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Book Review: We are all Ghosts in the Forest

Cover of We Are All Ghosts in the Forest paperback book - Scottish science fiction
Buy We Are All Ghosts in the Forest

We Are All Ghosts in the Forest

by · ISBN: 9781837861453
★★★★
Fiction Dystopian Speculative Fiction Post-Internet Apocalypse Folklore Elements

Overview

In a world where the internet has collapsed and left digital ghosts behind, former photojournalist Katerina lives on the edge of a forest in her grandmother’s village. When a strange boy arrives, rumours of disease and hungry ghosts follow. Accused of witchcraft, Katerina and the boy flee into the forest in search of his missing father and the truth.

Writing & Voice

We found Wilson’s writing lyrical and reflective. The prose balances quiet moments with eerie tension. Her voice evokes a world both strange and familiar, blending speculative elements with grounded human emotion.

Content & Perspective

The story mixes dystopian collapse with folklore and community life. Katerina’s perspective gives both grit and wonder to the narrative. Ghostly elements hover at the edges of the forest, shaping the journey and the challenges she must face.

Themes

The novel explores isolation, community, fear of the unknown, and the pull between solitude and connection. It also probes how humans make meaning when familiar structures fall away and myths rise to fill the gaps.

What Worked

  • Evocative worldbuilding that blends the eerie with relatable human struggle.
  • Strong central character whose resilience drives the story.
  • Layered themes of loneliness, belonging and folklore.

Minor Quibbles

  • Pacing is gentle rather than urgent throughout.
  • Some speculative elements feel more implied than fully realised.

Final Thoughts

We felt We Are All Ghosts in the Forest succeed through quiet dread and tenderness, where networks and folklore shape community fears and mood.

Rating: ★★★★ / 5

We recommend this to readers who like speculative fiction rooted in character and atmosphere, with a touch of myth and mystery.