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Local Gods
A folk horror novel about a girl who, hated by her town for her father’s crimes, must decide whether to save it or burn it all down when a dying god in the woods warns her of an impending catastrophe.
When a bone-white crow lands in Sylvie Singer’s backyard, she knows trouble is coming. And after an FBI raid reveals her father’s double life, Sylvie’s entire world comes crashing around her. With nowhere to go but the abandoned railway station in the cursed West Woods, Sylvie spends her time avoiding the carnivorous white deer that live there, counting down the days until she can graduate from high school and finally leave the town that’s openly out for her blood. Then Sylvie encounters a different sort of monster.
Illican is a horned god bound to the West Woods, even more wretched than she is. Sylvie is drawn to Illican, excited that he can introduce her to magic that could save her town—save her. But Illican is dying, and the last thing Pine Ridge Hollow wants is help from Sylvie Singer…
The town is a tinderbox, and Sylvie is the spark that will either save it or burn it all down.
When a bone-white crow lands in Sylvie Singer’s backyard, she knows trouble is coming. And after an FBI raid reveals her father’s double life, Sylvie’s entire world comes crashing around her. With nowhere to go but the abandoned railway station in the cursed West Woods, Sylvie spends her time avoiding the carnivorous white deer that live there, counting down the days until she can graduate from high school and finally leave the town that’s openly out for her blood. Then Sylvie encounters a different sort of monster.
Illican is a horned god bound to the West Woods, even more wretched than she is. Sylvie is drawn to Illican, excited that he can introduce her to magic that could save her town—save her. But Illican is dying, and the last thing Pine Ridge Hollow wants is help from Sylvie Singer…
The town is a tinderbox, and Sylvie is the spark that will either save it or burn it all down.
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
Melinda Salisbury
24 books1,391 followersMelinda Salisbury is the four-time Carnegie nominated and bestselling author of multiple teen and young adult novels, including the Sin Eater's Daughter series, Hold Back the Tide, and Her Dark Wings, a Guardian Children's Book of the Year 2022 and a Reading Agency Book of the Year 2022 pick.
Her debut teen novel, EchoStar, a tech thriller aimed at 12–14-year-olds, was published in March 2024 by Barrington Stoke, with AdelAIDE following in August 2024, The Foundation in January 2025 and Endgame in February 2026.
Her first novel, The Sin Eater's Daughter, was the bestselling UK YA debut novel of 2015, and collectively her books have been nominated and shortlisted for numerous national and international awards and accolades, including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the YA Book Prize, the Branford Boase, the Edgar Awards, YALSA Best YA 2022, Eason's YA Book of the Month, and more. Her books have been published in sixteen countries to date.
Melinda works as a writing mentor and development editor, and volunteers at a local independent cinema on the East Sussex Coast. She also likes Surrealist art.
Her debut teen novel, EchoStar, a tech thriller aimed at 12–14-year-olds, was published in March 2024 by Barrington Stoke, with AdelAIDE following in August 2024, The Foundation in January 2025 and Endgame in February 2026.
Her first novel, The Sin Eater's Daughter, was the bestselling UK YA debut novel of 2015, and collectively her books have been nominated and shortlisted for numerous national and international awards and accolades, including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the YA Book Prize, the Branford Boase, the Edgar Awards, YALSA Best YA 2022, Eason's YA Book of the Month, and more. Her books have been published in sixteen countries to date.
Melinda works as a writing mentor and development editor, and volunteers at a local independent cinema on the East Sussex Coast. She also likes Surrealist art.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
June 14, 2026
I, too, would rather be in the woods with the hot forest god and his strange animals than live in such a hateful small town. Not that the main character Sylvie Singer really has a choice in that matter. She is the daughter of the man who swindled half the town out of their life savings and although she didn't know of her father's criminal life until recently, everyone hates her now. Her family lost the house and there's barely any money left, her mother is only looking after herself and not after Sylvie. School is unbearable too and she finds "gifts" in her locker every day, but graduation is only a few weeks away. Sylvie tries to lay low until she is eighteen and able to leave everything behind. Until then it's the small, run-down house in the woods and daily attacks in town. I felt pretty bad for her as literally everyone failed her, but reading about everyone's asshole behavior was also a bit insufferable to me. Especially the teen drama involved. All of her friends dropped her, but sometimes they speak to her as if nothing happened? How annoying. The whole town needed to be slapped in the face honestly. Anyway. Sylvie's life gets even more complicated when she literally stumbles over a dying god in the woods. At first she thinks that she is seeing things, but then she constantly dreams of her skin turning into bark and the carnivorous deer keep following her and the house overgrows with plants. I had high hopes for the forest god side of things, but I had a rather rough time with it. One of the first things Sylvie thinks about him is that he is so hot and that he could be on the cover of Vogue, and that basically turned me off immediately. Then she turns to the local goth girl who is really into magick (with a k) to ask about supernatural things. And then she does a google search and reads several old newspaper articles on the god. I wanted the folklore part to really slap, but it was so uninspired and boring how all the information was revealed. The forest god himself was dramatically underutilized in the story as he was in like three scenes. I get that he wasn't really the point and I'm glad that it didn't turn into a romance, but it could have been so intriguing and just wasn't. The tense situation in the town was well done, but the folklore horror part was very shallow in my opinion. We get a random scene of naked women dancing and everyone knows to lock up their pets to save them from the creepy white animals of the woods, and that's it. I do have to say that the ending was pretty badass and that it made my overall feelings on this book way more positive. The ending had the vibe that I had imagined the entire book would have, but it didn't and so it was just a mediocre read for me.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2026
Sylvie is hated by the town after her dad (the mayor) got into some trouble with the FBI (and the town). Finishing out high school is hard enough add finding the god she saw in the forest to that list makes for an interesting read.
I loved the lore of the town, the atmosphere was also so perfect for the vibe of this book. The characters might not all be likable but they definitely played their role in the plot well. The twists and mystery of how things would turn out was engaging and so addictive to read. I also really liked how it ended, I wasn’t really expecting that ending but it was refreshing.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: Third Person
Spice Level: n/a
Sad Level: 💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Sylvie
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🦌🌿🔮
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Death, Infidelity
I loved the lore of the town, the atmosphere was also so perfect for the vibe of this book. The characters might not all be likable but they definitely played their role in the plot well. The twists and mystery of how things would turn out was engaging and so addictive to read. I also really liked how it ended, I wasn’t really expecting that ending but it was refreshing.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: Third Person
Spice Level: n/a
Sad Level: 💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Sylvie
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🦌🌿🔮
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Death, Infidelity
August 9, 2026
Another absolute banger from one of the most interesting voices in the YA lit space - Salisbury crafts a gripping story of down on their luck girls, small towns that have seen better days, local mysteries and eldrich beings that tie them all together.
Truly cinematic and I fear some of these visuals will haunt me for a long time [complimentary]
Truly cinematic and I fear some of these visuals will haunt me for a long time [complimentary]
August 3, 2026
What a weird, unsettling, gorgeously atmospheric Folk Horror standalone. I came across Local Gods at the bookstore by accident as it was getting ready to be shelved having been released early and was drawn by the wonderful cover (the U.S. cover). I have read one of Melinda Salisbury's books in the past and I enjoyed it but this was even more strangely enjoyable and yet with that bittersweet ending that leaves you with a mix of emotions--part of me definitely teared up at the ending.
The book follows Sylvie Singer, a senior in high school living in a small town bordered by the ominous West Woods where carnivorous ghostly white deer and owls and crows dwell. As the daughter of a con-man who swindled her hometown, then ran off, Sylvie is left to (unfairly) face the town’s anger in his place. As punishment, she is forced to live in the woods alone at the abandoned train station. One day, coming home from school, she encounters a horned god whose presence precedes catastrophe and disaster. But Illican is dying and Sylvie has to make a choice between saving the town or leaving and watching it destroy itself...The longer she stays in the woods, the more sinister occurrences at Pine Ridge Hollow and its history begin to reveal themselves to her. But is the danger from the woods, or from the town?
This book was incredible, with its rich world-building, hidden secrets, creepy rituals and cult-like townspeople that added depth and intrigue to the overall storyline. Local Gods also deals with deeper themes of betrayal, revenge, redemption and man's influence on nature. It's also the perfect novel for Summerween. Additionally, what shone the most for me in the book was Sylvie's character whom I completely felt for. We see her struggles from being the "princess" of her school to an outcast overnight, then her rage as she navigates the town's history, to autonomy and finally, redemption.
With that being said, I did feel like the book rushed towards a conclusion without providing some solid answers to underlying questions the reader (and Sylvie) had.
I would've liked to have seen more of Illican. While this is not necessarily a romance, he was the center of the story and was hardly in it. It didn't make Sylvie's crush over him deeper as he was hardly in the story.
That being said, I did enjoy this novel a lot and highly recommend if you're looking for an unsettling, bizarre, creepy small-town horror read. Keep in mind, despite being YA, this standalone does lean towards the darker side. TW: animal death, murder, minor blood and gore.
4.25 stars.
The book follows Sylvie Singer, a senior in high school living in a small town bordered by the ominous West Woods where carnivorous ghostly white deer and owls and crows dwell. As the daughter of a con-man who swindled her hometown, then ran off, Sylvie is left to (unfairly) face the town’s anger in his place. As punishment, she is forced to live in the woods alone at the abandoned train station. One day, coming home from school, she encounters a horned god whose presence precedes catastrophe and disaster. But Illican is dying and Sylvie has to make a choice between saving the town or leaving and watching it destroy itself...The longer she stays in the woods, the more sinister occurrences at Pine Ridge Hollow and its history begin to reveal themselves to her. But is the danger from the woods, or from the town?
This book was incredible, with its rich world-building, hidden secrets, creepy rituals and cult-like townspeople that added depth and intrigue to the overall storyline. Local Gods also deals with deeper themes of betrayal, revenge, redemption and man's influence on nature. It's also the perfect novel for Summerween. Additionally, what shone the most for me in the book was Sylvie's character whom I completely felt for. We see her struggles from being the "princess" of her school to an outcast overnight, then her rage as she navigates the town's history, to autonomy and finally, redemption.
With that being said, I did feel like the book rushed towards a conclusion without providing some solid answers to underlying questions the reader (and Sylvie) had.
I would've liked to have seen more of Illican. While this is not necessarily a romance, he was the center of the story and was hardly in it. It didn't make Sylvie's crush over him deeper as he was hardly in the story.
That being said, I did enjoy this novel a lot and highly recommend if you're looking for an unsettling, bizarre, creepy small-town horror read. Keep in mind, despite being YA, this standalone does lean towards the darker side. TW: animal death, murder, minor blood and gore.
4.25 stars.
Did Not Finish
August 12, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an arc. All opinions are my own.
★ Rating: DNF @ 40%
Genre: Gothic?
Are There Gay People in this?*: ❔ Not in the first 40%
I can't take it anymore guys, I'm not strong enough
I really thought I was going to love this book. Weird forest creatures, morally ambiguous god of the woods, and folklore horror? All of that is so up my alley. Unfortunately, I felt like all of the supernatural horror took a huge backseat to the small-town drama which I just was not particularly interested in. Every adult from this terrible horrible no-good town is comically evil. Why are you, as a grown ass man, physically attacking a child because of something her father did?? Get a grip. Honestly it could have been interesting if it wasn't SO over the top. Everyone was nothing but petty and nasty all of the time and it got really boring really quick.
Honestly, I did love all of the foresty horror stuff going on. The vibes are weird and Illican is an interesting entity. However, even that was starting to lose my interest a bit. Obviously I didn't finish the book, so I can't speak to how things go in the latter parts, but I really wish the eeriness of the woods was played up. She kinda just sees weird animals, and then goes on with her day.
ALSO! Sylvie as a protagonist? Genuinely too stupid to live. I hated her so much. Like, why are you panicking about missing a single homework assignment and then 2 days later skipping school altogether?? She's judgey and pretentious and I definitely think you can tell she grew up rich and popular. And it could be interesting to see a character grapple with her past cruelty now that she is at the bottom of the social hierarchy, but the book never felt like it actually wanted to go in depth on that. But again, maybe at like 60% this book really gets its act together and becomes super good. But I will not be there to see it, because reading this just made me so irritated, and I need to take a break and read something that sparks joy.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
★ Rating: DNF @ 40%
Genre: Gothic?
Are There Gay People in this?*: ❔ Not in the first 40%
I can't take it anymore guys, I'm not strong enough
I really thought I was going to love this book. Weird forest creatures, morally ambiguous god of the woods, and folklore horror? All of that is so up my alley. Unfortunately, I felt like all of the supernatural horror took a huge backseat to the small-town drama which I just was not particularly interested in. Every adult from this terrible horrible no-good town is comically evil. Why are you, as a grown ass man, physically attacking a child because of something her father did?? Get a grip. Honestly it could have been interesting if it wasn't SO over the top. Everyone was nothing but petty and nasty all of the time and it got really boring really quick.
Honestly, I did love all of the foresty horror stuff going on. The vibes are weird and Illican is an interesting entity. However, even that was starting to lose my interest a bit. Obviously I didn't finish the book, so I can't speak to how things go in the latter parts, but I really wish the eeriness of the woods was played up. She kinda just sees weird animals, and then goes on with her day.
ALSO! Sylvie as a protagonist? Genuinely too stupid to live. I hated her so much. Like, why are you panicking about missing a single homework assignment and then 2 days later skipping school altogether?? She's judgey and pretentious and I definitely think you can tell she grew up rich and popular. And it could be interesting to see a character grapple with her past cruelty now that she is at the bottom of the social hierarchy, but the book never felt like it actually wanted to go in depth on that. But again, maybe at like 60% this book really gets its act together and becomes super good. But I will not be there to see it, because reading this just made me so irritated, and I need to take a break and read something that sparks joy.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
August 29, 2026
3.5, which is n o t a bad rating
Interesting premise, cool aesthetic, unique folklore. Very obvious in terms of where the plot was going, especially in the middle, which I think made it drag a little. The end chunk had me hooked, so maybe I just wanted more of that action taking up page time rather than the middle bits. Also so obvious that this character is a teenager, which works for parts of the narrative but also didn’t work as well for me as an adult…idk.
I think this had so much potential and just didn’t land for me.
Interesting premise, cool aesthetic, unique folklore. Very obvious in terms of where the plot was going, especially in the middle, which I think made it drag a little. The end chunk had me hooked, so maybe I just wanted more of that action taking up page time rather than the middle bits. Also so obvious that this character is a teenager, which works for parts of the narrative but also didn’t work as well for me as an adult…idk.
I think this had so much potential and just didn’t land for me.
September 19, 2026
guys this shit was NUTS y'all have to read this!! Melinda girl you are INSANE for writing this i finished it in 5 hours!! that NEVER happens!!
really though this book is magnificent folk horror!! the atmosphere!! the world-building!! the looming feeling of dread!! the characters!! sylvie you are my GIRL i'd die for you!!
the way Salisbury describes the woods and plant-life is genuinely enchanting i am fully engrossed in her world!!
also obsessed with the fact that her father committing fraud and being on the run from the fbi is just a footnote in her story like sylvie you really are that girl!!
really though this book is magnificent folk horror!! the atmosphere!! the world-building!! the looming feeling of dread!! the characters!! sylvie you are my GIRL i'd die for you!!
the way Salisbury describes the woods and plant-life is genuinely enchanting i am fully engrossed in her world!!
also obsessed with the fact that her father committing fraud and being on the run from the fbi is just a footnote in her story like sylvie you really are that girl!!
October 1, 2026
I am not sure how to rate this. While I actually did end up loving the story and the atmosphere, it felt ungodly long despite not being that big. Two things I want to say about this book are 1) STOP TREATING KIDS LIKE SHIT FOR THEIR PARENTS CRIMES and 2) STOP USING RABBITS AS HORROR MURDER FODDER.
September 4, 2026
Ну нарешті, та сама книга, яка задовольнила всі мої потреби. Від окультних магазинчиків і підліток, які бавляться в магію до лісових богів і випускного у стилі «Керрі».
April 13, 2026
I loved every moment of this. It’s visceral from the get go. Sylvie is a brilliant main character and you feel for her straight away - there’s so much going on in her life. This is so delicious and devious. There’s a massive punch of female rage by the end that I just adored. Total Wicker Man and Men vibes about this. Adored it. Mel Salisbury is a Wonder Woman.
August 9, 2026
Deeply funny to me that it’s the descendants of colonizer families fighting over who gets to be the favorite of the god of these ancient, magical woods. Like, neither of you deserve it? We’re in this mess BECAUSE of you??? Get a grip.
Anyway.
This was a STRUGGLE to get through—for many reasons.
So many, I’m just going to list them:
* Colonialism never mentioned—Wtf is context, right?
* Environmental issues also never mentioned—odd for a book with a god of the woods but maybe that’s just me?
* Very little about systemic disinvestment from small towns despite this being set in a small town clearly suffering from that kind of large-scale economic depression? Let’s just have the whole town blame the FMC’s dad to keep the “plot” going.
* “Pick me” protagonist girlie that the whole town inconsistently despises—characters switch up all the time for unclear reasons
* Very cool god of the woods who receives very little screen time and who never really gets a fleshed out storyline
* No discussion whatsoever about race or class—despite one of the very few black characters mentioned in this story being the victim of a crime perpetrated by white settlers??? Just dropped that in there.
* One of Sylvie’s only distinct personality traits seems to be how hot she thinks the god of these ancient woods is? Not super relevant considering EVERYTHING ELSE happening, Sylvie. But, whatever.
* Deadbeat mom just cause I guess? #diversity I guess?
* Dickish dad, too—but, like, that’s consistent? Why he got a happy ending for himself though is less clear, I’ll be honest. Especially considering how many women get taken out as like collateral here.
* There’s a super cool, weird forest with all kinds of freaky creatures and omens appearing and yet so much of this book is about stereotypical teenage nonsense—prom, finals, detention, crushes, etc. It bewilders me how little curiosity any of these kids express about their world and how tradition plays them all for fools. I hate stories that diminish the capacity and nuance of young people in this way.
Anyway.
Those are my main thoughts.
There are some cool things in this story—but not enough to overcome how boring and unimaginative a lot of the characters and their actions are. I’m mostly disappointed~
Anyway.
This was a STRUGGLE to get through—for many reasons.
So many, I’m just going to list them:
* Colonialism never mentioned—Wtf is context, right?
* Environmental issues also never mentioned—odd for a book with a god of the woods but maybe that’s just me?
* Very little about systemic disinvestment from small towns despite this being set in a small town clearly suffering from that kind of large-scale economic depression? Let’s just have the whole town blame the FMC’s dad to keep the “plot” going.
* “Pick me” protagonist girlie that the whole town inconsistently despises—characters switch up all the time for unclear reasons
* Very cool god of the woods who receives very little screen time and who never really gets a fleshed out storyline
* No discussion whatsoever about race or class—despite one of the very few black characters mentioned in this story being the victim of a crime perpetrated by white settlers??? Just dropped that in there.
* One of Sylvie’s only distinct personality traits seems to be how hot she thinks the god of these ancient woods is? Not super relevant considering EVERYTHING ELSE happening, Sylvie. But, whatever.
* Deadbeat mom just cause I guess? #diversity I guess?
* Dickish dad, too—but, like, that’s consistent? Why he got a happy ending for himself though is less clear, I’ll be honest. Especially considering how many women get taken out as like collateral here.
* There’s a super cool, weird forest with all kinds of freaky creatures and omens appearing and yet so much of this book is about stereotypical teenage nonsense—prom, finals, detention, crushes, etc. It bewilders me how little curiosity any of these kids express about their world and how tradition plays them all for fools. I hate stories that diminish the capacity and nuance of young people in this way.
Anyway.
Those are my main thoughts.
There are some cool things in this story—but not enough to overcome how boring and unimaginative a lot of the characters and their actions are. I’m mostly disappointed~
Read
July 14, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and David Fickling Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
What a bunch of evil people, wow! Tore through this and thought it succeeded at every hurdle. Plot was well-paced, the weird magic stuff started happening just slow enough for Sylvie continuing to go to school to seem completely rational. It was a little bit Starling House, a little bit Spit Back the Bones with sentient landscapes and those raw, angry emotions. It fits that folk-horror genre perfectly and I can see this being really popular. Thrilled to have such a highly anticipated book pay off so well!
What a bunch of evil people, wow! Tore through this and thought it succeeded at every hurdle. Plot was well-paced, the weird magic stuff started happening just slow enough for Sylvie continuing to go to school to seem completely rational. It was a little bit Starling House, a little bit Spit Back the Bones with sentient landscapes and those raw, angry emotions. It fits that folk-horror genre perfectly and I can see this being really popular. Thrilled to have such a highly anticipated book pay off so well!
September 6, 2026
~~Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!~~
This is probably amongst the most unique books I've read this year, but, despite it having many things I did like, there's was other things that lacked a lot of or didn't fully satisfy me.
The atmosphere and worldbuilding is definitely the biggest highlight here. Salisbury put so much thought and care in crafting the world of Pine Ridge Hollow and its woods. The town felt very Twin Peaks in vibes, and I was able to keep track of the minor characters and their importance to the plot. But the woods were both whimsical, creepy, and deeply enriched with life that's both beautiful and terrifying. The parts where Sylvie was in the woods or was with its inhabitants were the most intrenched I felt in the sheer energy the story was drawing me into.
I liked Sylvie as a main character, and her character arc went in a direction I didn't see coming. Between the entire town shunning/bullying her and the financial instability she had to endure on the daily basis, this girl had it very rough. There were a lot of things about her relationship with other characters that weren't given closure on by the end, but the climax was so damn hyped. The townies got exactly what they deserved by the end. Despite this, and the Illican being the most crucial character of the whole story, he should've been more present than talked about. "Nature has its ways" and all that, but I feel like Sylvie spending more time with him would've made the conclusion to their part in the story more satisfying for me.
All in all, this was good, but I wanted this to be greater. I dunno if I'll actively seek out Salisbury's other works, past or future, because of this, but I definitely would recommend it to people who want to read something different in YA paranormal/horror.
This is probably amongst the most unique books I've read this year, but, despite it having many things I did like, there's was other things that lacked a lot of or didn't fully satisfy me.
The atmosphere and worldbuilding is definitely the biggest highlight here. Salisbury put so much thought and care in crafting the world of Pine Ridge Hollow and its woods. The town felt very Twin Peaks in vibes, and I was able to keep track of the minor characters and their importance to the plot. But the woods were both whimsical, creepy, and deeply enriched with life that's both beautiful and terrifying. The parts where Sylvie was in the woods or was with its inhabitants were the most intrenched I felt in the sheer energy the story was drawing me into.
I liked Sylvie as a main character, and her character arc went in a direction I didn't see coming. Between the entire town shunning/bullying her and the financial instability she had to endure on the daily basis, this girl had it very rough. There were a lot of things about her relationship with other characters that weren't given closure on by the end, but the climax was so damn hyped. The townies got exactly what they deserved by the end. Despite this, and the Illican being the most crucial character of the whole story, he should've been more present than talked about. "Nature has its ways" and all that, but I feel like Sylvie spending more time with him would've made the conclusion to their part in the story more satisfying for me.
All in all, this was good, but I wanted this to be greater. I dunno if I'll actively seek out Salisbury's other works, past or future, because of this, but I definitely would recommend it to people who want to read something different in YA paranormal/horror.
September 6, 2026
Holy cow that ending was satisfying as hell
July 11, 2026
Unsettling in the most deliciously atmospheric of ways! Melinda Salisbury’s Local Gods was a gorgeously evocative, small town Folk Horror that now lives in my head rent free, I loved it!
Exploring redemption, revenge and the impact humanity has on nature and society (via greed and neglect.) We follow Sylvie, the daughter of a con-man who swindled her hometown, then ran off. Leaving Sylvie to face the town’s anger in his place.
Now, living in the woods (where all wildlife is ghostly white and carnivorous.) Sylvie encounters a horned god, whose appearance always precedes catastrophe for the town. But the god (Ilican) is dying and Sylvie must decide whether she wants to save her town (who’ve ostracised her) … or watch it all burn.
This was such an incredible read! The unnervingly rich world-building, hidden secrets, creepy rituals and cult-like townspeople (who wouldn’t be put of place in The Wicker Man) added so much depth and intrigue to the story.
But it was the struggles and emotional depth that we explore in Sylvie, (the towns golden child turned outcast) as she navigates the town’s history, and her journey of rage, autonomy and redemption that really won me over.
I won’t go into too much detail as it’s a story that needs to be experienced to be truly appreciated. But I will say I loved that ending, and only wish Sylvie’s parents could’ve been there to witness it (she deserved soo much better!)
I loved her interactions with Ilican too (and the uncanny woodland creatures she encounters) as they were so fascinating. And brought a sense of intimacy into the eerie, suspenseful scenes that I found compelling.
Salisbury’s portrayal of the (cult-like) townspeople and its insular community was also really interesting. And I loved how the traditional small town trope was subverted into something far more sinister.
Overall, a satisfyingly addictive read that’s perfect for fans of immersive, genre-blending stories.
Also, thanks to Nina Douglas PR & David Fickling Books for this stunning proof.
Exploring redemption, revenge and the impact humanity has on nature and society (via greed and neglect.) We follow Sylvie, the daughter of a con-man who swindled her hometown, then ran off. Leaving Sylvie to face the town’s anger in his place.
Now, living in the woods (where all wildlife is ghostly white and carnivorous.) Sylvie encounters a horned god, whose appearance always precedes catastrophe for the town. But the god (Ilican) is dying and Sylvie must decide whether she wants to save her town (who’ve ostracised her) … or watch it all burn.
This was such an incredible read! The unnervingly rich world-building, hidden secrets, creepy rituals and cult-like townspeople (who wouldn’t be put of place in The Wicker Man) added so much depth and intrigue to the story.
But it was the struggles and emotional depth that we explore in Sylvie, (the towns golden child turned outcast) as she navigates the town’s history, and her journey of rage, autonomy and redemption that really won me over.
I won’t go into too much detail as it’s a story that needs to be experienced to be truly appreciated. But I will say I loved that ending, and only wish Sylvie’s parents could’ve been there to witness it (she deserved soo much better!)
I loved her interactions with Ilican too (and the uncanny woodland creatures she encounters) as they were so fascinating. And brought a sense of intimacy into the eerie, suspenseful scenes that I found compelling.
Salisbury’s portrayal of the (cult-like) townspeople and its insular community was also really interesting. And I loved how the traditional small town trope was subverted into something far more sinister.
Overall, a satisfyingly addictive read that’s perfect for fans of immersive, genre-blending stories.
Also, thanks to Nina Douglas PR & David Fickling Books for this stunning proof.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Melinda Salisbury has crafted one of the most vivid settings I've read in a long time. Pine Ridge Hollow and the haunting West Woods felt so real that I could practically smell the damp earth and hear the rustle of leaves. Even after finishing the book, I can still picture those eerie, yet beautiful, woods in my mind.
The emotional journey was just as immersive as the setting. I felt everything alongside Sylvie: anger at the injustices she faces, heartbreak over the losses and betrayals, moments of unexpected peace, and an almost constant sense of suspense that kept me turning pages late into the night. The balance of folklore, magic, mystery, and deeply human emotion is masterfully done.
Sylvie is a wonderfully complex heroine whose resilience makes her impossible not to root for, and Illican is the kind of unforgettable character who will find a place in your heart. Together, their story explores belonging, sacrifice, and the monsters we fear, both real and imagined.
Local Gods is haunting, atmospheric, and utterly captivating. If you're looking for a YA fantasy that combines rich folklore, unforgettable characters, and a setting you'll never want to leave (despite its dangers), this is a book you won't want to miss.
The emotional journey was just as immersive as the setting. I felt everything alongside Sylvie: anger at the injustices she faces, heartbreak over the losses and betrayals, moments of unexpected peace, and an almost constant sense of suspense that kept me turning pages late into the night. The balance of folklore, magic, mystery, and deeply human emotion is masterfully done.
Sylvie is a wonderfully complex heroine whose resilience makes her impossible not to root for, and Illican is the kind of unforgettable character who will find a place in your heart. Together, their story explores belonging, sacrifice, and the monsters we fear, both real and imagined.
Local Gods is haunting, atmospheric, and utterly captivating. If you're looking for a YA fantasy that combines rich folklore, unforgettable characters, and a setting you'll never want to leave (despite its dangers), this is a book you won't want to miss.
July 25, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.5 rounded to 5.0 stars.
I really enjoyed this, this book gave me Rory Powers vibes in the best way with the weird and eerie setting. This book has a bittersweet ending that felt totally satisfying, I live for feminine rage.
This book follows a girl basically shunned by the town and it’s community because of the actions of her father. It has a little where the crawdads sing vibe going on with how harsh the towns people are lumping her in with her dad the way they do. During the book weird things are happening in the town, but our girl doesn’t care she’s graduating soon and planning to get the hell out. It’s safe to say a lot of things don’t go to plan, and there’s a real darkness to this story that doesn’t let up. From the loser towns people who give lynchmob vibes to the surprising allies that give you a little sprinkle of optimism when you REALLY need it, I loved this a lot. There’s surprising betrayals and a twist that left me feeling like thank god, but yeah I think this is one I’ll read again some time.
I really enjoyed this, this book gave me Rory Powers vibes in the best way with the weird and eerie setting. This book has a bittersweet ending that felt totally satisfying, I live for feminine rage.
This book follows a girl basically shunned by the town and it’s community because of the actions of her father. It has a little where the crawdads sing vibe going on with how harsh the towns people are lumping her in with her dad the way they do. During the book weird things are happening in the town, but our girl doesn’t care she’s graduating soon and planning to get the hell out. It’s safe to say a lot of things don’t go to plan, and there’s a real darkness to this story that doesn’t let up. From the loser towns people who give lynchmob vibes to the surprising allies that give you a little sprinkle of optimism when you REALLY need it, I loved this a lot. There’s surprising betrayals and a twist that left me feeling like thank god, but yeah I think this is one I’ll read again some time.
June 23, 2026
A brilliant, fast-paced read that I couldn’t put down!
Sylvie Singer is the town pariah in Pine Ridge Hollow. Her dad ran off with the townspeople’s life savings, and despite her (truthful) insistence that she knew absolutely nothing about it, everybody has decided to funnel their anger towards her. Unfortunately for Sylvie, she’s stuck in town until she graduates and can get her hands on her trust fund. With no money to her name for the next few weeks, she’s forced to sleep in an abandoned railway station in the West Woods - a place where all the animals are white, owls stalk your every move, and the deer eat meat. The longer she stays in the woods, the more sinister goings on in Pine Ridge Hollow and its history begin to reveal themselves to her. But is the danger from the woods, or from the town?
I was completely invested from start to finish. If you like fantasy and magical realism with a twist of nature and the supernatural this book is definitely for you!
[Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me a proof!]
Sylvie Singer is the town pariah in Pine Ridge Hollow. Her dad ran off with the townspeople’s life savings, and despite her (truthful) insistence that she knew absolutely nothing about it, everybody has decided to funnel their anger towards her. Unfortunately for Sylvie, she’s stuck in town until she graduates and can get her hands on her trust fund. With no money to her name for the next few weeks, she’s forced to sleep in an abandoned railway station in the West Woods - a place where all the animals are white, owls stalk your every move, and the deer eat meat. The longer she stays in the woods, the more sinister goings on in Pine Ridge Hollow and its history begin to reveal themselves to her. But is the danger from the woods, or from the town?
I was completely invested from start to finish. If you like fantasy and magical realism with a twist of nature and the supernatural this book is definitely for you!
[Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me a proof!]
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I'm not an influencer or anything, but I met Sarah Barley last summer for my internship at Simon & Schuster and she kindly sent me an ARC of this book.
OH MY GOD??? This book reminded me of Pan's Labyrinth from the beginning, but it was still very original and dark in its own way. I think people should go into this book without knowing anything and just let the story unfold itself. However, there are certain scenes that can be triggering, so proceed with caution.
OH MY GOD??? This book reminded me of Pan's Labyrinth from the beginning, but it was still very original and dark in its own way. I think people should go into this book without knowing anything and just let the story unfold itself. However, there are certain scenes that can be triggering, so proceed with caution.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I adored this! We are dropped into the aftermath of something, following Sylvie who is hated by the town. The story unfolds slowly, revealing secrets, rage, friendships old and new. The end... Visceral feminine rage used to perfection. A must read
August 7, 2026
I absolutely loved Local Gods. This was such an atmospheric, unsettling read, and once I was drawn into Sylvie’s story, I found it incredibly difficult to put down.
The folk horror elements were easily one of my favourite parts. The strange white animals, the West Woods and the mythology surrounding Illican created this constant feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Melinda Salisbury does a brilliant job of making the natural world feel simultaneously beautiful, magical and genuinely threatening.
I also really loved Sylvie as a protagonist. She is being punished by an entire community for the actions of her father, and the anger, loneliness and desperation she experiences felt incredibly raw. I became very invested in her and increasingly furious on her behalf as the story progressed. There is a strong thread of female rage running through the novel that I particularly enjoyed.
The mystery surrounding the town and its history kept me hooked, and I loved gradually discovering how everything connected. There were moments that were wonderfully creepy, but the story also had much more emotional depth than I initially expected.
Dark, strange, atmospheric and completely absorbing, Local Gods was exactly my kind of folk horror. I loved the combination of folklore, nature, anger and small-town secrets, and the ending only cemented this as a five-star read for me. Definitely one I’ll be recommending!
The folk horror elements were easily one of my favourite parts. The strange white animals, the West Woods and the mythology surrounding Illican created this constant feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Melinda Salisbury does a brilliant job of making the natural world feel simultaneously beautiful, magical and genuinely threatening.
I also really loved Sylvie as a protagonist. She is being punished by an entire community for the actions of her father, and the anger, loneliness and desperation she experiences felt incredibly raw. I became very invested in her and increasingly furious on her behalf as the story progressed. There is a strong thread of female rage running through the novel that I particularly enjoyed.
The mystery surrounding the town and its history kept me hooked, and I loved gradually discovering how everything connected. There were moments that were wonderfully creepy, but the story also had much more emotional depth than I initially expected.
Dark, strange, atmospheric and completely absorbing, Local Gods was exactly my kind of folk horror. I loved the combination of folklore, nature, anger and small-town secrets, and the ending only cemented this as a five-star read for me. Definitely one I’ll be recommending!
August 14, 2026
Eldritch forest gods??? Small town horrors??? Female rage??? I am IN, please and thank you. I loved so much about “Local Gods,” from Sylvie’s character arc to the mysteries behind Illican and the West Woods. I especially appreciated the commentary on groupthink, scapegoating, and taking back power. Plus, that climax??? SO. VISCERALLY. SATISFYING.
All that said, I really wish the ending hadn’t left me with quite so many lingering questions. Why did Serra hate Sylvie so much? What did Esme’s letter say? What happened to Constance and Mike? And was Sylvie really content to let Hunter run away without some kind of confrontation or closure between them? It wouldn’t have taken much to tie up those loose ends, and I’d have been a much happier reader.
I also struggled at times to believe that literally almost every person in Pine Ridge Hollow vehemently hated Sylvie — a teenage girl who’d done nothing wrong — for her father’s crimes. I suppose the narrative did somewhat explain the town’s true feelings by the end, but I’d have appreciated a more nuanced take on the community’s actions.
Still, I genuinely enjoyed this story’s folk horror elements and my heart pounded in all the right places. I’d definitely read another book from Melinda Salisbury.
All that said, I really wish the ending hadn’t left me with quite so many lingering questions. Why did Serra hate Sylvie so much? What did Esme’s letter say? What happened to Constance and Mike? And was Sylvie really content to let Hunter run away without some kind of confrontation or closure between them? It wouldn’t have taken much to tie up those loose ends, and I’d have been a much happier reader.
I also struggled at times to believe that literally almost every person in Pine Ridge Hollow vehemently hated Sylvie — a teenage girl who’d done nothing wrong — for her father’s crimes. I suppose the narrative did somewhat explain the town’s true feelings by the end, but I’d have appreciated a more nuanced take on the community’s actions.
Still, I genuinely enjoyed this story’s folk horror elements and my heart pounded in all the right places. I’d definitely read another book from Melinda Salisbury.
July 14, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Firstly, thank you to Melinda (the author), David Finkling Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t love it, but I also didn’t hate it.
The premise of the book and the story was really good, really cool and completely right up my street - give me a a hot cryptid and a small town folklore history and I am there and first in line.. but something about this book couldn’t keep my attention and I can’t put my finger on what it is.
One thing I didn’t like for sure was the mistreatment of Sylvia - like I know, that’s absolutely the point of the story and sets up for later (no spoilers here do not fret) but the premise of the mistreatment based on Adam’s actions really rubbed me up the wrong way through out - she is a child, still in school … and realistically grown ass adults wouldn’t do that, no matter how much they were wronged by the father.
The ending however, was beautiful. It was poetic and it was absolutely the right call and I was very satisfied with it.
I did enjoy it, I just wasn’t racing to get through it, and I think that’s why my score is what it is.
Firstly, thank you to Melinda (the author), David Finkling Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t love it, but I also didn’t hate it.
The premise of the book and the story was really good, really cool and completely right up my street - give me a a hot cryptid and a small town folklore history and I am there and first in line.. but something about this book couldn’t keep my attention and I can’t put my finger on what it is.
One thing I didn’t like for sure was the mistreatment of Sylvia - like I know, that’s absolutely the point of the story and sets up for later (no spoilers here do not fret) but the premise of the mistreatment based on Adam’s actions really rubbed me up the wrong way through out - she is a child, still in school … and realistically grown ass adults wouldn’t do that, no matter how much they were wronged by the father.
The ending however, was beautiful. It was poetic and it was absolutely the right call and I was very satisfied with it.
I did enjoy it, I just wasn’t racing to get through it, and I think that’s why my score is what it is.
July 23, 2026
I found this one interesting, but a little unbelievable when it came to the supposedly believable aspects, but it all kind of came together in the end.
Sylvie is a teenager, living alone in an abandoned structure in the woods. I wasn’t really getting what was going on. Her dad had been unveiled as a scam artist and took off on the family, but her mom was still kind of around and had abandoned her for a new boyfriend. The entire town hated Sylvie and took out their anger at her father on her. I guess just the whole premise was weird that the whole town was so cruel to a child.
Sylvie meets a god in the woods and figures out she needs to warn people something terrible is going to happen to the town, but it torn.
I don’t know, I liked the folklore aspect of it, but it took place in my state and I’d never heard any of this lore, I have a lot of googling to do.
Overall, it had Carrie vibes.
Sylvie is a teenager, living alone in an abandoned structure in the woods. I wasn’t really getting what was going on. Her dad had been unveiled as a scam artist and took off on the family, but her mom was still kind of around and had abandoned her for a new boyfriend. The entire town hated Sylvie and took out their anger at her father on her. I guess just the whole premise was weird that the whole town was so cruel to a child.
Sylvie meets a god in the woods and figures out she needs to warn people something terrible is going to happen to the town, but it torn.
I don’t know, I liked the folklore aspect of it, but it took place in my state and I’d never heard any of this lore, I have a lot of googling to do.
Overall, it had Carrie vibes.
August 12, 2026
I enjoyed this one SO MUCH MORE than I was anticipating! This ethereal-like setting in the woods had me yearning to be plopped in the middle of nowhere. The animals and their distinct color differences added such a unique element to the story that had me wanting to know more as quickly as possible.
I thought the characters were all pretty deplorable and the deeper we got into the story and seeing just how deceptive everyone was, just made my heart ache for Sylvie. Sylvie really hit the jackpot with absent, careless parents, unreliable friends, and discouraging members of the community. When she comes into some magic, everything starts to feel more promising and exciting for her.
This story was DARK, it was kind of sad, it made me angry a lot of the time, but that ending was IMMACULATE. I flew through this in a handful of days and couldn't stop thinking about it once I finished. YA horror is honestly so great and this one is one you should definitely not sleep on!
I thought the characters were all pretty deplorable and the deeper we got into the story and seeing just how deceptive everyone was, just made my heart ache for Sylvie. Sylvie really hit the jackpot with absent, careless parents, unreliable friends, and discouraging members of the community. When she comes into some magic, everything starts to feel more promising and exciting for her.
This story was DARK, it was kind of sad, it made me angry a lot of the time, but that ending was IMMACULATE. I flew through this in a handful of days and couldn't stop thinking about it once I finished. YA horror is honestly so great and this one is one you should definitely not sleep on!
August 10, 2026
Thank you to Sarah Barley Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book via Netgalley. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed the folklore aspects of this story, and the way the backstory of the town’s history was slowly revealed. The town was so full of horrible people. The way they treated Sylvia was honestly crazy. It was almost hard to believe they had so much hatred for a child simply because of the crimes of her father. It did make the story more compelling.
The FMC, Sylvie, was a sympathetic character, but I think my favorite character was Chantry.
There were a couple surprising twists and revelations. This story held my attention, and I thought the ending was strong. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of YA supernatural thrillers.
I really enjoyed the folklore aspects of this story, and the way the backstory of the town’s history was slowly revealed. The town was so full of horrible people. The way they treated Sylvia was honestly crazy. It was almost hard to believe they had so much hatred for a child simply because of the crimes of her father. It did make the story more compelling.
The FMC, Sylvie, was a sympathetic character, but I think my favorite character was Chantry.
There were a couple surprising twists and revelations. This story held my attention, and I thought the ending was strong. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of YA supernatural thrillers.
October 12, 2026
Can't blame our main character for hanging out in the woods with a forest god and his um...pets. Sylvie's life is kind of unbearable. Her father is a criminal, and the whole town and school hate her for that reason. There were so many elements (like the folk horror) that really worked for me. I wish they dived deeper into that aspect of the story. Unfortunately, the pacing and drama made it hard to finish. Overall, the ending did land and I would definitely be interested in reading more from Melinda Salisbury.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Shuster for the digital arc in exchange for my review.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Shuster for the digital arc in exchange for my review.
August 18, 2026
I picked this up to read entirely based on the cover, and I have to say, I was not disappointed. From the description and several of the first chapters, I thought this might turn out to be your run-of-the-mill YA paranormal romance, but this author takes those tropes and twists them in some fun ways. There are several surprises and some pretty meaty horror here.
September 7, 2026
A fun little folk horror joint in the vein of House of Hollow
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