blair Witch, and The X-Files had an anxious, over-caffeinated baby, and then handed it a GoPro and a cryptid survival guide. That’s basically We’re Not Safe Here, a mixed media YA horror novel that’s trying very hard to freak you out, and mostly succeeds — while occasionally tripping over its own narrative wires like a podcaster running from a mothman in the dark.
Wispy Falls is the kind of town that slaps a big, cheery “You’ll Be Safe Here!” sign out front — and then politely ignores the blood trails leading into the woods. Enter our chaotic good protagonist, a 17-year-old vlogger named Storymancer (yes, really), whose brother vanished years ago and who now broadcasts cryptid-hunting exposés to his remaining dozen subscribers and maybe some government agents. The entire book unfolds in found footage style: transcripts of videos, forum posts, DMs, public access radio warnings, and chilling PSAs that say things like: “Remain still. If she walks backwards, do not speak.” Cool cool cool, no thanks.
The atmosphere? Top-tier. There’s a real sense of dread baked into every page. The creatures? Disturbing enough that I now flinch when I hear a twig snap. The format? It’s a double-edged machete. On one hand, it’s inventive and immersive. On the other, I frequently felt like I was eavesdropping on five conversations at once while someone screamed in the distance — which, to be fair, might’ve been the point.
Emotionally, I wanted more. Storymancer is grieving, raging, questioning everything — but the format keeps him at a distance. We know what he’s doing, but not always why he’s doing it, and that robs the story of some much-needed emotional weight. Still, the ambition is undeniable. Chupeco doesn’t play it safe — they swing big, with cryptid lore, town-wide conspiracies, and a creepy government facility named Penumbra, which is either wildly ominous or just trying to sound like a perfume.
Did the ending answer all my questions? No. Did it leave me unsettled and slightly paranoid? Absolutely. And isn’t that what you want from a horror novel in the end?
“Don’t go into the woods. The stones will protect you.” That’s not advice — that’s a warning.
⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5 stars, rounded up for the vibes and the monsters)
#WereNotSafeHere #RinChupeco #YAReads #CryptidHorror #FoundFootageFiction #BookReview #ARCReview #MixedMediaBooks #SpookySeasonReads #YAHorror #Storymancer #NetGalley #SourcebooksFire #WispyFallsWTF #BackwardsLadyNeedsToChill
September 9, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rin Chupeco’s “We’re Not Safe Here” is a YA horror-thriller that leans heavily into mixed media storytelling as the story is told through video transcripts, message boards, DMs, and radio shows. It’s an ambitious, experimental format that works best for those who enjoy transmedia narratives, and it gives the book a modern, internet-age feel, especially when discussing cryptids through social media.
The story follows Storymancer, a teenage vlogger determined to uncover the truth behind his younger brother’s disappearance in Wispy Falls, a small town where people vanish into the surrounding woods and monsters aka cryptids are said to lurk. The townsfolk insist Wispy Falls is “safe,” but as Storymancer digs deeper, he uncovers conspiracies, secrets, and eerie horrors that suggest otherwise.
The book’s strengths lie in its atmosphere and format. The message board threads and chat logs feel conversational and immersive, often making you feel like you’re part of the investigation. The cryptid encounters are unsettling, with just enough weirdness to keep you glancing at the shadows. The multimedia structure makes the story fast-paced and visually engaging, especially during the “video” sequences that bring scenes vividly to life.
That said, the same format is also the book’s greatest weakness. Without traditional narration, characters often feel flat, lacking the depth and emotional nuance that would come from inner thoughts or descriptive prose. The dialogue-heavy structure sometimes causes scenes to end abruptly, muting the tension instead of building it, especially with the ending of the book. I found myself craving more worldbuilding—how does this isolated town function, and what exactly lies beyond its borders?—as well as more description to ground the horror. I just had so many questions about how the town itself functioned that these questions often distracted me from the story itself.
Still, “We’re Not Safe Here” delivers on eerie vibes, creepy cryptids, and the unsettling claustrophobia of a town where everyone seems to be hiding something. It’s a strange, disorienting, and sometimes confusing read, but also uniquely engaging. Fans of unconventional storytelling, small-town horror, and internet-inspired formats will likely find it a fresh take on YA horror.
Rin Chupeco’s “We’re Not Safe Here” is a YA horror-thriller that leans heavily into mixed media storytelling as the story is told through video transcripts, message boards, DMs, and radio shows. It’s an ambitious, experimental format that works best for those who enjoy transmedia narratives, and it gives the book a modern, internet-age feel, especially when discussing cryptids through social media.
The story follows Storymancer, a teenage vlogger determined to uncover the truth behind his younger brother’s disappearance in Wispy Falls, a small town where people vanish into the surrounding woods and monsters aka cryptids are said to lurk. The townsfolk insist Wispy Falls is “safe,” but as Storymancer digs deeper, he uncovers conspiracies, secrets, and eerie horrors that suggest otherwise.
The book’s strengths lie in its atmosphere and format. The message board threads and chat logs feel conversational and immersive, often making you feel like you’re part of the investigation. The cryptid encounters are unsettling, with just enough weirdness to keep you glancing at the shadows. The multimedia structure makes the story fast-paced and visually engaging, especially during the “video” sequences that bring scenes vividly to life.
That said, the same format is also the book’s greatest weakness. Without traditional narration, characters often feel flat, lacking the depth and emotional nuance that would come from inner thoughts or descriptive prose. The dialogue-heavy structure sometimes causes scenes to end abruptly, muting the tension instead of building it, especially with the ending of the book. I found myself craving more worldbuilding—how does this isolated town function, and what exactly lies beyond its borders?—as well as more description to ground the horror. I just had so many questions about how the town itself functioned that these questions often distracted me from the story itself.
Still, “We’re Not Safe Here” delivers on eerie vibes, creepy cryptids, and the unsettling claustrophobia of a town where everyone seems to be hiding something. It’s a strange, disorienting, and sometimes confusing read, but also uniquely engaging. Fans of unconventional storytelling, small-town horror, and internet-inspired formats will likely find it a fresh take on YA horror.
January 2, 2026
Rin Chupeco has always had a special place in my bookshelf as my first ever Filipino author, so it was a delight to be able to grab a copy of We're Not Safe Here. Seven years after first reading The Girl from the Well, I was surprised to find how the grotesqueness of Chupeco's writing holds up even as a now-adult reader; there is a lot of imagery in here that made me feel uneasy and grossed out, enough so that I think We're Not Safe Here would make a brilliant film adaptation just on the basis of its thoroughly-rendered scares. There's real flesh behind the book's prose, a quality both urgent and impossible to ignore.
With that being said, the actual story left much to be desired. The terror of living in a small, secluded town where reality must be parsed through lost media, where citizens must unmask a sinister governing body meant to "protect" them, reminded me of the Mandela Catalogue's best episodes. But unlike in the Mandela Catalogue , the book doesn't possess analog horror's privilege of distracting its readers with patchwork structure. I kept wondering when the labor of keeping up with the various perspectives and formats would pay off, and while ultimately it was the right framing choice, the ending was both too predictable and too "out there" to make the journey feel worthwhile. Finding out and were involved in seemed like a part of the setup, not the payoff.
Given how intriguing the world itself is, there was a lot of potential for expanding on it, even if briefly: how come cryptids are an accepted, even normalized, part of this town? What's the deal with the "settlement" that first sprung up ~45 years ago, leading to the founding of Wispy Falls? Why does the town have modern-day technology when the book heavily implies its founding emerged in a post-apocalyptic society (i.e. the emphasis on not knowing if there are other people out there)? How did such a modern-day society spring up in a matter of 45 years? Seeing as there were fictional message boards dedicated to infodumping lore, I was disappointed by how little we actually get to explore of strange, sinister Wispy Falls, and the characters who find themselves trapped within it.
With that being said, the actual story left much to be desired. The terror of living in a small, secluded town where reality must be parsed through lost media, where citizens must unmask a sinister governing body meant to "protect" them, reminded me of the Mandela Catalogue's best episodes. But unlike in the Mandela Catalogue , the book doesn't possess analog horror's privilege of distracting its readers with patchwork structure. I kept wondering when the labor of keeping up with the various perspectives and formats would pay off, and while ultimately it was the right framing choice, the ending was both too predictable and too "out there" to make the journey feel worthwhile. Finding out and were involved in seemed like a part of the setup, not the payoff.
Given how intriguing the world itself is, there was a lot of potential for expanding on it, even if briefly: how come cryptids are an accepted, even normalized, part of this town? What's the deal with the "settlement" that first sprung up ~45 years ago, leading to the founding of Wispy Falls? Why does the town have modern-day technology when the book heavily implies its founding emerged in a post-apocalyptic society (i.e. the emphasis on not knowing if there are other people out there)? How did such a modern-day society spring up in a matter of 45 years? Seeing as there were fictional message boards dedicated to infodumping lore, I was disappointed by how little we actually get to explore of strange, sinister Wispy Falls, and the characters who find themselves trapped within it.
June 30, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
We're Not Safe Here was probably the weirdest book I've ever read. Normally that'd be a bad thing, but in this case it isn't. It actually works, considering the premise. It was meant to be creepy, and it accomplished that, all the while leaving me with more questions than answers. I'll admit, the beginning was very confusing and slow-paced. I didn't understand anything really, but I'm glad I kept reading, because the more I read, the more intrigued and invested I got.
I've never read anything like this where the majority of the story is told by "message boards" (basically Reddit), and 3rd person POV of people filming themselves. My favorite parts were when we got to see the messages between Storymancer (the MC) and another person he meets online. I also really enjoyed the parts where we got to see small snippets/flashbacks/memories of Storymancer and his younger brother before his brother disappeared.
Only two things bothered me. A character's name and the ending. A character is named Madeleine Withers. Okay. But then, suddenly, she's also called Margaret. That's a little weird, right? But it gets weirder. Later, she's called Maisie. So, which is it? Is her name Madeleine, Margaret or Maisie? That was a minor thing that threw me off. The major thing was the ending. It ended rather abruptly. It ended in an odd place. Even before that, the explanation of everything remains unclear. It felt a little unsatisfying because the explanation was so odd, but maybe that was the point. Finally, I noticed that one of the cryptids (that's what the monsters are called), was eerily similar to a famous one called "Sirenhead." Sirenhead was mentioned on the acknowledgements page, so this other cryptid was definitely inspired by it, which is fine, I find that interesting. Overall, I enjoyed this. It had a rough, confusing beginning, but I became heavily invested after reading more. I only wish that the ending was either better explained, or that it ended in a different place. Where it ended was very abrupt and strange.
We're Not Safe Here was probably the weirdest book I've ever read. Normally that'd be a bad thing, but in this case it isn't. It actually works, considering the premise. It was meant to be creepy, and it accomplished that, all the while leaving me with more questions than answers. I'll admit, the beginning was very confusing and slow-paced. I didn't understand anything really, but I'm glad I kept reading, because the more I read, the more intrigued and invested I got.
I've never read anything like this where the majority of the story is told by "message boards" (basically Reddit), and 3rd person POV of people filming themselves. My favorite parts were when we got to see the messages between Storymancer (the MC) and another person he meets online. I also really enjoyed the parts where we got to see small snippets/flashbacks/memories of Storymancer and his younger brother before his brother disappeared.
Only two things bothered me. A character's name and the ending. A character is named Madeleine Withers. Okay. But then, suddenly, she's also called Margaret. That's a little weird, right? But it gets weirder. Later, she's called Maisie. So, which is it? Is her name Madeleine, Margaret or Maisie? That was a minor thing that threw me off. The major thing was the ending. It ended rather abruptly. It ended in an odd place. Even before that, the explanation of everything remains unclear. It felt a little unsatisfying because the explanation was so odd, but maybe that was the point. Finally, I noticed that one of the cryptids (that's what the monsters are called), was eerily similar to a famous one called "Sirenhead." Sirenhead was mentioned on the acknowledgements page, so this other cryptid was definitely inspired by it, which is fine, I find that interesting. Overall, I enjoyed this. It had a rough, confusing beginning, but I became heavily invested after reading more. I only wish that the ending was either better explained, or that it ended in a different place. Where it ended was very abrupt and strange.
October 10, 2025
I want to start by saying that I LOVED The Girl From the Well Series, so I was super excited for this! A story told through message boards, videos, and emails? Sign me up! But this unfortunately fell flat for me.
The Storymancer, a streamer who talks about local history and paranormal happenings while visiting said locations, has been trying to find his brother who disappeared (or was taken) in The Woods™. The book follows his quest to figure out what is happening in Wispy Falls, through video transcripts, conspiracy theorists, the daughter of a higher up atBig Pharma Penumbra, and evidence from those who came before him. As Storymancer puts the pieces together, he gets closer to the truth, but the truth is far more grim than he could imagine.
I honestly don't understand what happened. A lot of the cryptid lore felt contradictory? Which I felt was on purpose, but there was never any definitive answers which left a lot to be desired. Chupeco's storytelling and visceral imagery is top notch, but they fell short due to the limitations of a multimedia format. I also was overall confused about Wispy Falls (spoilers) I just felt very dissatisfied with the set up and found myself wishing there were chapters of prose wherein we could get some concrete information. I felt the ending was rushed and while I think the ambiguous ending fits here, I feel like there weren't enough answers to satisfy theorizing after finishing the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!
The Storymancer, a streamer who talks about local history and paranormal happenings while visiting said locations, has been trying to find his brother who disappeared (or was taken) in The Woods™. The book follows his quest to figure out what is happening in Wispy Falls, through video transcripts, conspiracy theorists, the daughter of a higher up at
I honestly don't understand what happened. A lot of the cryptid lore felt contradictory? Which I felt was on purpose, but there was never any definitive answers which left a lot to be desired. Chupeco's storytelling and visceral imagery is top notch, but they fell short due to the limitations of a multimedia format. I also was overall confused about Wispy Falls (spoilers) I just felt very dissatisfied with the set up and found myself wishing there were chapters of prose wherein we could get some concrete information. I felt the ending was rushed and while I think the ambiguous ending fits here, I feel like there weren't enough answers to satisfy theorizing after finishing the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!
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