Suicide Forest (Book 1 of World’s Scariest Places)
Suicide Forest
By Jeremy Bates
The Sexton’s musings (spoilers are likely):
We have visited the Sea of Trees (aka Suicide Forest) in other books. It’s a very real and very creepy place. The things that have been left behind are scattered throughout along with ribbons strung everywhere with the person on the other end hoping it helps them find their way back. This story adds an additional disturbing element to an already tragic and disturbing reality. The forest itself is beautiful, twisted and very disorienting.
The story is subtle in that there is not a whole lot of action until the last confrontation. The story is more about the characters and who they are, how in tune their survival instincts are. Really it’s about people dealing with an environment that has a tragic history and dealing with a series of unfortunate events that happen to them while there. And I have to say they might have some of the worst luck I have ever seen! It’s just one thing after another.
There are some moments where I got very frustrated with some of the characters as they were being petty and stupid. They have much bigger things to worry about than being jealous of ex’s or bullying each other for kicks. It got somewhat ridiculous at times considering their situation. Mel was the worst with this I would have to say, followed by John Scott and indeed our main character, Ethan.
Bates did indeed choose to go an interesting direction with this one. It keeps you guessing all the way through. Is it something supernatural, is it a psychopath, is it one of the characters? I’m not gonna spoil this one for you. Let’s just say that it is completely plausible and undeniably horrific.
Closing thoughts:
Overall it was a good story. One of survival. Our author did a wonderful job researching not just the area itself but the Japanese culture as well. It’s interesting to read about how foreigners are treated, and I have no doubt that what he says is true. Xenophobia is everywhere. Imagine the situation that we are looking at here, and then add on the fact that if you can connect with help chances are you can’t even speak to them to ask for that help (not to mention that they may be prejudice against you). It’s a terrifying prospect. Something to mull over before you go traveling little Ghoulies!
