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The Darkness Greeted Her
Yellowjackets meets Smile in this atmospheric sapphic horror debut, in which a group of troubled girls are stalked through the Appalachian wilderness by a frightening monster that feeds on their deepest fears.
Penny's abusive father is dead…but she still hears his voice in her head, encouraging her to hurt those around her. She can't go to school or be around her friends or even draw with a sharp pencil without her intrusive thoughts urging her toward violence. Desperate to get a handle on her OCD, she agrees to spend the summer at Camp Whitewood—an exclusive therapy retreat in the woods.
She feels optimistic when she arrives. The other girls all have their reasons for being there, which makes Penny feel a little less alone. But then she starts seeing things that can't possibly be the gold watch her father was buried with, his favorite whiskey spilled on her cabin floor...a terrifying figure she calls the Shadow Man looming at the foot of her bed. Penny thinks she is losing her mind, but when a girl goes missing, and is later found dead, it's clear that whatever is happening at Camp Whitewood isn't all in her head.
As the hallucinations become increasingly intense and more girls wind up dead, Penny must work with whoever is left standing to figure out what is real before the Shadow Man uses their traumas against them and claims their lives.
Penny's abusive father is dead…but she still hears his voice in her head, encouraging her to hurt those around her. She can't go to school or be around her friends or even draw with a sharp pencil without her intrusive thoughts urging her toward violence. Desperate to get a handle on her OCD, she agrees to spend the summer at Camp Whitewood—an exclusive therapy retreat in the woods.
She feels optimistic when she arrives. The other girls all have their reasons for being there, which makes Penny feel a little less alone. But then she starts seeing things that can't possibly be the gold watch her father was buried with, his favorite whiskey spilled on her cabin floor...a terrifying figure she calls the Shadow Man looming at the foot of her bed. Penny thinks she is losing her mind, but when a girl goes missing, and is later found dead, it's clear that whatever is happening at Camp Whitewood isn't all in her head.
As the hallucinations become increasingly intense and more girls wind up dead, Penny must work with whoever is left standing to figure out what is real before the Shadow Man uses their traumas against them and claims their lives.
407 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
February 14, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this eARC! All opinions are my own.
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While there were a few parts that I found a bit predictable, and there weren't chances to fully flesh out every single character, this was a really readable YA horror. I wasn't particularly scared at any point, but I like how the horror impacts the characters through psychologically means, turning their trauma and their pasts against them really brings out the capacity for scariness there. The discussions of mental health and trauma worked really well too, and they did feel like they could actually be real people, even as such horrible things happened to them.
I always love me some sapphics, and this was no exception. In the midst of chaos they find their way to each other and I love that. Bonus points for the sapphics.
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While there were a few parts that I found a bit predictable, and there weren't chances to fully flesh out every single character, this was a really readable YA horror. I wasn't particularly scared at any point, but I like how the horror impacts the characters through psychologically means, turning their trauma and their pasts against them really brings out the capacity for scariness there. The discussions of mental health and trauma worked really well too, and they did feel like they could actually be real people, even as such horrible things happened to them.
I always love me some sapphics, and this was no exception. In the midst of chaos they find their way to each other and I love that. Bonus points for the sapphics.
February 3, 2026
With a dark summer camp vibe that included a fantastic supernatural twist, The Darkness Greeted Her was a tense, dread-fueled ride that I couldn’t put down. On top of the atmospheric setting and the monster in the wings, this terrifying psychological horror novel gave a thought-provoking look at mental illness through the lens of an exceptionally well-drawn unreliable narrator. Multilayered and fully fleshed out, Penny was a believably traumatized young woman battling herself thanks to intrusive thoughts and feelings. In fact, she was probably the strongest piece to this debut novel…as well as part of the weakest. You see, in an effort to push the sense that Penny couldn’t trust her own mind, the narration began to feel ambiguous and hard to follow at times. That being said, not knowing what was real and what was a well-crafted hallucination made the entire thing even more chilling to read.
Sadly, however, the confusing narration wasn’t the only issue I found with this book. Despite the fact that this was a teen slasher, I found the content beyond gory at times. With both body and bug horror in spades, I was deeply grossed out by quite a few scenes. I do have to say, though, that this was likely down to the fact that I’m relatively new to the genre. After all, beyond the few hiccups that I mentioned above, I really did enjoy this tale of sapphic horror. An eye-popping read that will keep your eyes glued to the words, it was definitely one you’re going to want to read with the lights on. You see, between the monster and the blatant carnage, I was creeped out but good. So if you don’t mind a bit of gore and love a deep look at some serious themes such as childhood trauma, grab this book now. It’s one that will leave vivid images burned into my brain for a very, very long time. Rating of 3.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Penny's abusive father is dead…but she still hears his voice in her head, encouraging her to hurt those around her. She can't go to school or be around her friends or even draw with a sharp pencil without her intrusive thoughts urging her toward violence. Desperate to get a handle on her OCD, she agrees to spend the summer at Camp Whitewood―an exclusive therapy retreat in the woods.
She feels optimistic when she arrives. The other girls all have their reasons for being there, which makes Penny feel a little less alone. But then she starts seeing things that can't possibly be there: the gold watch her father was buried with, his favorite whiskey spilled on her cabin floor...a terrifying figure she calls the Shadow Man looming at the foot of her bed. Penny thinks she is losing her mind, but when a girl goes missing, and is later found dead, it's clear that whatever is happening at Camp Whitewood isn't all in her head.
As the hallucinations become increasingly intense and more girls wind up dead, Penny must work with whoever is left standing to figure out what is real before the Shadow Man uses their traumas against them and claims their lives.
Thank you Christina Ferko and Sourcebooks Fire for my complimentary Midnight Reads box which included this copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 3, 2026
Content warning: death, OCD, intrusive thoughts, alcoholism, graphic violence, child abduction, home invasion, domestic abuse, cancer, mention of: suicide
Sadly, however, the confusing narration wasn’t the only issue I found with this book. Despite the fact that this was a teen slasher, I found the content beyond gory at times. With both body and bug horror in spades, I was deeply grossed out by quite a few scenes. I do have to say, though, that this was likely down to the fact that I’m relatively new to the genre. After all, beyond the few hiccups that I mentioned above, I really did enjoy this tale of sapphic horror. An eye-popping read that will keep your eyes glued to the words, it was definitely one you’re going to want to read with the lights on. You see, between the monster and the blatant carnage, I was creeped out but good. So if you don’t mind a bit of gore and love a deep look at some serious themes such as childhood trauma, grab this book now. It’s one that will leave vivid images burned into my brain for a very, very long time. Rating of 3.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Penny's abusive father is dead…but she still hears his voice in her head, encouraging her to hurt those around her. She can't go to school or be around her friends or even draw with a sharp pencil without her intrusive thoughts urging her toward violence. Desperate to get a handle on her OCD, she agrees to spend the summer at Camp Whitewood―an exclusive therapy retreat in the woods.
She feels optimistic when she arrives. The other girls all have their reasons for being there, which makes Penny feel a little less alone. But then she starts seeing things that can't possibly be there: the gold watch her father was buried with, his favorite whiskey spilled on her cabin floor...a terrifying figure she calls the Shadow Man looming at the foot of her bed. Penny thinks she is losing her mind, but when a girl goes missing, and is later found dead, it's clear that whatever is happening at Camp Whitewood isn't all in her head.
As the hallucinations become increasingly intense and more girls wind up dead, Penny must work with whoever is left standing to figure out what is real before the Shadow Man uses their traumas against them and claims their lives.
Thank you Christina Ferko and Sourcebooks Fire for my complimentary Midnight Reads box which included this copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 3, 2026
Content warning: death, OCD, intrusive thoughts, alcoholism, graphic violence, child abduction, home invasion, domestic abuse, cancer, mention of: suicide
March 4, 2026
The Darkness Greeted her is a YA Horror novel tackling themes such as sapphic relationships, mental health struggles, overcoming trauma, and features a dark atmosphere.
In this story, our MC is Penny, who has a traumatic past, mostly surrounding her abusive father, that she's trying to overcome. She also struggles with Harm OCD, so she enlists in a therapy camp to try to face her issues head on, and get control of her life back.
Camp Whitewood is very small, I think there were maybe 8 girls total. I don't remember specifically, but it was a smaller group, which gave it a more intimate feel.
Even though we follow Penny mainly, Ferko did provide different sections for the other girls, where we are shown the parts of their pasts that may have contributed to them entering Camp Whitewood. And though everyone had very different experiences, you could tell that their trauma was something that they could relate and bond over.
The interesting and horrible part of the camp is that their traumas seem to suddenly take form in the shape of a Shadow Man, a monster who brings their deepest fears to life. The visions involved in this are truly horrific for the girls, and also confusing.
As their hallucinations escalate and girls begin to turn up dead, Penny must team up with whoever is left to get to the truth behind the Shadow Man, and try to defeat him before he's able to conquer the rest of them.
I liked this. It's a heavy story and does involve a lot of depictions of traumatic situations happening on page; check for trigger warnings if that concerns you. I enjoyed the idea of this Shadow Man entity bringing their darkest nightmares to life for these recovering girls to try to defeat.
The action bits, particularly towards the end, were quite chaotic and I did find it slightly difficult to visualize and track. Additionally, I didn't necessarily find any of the characters, besides Penny, that memorable. They were pretty much interchangeable to me, but I did appreciate the difficult topics the author was addressing.
I think in the YA space this would be a good introduction to this style of Horror for a lot of younger readers. For me, this really didn't do anything new or exciting, therefore I'm not sure how memorable it will be long term.
However, I do appreciate the author's efforts and vision. I know so many Readers are going to be able to connect to the girls' experiences in this book, and that's super important as well. I'm glad I checked it out.
Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'd be happy to pick up more from this author in the future.
In this story, our MC is Penny, who has a traumatic past, mostly surrounding her abusive father, that she's trying to overcome. She also struggles with Harm OCD, so she enlists in a therapy camp to try to face her issues head on, and get control of her life back.
Camp Whitewood is very small, I think there were maybe 8 girls total. I don't remember specifically, but it was a smaller group, which gave it a more intimate feel.
Even though we follow Penny mainly, Ferko did provide different sections for the other girls, where we are shown the parts of their pasts that may have contributed to them entering Camp Whitewood. And though everyone had very different experiences, you could tell that their trauma was something that they could relate and bond over.
The interesting and horrible part of the camp is that their traumas seem to suddenly take form in the shape of a Shadow Man, a monster who brings their deepest fears to life. The visions involved in this are truly horrific for the girls, and also confusing.
As their hallucinations escalate and girls begin to turn up dead, Penny must team up with whoever is left to get to the truth behind the Shadow Man, and try to defeat him before he's able to conquer the rest of them.
I liked this. It's a heavy story and does involve a lot of depictions of traumatic situations happening on page; check for trigger warnings if that concerns you. I enjoyed the idea of this Shadow Man entity bringing their darkest nightmares to life for these recovering girls to try to defeat.
The action bits, particularly towards the end, were quite chaotic and I did find it slightly difficult to visualize and track. Additionally, I didn't necessarily find any of the characters, besides Penny, that memorable. They were pretty much interchangeable to me, but I did appreciate the difficult topics the author was addressing.
I think in the YA space this would be a good introduction to this style of Horror for a lot of younger readers. For me, this really didn't do anything new or exciting, therefore I'm not sure how memorable it will be long term.
However, I do appreciate the author's efforts and vision. I know so many Readers are going to be able to connect to the girls' experiences in this book, and that's super important as well. I'm glad I checked it out.
Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'd be happy to pick up more from this author in the future.
October 24, 2025
Such a creepy YA horror, representing mental illness AND a bit of a soft sapphic side. I was hooked. I loved the plotline and the dynamic between all the girls so much.
September 25, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free E-ARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.
The concept for The Darkness Greeted Her was stellar. A girl with OCD fighting her inner demons at a mental health camp, but also like, maybe an actual demon? That's incredibly up my alley, as a horror fan with OCD, and I applaud the author for her creative ideas.
Unfortunately, I didn't like this one. Not because of the OCD! The OCD was, for the most part, written well. I had personal gripes, but I recognize they're more about how I think about my own OCD. I think it's a good portrayal of harm OCD in general and quite needed in the online space, especially within books that aren't contemporaries solely about mental health. I felt seen by how Penny thinks and comforted by how this book doesn't blame her.
My problem with this book came from what was, in my opinion, a chronic over-reliance on telling instead of showing. There were a few moments where the author simply allowed her prose and subtlety to carry the scene, and those were fantastic. However, the vast majority of the book was repetitive or overly descriptive. In particular, I feel like none of the flashback chapters were necessary. Dialogue, symbolism, and observations made by Penny had me understand every single person's backstory before we got the scene (except Reagan's, but that's because we didn't really meet her). The scenes didn't feel like clarity, they felt bloated. There was also a lot of inner monologue by Penny that was just her repeating the same things we knew over again or providing extraneous information (e.g., we did not need to know her friend Beth ever even existed). I of course understand there's a level of repetition involved in anyone with OCD's life, but it didn't feel like it was supposed to be that, it just felt like the book wasn't quite confident its readers would "get it" ("it" being the characters, the worldbuilding, and the story as a whole). Additionally, every location was over-described. I found myself hit with way too much sensory information at once, leading me to have a difficult time actually picking out what about each location was important.
I also felt like the cast was spread too thin. Ferko attempted to create a well-balanced ensemble cast, which I understand and admire, but... it really wasn't needed. The story would work just as well in particular if we never dove into Quinn or Reagan's backstories and limited the talk on Page, Kylie, and Emma's. The reader could just as easily grasp the horror without diving in, repetitively, to exactly why and how those things made them feel the way they did. It didn't feel fleshed out to me, but rather again bloated and cluttered, especially within scary scenes.
I do still think this book has an interesting concept, and I found descriptions of the way the monster moved and expanded to be well-done. In particular, without spoiling it, the monster's mouth and the fears related to the character Delaney genuinely had me spooked. I also liked Penny, both as a character and an exploration of harm OCD. The book's overall execution just didn't make it for me this time, so I'd have to pass on a personal recommendation.
The concept for The Darkness Greeted Her was stellar. A girl with OCD fighting her inner demons at a mental health camp, but also like, maybe an actual demon? That's incredibly up my alley, as a horror fan with OCD, and I applaud the author for her creative ideas.
Unfortunately, I didn't like this one. Not because of the OCD! The OCD was, for the most part, written well. I had personal gripes, but I recognize they're more about how I think about my own OCD. I think it's a good portrayal of harm OCD in general and quite needed in the online space, especially within books that aren't contemporaries solely about mental health. I felt seen by how Penny thinks and comforted by how this book doesn't blame her.
My problem with this book came from what was, in my opinion, a chronic over-reliance on telling instead of showing. There were a few moments where the author simply allowed her prose and subtlety to carry the scene, and those were fantastic. However, the vast majority of the book was repetitive or overly descriptive. In particular, I feel like none of the flashback chapters were necessary. Dialogue, symbolism, and observations made by Penny had me understand every single person's backstory before we got the scene (except Reagan's, but that's because we didn't really meet her). The scenes didn't feel like clarity, they felt bloated. There was also a lot of inner monologue by Penny that was just her repeating the same things we knew over again or providing extraneous information (e.g., we did not need to know her friend Beth ever even existed). I of course understand there's a level of repetition involved in anyone with OCD's life, but it didn't feel like it was supposed to be that, it just felt like the book wasn't quite confident its readers would "get it" ("it" being the characters, the worldbuilding, and the story as a whole). Additionally, every location was over-described. I found myself hit with way too much sensory information at once, leading me to have a difficult time actually picking out what about each location was important.
I also felt like the cast was spread too thin. Ferko attempted to create a well-balanced ensemble cast, which I understand and admire, but... it really wasn't needed. The story would work just as well in particular if we never dove into Quinn or Reagan's backstories and limited the talk on Page, Kylie, and Emma's. The reader could just as easily grasp the horror without diving in, repetitively, to exactly why and how those things made them feel the way they did. It didn't feel fleshed out to me, but rather again bloated and cluttered, especially within scary scenes.
I do still think this book has an interesting concept, and I found descriptions of the way the monster moved and expanded to be well-done. In particular, without spoiling it, the monster's mouth and the fears related to the character Delaney genuinely had me spooked. I also liked Penny, both as a character and an exploration of harm OCD. The book's overall execution just didn't make it for me this time, so I'd have to pass on a personal recommendation.
December 8, 2025
this was super scary!!! I loved how it ended and the message behind the story! great book!
February 3, 2026
The Darkness Greeted Her was an okay read but ultimately felt underwhelming. One of the strongest aspects of the book was its spooky, creepy atmosphere—the eerie horror vibes were well done and created an unsettling tone that I genuinely enjoyed. I also appreciated the author’s intention to center the story around Harm OCD, which is a very sensitive and important topic. That choice felt thoughtful and commendable.
However, while Harm OCD was introduced as a core focus, it felt more like a surface-level exploration of how the protagonist feels when it takes over, rather than showing her actively navigating those challenges. I personally would have liked to see deeper engagement with that struggle, as it felt brushed over a bit too lightly.
The characters also felt underdeveloped across the board. For a horror novel rooted in Appalachian folklore, the setting and regional mythology were surprisingly underused. There was so much potential to lean into the folklore and atmosphere to heighten the horror, but it never fully delivered. Given the length of the book, it also felt repetitive at times—many scenes in the camp felt redundant, and I think at least 20% of the book could have been trimmed without impacting the story.
Overall, this was an okay read. I don’t read a lot of horror to compare it to, but if you’re looking for something relatively fast-paced with eerie vibes, this might work for you.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for gifting me a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
However, while Harm OCD was introduced as a core focus, it felt more like a surface-level exploration of how the protagonist feels when it takes over, rather than showing her actively navigating those challenges. I personally would have liked to see deeper engagement with that struggle, as it felt brushed over a bit too lightly.
The characters also felt underdeveloped across the board. For a horror novel rooted in Appalachian folklore, the setting and regional mythology were surprisingly underused. There was so much potential to lean into the folklore and atmosphere to heighten the horror, but it never fully delivered. Given the length of the book, it also felt repetitive at times—many scenes in the camp felt redundant, and I think at least 20% of the book could have been trimmed without impacting the story.
Overall, this was an okay read. I don’t read a lot of horror to compare it to, but if you’re looking for something relatively fast-paced with eerie vibes, this might work for you.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for gifting me a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 18, 2026
I didn't realize this was YA, I put it on hold because of the cover. Decent story, despite being YA, started off great and then fizzled out with the repetition.
October 30, 2025
The Darkness Greeted Her follows Penny as she spends the summer at a therapy retreat in the Appalachian woods to get a handle on her OCD. But she starts seeing things that can’t be there, traumatic mementos from her past and then a figure looming over her bed. When a girl goes missing, Penny realizes something is happening at the camp and she must figure out what before it’s too late.
I’m a sucker for any kind of horror or mystery/thriller set in the woods, especially when it’s a summer camp. The vibes in this one were excellent! The writing and descriptions were so atmospheric and terrifying. I also loved Penny’s hallucinations. Things get a tad confusing just as you really don’t know what’s real and what’s not. But it was very enjoyable.
I quite enjoyed Penny’s character. It was really interesting to see how her OCD manifests and how she deals with it. And the trauma of her past. It was nice to see her growth through the novel. I do wish we got a bit more page time with the side characters, beside their individual chapters. But overall, it was a very spooky and entertaining read that is quite gripping.
If you love sapphic horror, especially ones set in isolated places, I’d recommend checking this one out!
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the arc!
I’m a sucker for any kind of horror or mystery/thriller set in the woods, especially when it’s a summer camp. The vibes in this one were excellent! The writing and descriptions were so atmospheric and terrifying. I also loved Penny’s hallucinations. Things get a tad confusing just as you really don’t know what’s real and what’s not. But it was very enjoyable.
I quite enjoyed Penny’s character. It was really interesting to see how her OCD manifests and how she deals with it. And the trauma of her past. It was nice to see her growth through the novel. I do wish we got a bit more page time with the side characters, beside their individual chapters. But overall, it was a very spooky and entertaining read that is quite gripping.
If you love sapphic horror, especially ones set in isolated places, I’d recommend checking this one out!
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the arc!
December 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the arc of The Darkness Greeted Her!
Actual rating *3.75, rounding up to 4 because I am a sucker for sapphic stories.
Penny is a well-written character, and the representation of Harm OCD was extremely well-done. It felt nice to see how dark and terrifying intrusive thoughts can be when it isn’t talked about nearly enough.
The story, while feeling a little more show than tell, is pretty decently paced. Initially, I had trouble feeling immersed as I thought the writing was a little stilted, but the further I got into it, the more I felt on edge.
I liked the characters outside of Penny, but didn’t feel like they were as fleshed out as they could have been. Even Emma and Harper—who we see the most of besides Penny—still felt two-dimensional throughout the book. Their relationships with one another were nice to see, but definitely not fully expanded upon.
I think that maybe a lot of the character development took a backseat to explore Penny’s personal traumas and struggles with her mental health. I enjoyed seeing her work through her inner turmoil and realize that she was strong enough to fight her monsters.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I felt like there were aspects of it that could have been better.
Actual rating *3.75, rounding up to 4 because I am a sucker for sapphic stories.
Penny is a well-written character, and the representation of Harm OCD was extremely well-done. It felt nice to see how dark and terrifying intrusive thoughts can be when it isn’t talked about nearly enough.
The story, while feeling a little more show than tell, is pretty decently paced. Initially, I had trouble feeling immersed as I thought the writing was a little stilted, but the further I got into it, the more I felt on edge.
I liked the characters outside of Penny, but didn’t feel like they were as fleshed out as they could have been. Even Emma and Harper—who we see the most of besides Penny—still felt two-dimensional throughout the book. Their relationships with one another were nice to see, but definitely not fully expanded upon.
I think that maybe a lot of the character development took a backseat to explore Penny’s personal traumas and struggles with her mental health. I enjoyed seeing her work through her inner turmoil and realize that she was strong enough to fight her monsters.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I felt like there were aspects of it that could have been better.
November 10, 2025
Scary-good. TDGH is a YA sapphic horror novel. Ferko’s debut. The story has a clear protagonist, layered antagonist. It is an eerie slow burn. Set in an all-girls camp with a focus on mental health - think cabins in the woods. A story of bravery and survival. It was an immersive read. Finished within a week. 5/5. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for giving me an ARC of this book.
The beginning of the novel certainly grasps your attention, but we never did click. There was a lot of repetition that eventually got me so used to unsettling moments they lost their tension, and the suspense of disbelief that I needed in order to accept the workings of the story didn't quite set in for me. I wasn't overall charmed, but still found it to be a good idea.
The beginning of the novel certainly grasps your attention, but we never did click. There was a lot of repetition that eventually got me so used to unsettling moments they lost their tension, and the suspense of disbelief that I needed in order to accept the workings of the story didn't quite set in for me. I wasn't overall charmed, but still found it to be a good idea.
February 23, 2026
"The trees scream. Don't listen to them - "
This was an entertaining and dark read - about a summer camp for kids struggling emotionally and are looking for a little getaway and guidance.
Penny thinks this camp might be okay. She'd had an Harm OCD since she lost her dad and she's looking forward to the camp setting and the getaway and to see the tips this counselor might bring. When she gets there and starts meeting the campers, she's settling in just fine. But pretty soon, she starts to wonder - what's real and what isn't? Why does her Harm OCD seem worse here than ever? And why does it seem like a shadow is haunting the camp and the campers?
I read this book in 3 different formats - audio, paperback, and ebook. While the audio was very well done, it gave a very realistic take on the Harm OCD and the intrusive thoughts. If you struggle at all with self harm or dark thoughts like that, I would recommend another format than audio just because of how haunting and sad it made the story.
I loved the setting, I found the mystery interesting. The story slowed and dipped in a few spots that made it feel long but the conclusion was good! I liked this one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This was an entertaining and dark read - about a summer camp for kids struggling emotionally and are looking for a little getaway and guidance.
Penny thinks this camp might be okay. She'd had an Harm OCD since she lost her dad and she's looking forward to the camp setting and the getaway and to see the tips this counselor might bring. When she gets there and starts meeting the campers, she's settling in just fine. But pretty soon, she starts to wonder - what's real and what isn't? Why does her Harm OCD seem worse here than ever? And why does it seem like a shadow is haunting the camp and the campers?
I read this book in 3 different formats - audio, paperback, and ebook. While the audio was very well done, it gave a very realistic take on the Harm OCD and the intrusive thoughts. If you struggle at all with self harm or dark thoughts like that, I would recommend another format than audio just because of how haunting and sad it made the story.
I loved the setting, I found the mystery interesting. The story slowed and dipped in a few spots that made it feel long but the conclusion was good! I liked this one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
January 27, 2026
This was binge worthy young adult horror book. I loved the atmospheric summer camp setting. This book was hard to put down as it followed Penny as she struggled with her OCD and couldn’t tell what was real and what were hallucinations. This was an immersive read which constantly had me wondering what was going to happen next as well as trying to figure out what was really happening. Overall this was a great horror book with some creepy vibes. Heads up that this book does have some content warnings.
Read this if you like:
📖 Summer camp settings
📖 Mental health rep
📖 LGBTQ rep
Thank you to @sourcebooksfire for the gifted arc.
Read this if you like:
📖 Summer camp settings
📖 Mental health rep
📖 LGBTQ rep
Thank you to @sourcebooksfire for the gifted arc.
September 27, 2025
Thank you NetGallery for the eARC!! 3.5 ⭐️
Spoilers ahead:
The concept of this book is promising, but at the end of the day the execution is okay. The pacing is what threw me off the most—once you hit about the half way point it’s no longer suspenseful and just constant action. I wish the tension was drawn out more, especially with the deaths of the adults. The creature was very scary, and the twist with Clara was great. But there needed to be more tension and a stronger central plot.
The overall message is very powerful however! The ability to regain control of your mind after dealing with a heavy trauma is a hard thing to discuss and write. This book does succeed in creating an impactful message about being able to grow and be more than your trauma.
Overall, this was an okay book.
Spoilers ahead:
The concept of this book is promising, but at the end of the day the execution is okay. The pacing is what threw me off the most—once you hit about the half way point it’s no longer suspenseful and just constant action. I wish the tension was drawn out more, especially with the deaths of the adults. The creature was very scary, and the twist with Clara was great. But there needed to be more tension and a stronger central plot.
The overall message is very powerful however! The ability to regain control of your mind after dealing with a heavy trauma is a hard thing to discuss and write. This book does succeed in creating an impactful message about being able to grow and be more than your trauma.
Overall, this was an okay book.
January 17, 2026
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This was an unsolicited ARC from the publisher. At over 400 pages I was unsure if I'd end up finishing it. But in the end I did. The book was a little slow for me. And I kept wondering all the way through how much was just hallucinations or maybe it was something the camp was doing to try to "help" them with their issues. I know that is something that a lot of people like in their stories like this, to be kept wondering for sure. For me, I don't always like the ambiguity and want to know it is actually something supernatural or just psychological. This might be a spoiler for you, but it did end up having some actual real supernatural things going on. There is still part of it that could be considered more psychological.
Some of it got kind of repetitive for me and I got a little bored at times. I did make it through because like I said, I wanted to know what kind of story it was going to actually turn into. The characters' journeys and growth in dealing with their past trauma did have some really good aspects to it though. And I can see that makes it good for those aspects. In the end, as I said, it was okay for me. I made it all the way through to find out what actually was going on and how they would get past whatever it was or if it would be left hanging in the end with that evil still out there.This review was originally posted on Lisa Loves Literature
Some of it got kind of repetitive for me and I got a little bored at times. I did make it through because like I said, I wanted to know what kind of story it was going to actually turn into. The characters' journeys and growth in dealing with their past trauma did have some really good aspects to it though. And I can see that makes it good for those aspects. In the end, as I said, it was okay for me. I made it all the way through to find out what actually was going on and how they would get past whatever it was or if it would be left hanging in the end with that evil still out there.This review was originally posted on Lisa Loves Literature
February 8, 2026
3.5 stars (rounded up)
Penny's abusive father has just passed away...but she's still hearing his voice inside her head. She experiences harm OCD, which manifests as violent intrusive thoughts. She desperate to get a handle on her symptoms and agrees to spend the summer at Camp Whitewood, an exclusive therapy retreat in the woods. She meets several other girls, who are all there for their own mental health concerns. Although she initially feels optimistic and less alone when she first arrives, she starts seeing things that aren't really there.
As Penny begins to hallucinate, the reader doesn't know what's real and what's in Penny's mind. In a campy slasher horror, no one is safe. I definitely think this book should be geared toward older teens and young adults, especially given the amount of gore and horror. I really appreciated the mental health aspects from all the campers - there was a variety of mental health representation from harm OCD to trauma.
I do feel like the story lulled at times in the middle and I got kind of bored with the unreliability of Penny. I also thought the story was going to be a little more sapphic, like more relationship exploration, but it felt like a lot more telling rather than showing.
Overall, I enjoyed the author's writing style and I thought this was a great YA horror. I am super interested to see what the author has in store next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity to read an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
Penny's abusive father has just passed away...but she's still hearing his voice inside her head. She experiences harm OCD, which manifests as violent intrusive thoughts. She desperate to get a handle on her symptoms and agrees to spend the summer at Camp Whitewood, an exclusive therapy retreat in the woods. She meets several other girls, who are all there for their own mental health concerns. Although she initially feels optimistic and less alone when she first arrives, she starts seeing things that aren't really there.
As Penny begins to hallucinate, the reader doesn't know what's real and what's in Penny's mind. In a campy slasher horror, no one is safe. I definitely think this book should be geared toward older teens and young adults, especially given the amount of gore and horror. I really appreciated the mental health aspects from all the campers - there was a variety of mental health representation from harm OCD to trauma.
I do feel like the story lulled at times in the middle and I got kind of bored with the unreliability of Penny. I also thought the story was going to be a little more sapphic, like more relationship exploration, but it felt like a lot more telling rather than showing.
Overall, I enjoyed the author's writing style and I thought this was a great YA horror. I am super interested to see what the author has in store next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity to read an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
February 27, 2026
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours, NetGalley and the publisher Source Books Fire for the digital ARC, it hasn’t affected my honest review.
TW: OCD, abuse, mental illness, death, hallucinations, violence, domestic abuse, references to suicide
Penny's abusive father is finally dead, but he continues to haunt her every day as his voice echoes in her head, encouraging her to hurt those around her. She can no longer attend school or fulfill her passion for art without her intrusive thoughts terrifying her. In the hope of making some progress with her Harm OCD, Penny goes to Whitewood for the summer- a woodland camp dedicated to mental health and recovery. There she finds girls like her, who all have their reasons for being there and she's optimistic. Until Penny begins having terrible hallucinations of things that can't be there all connected to her father. From this rises a figure she calls the Shadow Man, looming at the base of her bed. When a fellow camper disappears and is then found dead, it soon becomes clear what's happening at Whitewood isn't just in her head. As more girls die and the hallucinations worsen, Penny- along with two other girls- must use her trauma to figure out what's real before it can be twisted and kill her.
This is a very intense book to read, Penny's OCD is front and centre from page one and it doesn't let up. It's incredibly tense and atmospheric, whether it's the voices in her head, the stories of the other girls or the actual horror itself. I liked the relationships she gradually built with the others and how aspects of their lives and experiences came through in the hallucinations. It did lose its way a little in the middle, mainly with the Shadow Man's appearances but this was an enjoyable YA horror with excellent atmosphere and important themes of abuse, recovery and survival.
TW: OCD, abuse, mental illness, death, hallucinations, violence, domestic abuse, references to suicide
Penny's abusive father is finally dead, but he continues to haunt her every day as his voice echoes in her head, encouraging her to hurt those around her. She can no longer attend school or fulfill her passion for art without her intrusive thoughts terrifying her. In the hope of making some progress with her Harm OCD, Penny goes to Whitewood for the summer- a woodland camp dedicated to mental health and recovery. There she finds girls like her, who all have their reasons for being there and she's optimistic. Until Penny begins having terrible hallucinations of things that can't be there all connected to her father. From this rises a figure she calls the Shadow Man, looming at the base of her bed. When a fellow camper disappears and is then found dead, it soon becomes clear what's happening at Whitewood isn't just in her head. As more girls die and the hallucinations worsen, Penny- along with two other girls- must use her trauma to figure out what's real before it can be twisted and kill her.
This is a very intense book to read, Penny's OCD is front and centre from page one and it doesn't let up. It's incredibly tense and atmospheric, whether it's the voices in her head, the stories of the other girls or the actual horror itself. I liked the relationships she gradually built with the others and how aspects of their lives and experiences came through in the hallucinations. It did lose its way a little in the middle, mainly with the Shadow Man's appearances but this was an enjoyable YA horror with excellent atmosphere and important themes of abuse, recovery and survival.
January 31, 2026
ARC review
Thanks so much for Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the eARC.
This YA horror was an addictive read, and I couldn’t put it down. Plenty of teen slasher mixed with eldritch horrors, mental health awareness, unreliable narrator and a sweet sapphic story in the background.
Penny has suffered her whole short life in a home with an abusive alcoholic father who took his many issues out on her and her mother. When he dies, she’s haunted by his voice in her head, encouraging her to harm others and enters a summer camp therapy program to manage her HARM OCD. But the camp staff and campers aren’t the only things in the forest, and soon, they’re fighting for their lives against something they can’t understand which is haunting them all with elements of their traumatic pasts.
This book grabbed me from the very start. It’s heavily atmospheric and the dread and fear is pervasive. We get glimpses into each character’s past and the trauma that brought them here (including most of the staff) and seeing the survivors coming together in ownership of their pain was so powerful. The struggles with mental health were so well depicted. I especially loved Penny’s relationship with Harper - they’re so gentle and open with each other.
Thanks so much for Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the eARC.
This YA horror was an addictive read, and I couldn’t put it down. Plenty of teen slasher mixed with eldritch horrors, mental health awareness, unreliable narrator and a sweet sapphic story in the background.
Penny has suffered her whole short life in a home with an abusive alcoholic father who took his many issues out on her and her mother. When he dies, she’s haunted by his voice in her head, encouraging her to harm others and enters a summer camp therapy program to manage her HARM OCD. But the camp staff and campers aren’t the only things in the forest, and soon, they’re fighting for their lives against something they can’t understand which is haunting them all with elements of their traumatic pasts.
This book grabbed me from the very start. It’s heavily atmospheric and the dread and fear is pervasive. We get glimpses into each character’s past and the trauma that brought them here (including most of the staff) and seeing the survivors coming together in ownership of their pain was so powerful. The struggles with mental health were so well depicted. I especially loved Penny’s relationship with Harper - they’re so gentle and open with each other.
March 7, 2026
Yellowjackets meets, The Program in this story about trauma, violence, healing and monsters. Penny has been sent to Camp Whitewood, a therapy retreat for troubled girls after the violent death of her abusive father. She tries to be optimistic, tries to paint and participate in activities and discussion groups, but as the therapy continues and becomes more intense, Penny begins to notice something is off about Whitewood. Things escalate when she sees a Shadow Man in her cabin, speaking with the voice of her father, stalking her nightmares. When another girl at the camp turns up dead in the woods, Penny knows something is truly terrifying is happening. She’ll need to figure out what is real, what is a hallucination and she’ll need her friends to help.
I speed read this book in a single morning. Compelling and dark and terrifying, mixing elements of Appalachian and folk horror with psychological thriller. While on the nose at times, I appreciated this fast paced read with an interesting twist ending!
I speed read this book in a single morning. Compelling and dark and terrifying, mixing elements of Appalachian and folk horror with psychological thriller. While on the nose at times, I appreciated this fast paced read with an interesting twist ending!
March 2, 2026
This book has so many good things! Mental health rep, creepy forest setting, a touch of sapphic yearning
This YA slasher horror novel proved to have so much going for it! This tense story starts off with a bit of a fever dream where we aren’t sure we can trust our narrator. As things ramp up and we get to the true slasher portion of the book, things get downright scary!
I enjoyed learning about all of the girls’ backstories about how they came to be at this camp. I loved seeing them come together and support each other not only through healing from their past trauma, but surviving the current horrors!
Definitely recommend this YA horror!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC!
This YA slasher horror novel proved to have so much going for it! This tense story starts off with a bit of a fever dream where we aren’t sure we can trust our narrator. As things ramp up and we get to the true slasher portion of the book, things get downright scary!
I enjoyed learning about all of the girls’ backstories about how they came to be at this camp. I loved seeing them come together and support each other not only through healing from their past trauma, but surviving the current horrors!
Definitely recommend this YA horror!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC!
October 5, 2025
3 Stars.
The first chapter starts off incredibly strong, but the chapters that follow started to drag the story don't. I spent too much time waiting for it to get good.
The main character, Penny, suffers from OCD and intrusive thoughts. As someone who suffers from pure o, I know how exhausting and suffocating it can be. I think the ocd aspects were very well done and felt realistic while keeping in tone with the story.
Some of the characters and their choices were baffling. I also don't want to say they were one dimensional, but they also didn't feel like real people to me.
The writing was incredibly strong and well written. The plot and story itself was well done besides the few issues I did have with it.
Thank you netgalley and sourcebooks for the arc.
The first chapter starts off incredibly strong, but the chapters that follow started to drag the story don't. I spent too much time waiting for it to get good.
The main character, Penny, suffers from OCD and intrusive thoughts. As someone who suffers from pure o, I know how exhausting and suffocating it can be. I think the ocd aspects were very well done and felt realistic while keeping in tone with the story.
Some of the characters and their choices were baffling. I also don't want to say they were one dimensional, but they also didn't feel like real people to me.
The writing was incredibly strong and well written. The plot and story itself was well done besides the few issues I did have with it.
Thank you netgalley and sourcebooks for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars.
Mental Health Summer Camp✔️
Adults that "just want to help"✔️
Forced-ish Trauma Bonding✔️
Creepy Trauma Monster✔️
Queer✔️
I've heard grief and trauma referred to as a monster but what happened when instead of facing that monster you become the monster? This book deals with a lot of painful subjects and of course it happened to be the first book I picked up from my Midnight Reads box. Because why would I be gentle with myself? I would also like to say I did not have 'being punched in the face by a book' on my 2026 bingo card but... here... we.... are.
Mental Health Summer Camp✔️
Adults that "just want to help"✔️
Forced-ish Trauma Bonding✔️
Creepy Trauma Monster✔️
Queer✔️
I've heard grief and trauma referred to as a monster but what happened when instead of facing that monster you become the monster? This book deals with a lot of painful subjects and of course it happened to be the first book I picked up from my Midnight Reads box. Because why would I be gentle with myself? I would also like to say I did not have 'being punched in the face by a book' on my 2026 bingo card but... here... we.... are.
February 22, 2026
Mmmm alright.
- The monster was actually really scary at the start, but it showed up so often that it got rid of the scare factor. Ended up feeling like less like a monster and more like an annoying fruit fly.
- The story has a great ensemble cast of smart, capable young women, but there’s so many characters that I really didn’t get to know any of them.
- The depictions of mental health and trauma near the middle of the book started to feel archetypal, or even a parody.
- I get that this book is YA but the majority of this book felt like it was talking at me rather than to me.
- The monster was actually really scary at the start, but it showed up so often that it got rid of the scare factor. Ended up feeling like less like a monster and more like an annoying fruit fly.
- The story has a great ensemble cast of smart, capable young women, but there’s so many characters that I really didn’t get to know any of them.
- The depictions of mental health and trauma near the middle of the book started to feel archetypal, or even a parody.
- I get that this book is YA but the majority of this book felt like it was talking at me rather than to me.
March 2, 2026
NetGalley review
The Darkness Greeted Her has continued my streak of YA horror love. This was such a good book! The story centers around a group of girls who head to a camp to receive treatment for various mental health conditions that stem from trauma. While I can’t speak to the representation of the mental health conditions explored like OCD or PTSD on a personal level, I do have two degrees in psychology and it seemed pretty good to me.
The mashup of horror tropes (camp, creepy woods, local folklore) and serious topics to create a damn good horror novel.
The Darkness Greeted Her will take you on a ride you will not be able to predict so just strap in!
The Darkness Greeted Her has continued my streak of YA horror love. This was such a good book! The story centers around a group of girls who head to a camp to receive treatment for various mental health conditions that stem from trauma. While I can’t speak to the representation of the mental health conditions explored like OCD or PTSD on a personal level, I do have two degrees in psychology and it seemed pretty good to me.
The mashup of horror tropes (camp, creepy woods, local folklore) and serious topics to create a damn good horror novel.
The Darkness Greeted Her will take you on a ride you will not be able to predict so just strap in!
March 1, 2026
Wow….
Honestly I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when jumping into this book, but it wasn’t that.
There was so much going on all the time, yet the author did a phenomenal job of showcasing the mental traumas each of the girls were working through perfectly. The ending surprised me so much! But it really made for the perfect happy ending.
Thank you colored pages book tours for the free copy in exchange for my honest review
Honestly I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when jumping into this book, but it wasn’t that.
There was so much going on all the time, yet the author did a phenomenal job of showcasing the mental traumas each of the girls were working through perfectly. The ending surprised me so much! But it really made for the perfect happy ending.
Thank you colored pages book tours for the free copy in exchange for my honest review
Want to read
January 15, 2026Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for this ARC! The Darkness Greeted Her by Christina Ferko comes out on February 3, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
this was book so emotional good.
December 15, 2025
Mini blurb: A girl suffering from harm OCD joins a therapy retreat where she and her fellow campers start getting plagued by vivid hallucinations - or are they? - and end up fighting for their lives against a monster unlike any other.
***
Rated 3.5 really.
First off...DISCLAIMER: this title was up for grabs on NetGalley (in the Read Now section). Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
A supernatural twist on the camp-slasher trope with a good dose of heart, a dollop of queer romance, and a believable (if at times simplistic/expedient) approach to trauma and mental health. The horror parts are hard-hitting and masterfully done, and the monster lore is both imaginative and exciting, though its connection to Clara (the first victim from one year before) creates some issues and a bit of confusion. I found the characters to be likeable enough and I loved the female kinship aspect, but like in any slasher, I felt the need to know the cast better than this kind of plot allows. To her credit, the author gives us a bit of insight into each girl's past (namely, the trauma that branded them) in a series of at times poetical flashback chapters...but I was still left wanting more. Seeing the main character battling and copying with her harm OCD was indeed empowering, and will probably resonate with a number of young readers - but this senior one was far more enthralled by the very vivid, trauma-related hallucinations and the way they were handled/portrayed (there's a nice twist in there). All in all, I'd recommend this one (especially for the appropriate age range), as long as you can handle reading about intrusive thoughts, domestic abuse and other though topics (see the note at the start of the book) and gore/body horror/bug horror.
Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later).
***
Rated 3.5 really.
First off...DISCLAIMER: this title was up for grabs on NetGalley (in the Read Now section). Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
A supernatural twist on the camp-slasher trope with a good dose of heart, a dollop of queer romance, and a believable (if at times simplistic/expedient) approach to trauma and mental health. The horror parts are hard-hitting and masterfully done, and the monster lore is both imaginative and exciting, though its connection to Clara (the first victim from one year before) creates some issues and a bit of confusion. I found the characters to be likeable enough and I loved the female kinship aspect, but like in any slasher, I felt the need to know the cast better than this kind of plot allows. To her credit, the author gives us a bit of insight into each girl's past (namely, the trauma that branded them) in a series of at times poetical flashback chapters...but I was still left wanting more. Seeing the main character battling and copying with her harm OCD was indeed empowering, and will probably resonate with a number of young readers - but this senior one was far more enthralled by the very vivid, trauma-related hallucinations and the way they were handled/portrayed (there's a nice twist in there). All in all, I'd recommend this one (especially for the appropriate age range), as long as you can handle reading about intrusive thoughts, domestic abuse and other though topics (see the note at the start of the book) and gore/body horror/bug horror.
Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later).
November 5, 2025
There’s a particular kind of dread that comes from not being able to trust your own perception of reality. The Darkness Greeted Her by Christina Ferko weaponizes that uncertainty with brutal efficiency, creating a reading experience that left me genuinely unsettled in ways I wasn’t expecting from what initially seemed like straightforward summer camp horror.
Penny arrives at a therapy retreat deep in the Appalachian woods hoping to manage her OCD through intensive treatment in a controlled environment. The setup immediately establishes vulnerability—she’s already struggling with intrusive thoughts and compulsions, already questioning her own mind’s reliability. When she starts seeing things that shouldn’t be there, the question becomes whether these are hallucinations symptomatic of her condition or genuine supernatural threats.
That ambiguity becomes the book’s greatest strength and occasionally its most frustrating aspect. Ferko deliberately keeps readers as disoriented as Penny herself, never quite confirming what’s real until the absolute last moment. Some readers will find this maddening, but I found it remarkably effective at creating sustained unease. The confusion isn’t a bug—it’s the entire point.
The Appalachian setting does serious atmospheric work throughout. Ferko understands how to make isolation feel oppressive, how woods that should feel peaceful instead become threatening when you’re cut off from outside contact. The retreat itself operates with that particular institutional quality where everything seems designed for your benefit while actually serving purposes you don’t fully understand.
Penny’s OCD is portrayed with specificity that suggests genuine research or lived experience. Ferko shows how the disorder manifests not just in obvious compulsions but in thought patterns and coping mechanisms that shape how Penny navigates the world. Her unreliable narration stems directly from this condition—she’s spent years questioning her own perceptions, so when genuinely impossible things start happening, she has no framework for distinguishing between symptom and reality.
The traumatic elements from Penny’s past surface gradually, creating this layered portrait of someone carrying multiple forms of psychological burden. Ferko connects past trauma to present manifestations without being simplistic or reductive about mental illness. The hallucinations Penny experiences draw from her history in ways that feel psychologically coherent even when they’re literally impossible.
When another girl goes missing from the retreat, the story shifts into more traditional thriller territory while maintaining its psychological horror foundation. The mystery of what’s happening at the camp unfolds alongside Penny’s internal struggle, creating dual sources of tension that feed into each other beautifully.
Ferko’s monster—and there definitely is one, though revealing details would spoil half the fun—is genuinely disturbing. She describes it with just enough specificity that you can picture something horrifying without getting bogged down in over-explanation. The creature feels both physically threatening and psychologically resonant, representing something beyond simple monster-in-the-woods danger.
The violence, when it arrives, doesn’t hold back. Ferko commits fully to the horror elements, creating scenes of genuine brutality that serve the story’s escalating stakes. No character feels protected by plot armor, which adds real tension to every encounter. The final act moves with breathless momentum as everything that’s been building finally explodes into action.
Penny’s character development throughout feels earned rather than convenient. Ferko shows her growth through how she responds to increasingly impossible situations, how she learns to trust her own judgment even when she has every reason to doubt herself. It’s satisfying character work that grounds the more fantastical elements.
The sapphic romance elements, while present, operate more as subtext than central plot. There’s attraction and connection between certain characters, but Ferko wisely keeps focus on survival and mystery rather than forcing romantic development in situations where it would feel artificial.
My primary criticism involves the supporting characters, who feel somewhat underdeveloped despite receiving their own POV chapters. Ferko gives us glimpses into their perspectives, but not quite enough time to fully invest in them as individuals. They serve their narrative purposes competently without becoming as three-dimensional as Penny herself.
The structure of alternating between Penny’s increasingly unreliable narration and these outside perspectives creates interesting dramatic irony. We sometimes know things Penny doesn’t, or see events from angles she can’t access, which adds complexity to how we interpret her experiences.
Ferko’s prose style serves the atmospheric horror beautifully. She has a gift for description that makes ordinary settings feel menacing, for finding the threat lurking in mundane details. The writing never becomes purple or overwrought—she trusts readers to feel the dread she’s building rather than over-explaining it.
The Darkness Greeted Her succeeds most impressively in maintaining uncertainty without feeling manipulative. The ambiguity serves thematic purposes about mental illness, perception, and how we construct reality. Even after finishing, I found myself reconsidering certain scenes, questioning what was literal versus metaphorical.
For readers who like:
Fans of A Certain Hunger or The Only Good Indians, anyone who appreciated The Silent Companions for its atmospheric dread, readers seeking horror that engages seriously with mental illness, and those who enjoy unreliable narrators.
Final Verdict
Christina Ferko has crafted a genuinely unsettling debut that uses psychological horror to enhance rather than replace supernatural terror. The Darkness Greeted Her won’t work for readers who need clear answers or prefer straightforward narratives, but for those willing to sit with uncertainty and trust an unreliable narrator, it delivers real scares and thoughtful character work. The Appalachian setting provides perfect backdrop for isolation and dread, while Penny’s OCD adds psychological complexity that elevates this above typical monster-in-the-woods fare. This is horror that understands the scariest thing isn’t always what’s lurking in the darkness—sometimes it’s not knowing whether you can trust your own mind to show you what’s really there.
Grateful to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Fire, and Christina Ferko for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
Penny arrives at a therapy retreat deep in the Appalachian woods hoping to manage her OCD through intensive treatment in a controlled environment. The setup immediately establishes vulnerability—she’s already struggling with intrusive thoughts and compulsions, already questioning her own mind’s reliability. When she starts seeing things that shouldn’t be there, the question becomes whether these are hallucinations symptomatic of her condition or genuine supernatural threats.
That ambiguity becomes the book’s greatest strength and occasionally its most frustrating aspect. Ferko deliberately keeps readers as disoriented as Penny herself, never quite confirming what’s real until the absolute last moment. Some readers will find this maddening, but I found it remarkably effective at creating sustained unease. The confusion isn’t a bug—it’s the entire point.
The Appalachian setting does serious atmospheric work throughout. Ferko understands how to make isolation feel oppressive, how woods that should feel peaceful instead become threatening when you’re cut off from outside contact. The retreat itself operates with that particular institutional quality where everything seems designed for your benefit while actually serving purposes you don’t fully understand.
Penny’s OCD is portrayed with specificity that suggests genuine research or lived experience. Ferko shows how the disorder manifests not just in obvious compulsions but in thought patterns and coping mechanisms that shape how Penny navigates the world. Her unreliable narration stems directly from this condition—she’s spent years questioning her own perceptions, so when genuinely impossible things start happening, she has no framework for distinguishing between symptom and reality.
The traumatic elements from Penny’s past surface gradually, creating this layered portrait of someone carrying multiple forms of psychological burden. Ferko connects past trauma to present manifestations without being simplistic or reductive about mental illness. The hallucinations Penny experiences draw from her history in ways that feel psychologically coherent even when they’re literally impossible.
When another girl goes missing from the retreat, the story shifts into more traditional thriller territory while maintaining its psychological horror foundation. The mystery of what’s happening at the camp unfolds alongside Penny’s internal struggle, creating dual sources of tension that feed into each other beautifully.
Ferko’s monster—and there definitely is one, though revealing details would spoil half the fun—is genuinely disturbing. She describes it with just enough specificity that you can picture something horrifying without getting bogged down in over-explanation. The creature feels both physically threatening and psychologically resonant, representing something beyond simple monster-in-the-woods danger.
The violence, when it arrives, doesn’t hold back. Ferko commits fully to the horror elements, creating scenes of genuine brutality that serve the story’s escalating stakes. No character feels protected by plot armor, which adds real tension to every encounter. The final act moves with breathless momentum as everything that’s been building finally explodes into action.
Penny’s character development throughout feels earned rather than convenient. Ferko shows her growth through how she responds to increasingly impossible situations, how she learns to trust her own judgment even when she has every reason to doubt herself. It’s satisfying character work that grounds the more fantastical elements.
The sapphic romance elements, while present, operate more as subtext than central plot. There’s attraction and connection between certain characters, but Ferko wisely keeps focus on survival and mystery rather than forcing romantic development in situations where it would feel artificial.
My primary criticism involves the supporting characters, who feel somewhat underdeveloped despite receiving their own POV chapters. Ferko gives us glimpses into their perspectives, but not quite enough time to fully invest in them as individuals. They serve their narrative purposes competently without becoming as three-dimensional as Penny herself.
The structure of alternating between Penny’s increasingly unreliable narration and these outside perspectives creates interesting dramatic irony. We sometimes know things Penny doesn’t, or see events from angles she can’t access, which adds complexity to how we interpret her experiences.
Ferko’s prose style serves the atmospheric horror beautifully. She has a gift for description that makes ordinary settings feel menacing, for finding the threat lurking in mundane details. The writing never becomes purple or overwrought—she trusts readers to feel the dread she’s building rather than over-explaining it.
The Darkness Greeted Her succeeds most impressively in maintaining uncertainty without feeling manipulative. The ambiguity serves thematic purposes about mental illness, perception, and how we construct reality. Even after finishing, I found myself reconsidering certain scenes, questioning what was literal versus metaphorical.
For readers who like:
Fans of A Certain Hunger or The Only Good Indians, anyone who appreciated The Silent Companions for its atmospheric dread, readers seeking horror that engages seriously with mental illness, and those who enjoy unreliable narrators.
Final Verdict
Christina Ferko has crafted a genuinely unsettling debut that uses psychological horror to enhance rather than replace supernatural terror. The Darkness Greeted Her won’t work for readers who need clear answers or prefer straightforward narratives, but for those willing to sit with uncertainty and trust an unreliable narrator, it delivers real scares and thoughtful character work. The Appalachian setting provides perfect backdrop for isolation and dread, while Penny’s OCD adds psychological complexity that elevates this above typical monster-in-the-woods fare. This is horror that understands the scariest thing isn’t always what’s lurking in the darkness—sometimes it’s not knowing whether you can trust your own mind to show you what’s really there.
Grateful to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Fire, and Christina Ferko for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
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