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The Wicked Tree
Deep in the woods, a gnarled tree grows. Its thick, black trunk twists angrily up into the night sky. Held in place by the magic of a long-ago patriarch, it has waited centuries to lure a descendant into its trap.
Eleven-year-old Tavorian Kreet hates it when money troubles force his mom to move them in with his great-grandmother – though the historic house and grounds are pretty awesome. Tav is told to stay out of the estate’s woods, but he can’t resist the chance to explore.
After Tav’s first trip into the woods, he begins to have strange dreams about a supernatural tree. The dreams start out pleasant, but soon grow dark and menacing. On a dare, Tav ventures further into the woods with his new friend Harper, and they meet a mysterious, mute boy named Edward who lives in a decrepit cabin there. Though he’s unable to communicate where he came from or why he lives alone, in clear distress he scrawls two words: Bad Tree.
Tav knows what it’s like to be afraid. If he’d been brave enough to act four years ago, he could have saved his dad from the fire that took their home. But he wasn’t, and he’s been trying to redeem himself since. Now Tav is determined to help Edward. He enlists Harper, and together they search the estate for clues to Edward’s identity and how to help him.
While searching, Tav and Harper find antique photo albums, ancient diaries, and a secret laboratory. They piece together the Kreet family history, and discover a curse that’s been waiting generations for an heir. Tav’s dreams grow more ominous, and he realizes time is running short. To save himself and his friends, Tav must go to the heart of the woods, find the Bad Tree, and confront an evil magic before it consumes him completely.
Eleven-year-old Tavorian Kreet hates it when money troubles force his mom to move them in with his great-grandmother – though the historic house and grounds are pretty awesome. Tav is told to stay out of the estate’s woods, but he can’t resist the chance to explore.
After Tav’s first trip into the woods, he begins to have strange dreams about a supernatural tree. The dreams start out pleasant, but soon grow dark and menacing. On a dare, Tav ventures further into the woods with his new friend Harper, and they meet a mysterious, mute boy named Edward who lives in a decrepit cabin there. Though he’s unable to communicate where he came from or why he lives alone, in clear distress he scrawls two words: Bad Tree.
Tav knows what it’s like to be afraid. If he’d been brave enough to act four years ago, he could have saved his dad from the fire that took their home. But he wasn’t, and he’s been trying to redeem himself since. Now Tav is determined to help Edward. He enlists Harper, and together they search the estate for clues to Edward’s identity and how to help him.
While searching, Tav and Harper find antique photo albums, ancient diaries, and a secret laboratory. They piece together the Kreet family history, and discover a curse that’s been waiting generations for an heir. Tav’s dreams grow more ominous, and he realizes time is running short. To save himself and his friends, Tav must go to the heart of the woods, find the Bad Tree, and confront an evil magic before it consumes him completely.
254 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2019
4 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Thorsness
1 book21 followersKristin Thorsness is a former 5th and 6th grade teacher who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, their son and daughter, and two spoiled dogs. She likes dark chocolate, strong coffee, and creepy stories that keep her up reading late into the night. For more info or to get in touch, visit her online at www.kristinthorsness.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 21, 2019
The Wicked Tree is a classic spooky mystery with an uncommon amount of heart at its core. The story follows young Tav as he and his mom move back to the family land. Also inhabiting the creaky old house are mom's cousin Millie, the somewhat crusty and mean Grandma Eunice, stern Mrs. Green the caretaker, and her daughter Harper, aspiring gardener and up just one grade level from Tav.
Tav and Harper get off to a rocky start, but perhaps inevitably they're brought together by a shadowy mystery that surrounds the woods on the family land, one that springs from a dark and--and maybe dangerous secret about Tav's family.
All this is skillfully executed with plenty of scares and smiles as the new friends track down clues, uncover mysteries stacked on mysteries, and come closer to unraveling a secret that could change the course of Tav's family forever.
Perhaps the most endearing part of the story, however, is Tav's journey to cope with grief; Not too many years before, Tav lost his father in a fire. Thorsness expertly weaves Tav's journey towards peace with real heart, and without taking anything away from the old fashion scares and sleuthing.
At a basic level, though, the book is a very fine example of a debut author who clearly remembers what it's like to be a kid. It's easy to connect with Tav, his longings, and his fears. It's the kind of book that should make any kid who's ever felt a little lonely or guilty, or scared (in other words, everyone) feel a little less alone, and remember that good friends always come through for each other in the end.
The Wicked Tree was a pleasure to read, and should soon find itself with plenty of dog-eared corners on plenty of kids' bookshelves.
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review, but I was not otherwise compensated.
Tav and Harper get off to a rocky start, but perhaps inevitably they're brought together by a shadowy mystery that surrounds the woods on the family land, one that springs from a dark and--and maybe dangerous secret about Tav's family.
All this is skillfully executed with plenty of scares and smiles as the new friends track down clues, uncover mysteries stacked on mysteries, and come closer to unraveling a secret that could change the course of Tav's family forever.
Perhaps the most endearing part of the story, however, is Tav's journey to cope with grief; Not too many years before, Tav lost his father in a fire. Thorsness expertly weaves Tav's journey towards peace with real heart, and without taking anything away from the old fashion scares and sleuthing.
At a basic level, though, the book is a very fine example of a debut author who clearly remembers what it's like to be a kid. It's easy to connect with Tav, his longings, and his fears. It's the kind of book that should make any kid who's ever felt a little lonely or guilty, or scared (in other words, everyone) feel a little less alone, and remember that good friends always come through for each other in the end.
The Wicked Tree was a pleasure to read, and should soon find itself with plenty of dog-eared corners on plenty of kids' bookshelves.
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review, but I was not otherwise compensated.
August 4, 2019
Two kids. An old plantation house. A cursed forest. A perfect set up for a creepy mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Wicked Tree. It was just the right amount of spooky and heartfelt to be a satisfying read.
Without giving too much away, the two kids (Tav and Harper) unravel a mystery surrounding Tav's family and the cursed woods. Through their adventure, they discover secret rooms, derelict cabins, and a boy who may or may not be a ghost. The climax has Tav in the forest facing the heart of the curse while also wrestling a burden from his past. Is he successful? Well, I'm a fan of happy endings and I give it full stars.
Note: I was given an advance reader's copy to review, but no compensation.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Wicked Tree. It was just the right amount of spooky and heartfelt to be a satisfying read.
Without giving too much away, the two kids (Tav and Harper) unravel a mystery surrounding Tav's family and the cursed woods. Through their adventure, they discover secret rooms, derelict cabins, and a boy who may or may not be a ghost. The climax has Tav in the forest facing the heart of the curse while also wrestling a burden from his past. Is he successful? Well, I'm a fan of happy endings and I give it full stars.
Note: I was given an advance reader's copy to review, but no compensation.
July 16, 2019
This book will take you on an adventure with young Tav, who, with the help of his unusual family, unwinds a family secret. Once I cracked it open, I couldn't put it down. It's fun, emotional, spooky and unexpected. Loved it!
August 16, 2019
This beautiful, haunting debut will grab you from the very first page! The setting is delightfully eerie, the mystery is compelling, and Tav is SO easy to love. Absolutely don't miss this one!
October 12, 2019
Spooks, mystery and heart make this into a read to get lost in.
Tav and his mother move back to the historic, family house. Not only are moves always a challenge, but this one includes living with relatives, who each of their own quirks. Getting settled in isn't Tav's only problem as a creepy mystery involving the surrounding forest unfolds. Together with his maybe new friend, Harper, secrets come to light...and they aren't good ones. Soon, Tav finds himself caught up against a dark evil, which threatens to consume him like those before him.
This is a fun read, full of spooks, chills, and humor too. Tav is a bit unsure about himself and has a rocky start to his new life. It's easy to feel for him as he tries to come to terms with the new situation, and still, work through his own father's death. His insecurities and panic are easy to understand and sympathize with, but his determination and good heart make him easy to root for until the end. Add in the building trust of a true, blue friendship, and it's a read which connects with the intended age group.
The author keeps the pace rolling as Tav's issues mold from familiar ones to the more paranormal, spooky kind. The mystery unfolds bit by bit and lets the tension level remain high. It's hard to guess where everything will go next. The addition of a pinch of humor keeps the characters fun, while the creepy situation grabs more and more.
It's a fun read, which guarantees surprises along the way.
I received an ARC copy and enjoyed the tale quite a bit.
Tav and his mother move back to the historic, family house. Not only are moves always a challenge, but this one includes living with relatives, who each of their own quirks. Getting settled in isn't Tav's only problem as a creepy mystery involving the surrounding forest unfolds. Together with his maybe new friend, Harper, secrets come to light...and they aren't good ones. Soon, Tav finds himself caught up against a dark evil, which threatens to consume him like those before him.
This is a fun read, full of spooks, chills, and humor too. Tav is a bit unsure about himself and has a rocky start to his new life. It's easy to feel for him as he tries to come to terms with the new situation, and still, work through his own father's death. His insecurities and panic are easy to understand and sympathize with, but his determination and good heart make him easy to root for until the end. Add in the building trust of a true, blue friendship, and it's a read which connects with the intended age group.
The author keeps the pace rolling as Tav's issues mold from familiar ones to the more paranormal, spooky kind. The mystery unfolds bit by bit and lets the tension level remain high. It's hard to guess where everything will go next. The addition of a pinch of humor keeps the characters fun, while the creepy situation grabs more and more.
It's a fun read, which guarantees surprises along the way.
I received an ARC copy and enjoyed the tale quite a bit.
October 9, 2021
I really enjoyed The Wicked Tree. Tav and Harper are likeable at once, and I enjoyed watching their friendship develop as they uncovered clues about the house and land and woods where they live.
The mystery and clues throughout were exciting and engaging and I couldn’t wait to learn each piece to the puzzle!
One of my big highlights was how well tied together Tav’s current adventure was with his troubled past. I loved that at the end of the book we see resolution to both.
I loved spending time with these characters! Even though the end was satisfying, I was sad to be done. I think this will be a book for me to re-read and enjoy in the future! Now that I think of it, it would be a great yearly Halloween read since it’s set around that time of year. 😊
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The mystery and clues throughout were exciting and engaging and I couldn’t wait to learn each piece to the puzzle!
One of my big highlights was how well tied together Tav’s current adventure was with his troubled past. I loved that at the end of the book we see resolution to both.
I loved spending time with these characters! Even though the end was satisfying, I was sad to be done. I think this will be a book for me to re-read and enjoy in the future! Now that I think of it, it would be a great yearly Halloween read since it’s set around that time of year. 😊
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2019
Your heart belongs to Tav from page one. Your heart beats faster with him through every twist and turn of the story, and you can't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happens next. A glorious debut by a very talented author.
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October 12, 2023I look forward to sharing this with my 10 year old nephew as I think it's perfect for his age and interests. Though marketed as middle grade, the voice is on the younger edge of the category and would potentially suit younger readers. That said, there's plenty of spookiness in here! Not only the titular tree, but secret rooms, enchanted weapons, mysterious spell ingredients, an old plantation with a dark history, and a few ancestors who do some truly evil deeds with their magic. The darkness is balanced out with a sweet friendship story and a loving mother/son relationship. Full of evocative imagery, I think young readers will find themselves racing to find out what happens to our intrepid heroes as they get ever closer to uncovering the frightening truth within The Wicked Tree.
August 15, 2019
This was an entertaining-enough Middle Grade mystery/horror, though it was not without problems.
I'll start with what I liked:
- Decent pacing for the most part -- very few parts dragged but it didn't feel rushed, either.
- Really good depiction of childhood trauma & PTSD. Having worked with traumatized kids, I thought the way she wrote an 11-year-old shutting down and dealing with his flashbacks was very good.
- Decent characterizations of the mains. Really liked Tav and Harper. They felt like real kids, and their friendship was nicely developed. All of the characters felt like they had their own voices.
- Spooky witch stuff!
Things I feel neutral about:
- The "twists" all felt very telegraphed, which I think is probably appropriate for a middlegrade novel, but I never felt any fear or suspense because of it.
- Some of the witchy stuff kind of toed the line of being offensive, but I think it was ok in the end..
- Some subtle religious overtones that were uncomfortable for this atheist reader.
Stuff I took issue with:
- So I think the author made a mistake setting this on an old plantation. No racial stuff is explicitly addressed, and that combined with weird white-people class stuff felt super uncomfortable. Since all of the history mentioned in the book takes place in the 1890s (the decade that saw Plessy V. Ferguson which upheld racial segregation), it feels very strange to have all of the class issues completely ignore race. There is a small reference to a Haitian woman who refuses to do evil stuff with her Voodoo (which like... Also problematic), but that's it. All references to servants are white servants. Now of course having the servants be black and the family white would also be a problem. But there are other ways to have some diversity without having weird historical erasure. I just really feel like she missed the mark here, and it's my main issue that kept cropping up throughout, with what to an adult reader felt like references to slave labor and post-reconstruction exploitation that seem to have been brushed under a rug in weird ways.
- Some weird gender stuff of like how boys act vs girls that maybe the author didn't even realize was there.
- While the pacing overall was good, I felt like the action scenes in the climax dragged a bit, and the denouement felt rushed.
I wouldn't necessarily give this to a kid to read because of the white white whiteness of it, I think it's a nice one for teens & adults who can look at it critically.
I'll start with what I liked:
- Decent pacing for the most part -- very few parts dragged but it didn't feel rushed, either.
- Really good depiction of childhood trauma & PTSD. Having worked with traumatized kids, I thought the way she wrote an 11-year-old shutting down and dealing with his flashbacks was very good.
- Decent characterizations of the mains. Really liked Tav and Harper. They felt like real kids, and their friendship was nicely developed. All of the characters felt like they had their own voices.
- Spooky witch stuff!
Things I feel neutral about:
- The "twists" all felt very telegraphed, which I think is probably appropriate for a middlegrade novel, but I never felt any fear or suspense because of it.
- Some of the witchy stuff kind of toed the line of being offensive, but I think it was ok in the end..
- Some subtle religious overtones that were uncomfortable for this atheist reader.
Stuff I took issue with:
- So I think the author made a mistake setting this on an old plantation. No racial stuff is explicitly addressed, and that combined with weird white-people class stuff felt super uncomfortable. Since all of the history mentioned in the book takes place in the 1890s (the decade that saw Plessy V. Ferguson which upheld racial segregation), it feels very strange to have all of the class issues completely ignore race. There is a small reference to a Haitian woman who refuses to do evil stuff with her Voodoo (which like... Also problematic), but that's it. All references to servants are white servants. Now of course having the servants be black and the family white would also be a problem. But there are other ways to have some diversity without having weird historical erasure. I just really feel like she missed the mark here, and it's my main issue that kept cropping up throughout, with what to an adult reader felt like references to slave labor and post-reconstruction exploitation that seem to have been brushed under a rug in weird ways.
- Some weird gender stuff of like how boys act vs girls that maybe the author didn't even realize was there.
- While the pacing overall was good, I felt like the action scenes in the climax dragged a bit, and the denouement felt rushed.
I wouldn't necessarily give this to a kid to read because of the white white whiteness of it, I think it's a nice one for teens & adults who can look at it critically.
December 11, 2019
The Wicked Tree is a well-crafted mystery with a supernatural twist. I loved the eerie setting and the spooky vibe. It was a fast-paced enjoyable read. I especially loved the humor and the family secrets!
Bravo! I can hardly wait to read more from this debut author.
Bravo! I can hardly wait to read more from this debut author.
November 5, 2019
I got this book a few weeks before Halloween and that was a perfect time to read it. The author did a great job building an eerie atmosphere.
There are many things to love about The Wicked Tree. What stood out most for me was the voice. Tav and his friend sound very real, whether through dialogues or in their thoughts. Their excitement, apprehension, even boredom will resonate with readers of the same age.
The adult characters are also believable, and the pacing is great.
Feelings of alienation, longing, and the promise of adventure and finding one's place in the world are well incorporated throughout. Rather than a series of jump-scares, a strong emotional center holds the story together and creates a lasting impression.
All in all, a solid effort from a first-time author. Highly recommended !
There are many things to love about The Wicked Tree. What stood out most for me was the voice. Tav and his friend sound very real, whether through dialogues or in their thoughts. Their excitement, apprehension, even boredom will resonate with readers of the same age.
The adult characters are also believable, and the pacing is great.
Feelings of alienation, longing, and the promise of adventure and finding one's place in the world are well incorporated throughout. Rather than a series of jump-scares, a strong emotional center holds the story together and creates a lasting impression.
All in all, a solid effort from a first-time author. Highly recommended !
November 10, 2019
This was such a fun, spooky mystery! I thought the characters were well written. The story was suspenseful and spooky with some humor too. I really enjoyed it!
May 23, 2023
از جمله کتابهای نوجوان که اصلا دچار روند خطی نشد...
واقعا از خواندنش لذت بردم و با اینکه کتاب رو یک نفس خوندم باید بگم که هیچ جای کتاب نبود که دلم بخواد برای چند دقیقه زمین بذارمش...
واقعا از خواندنش لذت بردم و با اینکه کتاب رو یک نفس خوندم باید بگم که هیچ جای کتاب نبود که دلم بخواد برای چند دقیقه زمین بذارمش...
November 3, 2019
Just the right amount of spooky! I couldn't put it down.
June 12, 2020
Tav and his mom have moved back to her old home estate due to finances. Four years before, Tav's father died in a fire and Tav feels responsible. When they move back to the old family estate he decides his great-grandmother is not very likable and his cousin Millie is nuts. She keeps talking about an old book and the woods. Mrs. Green the housekeeper and her daughter Harper also lives in the estate. She has forbidden her daughter from going into the woods. Tav's mother thinks it is okay for Tav to go into the woods. Tav begins having dreams about an old tree, then he sees a boy in one of the cabins he discovered in the woods. Harper is drug into the mystery because she wants to help Edward, the boy whose picture is in the photo album Millie showed him. Somehow this kid has been on the property for over a hundred years.
This story is full of creepy mystery with an undercurrent of Tav wanting to do the right thing, the brave thing to hopefully find forgiveness. It would be so easy to get excited and write spoilers so I will stop here and just say that you really need to read this book.
This story is full of creepy mystery with an undercurrent of Tav wanting to do the right thing, the brave thing to hopefully find forgiveness. It would be so easy to get excited and write spoilers so I will stop here and just say that you really need to read this book.
November 25, 2019
There's so much here to like, but I was most moved by the endearing friendship between Tav and Harper, two characters who feel like real kids and whose relationship grows and changes over the course of the book in a fully satisfying way. Add to that some great ingredients like a slowly (but not too slowly) unfurling mystery, hints of dark magic and evil deeds of the past, and creepy scenes in the maybe-haunted woods, and you have all the elements of a fantastic debut novel.
June 12, 2021
وقتی داشتم کتاب رو میخوندم یه ثانیه هم دوست نداشتم که بزارمش زمین وهمش کجنکاو بودم که قراره چه اتفاقی میوفته لحظه لحظه این کتاب سرشار بود از حس هیجان ومن در حین خوندن کتاب هر لحظه میگفتم چقدرررر نویسنده نابغه ست...
February 16, 2021
Creepy middle grade horror. Kids who like horror will like this one.
January 28, 2025
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my thoughts in any way.
The Wicked Tree is a middle grade story about two kids, a cat and a creepy tree in the middle of a forest. It was suspenseful and exciting without being too scary for young readers. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more works from this author. 4 1/2 stars!
The Wicked Tree is a middle grade story about two kids, a cat and a creepy tree in the middle of a forest. It was suspenseful and exciting without being too scary for young readers. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more works from this author. 4 1/2 stars!
November 6, 2022
Great story for kids and kid like adults.
December 10, 2024
Such a great book. So much emotion and mystery. I love reading books with family secrets and hidden things.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews