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A Darker Act
Lush romance and chill-inducing shivers combine in this YA tale of folk horror inspired by the legend of the Wild Hunt! Months after a harrowing performance, a teen girl reunites with her acting troupe for a camping weekend in the woods - only to find something they awakened has followed them there.
There's something on those moors that likes to hunt young maidens for sport....
When high school senior Hazel joins her school's elite theatre group, the Edgemoor Players, all she's looking for is one more extracurricular to add to her packed college resume. This year, the Players are putting on their most ambitious production a tragic romance inspired by local legends of a ghostly huntsman who is said to have once stalked the nearby moors.
That was then. Now, no one talks about the play, its disastrous final performance, or the strange, eerie happenings which preceded it. But when Hazel signs up for an extra credit camping trip months later, she finds herself suddenly reunited with her former castmates for a weekend.
Trapped together in the woods, Hazel will have to confront her old friends - including Roman, the Players' enigmatic leading man. And they will all have to reckon with a far deadlier truth: that what they started last year isn't over.
Months ago, the Edgemoor Players woke something up - and now it won't rest until it catches its prey.
A BEWITCHING FOLK HORROR FROM AMY GOLDSMITH, AUTHOR OF PREDATORY NATURES AND THOSE WE DROWN .
There's something on those moors that likes to hunt young maidens for sport....
When high school senior Hazel joins her school's elite theatre group, the Edgemoor Players, all she's looking for is one more extracurricular to add to her packed college resume. This year, the Players are putting on their most ambitious production a tragic romance inspired by local legends of a ghostly huntsman who is said to have once stalked the nearby moors.
That was then. Now, no one talks about the play, its disastrous final performance, or the strange, eerie happenings which preceded it. But when Hazel signs up for an extra credit camping trip months later, she finds herself suddenly reunited with her former castmates for a weekend.
Trapped together in the woods, Hazel will have to confront her old friends - including Roman, the Players' enigmatic leading man. And they will all have to reckon with a far deadlier truth: that what they started last year isn't over.
Months ago, the Edgemoor Players woke something up - and now it won't rest until it catches its prey.
A BEWITCHING FOLK HORROR FROM AMY GOLDSMITH, AUTHOR OF PREDATORY NATURES AND THOSE WE DROWN .
368 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2026
About the author
Amy Goldsmith
4 books206 followersAmy Goldsmith is the author of THOSE WE DROWN, which was a Barnes & Noble YA Book Club selection, OUR WICKED HISTORIES, and the forthcoming PREDATORY NATURES. She has a lifelong love of all things spooky and lives on the Sussex coast with her family and beloved whippet.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3⭐️
**update: as I sat on this book I had to change my rating. I had gone back through the book to look at some things and got very weirded out by sentence construction that I didn’t focus on due to the audio. So I couldn’t in good conscience round up to my original 4⭐️
This was an interesting ride, and I’m grateful that I had both the complimentary eARC from Random House Children’s via NetGalley and the audiobook from PRH Audio via their influencer program.
The theatre connection is what drew me to requesting this, and I did enjoy that aspect, but overall, this book just wasn’t for me. Now, that’s 100% a personal experience and not at all an indictment of the book, which I’m sure will be a hit with younger readers and those who enjoy retellings of legends.
This is a YA thriller with magical/paranormal realism, and I think it’s particularly suited to younger teens for a few reasons. First, the suspension of disbelief required is significant, and that’s okay! It just becomes harder for older teens and adults to hold on to that suspension of disbelief.
In YA thrillers, the absent adults are often crucial to the plot, but here it crossed into unbelievable territory for me. You have a school-sponsored field trip where the students are essentially left to their own devices. It makes for an interesting story, but it was just too hard for me to swallow, which pulled me out of the story, and there ultimately wasn’t enough to pull me back in.
Since I read this both physically and through audio, I was hoping for a more immersive experience, but a lot of the story was told rather than shown, which isn’t something I personally enjoy. And while the narrator had a lovely voice, I just didn’t enjoy the narration. Most notably, while she is indeed British, the vocals came across to me as an American trying to put on a British accent. I’m not sure what her natural voice sounds like, so perhaps she was softening it to make the narration a bit more commercially accessible? Whatever it was, it just didn’t work for me.
Lastly, we need to talk about my personal pet peeve: authors inappropriately using “bile rising up.” It’s used incorrectly all the time in situations where bile has absolutely no business being, but here it happens several times. This poor character must have the worst case of bile reflux ever and really needs to see a doctor because bile doesn’t belong in the stomach. But I digress…
So while this one didn’t work for me, I can absolutely see why so many readers will love it. Truly! It has an interesting story, creates a wonderfully atmospheric picture of the English Moors, and feels like a perfect fall read for younger YA readers.
**update: as I sat on this book I had to change my rating. I had gone back through the book to look at some things and got very weirded out by sentence construction that I didn’t focus on due to the audio. So I couldn’t in good conscience round up to my original 4⭐️
This was an interesting ride, and I’m grateful that I had both the complimentary eARC from Random House Children’s via NetGalley and the audiobook from PRH Audio via their influencer program.
The theatre connection is what drew me to requesting this, and I did enjoy that aspect, but overall, this book just wasn’t for me. Now, that’s 100% a personal experience and not at all an indictment of the book, which I’m sure will be a hit with younger readers and those who enjoy retellings of legends.
This is a YA thriller with magical/paranormal realism, and I think it’s particularly suited to younger teens for a few reasons. First, the suspension of disbelief required is significant, and that’s okay! It just becomes harder for older teens and adults to hold on to that suspension of disbelief.
In YA thrillers, the absent adults are often crucial to the plot, but here it crossed into unbelievable territory for me. You have a school-sponsored field trip where the students are essentially left to their own devices. It makes for an interesting story, but it was just too hard for me to swallow, which pulled me out of the story, and there ultimately wasn’t enough to pull me back in.
Since I read this both physically and through audio, I was hoping for a more immersive experience, but a lot of the story was told rather than shown, which isn’t something I personally enjoy. And while the narrator had a lovely voice, I just didn’t enjoy the narration. Most notably, while she is indeed British, the vocals came across to me as an American trying to put on a British accent. I’m not sure what her natural voice sounds like, so perhaps she was softening it to make the narration a bit more commercially accessible? Whatever it was, it just didn’t work for me.
Lastly, we need to talk about my personal pet peeve: authors inappropriately using “bile rising up.” It’s used incorrectly all the time in situations where bile has absolutely no business being, but here it happens several times. This poor character must have the worst case of bile reflux ever and really needs to see a doctor because bile doesn’t belong in the stomach. But I digress…
So while this one didn’t work for me, I can absolutely see why so many readers will love it. Truly! It has an interesting story, creates a wonderfully atmospheric picture of the English Moors, and feels like a perfect fall read for younger YA readers.
Review of advance copy
Hello! I'm the author of A DARKER ACT.
Just dropping by because ARCs are now making their way out into the world, which is both terrifying and exciting. A DARKER ACT is dedicated to my dog, Spider, who sadly passed over the rainbow bridge in 2024 while I was writing this book. It's somewhat fitting because this book includes dogs—both fearsome and adorable. But I'm happy to say no dogs are harmed over the course of the story.
A DARKER ACT is a folk horror with a strong romantic element set in the UK. For further content warnings, please scroll down -- and thank you so much for reading!
Content warnings:
Just dropping by because ARCs are now making their way out into the world, which is both terrifying and exciting. A DARKER ACT is dedicated to my dog, Spider, who sadly passed over the rainbow bridge in 2024 while I was writing this book. It's somewhat fitting because this book includes dogs—both fearsome and adorable. But I'm happy to say no dogs are harmed over the course of the story.
A DARKER ACT is a folk horror with a strong romantic element set in the UK. For further content warnings, please scroll down -- and thank you so much for reading!
Content warnings:
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The high school theatre group x romantic folk horror descriptions were what drew me to this book, and I’m so glad I picked it up! Once I started reading, I got so into the story.
I really enjoyed how the story was split into three acts, mirroring the three acts of the doomed play that the group enacts. I also enjoyed the withholding of information—we jump into the middle of the story, after the group has performed, and they’re about to embark on their extra credit camping trip. Now I will admit, as a teacher, I really had to stretch to imagine how this trip would’ve EVER been allowed by the kids’ parents, let alone school sanctioned. But to be honest, I pretty much just acknowledged that it while it wouldn’t happen in real life, it was just a quirk of this odd little school that the group attends, and I let it go. But okay, back to the mystery. I appreciated the way this was done, because I was filling in gaps for myself, guessing about what had happened, and wondering if I would be correct.
I really appreciated the mystery of who or what was causing all of the terrible things that were happening. I really enjoyed how the story of the play became such a part of the characters’ lives. The scene with Hazel and her dog in her house had me on edge! And the spoons… don’t even get me started. I was definitely spooked.
I enjoyed the tension (and sweetness) of Hazel and Roman’s relationship. Again, I liked how then flashbacks kept us from knowing everything right away. I also appreciated the other students in the group, and while we did get to know them, I wanted to spend even more time with them!
Overall, this was a really fun, atmospheric read. I had a great time and would definitely recommend this to my friends, but also to my students!
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books for the e-arc, and for the physical review copy! All thoughts are my own and are freely given.
I really enjoyed how the story was split into three acts, mirroring the three acts of the doomed play that the group enacts. I also enjoyed the withholding of information—we jump into the middle of the story, after the group has performed, and they’re about to embark on their extra credit camping trip. Now I will admit, as a teacher, I really had to stretch to imagine how this trip would’ve EVER been allowed by the kids’ parents, let alone school sanctioned. But to be honest, I pretty much just acknowledged that it while it wouldn’t happen in real life, it was just a quirk of this odd little school that the group attends, and I let it go. But okay, back to the mystery. I appreciated the way this was done, because I was filling in gaps for myself, guessing about what had happened, and wondering if I would be correct.
I really appreciated the mystery of who or what was causing all of the terrible things that were happening. I really enjoyed how the story of the play became such a part of the characters’ lives. The scene with Hazel and her dog in her house had me on edge! And the spoons… don’t even get me started. I was definitely spooked.
I enjoyed the tension (and sweetness) of Hazel and Roman’s relationship. Again, I liked how then flashbacks kept us from knowing everything right away. I also appreciated the other students in the group, and while we did get to know them, I wanted to spend even more time with them!
Overall, this was a really fun, atmospheric read. I had a great time and would definitely recommend this to my friends, but also to my students!
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books for the e-arc, and for the physical review copy! All thoughts are my own and are freely given.
October 13, 2026
‘Tis the season for theatre-laced folk horror, and A Darker Act DELIVERS.
“Thou art the hunted.”
A Darker Act blends a dramatics and beauty of the theatre world with a reimagined legend of The Wild Hunt in a hauntingly beautiful story. I loved how the book’s structure mirrored the three acts of Winter’s Harsh Huntsman, the story’s cursed play. Anyone with ties to the theatre world knows we are a superstitious folk, and tying that proclivity to the mythical in with legends of old made for a gripping and luscious story!
“Petivi et inveni”
“I sought and I fought”
After all, the show must go on… no matter what befalls its actors.
*Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for the advanced physical copy. All opinions expressed above are my own.
“Thou art the hunted.”
A Darker Act blends a dramatics and beauty of the theatre world with a reimagined legend of The Wild Hunt in a hauntingly beautiful story. I loved how the book’s structure mirrored the three acts of Winter’s Harsh Huntsman, the story’s cursed play. Anyone with ties to the theatre world knows we are a superstitious folk, and tying that proclivity to the mythical in with legends of old made for a gripping and luscious story!
“Petivi et inveni”
“I sought and I fought”
After all, the show must go on… no matter what befalls its actors.
*Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for the advanced physical copy. All opinions expressed above are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
‘A Darker Act’ by Amy Goldsmith is everything ya horror should be; dark and dramatic with a hint of something otherworldly. A group of teens reunite on what is meant to be an extra credit, bonding hiking trip months after their school play of a local folk legend goes horrifically awry. Full of apprehension and resentment, the teens are unaware that they are being hunted by something much more sinister until it becomes too late. Trapped in the British moors, the setting of their play, they must work together to escape the murderous huntsman and his pack of hounds. This book reminded me so much of the R.L. Stine Fear Street series I read as a kid; ‘A Darker Act’ is fresh and exciting but carries a hint of nostalgia as well. The tension in this book will cloud your mind like the fog that coats the moors. It was thrilling, exciting, and absolutely heartbreaking. One of the best ya horror novels I’ve read in a long time!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book freaked me right out and made me blush! What a story 🤯. *Cue standing ovation.*
I do have this thing where I get older but just never wiser, and I’m down bad for moody theatre boys forever and always…
But they are fictional and can’t hurt me right? Right?!? Well A Darker Act may have you question everything, as a cursed play seems to come to life and the two leads, Roman and Hazel, are tossed into the thick of it.
Inspired by the classic legend of the Wild Hunt, this tale told in three acts follows a young acting troupe months after a harrowing performance of a previously unknown play ended catastrophically. The group of former friends believes they have left the cursed night behind them, but something has awakened and is on the hunt. Over a weekend trip, they will all have to reckon with a deadly truth: that what they started last year isn't over. After all, the show must go on.
The story goes from the Present, to the Past, and back to the Present and is so phenomenally well done. Was I aware that I yearned for a young adult folk horror romance with stage directions? Not at all - but please give me more! 🎭
Extreme thanks to Delacorte Press, Penguin Young Readers Group and Random House Children’s Books for an advanced physical copy. A Darker Act takes the stage on October 13th.
I do have this thing where I get older but just never wiser, and I’m down bad for moody theatre boys forever and always…
But they are fictional and can’t hurt me right? Right?!? Well A Darker Act may have you question everything, as a cursed play seems to come to life and the two leads, Roman and Hazel, are tossed into the thick of it.
Inspired by the classic legend of the Wild Hunt, this tale told in three acts follows a young acting troupe months after a harrowing performance of a previously unknown play ended catastrophically. The group of former friends believes they have left the cursed night behind them, but something has awakened and is on the hunt. Over a weekend trip, they will all have to reckon with a deadly truth: that what they started last year isn't over. After all, the show must go on.
The story goes from the Present, to the Past, and back to the Present and is so phenomenally well done. Was I aware that I yearned for a young adult folk horror romance with stage directions? Not at all - but please give me more! 🎭
Extreme thanks to Delacorte Press, Penguin Young Readers Group and Random House Children’s Books for an advanced physical copy. A Darker Act takes the stage on October 13th.
October 26, 2026
Review based on a free audiobook provided by PRH Audio and Netgalley ARC provided by Dell Publishers.
In the mood for horror this month, I picked up A Darker Act which has horror and ghost story vibes. The story circles around a cursed play and the folklore of the Huntsman. I thought this was a great spooky season read and really enjoyed the folk lore elements of it. I felt like it also had Blair Witch Project vibes, teens stocks in the woods, unsure of what is real or not.
I enjoyed the mix of folk lore and cursed play, and the book kept me properly on the edge of my seat wondering what will happen next. It wasn’t a particularly “gross” book, definitely more spooky ghost story vibes then slasher movie.
This paragraph is slightly, potentially, spoilery. I’m pretty clear on my insta that I primarily read romance books. This book is YA and the romance is a solid part of it, but genre wise it is more horror/ghost story then romance. The ending satisfied me and is not tragic exactly, but it is also not a real HEA. Like many ghost stories, it is kind of “as good as they are going to get”. As an avid HEA reader, I just like to set my expectations accordingly.
Audiobook Review -
The narrator did a great job and this was an easy book to get lost in. It felt like sitting around a campfire listening to a tale that is going to keep you up all night.
In the mood for horror this month, I picked up A Darker Act which has horror and ghost story vibes. The story circles around a cursed play and the folklore of the Huntsman. I thought this was a great spooky season read and really enjoyed the folk lore elements of it. I felt like it also had Blair Witch Project vibes, teens stocks in the woods, unsure of what is real or not.
I enjoyed the mix of folk lore and cursed play, and the book kept me properly on the edge of my seat wondering what will happen next. It wasn’t a particularly “gross” book, definitely more spooky ghost story vibes then slasher movie.
This paragraph is slightly, potentially, spoilery. I’m pretty clear on my insta that I primarily read romance books. This book is YA and the romance is a solid part of it, but genre wise it is more horror/ghost story then romance. The ending satisfied me and is not tragic exactly, but it is also not a real HEA. Like many ghost stories, it is kind of “as good as they are going to get”. As an avid HEA reader, I just like to set my expectations accordingly.
Audiobook Review -
The narrator did a great job and this was an easy book to get lost in. It felt like sitting around a campfire listening to a tale that is going to keep you up all night.
October 13, 2026
Darkly atmospheric; the perfect folk horror read for autumn!
This was SO good omg - the atmosphere was so haunting and I did, in fact, spend about 70% of this book FULLY creeped out🤠
Amy Goldsmith’s writing style was gorgeous; the prose was stunning and creative, while the dialogue still felt realistic, helping to bring the character’s to life!
The way the horror aspect slowly built over the book was artfully done! There was a constant feeling of dread and wrongness to the novel and it performed its role within the horror genre beautifully!
I thought the narrative structure was so unique and made me appreciate this story even more! However, I do think act 2 dragged out a little; I was getting a bit impatient to return to the present storyline at times!
I was constantly turning the pages of this, anticipating the next piece of the mystery to unfold and I was not disappointed!
I felt like I really got to know all of the character’s really well and their relationship as a group felt like such a strong one!
The ending was gorgeously done and overall, this is easily a new favourite horror novel!
Genuinely couldn’t recommend enough (especially over autumn/winter)!
Tysm to Bonnier books for the ARC <3
This was SO good omg - the atmosphere was so haunting and I did, in fact, spend about 70% of this book FULLY creeped out🤠
Amy Goldsmith’s writing style was gorgeous; the prose was stunning and creative, while the dialogue still felt realistic, helping to bring the character’s to life!
The way the horror aspect slowly built over the book was artfully done! There was a constant feeling of dread and wrongness to the novel and it performed its role within the horror genre beautifully!
I thought the narrative structure was so unique and made me appreciate this story even more! However, I do think act 2 dragged out a little; I was getting a bit impatient to return to the present storyline at times!
I was constantly turning the pages of this, anticipating the next piece of the mystery to unfold and I was not disappointed!
I felt like I really got to know all of the character’s really well and their relationship as a group felt like such a strong one!
The ending was gorgeously done and overall, this is easily a new favourite horror novel!
Genuinely couldn’t recommend enough (especially over autumn/winter)!
Tysm to Bonnier books for the ARC <3
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“A Darker Act” by Amy Goldsmith is basically what happens when theater kids accidentally unleash an ancient curse and then have to deal with the consequences through acting. Honestly? That's a nightmare I can get behind.
The story follows Hazel and her former castmates, who reunite for what is somehow the least supervised school camping trip ever. (Seriously, you'll have to suspend your disbelief a little with the setup.) Once they're stranded in the middle of the freezing woods with no way out, creepy abandoned churches, mutilated animals, eerie charms, and an overwhelming feeling that they're being hunted start piling up. The atmosphere is incredible, like with foggy British moors, ancient folklore, sinister forests, and a constant sense that something is watching from the trees. It's the perfect spooky fall read.
The Wild Hunt mythology was easily one of my favorite parts. The idea that a cursed school play could literally bring an old legend to life is such a fun concept, and I loved how everything happening in the present slowly tied back to what happened during rehearsals months earlier. The flashbacks answered a lot of questions and showed how Roman gradually became consumed by his role, making it hard to tell where the character ended and the real person began.
Hazel was easy to root for, and the relationship between her and Roman added a surprising amount of emotional weight. Their romance develops naturally alongside all the supernatural chaos, and by the end I was completely invested in both of them. The ending is bittersweet, emotional, and honestly pretty heartbreaking, but it felt like the right way to wrap up the story.
The pacing shifts a bit throughout the book. The opening throws you straight into the horror with nonstop tension, while the middle slows down to focus more on the characters and romance before ramping up again for the final act. I also wished we'd gotten some of those flashbacks earlier, since it took a little while to fully understand the group's history. And yes, some of the school logistics make absolutely no sense (where are the teachers?), but once I accepted that, I had a great time.
If you love folk horror, cursed plays, creepy forests, haunted legends, gothic atmosphere, and YA horror with a dash of tragic romance, then “A Darker Act” is definitely worth picking up.
“A Darker Act” by Amy Goldsmith is basically what happens when theater kids accidentally unleash an ancient curse and then have to deal with the consequences through acting. Honestly? That's a nightmare I can get behind.
The story follows Hazel and her former castmates, who reunite for what is somehow the least supervised school camping trip ever. (Seriously, you'll have to suspend your disbelief a little with the setup.) Once they're stranded in the middle of the freezing woods with no way out, creepy abandoned churches, mutilated animals, eerie charms, and an overwhelming feeling that they're being hunted start piling up. The atmosphere is incredible, like with foggy British moors, ancient folklore, sinister forests, and a constant sense that something is watching from the trees. It's the perfect spooky fall read.
The Wild Hunt mythology was easily one of my favorite parts. The idea that a cursed school play could literally bring an old legend to life is such a fun concept, and I loved how everything happening in the present slowly tied back to what happened during rehearsals months earlier. The flashbacks answered a lot of questions and showed how Roman gradually became consumed by his role, making it hard to tell where the character ended and the real person began.
Hazel was easy to root for, and the relationship between her and Roman added a surprising amount of emotional weight. Their romance develops naturally alongside all the supernatural chaos, and by the end I was completely invested in both of them. The ending is bittersweet, emotional, and honestly pretty heartbreaking, but it felt like the right way to wrap up the story.
The pacing shifts a bit throughout the book. The opening throws you straight into the horror with nonstop tension, while the middle slows down to focus more on the characters and romance before ramping up again for the final act. I also wished we'd gotten some of those flashbacks earlier, since it took a little while to fully understand the group's history. And yes, some of the school logistics make absolutely no sense (where are the teachers?), but once I accepted that, I had a great time.
If you love folk horror, cursed plays, creepy forests, haunted legends, gothic atmosphere, and YA horror with a dash of tragic romance, then “A Darker Act” is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a review copy from the publisher in preparation for a UKYASpotlight interview. It has not affected my opinions.
A DARKER ACT is a horrormance with a tonally different middle act.
I liked the way the book took on the Wild Hunt legend. This brought it out of the Brythonic era (where it usually is placed) and into the Stuarts. It was a very different take on it, which I liked and used the setting of an abandoned church to great effect.
The story is very much on the horrormance side of things as Hazel's relationship with her opposite number in the play, Roman, is a major plotline. But how much of the attraction is real and how much comes from playing doomed lovers in the play?
This is a book with three distinct parts. The first are last are "present day" as the hiking trip quickly deteriorates into a nightmare. The first part is a tense folk horror, a creeping sense of dread slowly building across the section as stranger and stranger things happen, and the sense of isolation grows. The final is a frenetic fight for survival as the Wild Hunt crowds in.
In the middle is "one year ago", which recounts the events leading up to the play. This section felt far less like a horror than a dark academia novel - a play, strange obsessions. It reminded me of D.O.G.S. (which is a dark academia with a strange play from about the same time at its heart).
It was such a sharp tonal shift (not to mention location shift) that it was jarring. The tension dropped right out and took a while to build again because it was no longer life and death (and clearly they'd survived or they wouldn't be in the abandoned church a year later). It really undercut the book for me as it was like starting back at square one with an entirely new plot line.
A DARKER ACT is a horrormance with a tonally different middle act.
I liked the way the book took on the Wild Hunt legend. This brought it out of the Brythonic era (where it usually is placed) and into the Stuarts. It was a very different take on it, which I liked and used the setting of an abandoned church to great effect.
The story is very much on the horrormance side of things as Hazel's relationship with her opposite number in the play, Roman, is a major plotline. But how much of the attraction is real and how much comes from playing doomed lovers in the play?
This is a book with three distinct parts. The first are last are "present day" as the hiking trip quickly deteriorates into a nightmare. The first part is a tense folk horror, a creeping sense of dread slowly building across the section as stranger and stranger things happen, and the sense of isolation grows. The final is a frenetic fight for survival as the Wild Hunt crowds in.
In the middle is "one year ago", which recounts the events leading up to the play. This section felt far less like a horror than a dark academia novel - a play, strange obsessions. It reminded me of D.O.G.S. (which is a dark academia with a strange play from about the same time at its heart).
It was such a sharp tonal shift (not to mention location shift) that it was jarring. The tension dropped right out and took a while to build again because it was no longer life and death (and clearly they'd survived or they wouldn't be in the abandoned church a year later). It really undercut the book for me as it was like starting back at square one with an entirely new plot line.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 4.25⭐️
I don’t read much CTM, but I do love playing detective. And no, this one is definitely not CTM. It’s just that my detective brain was simply having a lovely little field day.
I had SO much fun trying to figure out who was actually behind the act. For some reason, one character immediately set off every alarm in my head. The plot wanted me to suspect Character A, but NOPE. My brain was screaming Character B. It was like I was Peter Parker and my spider senses were tingling. I JUST KNEW.
And guess what? I was right, well… mostly. Because yes, I love being right, but please also prove me wrong because THAT’S where the fun begins. And this book actually managed to catch me off guard with one of its twists. I was genuinely flabbergasted. Sooo yeah, congratulations, plot twist! You got me.
The book is divided into three parts, and the first part was easily my favorite, it was the spookiest and most thrilling. The second part, which is basically the flashback, was my least favorite because the pacing dragged a little. The backstory is definitely important, but the storytelling didn’t grip me quite as much as the first part. Then the third was a pretty good conclusion, the ending tied everything together in a jaw-dropping way.
Another thing I really loved was the atmosphere. Especially in the first part, this book was EERILY atmospheric. I don’t normally watch a lot of horror movies, but it gave me major Fear Street vibes.
The romance was… okay. It wasn’t anything phenomenal to me, but I did enjoy the bittersweetness of it. That said, I was primarily here for the goosebumps, and thankfully, this book delivered.
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Thank you to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC!
I don’t read much CTM, but I do love playing detective. And no, this one is definitely not CTM. It’s just that my detective brain was simply having a lovely little field day.
I had SO much fun trying to figure out who was actually behind the act. For some reason, one character immediately set off every alarm in my head. The plot wanted me to suspect Character A, but NOPE. My brain was screaming Character B. It was like I was Peter Parker and my spider senses were tingling. I JUST KNEW.
And guess what? I was right, well… mostly. Because yes, I love being right, but please also prove me wrong because THAT’S where the fun begins. And this book actually managed to catch me off guard with one of its twists. I was genuinely flabbergasted. Sooo yeah, congratulations, plot twist! You got me.
The book is divided into three parts, and the first part was easily my favorite, it was the spookiest and most thrilling. The second part, which is basically the flashback, was my least favorite because the pacing dragged a little. The backstory is definitely important, but the storytelling didn’t grip me quite as much as the first part. Then the third was a pretty good conclusion, the ending tied everything together in a jaw-dropping way.
Another thing I really loved was the atmosphere. Especially in the first part, this book was EERILY atmospheric. I don’t normally watch a lot of horror movies, but it gave me major Fear Street vibes.
The romance was… okay. It wasn’t anything phenomenal to me, but I did enjoy the bittersweetness of it. That said, I was primarily here for the goosebumps, and thankfully, this book delivered.
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Thank you to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A Darker Act follows Hazel as she joins her school’s threatre group on an extracurricular camping trip months after they stopped speaking after a disastrous final performance. Together, they’re trapped in the woods on the moors. When someone is injured, the group is forced to take refuge in an abandoned church where something sinister lurks in the dark.
The book is broken into three parts, present day, then the past, then back into the present. The author did an amazing job with the pacing. The first part was so tense and so intriguing. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was happening now and what happened months ago during the play. The parts seamlessly weave together to create such an intricate and harrowing story. This was an incredible folk horror! It’s truly haunting and atmospheric and honestly so terrifying at times. This should absolutely be added to your spooky season or winter tbr!
I’ve read a few stories inspired by the Wild Hunt legend and I think this might just be my favourite. The author did an amazing job at creating a fresh take on the story. Hazel is a great main character. I absolutely adored reading from her perspective. She was so strong and capable and had such heart. Her romance with Roman was so swoony and teased so perfectly. The ending broke my heart but stitched it back together again. And the rest of the friend group are so great. There’s a nice found family vibe to the theatre troupe and I especially loved Maja and Tunde!
If you’re looking for a lush romance and harrowing folk horror inspired by the Wild Hunt, please go pick up a copy!
Thank you so much to Penguin Teen CA for the arc!
The book is broken into three parts, present day, then the past, then back into the present. The author did an amazing job with the pacing. The first part was so tense and so intriguing. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was happening now and what happened months ago during the play. The parts seamlessly weave together to create such an intricate and harrowing story. This was an incredible folk horror! It’s truly haunting and atmospheric and honestly so terrifying at times. This should absolutely be added to your spooky season or winter tbr!
I’ve read a few stories inspired by the Wild Hunt legend and I think this might just be my favourite. The author did an amazing job at creating a fresh take on the story. Hazel is a great main character. I absolutely adored reading from her perspective. She was so strong and capable and had such heart. Her romance with Roman was so swoony and teased so perfectly. The ending broke my heart but stitched it back together again. And the rest of the friend group are so great. There’s a nice found family vibe to the theatre troupe and I especially loved Maja and Tunde!
If you’re looking for a lush romance and harrowing folk horror inspired by the Wild Hunt, please go pick up a copy!
Thank you so much to Penguin Teen CA for the arc!
October 20, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
A DARKER ACT by Amy Goldsmith (October 13, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley, Delacorte, RHC, and GetUnderlined for the eArc
Before, Hazel joined her school's theatre group. Now, it's like the play never happened. No one talks about it. How strange it was, until she and the others end up on an extra credit camping trip. Trapped with someone---something---after them.
A DARKER ACT is a YA horror story, but it's also the story of love, friendship, and pain. And of course, it is the story of supernatural curses.
Goldsmith is one of those authors that you can expect eerie, atmospheric, and utterly creepy vibes from. A DARKER ACT is no exception. This book is wild. That's the only way to describe the curse that is at this book's core. It was locked-room -esque, which I'm always a fan of.. With the curse and what they woke up, this is heart-poundingly good and kind of strange.
Onto something I wasn't a fan of. I am all for Goldsmith including Act II, which tells what happened before they found themselves in the woods, but I do feel like it came at an odd moment. Because the entire "flashback" was placed in the middle of all the high-stakes action of present day, it sort of softened (maybe not the best word) the pace. I feel like that sounds rude, and I apologize because I loved this book. I just wish the flashback had been spread out across the entire thing.
Once Act III starts, the book is back to it's high-stakes self, leading to an emotionally-devasting, yet satisfying, ending.
A DARKER ACT by Amy Goldsmith (October 13, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley, Delacorte, RHC, and GetUnderlined for the eArc
Before, Hazel joined her school's theatre group. Now, it's like the play never happened. No one talks about it. How strange it was, until she and the others end up on an extra credit camping trip. Trapped with someone---something---after them.
A DARKER ACT is a YA horror story, but it's also the story of love, friendship, and pain. And of course, it is the story of supernatural curses.
Goldsmith is one of those authors that you can expect eerie, atmospheric, and utterly creepy vibes from. A DARKER ACT is no exception. This book is wild. That's the only way to describe the curse that is at this book's core. It was locked-room -esque, which I'm always a fan of.. With the curse and what they woke up, this is heart-poundingly good and kind of strange.
Onto something I wasn't a fan of. I am all for Goldsmith including Act II, which tells what happened before they found themselves in the woods, but I do feel like it came at an odd moment. Because the entire "flashback" was placed in the middle of all the high-stakes action of present day, it sort of softened (maybe not the best word) the pace. I feel like that sounds rude, and I apologize because I loved this book. I just wish the flashback had been spread out across the entire thing.
Once Act III starts, the book is back to it's high-stakes self, leading to an emotionally-devasting, yet satisfying, ending.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️4.45
I've enjoyed other books by this author, so I was excited to get my hands on this ARC. I wasn't disappointed. This book had me hooked from the first page. The pacing made it easy to fly through the first act set in the forest where there was a strong folk horror feel. I lived for the wintery dark atmosphere and Hazel was a great MC to root for.
The second act slows it all down and I could breathe and find out more about the complicated character dynamics, especially Roman. The story of the wild hunt is not one I know a lot about so it was fun to learn about the history of the evil presence haunting the group.
Even though it was often chilling, at times it also felt somewhat cozy? The development of Hazel and Roman's relationship felt earned and that ending (slight spoiler) had me SAD but also satisfied.
I would recommend this book to students who enjoy YA ghost stories with romance.
⭐️4.45
I've enjoyed other books by this author, so I was excited to get my hands on this ARC. I wasn't disappointed. This book had me hooked from the first page. The pacing made it easy to fly through the first act set in the forest where there was a strong folk horror feel. I lived for the wintery dark atmosphere and Hazel was a great MC to root for.
The second act slows it all down and I could breathe and find out more about the complicated character dynamics, especially Roman. The story of the wild hunt is not one I know a lot about so it was fun to learn about the history of the evil presence haunting the group.
Even though it was often chilling, at times it also felt somewhat cozy? The development of Hazel and Roman's relationship felt earned and that ending (slight spoiler) had me SAD but also satisfied.
I would recommend this book to students who enjoy YA ghost stories with romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars, rounded up.
*rubs hands together* my girl Amy did not miss with this one! This is the perfect horror read for spooky month, or honestly any month.
We're thrust into this book very quickly, and the way the first act of this book had me in a chokehold needs to be studied! I think each act was very strategically written and placed in an order that works so well for the story. I also appreciate the 3 acts nod (iykyk).
My biggest complaint is that I feel like a couple of the characters don't really add much to the story, outside of the second act. I felt like they were pushed to the side, so they didn't feel very fleshed out for me.
I quite enjoyed the entire premise of a play being put on about the Wild Hunt. I loved the mythos of it, and it really made for a great horror.
Lastly, I think the ending is exactly what this book need. I am a little salty about it (complementary), but it fits so well for the story being told.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!
*rubs hands together* my girl Amy did not miss with this one! This is the perfect horror read for spooky month, or honestly any month.
We're thrust into this book very quickly, and the way the first act of this book had me in a chokehold needs to be studied! I think each act was very strategically written and placed in an order that works so well for the story. I also appreciate the 3 acts nod (iykyk).
My biggest complaint is that I feel like a couple of the characters don't really add much to the story, outside of the second act. I felt like they were pushed to the side, so they didn't feel very fleshed out for me.
I quite enjoyed the entire premise of a play being put on about the Wild Hunt. I loved the mythos of it, and it really made for a great horror.
Lastly, I think the ending is exactly what this book need. I am a little salty about it (complementary), but it fits so well for the story being told.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!
October 10, 2026
Amy Goldsmith’s A Darker Act is an atmospheric gothic horror story filled with lush, descriptive vocabulary. It has all of the classic horror story elements: unexplained events, mysterious things happening and the inevitable suspicions that the characters have. Mixed in throughout are references to modern culture, especially those pertaining to young adults. These will no doubt be familiar to its audience and will help to engage the young reader even more.
That said, this is not a book for young readers alone. As an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Darker Act . There were enough twists, turns and red herrings to keep me wanting to read on and find out what was going on. A thoroughly enjoyable and spine tingling read, I would heartily recommend this book.
(This book has been read and reviewed via NetGalley)
That said, this is not a book for young readers alone. As an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Darker Act . There were enough twists, turns and red herrings to keep me wanting to read on and find out what was going on. A thoroughly enjoyable and spine tingling read, I would heartily recommend this book.
(This book has been read and reviewed via NetGalley)
October 15, 2026
A haunting play and real life intertwine in this folk horror inspired by the legend of the Wild Hunt
I love that it was theater kids because yes they would act out the play with all their heart, but it made it more palpable to believe why Hazel, who was not a theater kid, couldn’t tell what was odd going and what wasn’t.
The woods and how they would be out of time was very creepy and well done. My only thing was I couldn’t believe a school would let them do all of that? Unless it never was so, and it was the ploy of the huntsman all along (which is a fact I could have missed as I was listening)
Regardless, it was an eerie YA thriller, crafted with characters who are puppets both of the author and the folklore that embodies them.
Thank you PRH audio for the listen!
I love that it was theater kids because yes they would act out the play with all their heart, but it made it more palpable to believe why Hazel, who was not a theater kid, couldn’t tell what was odd going and what wasn’t.
The woods and how they would be out of time was very creepy and well done. My only thing was I couldn’t believe a school would let them do all of that? Unless it never was so, and it was the ploy of the huntsman all along (which is a fact I could have missed as I was listening)
Regardless, it was an eerie YA thriller, crafted with characters who are puppets both of the author and the folklore that embodies them.
Thank you PRH audio for the listen!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got to read an eARC of this (with thanks to the author), and I loved this a LOT.
It's both eerie and charming, and its unusual structure/meta-format of a story within a story worked so well! The multi-character cast was brilliantly developed, and I absolutely devoured the story!
Highly recommend it. Please make sure to add to your TBR (and check out Amy's other books while you wait for this release!)
It's both eerie and charming, and its unusual structure/meta-format of a story within a story worked so well! The multi-character cast was brilliantly developed, and I absolutely devoured the story!
Highly recommend it. Please make sure to add to your TBR (and check out Amy's other books while you wait for this release!)
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
3.25/5! Got sent this early as an ARC!! I’m very grateful for that. I’ll say though, it’s for a younger crowd in my opinion** (tweens and teens). I didn’t love the writing style, the premise is very interesting but I think the execution could’ve been better to me. The paranormal aspect felt lacking and told, rather than atmospheric and felt through the words. Definitely one of those books where I’d still recommend it because I think it’s for someone, just not for me!
October 16, 2026
This was SUCH a good book. I especially like how it is broken down into three parts. The entire story was wonderfully eerie and kept me on edge throughout most of the scenes. I especially adore folklore stories, and this one was excellent!
I gave it 4.5 stars because I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. 😭
Otherwise it captivated me and maintained the amount of creepy vibes for spooky season reading.
I gave it 4.5 stars because I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. 😭
Otherwise it captivated me and maintained the amount of creepy vibes for spooky season reading.
October 16, 2026
This YA thriller was a wild ride! Based on the Wild Hunt, this is a story told in three acts - present, past, and back to the present. The author had a great way of keeping you creeped out - the scenes where Hazel felt like there was someone over her shoulder, for example. This was a fun spooky read and great for October! Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte for the opportunity to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I adore the eerie, mysterious atmosphere so much. Abandoned creepy church, captivating old folktale, hanging charms on the windows. Also all the angst and tension between the characters! I love the writing style too so very much. The ending was bittersweet but somewhat fitting, I wouldn't have it any other way. Petivi et inveni
Did Not Finish
June 18, 2026DNF'd at pg. 88
This is a soft DNF. Unfortunately, I was just not in the mood for a YA horror. I will for sure be coming back to this book. I have so many questions, and I have to know what happens. Also, this book is a retelling of "The Wild Hunt," and I'm not really familiar, so I think I should somewhat familiarize myself before coming back.
This is a soft DNF. Unfortunately, I was just not in the mood for a YA horror. I will for sure be coming back to this book. I have so many questions, and I have to know what happens. Also, this book is a retelling of "The Wild Hunt," and I'm not really familiar, so I think I should somewhat familiarize myself before coming back.
October 23, 2026
i think if i was still in high school, i would have liked this more. however, i am not in high school and have a vast history with fantasy novels. there’s a tad bit too much suspension of belief to truly enjoy this fantasy novel as someone who is no longer 14 years old.
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the book in exchange for an honest review
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the book in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This book was given to me as an ARC copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Full RTC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Scary folklore and romance collide in this YA horror, perfect for the season.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Reader's Copy.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Reader's Copy.
October 17, 2026
Not a fan of the ending tbh
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
RTC!
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