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The Darkness Greeted Her
Not yet published
Expected 3 Feb 26Yellowjackets 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
Expected publication February 3, 2026
8 people are currently reading
8134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
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.
December 8, 2025
this was super scary!!! I loved how it ended and the message behind the story! great book!
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!
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 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.
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
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 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.
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.
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.
September 28, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Christina Ferko’s “The Darkness Greeted Her” is an ambitious blend of psychological horror, nightmare-fueled suspense, and heartfelt coming-of-age. Set at a mental health camp for teen girls, the story uses a surreal, almost Nightmare on Elm Street-style premise where fears and traumas manifest into deadly, tangible nightmares to explore themes of abuse, healing, and female friendship.
At the heart of the story is Penny, a girl grappling with OCD and the scars left by her abusive father. Her intrusive thoughts and anxieties are rendered with a striking realism that makes her both relatable and deeply sympathetic. Ferko’s portrayal of harm OCD is handled with sensitivity, balancing accuracy with narrative tension. As the nightmares at camp grow stronger—able to harm, even kill—the story forces Penny to confront not only the monstrous entity stalking the campers but also her own self-doubt and desperation for control. Along the way, Penny also experiences a tender, clean romance, adding an LGBTQ+ thread that enriches her arc without overshadowing the horror.
The story thrives in its atmosphere. The isolated camp setting is vividly drawn, amplifying paranoia and uncertainty. Throughout much of the story, you are left unsure about what’s real and what’s imagined, much like the characters themselves. The monster at the center of it all is brilliantly crafted; it’s unnerving, grotesque, and described with just enough detail to keep you looking over your shoulder. The blood and gore are plentiful, with no character truly safe, and the escalating violence gives the book a breathless momentum in its final act.
That said, the execution is uneven. The book introduces a wide cast of campers, each with their own trauma, but many feel underdeveloped, reduced to backstory rather than fully realized characters. Frequent flashbacks, while intended to deepen understanding, sometimes bog down the pacing and repeat information you may have already inferred. The prose leans heavily on telling rather than showing, with moments of over-description and repetitive inner monologue that dilute the impact of otherwise strong scenes. Around the halfway point, the suspense occasionally gives way to nonstop action, sacrificing some of the slow-burn tension the early chapters establish.
Still, Ferko shines when focusing on the core elements: Penny’s growth, the monster’s creeping terror, and the bonds formed between the girls. The found-family dynamic and the way the characters ultimately fight back, both literally and metaphorically, deliver a powerful message about resilience and reclaiming power after trauma. The ending is both bloody and cathartic, leaving you with the sense that healing is possible, even if scars remain.
Overall, “The Darkness Greeted Her” is a bold, memorable story. It’s a messy, gory, and emotional ride that highlights both the horrors of trauma and the strength it takes to overcome them.
Christina Ferko’s “The Darkness Greeted Her” is an ambitious blend of psychological horror, nightmare-fueled suspense, and heartfelt coming-of-age. Set at a mental health camp for teen girls, the story uses a surreal, almost Nightmare on Elm Street-style premise where fears and traumas manifest into deadly, tangible nightmares to explore themes of abuse, healing, and female friendship.
At the heart of the story is Penny, a girl grappling with OCD and the scars left by her abusive father. Her intrusive thoughts and anxieties are rendered with a striking realism that makes her both relatable and deeply sympathetic. Ferko’s portrayal of harm OCD is handled with sensitivity, balancing accuracy with narrative tension. As the nightmares at camp grow stronger—able to harm, even kill—the story forces Penny to confront not only the monstrous entity stalking the campers but also her own self-doubt and desperation for control. Along the way, Penny also experiences a tender, clean romance, adding an LGBTQ+ thread that enriches her arc without overshadowing the horror.
The story thrives in its atmosphere. The isolated camp setting is vividly drawn, amplifying paranoia and uncertainty. Throughout much of the story, you are left unsure about what’s real and what’s imagined, much like the characters themselves. The monster at the center of it all is brilliantly crafted; it’s unnerving, grotesque, and described with just enough detail to keep you looking over your shoulder. The blood and gore are plentiful, with no character truly safe, and the escalating violence gives the book a breathless momentum in its final act.
That said, the execution is uneven. The book introduces a wide cast of campers, each with their own trauma, but many feel underdeveloped, reduced to backstory rather than fully realized characters. Frequent flashbacks, while intended to deepen understanding, sometimes bog down the pacing and repeat information you may have already inferred. The prose leans heavily on telling rather than showing, with moments of over-description and repetitive inner monologue that dilute the impact of otherwise strong scenes. Around the halfway point, the suspense occasionally gives way to nonstop action, sacrificing some of the slow-burn tension the early chapters establish.
Still, Ferko shines when focusing on the core elements: Penny’s growth, the monster’s creeping terror, and the bonds formed between the girls. The found-family dynamic and the way the characters ultimately fight back, both literally and metaphorically, deliver a powerful message about resilience and reclaiming power after trauma. The ending is both bloody and cathartic, leaving you with the sense that healing is possible, even if scars remain.
Overall, “The Darkness Greeted Her” is a bold, memorable story. It’s a messy, gory, and emotional ride that highlights both the horrors of trauma and the strength it takes to overcome them.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Originally reviewed on StoryGraph: 2.75 ⭐️ rounded up
Thank you to Goodreads for hosting a giveaway for this book and the author for sending me a free copy. Nothing was promised in exchange for this book.
This book sounded right up my alley. A sapphic YA thriller in the wilderness? My kind of story. Unfortunately it missed the mark for me. When I saw that this book was over 400 pages, I was wary. I believe that in general, thrillers, especially YA thrillers should be around 300 pages or less, so I was worried that this was going to be repetitive and drag, which it did.
Every scene felt like it was twice as long as it needed to be. In particular, I dreaded when the monster would come up because I knew it was going to be the same torment we'd seen before. It was going to take forever for it to end and there would be another monster scene soon, sometimes just a few pages later. I would've much preferred less interactions with the monster that actually moved the plot forward and more time trying to figure out what the monster wanted.
I liked the chapters to show why the girls were there, but they felt randomly placed with no emotional impact. There was a way to fit their chapters in with the plot so it made more sense why we were seeing their background and had more of an investment in their stories, but it wasn't written that way and in the beginning, there were too many characters to keep track of in the present time before throwing in all their backstories.
I liked Penny well enough, but I don't think we got to see enough of her personality without the trauma for me to really connect to her. I also knew from the jump that she pushed her father down the stairs, so it was frustrating reading over and over that she repressed the memory. I felt like I was waiting for it to be revealed just so I wouldn't have to read about it again. I do want to commend the author on the way the OCD was written. I don't have OCD, but it felt realistic and invasive the way I assume OCD is. It wasn't repetitive at all and was written well and added something extra to the story that I enjoyed.
This is a small thing, but wendigos are my favorite cryptid. Please do not describe a creature exactly like a wendigo (thick antlers, a bone-bleached skull for a face, an emaciated body, and hooves for feet) and not only not make it a wendigo, but not even say what it was. I guess it could've been a wendigo, but it would've eaten the girls so fast and wouldn't have let the other monster feed off the girls exclusively. I think the author just took a description of a random cryptid, but none of the folklore or traits.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone I know, but I do think it might work for a teenager. I've read YA thrillers that I enjoyed, but this was too simplistic and long winded, which could work for someone younger. I would try another book by this author if it sounded interesting and if it was shorter.
Thank you to Goodreads for hosting a giveaway for this book and the author for sending me a free copy. Nothing was promised in exchange for this book.
This book sounded right up my alley. A sapphic YA thriller in the wilderness? My kind of story. Unfortunately it missed the mark for me. When I saw that this book was over 400 pages, I was wary. I believe that in general, thrillers, especially YA thrillers should be around 300 pages or less, so I was worried that this was going to be repetitive and drag, which it did.
Every scene felt like it was twice as long as it needed to be. In particular, I dreaded when the monster would come up because I knew it was going to be the same torment we'd seen before. It was going to take forever for it to end and there would be another monster scene soon, sometimes just a few pages later. I would've much preferred less interactions with the monster that actually moved the plot forward and more time trying to figure out what the monster wanted.
I liked the chapters to show why the girls were there, but they felt randomly placed with no emotional impact. There was a way to fit their chapters in with the plot so it made more sense why we were seeing their background and had more of an investment in their stories, but it wasn't written that way and in the beginning, there were too many characters to keep track of in the present time before throwing in all their backstories.
I liked Penny well enough, but I don't think we got to see enough of her personality without the trauma for me to really connect to her. I also knew from the jump that she pushed her father down the stairs, so it was frustrating reading over and over that she repressed the memory. I felt like I was waiting for it to be revealed just so I wouldn't have to read about it again. I do want to commend the author on the way the OCD was written. I don't have OCD, but it felt realistic and invasive the way I assume OCD is. It wasn't repetitive at all and was written well and added something extra to the story that I enjoyed.
This is a small thing, but wendigos are my favorite cryptid. Please do not describe a creature exactly like a wendigo (thick antlers, a bone-bleached skull for a face, an emaciated body, and hooves for feet) and not only not make it a wendigo, but not even say what it was. I guess it could've been a wendigo, but it would've eaten the girls so fast and wouldn't have let the other monster feed off the girls exclusively. I think the author just took a description of a random cryptid, but none of the folklore or traits.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone I know, but I do think it might work for a teenager. I've read YA thrillers that I enjoyed, but this was too simplistic and long winded, which could work for someone younger. I would try another book by this author if it sounded interesting and if it was shorter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
THE DARKNESS GREETED HER by Christina Ferko (Feb 3, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc
Wanting to get a handle on her OCD after her father's death---and to help stop his voice in her head---Penny agrees to spend the summer at Camp Whitewood. There, everything seems normal...then she starts seeing things. When the girls go missing and then wound up dead, Penny realizes it's not in her head. Penny teams up with the remaining girls in a fight to stay alive.
THE DARKNESS GREETED HER is a YA m*rder mystery that delves into the mind with hallucinations, character flashbacks, and, of course, d*ad b*dies. This book did hook me from the beginning, but then there was a time where it let up a bit, before hooking me again when Penny's hallucinations amped up, and when the reality that there was a seriously something wrong.
This is a creepy book with the darkness...the monster. It is confusing with everything going on with the hallucinations and the missing even though that is what makes the book interesting. The reason being: you don't know what's real and what isn't.
One thing about this that was lacking was the attention to the other characters besides Penny. I feel like they deserved more screen time per se, especially because they had flashback chapters just for them. I loved the insight, but it almost felt unnecessary when they didn't seem to have a big enough role. My opinion on this, however, did change toward the end when everyone seemed necessary in their own way (iykyk).
THE DARKNESS GREETED HER is gory, it's very different than a lot of the thrillers where people go to get therapy in the woods---going into this I thought it would be more like a few of those YA books with that plot, and I'm glad it wasn't. It does have a few surprises, which I thought was great in a book where I wasn't sure what was going on---much like the characters.
THE DARKNESS GREETED HER is thrilling, unique, and utterly weird. If you're looking for horror mixed with mystery and monsters, this is for you.
THE DARKNESS GREETED HER by Christina Ferko (Feb 3, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc
Wanting to get a handle on her OCD after her father's death---and to help stop his voice in her head---Penny agrees to spend the summer at Camp Whitewood. There, everything seems normal...then she starts seeing things. When the girls go missing and then wound up dead, Penny realizes it's not in her head. Penny teams up with the remaining girls in a fight to stay alive.
THE DARKNESS GREETED HER is a YA m*rder mystery that delves into the mind with hallucinations, character flashbacks, and, of course, d*ad b*dies. This book did hook me from the beginning, but then there was a time where it let up a bit, before hooking me again when Penny's hallucinations amped up, and when the reality that there was a seriously something wrong.
This is a creepy book with the darkness...the monster. It is confusing with everything going on with the hallucinations and the missing even though that is what makes the book interesting. The reason being: you don't know what's real and what isn't.
One thing about this that was lacking was the attention to the other characters besides Penny. I feel like they deserved more screen time per se, especially because they had flashback chapters just for them. I loved the insight, but it almost felt unnecessary when they didn't seem to have a big enough role. My opinion on this, however, did change toward the end when everyone seemed necessary in their own way (iykyk).
THE DARKNESS GREETED HER is gory, it's very different than a lot of the thrillers where people go to get therapy in the woods---going into this I thought it would be more like a few of those YA books with that plot, and I'm glad it wasn't. It does have a few surprises, which I thought was great in a book where I wasn't sure what was going on---much like the characters.
THE DARKNESS GREETED HER is thrilling, unique, and utterly weird. If you're looking for horror mixed with mystery and monsters, this is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When Penelope “Penny” Davidson (white, queer) can no longer live her life without constantly worrying that her “Harm OCD intrusive thoughts” (Ferko’s phrasing) will turn her into her abusive father, she decides to attend Camp Whitewood, a therapeutic summer camp. But something sinister lurks in the forest, and Penny and the other girls soon realize that Whitewood is not a safe haven.
This is an incredibly atmospheric psychological thriller. Ferko does an excellent job of isolating the teens almost right away - in a secluded location with a strict no cell phones policy - and then seals the deal with a narrator who’s not entirely sure if she can separate reality from fiction. Ferko’s misdirects will keep readers guessing; every time Penny and the others think they have a grasp on what’s happening, something new will change their course. Thriller and suspense readers will appreciate the escalating tension and pacing as the girls begin to go missing. About halfway through, the book shifts to survivor horror as Penny discovers the missing girls’ decaying and dismembered bodies. Ferko’s imagery is vivid and truly horrific.
We also get a little insight into the trauma that brought each girl to the camp in the first place. While not all of the girls have a history of abuse like Penny, each has experienced something that continues to cause them fear and anxiety.. This ties them all together but also, for some, ends up being their downfall.
Additionally, there is some nice sapphic representation in this book, as Penny develops a crush on one of the other campers and is able to find the support she needs to push past her intrusive thoughts through the relationship she builds. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
This is an incredibly atmospheric psychological thriller. Ferko does an excellent job of isolating the teens almost right away - in a secluded location with a strict no cell phones policy - and then seals the deal with a narrator who’s not entirely sure if she can separate reality from fiction. Ferko’s misdirects will keep readers guessing; every time Penny and the others think they have a grasp on what’s happening, something new will change their course. Thriller and suspense readers will appreciate the escalating tension and pacing as the girls begin to go missing. About halfway through, the book shifts to survivor horror as Penny discovers the missing girls’ decaying and dismembered bodies. Ferko’s imagery is vivid and truly horrific.
We also get a little insight into the trauma that brought each girl to the camp in the first place. While not all of the girls have a history of abuse like Penny, each has experienced something that continues to cause them fear and anxiety.. This ties them all together but also, for some, ends up being their downfall.
Additionally, there is some nice sapphic representation in this book, as Penny develops a crush on one of the other campers and is able to find the support she needs to push past her intrusive thoughts through the relationship she builds. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Darkness Greeted Her is a camp-slasher meets supernatural-psych-ward story where one’s trauma manifests as a demonic entity. As the readers, we are taken through the story’s main character’s perspective, finding ourselves as bewildered and alarmed as she is by the haunting visions experienced at the therapeutic camp she is attending. Ferko does a wonderful job of showcasing a well-researched disorder, not only in Penny’s actions, but thought processes. Penny’s mistrust in herself builds dread to a fever pitch, especially in the first half of the book, urging the reader to speculate as to what is real and what is a result of Penny’s OCD and intrusive thoughts. This portrayal leaves the reader questioning whether or not Penny can be trusted, just as Penny cannot trust herself. It had me hooked and unsettled.
The Appalachian setting marries well with the emotional toil of isolation the girls feel as a result of their trauma. Due to word count parameters expectations for YA and debut novels, I feel the author was restrained in giving each girl at the camp the page time she deserved. However, Ferko wisely remedies this with doses of their backstories that lead to the girls’ attendance. These glimpses into the past allowed me to sympathize with their mindsets and invest in them as characters who must overcome and survive both mental and physical circumstances.
Don’t be fooled with this being a YA horror. The author pulls no punches, conjuring imagery I don’t think will leave my mind for quite some time. The Darkness Greeted Her serves a healthy dose of dread and horror while tackling the reality of childhood trauma. Yet, in the end we are left with both acceptance and hope—a life created despite one’s past. A life able to bring down walls and conquer demons.
The Appalachian setting marries well with the emotional toil of isolation the girls feel as a result of their trauma. Due to word count parameters expectations for YA and debut novels, I feel the author was restrained in giving each girl at the camp the page time she deserved. However, Ferko wisely remedies this with doses of their backstories that lead to the girls’ attendance. These glimpses into the past allowed me to sympathize with their mindsets and invest in them as characters who must overcome and survive both mental and physical circumstances.
Don’t be fooled with this being a YA horror. The author pulls no punches, conjuring imagery I don’t think will leave my mind for quite some time. The Darkness Greeted Her serves a healthy dose of dread and horror while tackling the reality of childhood trauma. Yet, in the end we are left with both acceptance and hope—a life created despite one’s past. A life able to bring down walls and conquer demons.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 rounded up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I randomly came across this book while browsing the horror section and was intrigued by the cover and the fact that it was described as a mix between Yellowjackets and Smile, so I knew I had to give it a shot. Before reading this book, I would advise looking at the trigger warnings. While this is a young adult horror, it deals with a lot of heavy themes that might be difficult for some readers.
One of the most unique aspects of this story is the exploration of Harm OCD. Having never read a book that deals with this specific form of OCD, I found the struggle of the protagonist to be one of the most interesting elements of the plot. It added a layer of tension you don't see in other horror novels. I also think the Appalachian setting was an interesting backdrop that helped to add to the tension and unease.
The book does feel a bit slow in some spots and takes a while to get going. There are flashback scenes for each of the characters from when they were younger; while these helped me understand their individual traumas and internal struggles, there were so many characters to get through that I felt it slowed down the momentum of the main story. I also noticed a few writing and grammatical errors throughout that affected the overall pacing, such as missing words and one instance where a female character was referred to as "Mr."
Because the mental health representation was so unique and the atmosphere was so good, I'm rounding my 3.5 up to a 4. The Darkness Greeted Her is a solid horror novel, and if you enjoy psychological folk horror and deep character studies, I think you'll really like this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I randomly came across this book while browsing the horror section and was intrigued by the cover and the fact that it was described as a mix between Yellowjackets and Smile, so I knew I had to give it a shot. Before reading this book, I would advise looking at the trigger warnings. While this is a young adult horror, it deals with a lot of heavy themes that might be difficult for some readers.
One of the most unique aspects of this story is the exploration of Harm OCD. Having never read a book that deals with this specific form of OCD, I found the struggle of the protagonist to be one of the most interesting elements of the plot. It added a layer of tension you don't see in other horror novels. I also think the Appalachian setting was an interesting backdrop that helped to add to the tension and unease.
The book does feel a bit slow in some spots and takes a while to get going. There are flashback scenes for each of the characters from when they were younger; while these helped me understand their individual traumas and internal struggles, there were so many characters to get through that I felt it slowed down the momentum of the main story. I also noticed a few writing and grammatical errors throughout that affected the overall pacing, such as missing words and one instance where a female character was referred to as "Mr."
Because the mental health representation was so unique and the atmosphere was so good, I'm rounding my 3.5 up to a 4. The Darkness Greeted Her is a solid horror novel, and if you enjoy psychological folk horror and deep character studies, I think you'll really like this one.
September 26, 2025
The monster in this book deserves all the stars. It’s creepy, it’s described vividly, it keeps you on the edge of your seat, and most of all, it really genuinely feels like something that could possibly exist in this setting. If this book focused more on the monster and less on all the girls at the camp, this book would’ve been a knock out of the park for me.
The atmosphere that the setting of this book creates is also remarkable. I loved how the location and isolation played into the paranoia not only of the characters, but of the readers as well. You don’t know what’s real, what could be watching you, or what is simply all in your head.
That’s about where my like of this book ends. I think the OCD aspect felt realistic, especially because everyone’s OCD is different and you never know how it impacts someone else. But the characters themselves felt lackluster for me. I didn’t really connect with the majority of them, and I felt like stories might have been rushed a bit and would’ve honestly just been better to not be included. I also think we would’ve done better with potentially less characters receiving their own spotlight because it both took away from the horror aspect while also leaving you a bit lost when it comes to motivations.
I don’t regret reading this book, but I would’ve loved to have seen it done differently with potentially a smaller cast of characters and more of a focus on where we are and what is happening. than who we are.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The atmosphere that the setting of this book creates is also remarkable. I loved how the location and isolation played into the paranoia not only of the characters, but of the readers as well. You don’t know what’s real, what could be watching you, or what is simply all in your head.
That’s about where my like of this book ends. I think the OCD aspect felt realistic, especially because everyone’s OCD is different and you never know how it impacts someone else. But the characters themselves felt lackluster for me. I didn’t really connect with the majority of them, and I felt like stories might have been rushed a bit and would’ve honestly just been better to not be included. I also think we would’ve done better with potentially less characters receiving their own spotlight because it both took away from the horror aspect while also leaving you a bit lost when it comes to motivations.
I don’t regret reading this book, but I would’ve loved to have seen it done differently with potentially a smaller cast of characters and more of a focus on where we are and what is happening. than who we are.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2025
The Darkness Greeted Her is the kind of gothic, sapphic horror that slips under your skin and lingers. Christina Ferko crafts a story steeped in dread and emotional tension, blending eerie atmosphere with a deeply personal unraveling that keeps you hooked from the first page.
The setting is one of the book’s greatest strengths—isolated, claustrophobic, and tinged with the uncanny. Ferko uses darkness not just as a backdrop but as a force in the story, a constant presence that shapes the protagonist’s fear, perception, and vulnerability. It creates a reading experience that feels foggy and immersive in the best possible way.
The protagonist’s internal journey is gripping. She’s raw and flawed, and her unraveling feels both frightening and tragically human. Ferko balances psychological tension with genuine emotion, allowing the character’s trauma and confusion to drive the story without ever feeling melodramatic.
The plot unfurls at a deliberate pace, sometimes lingering a bit longer than necessary in introspective moments, but the payoff is worth it. The twists are subtle rather than explosive, landing with a creeping sense of realization. By the end, the story feels complete, eerie, and satisfying.
Overall, a chilling, atmospheric horror with a strong emotional core. Perfect for readers who love stories that blur the line between psychological darkness and the supernatural, and who appreciate a slow-building sense of dread that lasts long after the final page.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eARC!
The setting is one of the book’s greatest strengths—isolated, claustrophobic, and tinged with the uncanny. Ferko uses darkness not just as a backdrop but as a force in the story, a constant presence that shapes the protagonist’s fear, perception, and vulnerability. It creates a reading experience that feels foggy and immersive in the best possible way.
The protagonist’s internal journey is gripping. She’s raw and flawed, and her unraveling feels both frightening and tragically human. Ferko balances psychological tension with genuine emotion, allowing the character’s trauma and confusion to drive the story without ever feeling melodramatic.
The plot unfurls at a deliberate pace, sometimes lingering a bit longer than necessary in introspective moments, but the payoff is worth it. The twists are subtle rather than explosive, landing with a creeping sense of realization. By the end, the story feels complete, eerie, and satisfying.
Overall, a chilling, atmospheric horror with a strong emotional core. Perfect for readers who love stories that blur the line between psychological darkness and the supernatural, and who appreciate a slow-building sense of dread that lasts long after the final page.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eARC!
December 31, 2025
3.5 Rounded Up
For a YA horror, I actually really enjoyed this one. The Darkness Greeted Her follows Penny, a teenage FMC with harm OCD who attends a therapy camp alongside other girls dealing with their own struggles. The cover was what initially pulled me in, and the first chapter hooked me right away but the pacing after that threw me off a bit.
The first 35–40% felt pretty slow to me, and I struggled to really settle into the story. That said, once I hit that point, I was fully invested and eager to see where things were headed. From there, the tension picked up and kept my attention through the end.
I really liked how the campers’ individual stories were introduced. While not all of them were deeply fleshed out, I thought they were handled well overall. To be fair, with a standalone YA horror, I’m not necessarily expecting intense character depth or expansive world-building. I didn’t go into this expecting the complexity of Tolkien. Still, there were a few moments I wish had been explored a bit more.
Overall, while the pacing held it back slightly for me, I think this is a solid and engaging read. I think teen readers who enjoy horror will likely have a great time with this one.
For a YA horror, I actually really enjoyed this one. The Darkness Greeted Her follows Penny, a teenage FMC with harm OCD who attends a therapy camp alongside other girls dealing with their own struggles. The cover was what initially pulled me in, and the first chapter hooked me right away but the pacing after that threw me off a bit.
The first 35–40% felt pretty slow to me, and I struggled to really settle into the story. That said, once I hit that point, I was fully invested and eager to see where things were headed. From there, the tension picked up and kept my attention through the end.
I really liked how the campers’ individual stories were introduced. While not all of them were deeply fleshed out, I thought they were handled well overall. To be fair, with a standalone YA horror, I’m not necessarily expecting intense character depth or expansive world-building. I didn’t go into this expecting the complexity of Tolkien. Still, there were a few moments I wish had been explored a bit more.
Overall, while the pacing held it back slightly for me, I think this is a solid and engaging read. I think teen readers who enjoy horror will likely have a great time with this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Going in, I truly had no idea where this book was headed and that sense of uncertainty became one of its greatest strengths. Penny’s story drew me in immediately, but as the layers peeled back, it became clear this was not just her story it was the story of all the girls, their shared and individual traumas, and the quiet, terrifying ways those experiences shape them.
Ferko explores trauma in a way I’ve never encountered before. It’s not loud or sensationalized; instead, it’s deeply psychological, isolating, and unsettling. The horror here isn’t just in what happens, it’s in what’s remembered, suppressed, and carried. The atmosphere is haunting and reflective, with a creeping sense of dread that feels intimate and inescapable.
This book is unique in its execution, emotionally heavy without being exploitative, and unapologetically dark. It made me uncomfortable in the best way the way meaningful horror should. I’m already eager to get my hands on a physical copy to experience it again.
Highly recommend for readers who appreciate psychological horror, trauma-centered storytelling, and narratives that refuse to let go once they’ve found you.
Going in, I truly had no idea where this book was headed and that sense of uncertainty became one of its greatest strengths. Penny’s story drew me in immediately, but as the layers peeled back, it became clear this was not just her story it was the story of all the girls, their shared and individual traumas, and the quiet, terrifying ways those experiences shape them.
Ferko explores trauma in a way I’ve never encountered before. It’s not loud or sensationalized; instead, it’s deeply psychological, isolating, and unsettling. The horror here isn’t just in what happens, it’s in what’s remembered, suppressed, and carried. The atmosphere is haunting and reflective, with a creeping sense of dread that feels intimate and inescapable.
This book is unique in its execution, emotionally heavy without being exploitative, and unapologetically dark. It made me uncomfortable in the best way the way meaningful horror should. I’m already eager to get my hands on a physical copy to experience it again.
Highly recommend for readers who appreciate psychological horror, trauma-centered storytelling, and narratives that refuse to let go once they’ve found you.
October 27, 2025
Haunting, Heartbreaking, and Impossible to Put Down
The Darkness Greeted Her by Christina Ferko is an emotional and chilling masterpiece that grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. Ferko weaves an intense psychological and emotional journey—one that balances the raw ache of trauma with the flicker of hope that refuses to die.
The writing is vivid and atmospheric, painting darkness not just as an external force, but as something deeply human—something that lives in pain, survival, and the desperate need to be seen. Every chapter pulls you deeper into the protagonist’s mind, and by the end, you feel like you’ve walked every shadowed step beside her.
Ferko’s storytelling is both poetic and brutal in its honesty. It’s not just a dark read—it’s a beautifully broken one. The emotion lingers long after you close the book.
If you love stories that explore the complexities of the human spirit, with haunting prose and gut-wrenching realism, The Darkness Greeted Her is an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss.
The Darkness Greeted Her by Christina Ferko is an emotional and chilling masterpiece that grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. Ferko weaves an intense psychological and emotional journey—one that balances the raw ache of trauma with the flicker of hope that refuses to die.
The writing is vivid and atmospheric, painting darkness not just as an external force, but as something deeply human—something that lives in pain, survival, and the desperate need to be seen. Every chapter pulls you deeper into the protagonist’s mind, and by the end, you feel like you’ve walked every shadowed step beside her.
Ferko’s storytelling is both poetic and brutal in its honesty. It’s not just a dark read—it’s a beautifully broken one. The emotion lingers long after you close the book.
If you love stories that explore the complexities of the human spirit, with haunting prose and gut-wrenching realism, The Darkness Greeted Her is an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5/5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for providing an ARC of The Darkness Greeted Her by Christina Ferko.
The story starts as the FMC is dropped off at Camp Whitewood, where she and a handful of other girls will work through their trauma, but nothing goes as planned. The FMC is suffering from harmful visions linked to her OCD and trauma from an abusive father, but when she starts to hallucinate (or not) seeing items that have no business being where they are, things begin to take an eerie turn. Then she sees Shadow Man, and when things feel like they are spinning out of control and cannot get worse, campers start to die.
There is a sapphic element to this story that was enjoyable, but nothing compares to the atmospheric, gothic horror vibes. When the Shadow Man uses their trauma against them in harmful ways, it took this book to a terrifying place. This book is creepy, scary, and highly entertaining.
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for providing an ARC of The Darkness Greeted Her by Christina Ferko.
The story starts as the FMC is dropped off at Camp Whitewood, where she and a handful of other girls will work through their trauma, but nothing goes as planned. The FMC is suffering from harmful visions linked to her OCD and trauma from an abusive father, but when she starts to hallucinate (or not) seeing items that have no business being where they are, things begin to take an eerie turn. Then she sees Shadow Man, and when things feel like they are spinning out of control and cannot get worse, campers start to die.
There is a sapphic element to this story that was enjoyable, but nothing compares to the atmospheric, gothic horror vibes. When the Shadow Man uses their trauma against them in harmful ways, it took this book to a terrifying place. This book is creepy, scary, and highly entertaining.
December 7, 2025
The Darkness Greeted Her is a haunting psychological thriller that pulls you into its shadowy world from the very first page. Christina Ferko crafts a story full of tension, secrets, and unsettling twists that will keep you turning pages late into the night.
The characters are complex, flawed, and incredibly compelling, each hiding layers of fear, guilt, and desire. Ferko’s writing perfectly balances chilling suspense with emotional depth, making every revelation hit harder and every twist more shocking.
The pacing is tight and relentless, with tension building steadily until the final, haunting climax. The atmosphere is immersive, suffused with darkness, dread, and a sense of inevitable danger that lingers long after the last page.
If you love psychological thrillers that are dark, twisty, and emotionally charged, The Darkness Greeted Her is an unmissable read.
The characters are complex, flawed, and incredibly compelling, each hiding layers of fear, guilt, and desire. Ferko’s writing perfectly balances chilling suspense with emotional depth, making every revelation hit harder and every twist more shocking.
The pacing is tight and relentless, with tension building steadily until the final, haunting climax. The atmosphere is immersive, suffused with darkness, dread, and a sense of inevitable danger that lingers long after the last page.
If you love psychological thrillers that are dark, twisty, and emotionally charged, The Darkness Greeted Her is an unmissable read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for early copy for review*
While I appreciate the Appalachian setting for this horror, I feel like this setting was underused. The horror aspect felt more the girls inner struggles which could have been set anywhere. The folklore gets mentioned, but does not feel developed. Especially with how scary that region is.
The book felt to long and for that length the cast of characters did not seem well developed enough. Having a book this long would have been better to have chapter from different characters instead of glimpses of each characters past. If the author wanted to play on the psychological factor more we could of had the past portions just be in the illusions the monster made.
That being said this is not a bad book just underwhelming.
While I appreciate the Appalachian setting for this horror, I feel like this setting was underused. The horror aspect felt more the girls inner struggles which could have been set anywhere. The folklore gets mentioned, but does not feel developed. Especially with how scary that region is.
The book felt to long and for that length the cast of characters did not seem well developed enough. Having a book this long would have been better to have chapter from different characters instead of glimpses of each characters past. If the author wanted to play on the psychological factor more we could of had the past portions just be in the illusions the monster made.
That being said this is not a bad book just underwhelming.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set at an isolated therapy camp in the Appalachian wilderness, this story blends psychological dread, survival tension, and trauma-driven fear in a way that really gets under your skin. What makes it so effective is how closely the horror is tied to the characters’ mental health — especially Penny’s experience with intrusive thoughts, which are portrayed with care and intensity.
The fear here isn’t just the monster stalking the girls — it’s the constant uncertainty of what’s real. Hallucinations, trauma, and an entity that feeds on fear blur together until you’re questioning everything right alongside them. The Shadow Man is genuinely terrifying, not because of jump scares, but because of how intimately he uses their deepest fears against them.
Dark, emotional, and incredibly tense, this is a powerful debut that will stick with you long after the final page.
The fear here isn’t just the monster stalking the girls — it’s the constant uncertainty of what’s real. Hallucinations, trauma, and an entity that feeds on fear blur together until you’re questioning everything right alongside them. The Shadow Man is genuinely terrifying, not because of jump scares, but because of how intimately he uses their deepest fears against them.
Dark, emotional, and incredibly tense, this is a powerful debut that will stick with you long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I read this ARC via Netgalley.
Penny isn't exactly looking forward to going to a therapy camp, but her harm OCD has made her afraid to touch anything sharp. At first the other girls seem nice, even if she knows they all have their own issues, and she immediately connects to Harper. But when visions of her abusive father seem to become real, and a girl dies, she begins to question her reality.
The beginning of this book was intriguing, but when the hallucinations became real was where I struggled to suspend disbelief. Everything escalated so quickly that I didn't feel like I got a sense of each girl's personality. While I liked seeing the surviving girls take on their fears, the plotline involving the therapist's daughter really seemed unbelievable to me. The action did move along and there were some creepy moments.
Penny isn't exactly looking forward to going to a therapy camp, but her harm OCD has made her afraid to touch anything sharp. At first the other girls seem nice, even if she knows they all have their own issues, and she immediately connects to Harper. But when visions of her abusive father seem to become real, and a girl dies, she begins to question her reality.
The beginning of this book was intriguing, but when the hallucinations became real was where I struggled to suspend disbelief. Everything escalated so quickly that I didn't feel like I got a sense of each girl's personality. While I liked seeing the surviving girls take on their fears, the plotline involving the therapist's daughter really seemed unbelievable to me. The action did move along and there were some creepy moments.
May 23, 2025
I would give this infinity stars if I could! The way that Christina writes horror is so atmospheric and deliciously spine-tingling. The slow build of reveals and the way this story hooks you in and makes you need ANSWERS. It truly reminds me of film maker Mike Flanagan at his best. Penny is wonderfully complex as she battles with issues stemming from her abusive father and the whole cast of girls is so fun. One thing I particularly love about Christina's writing is the way she builds female friendships and how her female characters are always building each other up. THIS IS WHAT WE NEED. This book is truly the perfect spooky treat. I read an early copy and I cannot WAIT to have a physical copy on my shelves. Knowing me, I'll probably grab the audiobook too.
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