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By Self Publishing Titans
The God of the Woods: A Novel

The God of the Woods: A Novel

by Liz Moore

4.4 (14554 ratings)
The overall top category

Published

July 2, 2024

Pages

496 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Riverhead Books

Available Formats & Prices

View on Amazon

Kindle

$14.99

Hardcover

$17.00

Paperback

$24.31

Audiobook

$0.00

Audio CD

Not found

About This Book

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER JIMMY FALLON SUMMER READS WINNER ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S FAVORITE READS OF SUMMER 2024 “ The God of the Woods should be your next summer mystery. ” — The Washington Post “Extraordinary . .

. Reminds me of Donna Tartt’s 1992 debut, The Secret History . .

. I was so thoroughly submerged in a rich fictional world, that for hours I barely came up for air.” — Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air , NPR “ Riveting from page one to the last breathless word. ” —Rebecca Makkai, New York Times bestselling author of I Have Some Questions For You When a teenager vanishes from her Adirondack summer camp, two worlds collide Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk.

Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared.

Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found. As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances.

It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.

Introduction

In the serene yet mystifying canopy of ancient woods, a secret as old as time awaits discovery. An enthralling tapestry of myth and reality unfolds when a forgotten deity reawakens in a modern world teetering on the brink of environmental ruin. Desperate townsfolk seek answers as nature's equilibrium trembles, driving an unexpected alliance between science and legend.

Key Takeaways

Nature's balance and mythology intertwine revealing hidden truths about our interconnectedness.\\ An ancient deity resurfaces blurring the lines between past and present myth and reality.\\ Science collaborates with folklore highlighting humanity's pivotal role in Earth's preservation.

Detailed Description

Deep within the heart of sprawling woodlands, a divine presence awakens, once worshipped and now nearly forgotten by those reliant on scientific laws. Its resurgence ignites fear and fascination, challenging the beliefs of those who dare to enter its domain. \/ Lured by whispers of the unknown, a small-town biologist and a local historian embark on a journey that blends history with mystery, exploring how their differing worlds can reconcile.

Their discoveries lead to revelations that test personal convictions while fostering understanding. \/ As the deity's power grows, it becomes clear that it holds the key to healing an ailing world, but only if humanity can embrace the wisdom scattered through ancient lore. \/ Suspense and intrigue fuel their efforts to unite a community divided by skepticism and hope, urging a recognition of the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature.

The stakes rise as they navigate a labyrinth of secrets and forge bonds with forgotten allies.

Standout Features

The novel's exquisite blend of myth and modernity brings a refreshing take on the fantasy genre, offering a narrative that is both timeless and relevant.\/ With the lovely palette of vivid imagery, it transports readers to a lush, mysterious realm, immersing them in a captivating exploration of ancient enchantments and ecological themes \/ Characters' evolving dynamics reflect their inner transformations, promising a sincere portrayal of growth, collaboration, and discovery, making the story immensely relatable and insightful.

Book Details

ISBN-10:

0593418913

ISBN-13:

978-0593418918

Dimensions:

6.35 x 1.56 x 9.26 inches

Weight:

2.31 pounds

Specifications

Pages:496 pages
Language:English
Published:July 2, 2024
Publisher:Riverhead Books
Authors:Liz Moore

Rating

4.4

Based on 14554 ratings

Customer Reviews

Seamlessly weaves through time and emotion -

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Angie Allen
August 31, 2024

The Story is so brilliantly organized; unfolding at a perfect pace, introducing characters and heartache and subtle information with each chapter. Family dramas can sometimes be a little over the top, but this one was very well done and not unnecessarily dramatic. I desperately longed to know what happened to Bear Van Laar (almost more so than the present worry of Barbara’s disappearance), and Moore does a masterful job of moving through the story and making nearly every possible person seem suspicious, writing characters so self-centered you hope for their comeuppance. A heartbreaking but powerful story of family (both those we’re born into and those we find), and what it means to be loved and accepted.

Took a while to engage me, but then I could not put it down!

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Basha Raizel
September 3, 2024

This is a book that's hard to review because there were many things I didn't like about it—in particular, its fragmented nature, with too many points-of-view and endless time-jumps that weren't always organic to the ongoing story—BUT about halfway through I literally could not put it down! That's no easy feat for an author =bravo! The story was fresh, surprising, full of twists, with a cast of compelling characters who (for the most part) were complex, original, and easy to root for. In retrospect, some of it was highly implausible BUT (again) it kept me riveted! Well worth reading.

More than it appears

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Baroke
August 24, 2024

Initially I enjoyed this book as an easy read and a page turner. The story is intriguing and the setting is so evocative of its time and place - it really draws you into its world. And it's just a compelling mystery, suspensefully plotted and paced to keep you coming back for more. But actually it's a lot more than a good mystery. It's a portrayal of the social, class, and gender dynamics of the 1950s to 1970s, and a particularly pointed depiction of how those dynamics impacted women, often to tragic effect. And about how women struggled to make the best of their circumstances, with varying success. This was my introduction to this author but I'll definitely be looking out for more. Great summer read with some appreciated dimension and depth.

Part literally suspense, part social commentary

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Kristel
September 11, 2024

On the surface, The God of the Woods is a wildly captivating mystery about two children who go missing from the same prominent family in the Adirondacks between 1961 to 1975. Scratch the surface and this book is also equal parts a scathing indictment of social hierarchy and the disturbing lengths people will go to in order to preserve their privilege. Ideally, this book should be read over a long weekend or during a week with plenty of anticipated downtime. In other words, don’t make any plans. This is a character rich story with a well-constructed slow burner of plot that can, at times, feel like walking through a funhouse. Moore deftly delivers shifting timelines and two mysteries to solve with her use of misdirection and carefully placed clues. Excellent late summer read with plenty of 1970s upstate New York camp nostalgia (and a neat map of Camp Emerson in every format, including the audiobook!)

Great book!

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Tracie
September 10, 2024

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore This is a good slow thriller/mystery. It is not fast paced and it does meander between multiple time lines among the many characters. You have a teen girl, Barbara, that disappears while at camp. A family owned camp with a history. Fourteen years earlier her brother Bear had disappeared there, without a trace. Now as the investigation plows through the present 1975 and 1961, old secrets are revealed. A town that has questions and anger about the past. Wrongful accusations, families with secrets and a powerful family that will do anything to stay in control. The story is very detailed and probably could have been told more efficiently, but overall it is a really good story! The multilayered story lines keep the reader involved and invested in the outcome of the story. I also listened to the audio version and it was so well narrated! #thegodofthewoods #lizmoore #thrillingdrama #layeredmystery #multithreadedsecrets

5/5 ⭐️

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Nicole M Whisner
September 15, 2024

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore 5/5 ⭐️ The God of the Woods is a captivating novel about a 13-year-old girl’s disappearance at a summer camp in 1975. The plot unfolds slowly, but it thoroughly explores the roles of each character. The story alternates between the 1950s and 1970s, adding suspense as the search for the missing child intensifies. The book vividly transports you to Camp Emerson, delving into the lives of its characters with intense depth and complexity. I was so impressed with the story that I finished the book in three days and immediately felt compelled to reread it, which took another 4 days. Moore skillfully weaves a narrative that explores themes of motherhood, social status, and self-authenticity. There were a few twists along the way and the ending was surprising to me. If you enjoy a rich ensemble of characters and a powerful read, I highly recommend this book.