I am sharing another wonderful YA title with you today! It is my stop on the My Throat an Open Grave book tour. You can find the full tour schedule here.
Summary:
Labyrinth meets folk horror in this darkly romantic tale of a girl who wishes her baby brother away to the Lord of the Wood
Growing up in the small town of Winston, Pennsylvania feels like drowning. Leah goes to church every Sunday, works when she isn’t at school, and takes care of her baby brother, Owen. Like every girl in Winston, she tries to be right and good and holy. If she isn’t the Lord of the Wood will take her, and she’ll disappear like so many other girls before her.
But living up to the rigorous standards of the town takes its toll. One night, when Owen won’t stop screaming, Leah wishes him away, and the Lord listens. The screaming stops, and all that’s left in the crib is a small bundle of sticks tied with a ribbon.
Filled with shame and the weight of the town’s judgment, Leah is forced to cross the river into the Lord of the Wood’s domain to bring Owen back. But the devilish figure who has haunted Winston for generations isn’t what she expects. He tells her she can have her brother back—for the price of a song. A song that Leah will have one month to write.
It’s a bargain that will uncover secrets her hometown has tried to keep buried for decades. And what she unearths will have her questioning everything she’s been taught to fear.
Content Warning: Religious trauma, violence
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My Thoughts:
Labyrinth meets folk horror is the best description possible. If you are interested in those two concepts, you will love this book.
There were two moments early in the novel in which I knew I was going to devour My Throat an Open Grave. First, the talk of a Lord of the Woods. There is something unsettling to know there is something in the woods that is taking people in the night and it is normal. Then, when Leah is dragged to the very odd ritual, in which she promises to bring back Owen or die— 10/10 eerie.
Let’s touch on Leah. Leah is a complex character. I love how she evolved throughout the story, that brought me so much joy as a reader. But her journey, whew, it is a rough one. As her story begins to unravel I my jaw was on the floor. I wanted nothing more than for her to be happy.
I have nothing but praise for the Lord of the Woods. I cannot say anything more without spoiling everything for you~
I loved so much about My Throat an Open Grave. The dark nature of the story has depth and mystery. Not only is there a Lord of the Woods who is taking children, but there is definitely something not quite in Leah’s town. The deeper you dive, the crazier it gets.
Ultimately, I loved it. I will be rereading My Throat an Open Grave come fall.
About the Author:
Tori Bovalino is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and currently lives in London. She holds a BA in English and anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh and an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London. She is currently a student in Royal Holloway’s Creative writing
and practice-based PhD program. Tori is obsessed with chai tea, oversized sweaters, and talking about Pittsburgh.
Lit Lemon Books 