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The Wood Will Swallow You Whole: Short Stories
In the titular story we follow a man named Trevor Morris into a forest where he borrows from nature to make his furniture. But nature might not be as accepting of his practices as he thinks.
In another tale we get a glimpse into a journal written by Michael Hillerby before his disappearance. As the story unfolds we are left to question his sanity.
A forest caretaker named Charlie Davidson befriends a stranger who comes to visit with him every night, and they form an unconventional bond.
These are a few of the nine short stories written by the author of Grim Fate and Syndrome.
In another tale we get a glimpse into a journal written by Michael Hillerby before his disappearance. As the story unfolds we are left to question his sanity.
A forest caretaker named Charlie Davidson befriends a stranger who comes to visit with him every night, and they form an unconventional bond.
These are a few of the nine short stories written by the author of Grim Fate and Syndrome.
244 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2025
3 people want to read
About the author
Nicho Young
3 books9 followersNICHO YOUNG is an American author who resides in the Pacific Northwest surrounded by trees that try to whisper to him in the night.
He lives with his wife and four children on 4 acres of land surrounded by these trees, and if he is being honest he might have listened to one or two of those whispers to help create the stories he writes.
Young hopes to continue telling tales until the forest reclaims him as one of their own.
He lives with his wife and four children on 4 acres of land surrounded by these trees, and if he is being honest he might have listened to one or two of those whispers to help create the stories he writes.
Young hopes to continue telling tales until the forest reclaims him as one of their own.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 13, 2025
Nicho Young has done it again!
This collection of short stories is one that will pull you in from page one. It’s haunting. It’s gripping. It’ll have you on edge.
Young’s experience with turning imagery into a something that makes you stop and think is incredible. These woods are alive, and they’ll pull you in and keep you there until you’re facing a reality in a way you never thought possible.
This collection of short stories is one that will pull you in from page one. It’s haunting. It’s gripping. It’ll have you on edge.
Young’s experience with turning imagery into a something that makes you stop and think is incredible. These woods are alive, and they’ll pull you in and keep you there until you’re facing a reality in a way you never thought possible.
November 5, 2025
This book was so frickin good. I loved all of the stories. Every single one of them. Nicho’s writing needs more attention, yall! Quit sleeping on him!
All the Land You Own - a story about Alzheimer’s. Nicho puts you directly into the mind of someone who deals with Alzheimer’s and right from the get go, we see Nicho’s ability to make you FEEL the story and fall in love with his characters. This one was so touching!
Victory Lap - our MC is a race car driver in the midst of a race and he is doing so well when suddenly.. where did everyone go? Why is it so quiet?
Homestead - America has been hit with a disease that has left Charlene isolated on her farm. It’s not so bad because she has made it a sustainable space that provides her with everything she needs. Then, one day.. several men show up to her property . What the hell do they want? Some sh*t’s bout to go down!
This, My Shadow - You’ve lived with your shadow your whole life. Imagine if, one day, your shadow moved in a way that was not a result of any movement that you made? What if your shadow moved about freely? What if it moved in such a way that you felt that your life was threatened by it?
The Black Stone Journal - our MC, Michael, is ready for a change of pace. He ditches his fast paced life in Hollywood to start a slower paced life on a farm. After relocating, he discovers that someone who previously lived on the property went missing. He starts to have nightmares.. the animals are getting out of hand.. it seems like Michael has started to go mad. In this story, we read his journal entries that take us on a journey as things spiral.
The Wood Will Swallow You Whole - our MC, Trevor, needs wood for something he creates and he sets out to find it. Of course, he finds a property with a no trespassing sign and, of course, he trespasses. The tree he finds is perfect. But then sh*t starts to get weird.
Dead of Night - Charlie needs money. He totally lucked out and found a seasonal job that would pay a large amount of money. Buuuut.. the location is a remote property and he must care for it for the season. He’s found a routine and started to really be thankful for where his life is at.. maybe this will extend into being hired for more seasons? That would be rad! Until.. there was a knock on the door one night. What could go wrong?? This was such a cool story!!!!
With a Whimper - The country has been flushed down the drain.. a Narcissistic President is in office and his cronies are helping him to dismantle all of the great things that once made up a great country. They’re deputizing citizens. No one can be trusted. Our MC is navigating the lands, with a mission on his mind. In this story, we find out about people who he encounters and we really learn to love him. He is a caring dude who just wants to help everyone and do his part to assist in getting people to the other side of this disaster that they’re dealing with. This felt all too familiar.
The Many Deaths of Jonathan Frazier - imagine you died.. then came back to life. HUNDREDS OF TIMES. You’re immortal. What would you do if you knew you couldn’t die die? The MC in this story was so frickin funny! This was such a fun story.
All of the stories were so different and all of them touched my heart. Some were creepy.. all were thought-provoking. I’ll never stop recommending this one! PLEASE READ IT!!
All the Land You Own - a story about Alzheimer’s. Nicho puts you directly into the mind of someone who deals with Alzheimer’s and right from the get go, we see Nicho’s ability to make you FEEL the story and fall in love with his characters. This one was so touching!
Victory Lap - our MC is a race car driver in the midst of a race and he is doing so well when suddenly.. where did everyone go? Why is it so quiet?
Homestead - America has been hit with a disease that has left Charlene isolated on her farm. It’s not so bad because she has made it a sustainable space that provides her with everything she needs. Then, one day.. several men show up to her property . What the hell do they want? Some sh*t’s bout to go down!
This, My Shadow - You’ve lived with your shadow your whole life. Imagine if, one day, your shadow moved in a way that was not a result of any movement that you made? What if your shadow moved about freely? What if it moved in such a way that you felt that your life was threatened by it?
The Black Stone Journal - our MC, Michael, is ready for a change of pace. He ditches his fast paced life in Hollywood to start a slower paced life on a farm. After relocating, he discovers that someone who previously lived on the property went missing. He starts to have nightmares.. the animals are getting out of hand.. it seems like Michael has started to go mad. In this story, we read his journal entries that take us on a journey as things spiral.
The Wood Will Swallow You Whole - our MC, Trevor, needs wood for something he creates and he sets out to find it. Of course, he finds a property with a no trespassing sign and, of course, he trespasses. The tree he finds is perfect. But then sh*t starts to get weird.
Dead of Night - Charlie needs money. He totally lucked out and found a seasonal job that would pay a large amount of money. Buuuut.. the location is a remote property and he must care for it for the season. He’s found a routine and started to really be thankful for where his life is at.. maybe this will extend into being hired for more seasons? That would be rad! Until.. there was a knock on the door one night. What could go wrong?? This was such a cool story!!!!
With a Whimper - The country has been flushed down the drain.. a Narcissistic President is in office and his cronies are helping him to dismantle all of the great things that once made up a great country. They’re deputizing citizens. No one can be trusted. Our MC is navigating the lands, with a mission on his mind. In this story, we find out about people who he encounters and we really learn to love him. He is a caring dude who just wants to help everyone and do his part to assist in getting people to the other side of this disaster that they’re dealing with. This felt all too familiar.
The Many Deaths of Jonathan Frazier - imagine you died.. then came back to life. HUNDREDS OF TIMES. You’re immortal. What would you do if you knew you couldn’t die die? The MC in this story was so frickin funny! This was such a fun story.
All of the stories were so different and all of them touched my heart. Some were creepy.. all were thought-provoking. I’ll never stop recommending this one! PLEASE READ IT!!
October 25, 2025
From the very first story, Young’s collection grips the reader with a haunting sense of place and atmosphere. Set against the backdrop of remote woods and little-seen corners of the human experience, the stories carry a raw undercurrent of tension and vulnerability. The woods are not simply scenery here—they are characters in their own right, alive with memory, dread, and possibility.
Given Young’s Pacific Northwest roots, there’s a distinct sense of environment that grounds these stories: the damp moss, the quiet trails, the shifting shadows. That layer of setting enriches the emotional stakes—because the woods are familiar yet uncharted, safe yet strangely alien.
The Wood Will Swallow You Whole is a compelling collection that rewards attentive reading. It will appeal to those who linger on sentences, who appreciate mood over explosion, who enjoy when the forest holds more than trees. It’s a book that doesn’t just tell stories—it invites you in, and doesn’t let you go easily.
Given Young’s Pacific Northwest roots, there’s a distinct sense of environment that grounds these stories: the damp moss, the quiet trails, the shifting shadows. That layer of setting enriches the emotional stakes—because the woods are familiar yet uncharted, safe yet strangely alien.
The Wood Will Swallow You Whole is a compelling collection that rewards attentive reading. It will appeal to those who linger on sentences, who appreciate mood over explosion, who enjoy when the forest holds more than trees. It’s a book that doesn’t just tell stories—it invites you in, and doesn’t let you go easily.
November 4, 2025
The Wood Will Swallow You Whole by Nicho Young is a chilling collection of short stories that crawl under your skin and stay there long after you’ve turned the final page. Each story feels like stepping onto a familiar forest path that quickly twists into something unsettling, atmospheric, and eerily alive.
Young has a gift for tension — minimal words, maximum impact. These stories are fast, sharp, and rooted in quiet dread. There’s something deeply human beneath the horror too: grief, fear, regret, and the uncanny feeling that the woods are watching.
I loved how each story stands strong on its own, yet together they create a haunting tone that lingers. Perfect for fans of bite-sized horror, late-night reading sessions, and anyone who loves the feeling of goosebumps rising slow and silent.
A dark, gripping read.
Young has a gift for tension — minimal words, maximum impact. These stories are fast, sharp, and rooted in quiet dread. There’s something deeply human beneath the horror too: grief, fear, regret, and the uncanny feeling that the woods are watching.
I loved how each story stands strong on its own, yet together they create a haunting tone that lingers. Perfect for fans of bite-sized horror, late-night reading sessions, and anyone who loves the feeling of goosebumps rising slow and silent.
A dark, gripping read.
November 13, 2025
My introduction to Nicho Young's writing was through this collection of nine stories, each of which left a lasting impression on me. Homestead, in particular, stood out as my favorite. In Homestead, America is plagued by a disease that has forced Charlene into isolation on her farm. However, she has managed to create a self-sufficient haven that meets all her needs. The arrival of several men at her property sparks tension and raises questions about their intentions. The stories in this collection were diverse, emotionally resonant, and, at times, unsettling. I strongly encourage readers to explore this book and discover the unique experiences it offers.
October 17, 2025
This collection of short stories is well edited, nuanced, and powerful. Each story has it's own vibe, but they all make sense together in this collection. Some are more traditional horror, while others explore the horrors of what could be in every day life. I found them all atmospheric and visceral, each in their own way.
Nicho is definitely one to watch for future works!
Nicho is definitely one to watch for future works!
November 13, 2025
I couldn't put down this collection of short stories! Each one, sucked me in; I felt as if I was physically present, just observing each piece. Great use of imagery, whimsy and imagination. I love everything I've read by this author!
November 19, 2025
These short stories brought so many emotions out of me. They were sad, creepy, and some made me so anxious! My favorite part about each of these stories is that they all had impact and then you are on to the next one. I would read anything written
by Nicho Young!!
by Nicho Young!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews