The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024): A Review

Title: The God of the Woods

Author: Liz Moore

Publication Year: 2024

Pages: 490 pages, Kindle Edition

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction

Source: Audiobook @everand_us

“The God of the Woods” tells the intriguing story of a wealthy family whose children mysteriously vanish a decade apart. This leads readers to question whether they are cursed or merely victims of their own cowardice, as they expertly manipulate others to maintain their glamorous facade. The narrative offers a dizzying non-linear experience, jumping between different timelines and perspectives, which can be quite a mental workout.

I won’t lie; the audiobook had me utterly confused at times. I was on the verge of marking it as a DNF when I decided to persevere, and I’m glad I did. A physical copy might have spared me some of the mental gymnastics.

However confusing, the multiple viewpoints add depth to the story, transforming it into a broader commentary on the lives of those surrounding the family—think of it as a soap opera set in the woods. While it may seem that the wealthy hold all the power, stick around for a twist that might change your perspective. The only question that remains is: who is this God of the Woods?

This tale is not just a mystery; it also serves as a coming-of-age saga for several characters—except for one, whose life is cut short. How and why? You will figure it out at the end, so prepare yourself for heartbreak!

The story also explores themes of redemption, justice, guilt, love, infidelity, and revenge. If you can survive the confusion of the audiobook, you’re in for an exhilarating ride. The ending will either leave you jaw-droppingly amazed or scratching your head; personally, I found it to be a beautifully fitting conclusion to the mystery.

The only minor issue I had with the novel was the excessive amount of information about some unnecessary characters. Why should every single character in the story be given a voice? While inclusion is important and discrimination is wrong, authors need to be selective. You can't shine the spotlight on every character; it makes it overwhelming for the reader to handle!