Felix Blackwell’s debut novel has an intriguing premise: a couple are celebrating their engagement in a remote cabin in the woods when they start to experience strange events. Shadows move in and out of the trees, footprints appear in the snow, and a child’s strange cries cut through the darkness. Faye starts behaving strangely in her sleep, and things quickly turn terrifying. The story, which began as a popular Reddit series, explores themes of indigenous folklore and psychological horror.

The story began on a Reddit forum and has garnered a significant following, however, I found myself really struggling to connect with it. The prologue is particularly strong (a great short story on its own!), showcasing Blackwell’s potential for writing atmospheric and suspenseful scenes. However, the pacing and character development in the main story didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped. I found it very repetitive and there were multiple plot points still left unexplained at the end of the book. The main characters lacked complexity, which was surprising considering the author based his protagonists on himself and his wife.

The author attempts to address the sensitive topic of indigenous representation in fiction with an essay at the end of the book. While this shows awareness of the issue, the integration of native culture within the story itself might benefit from further development. Indigenous characters were simply used as tools to present the white characters with information, something Blackwell himself warned against in his essay.

“Stolen Tongues” clearly appeals to many readers, especially those who enjoy slow-burn horror with supernatural elements. Although it didn’t meet my personal expectations, other fans of the genre may find something to appreciate in its unique blend of relationship drama and creeping dread. At the very least, the prologue is worth a read.