Books with Creepy Forests for Teens

Have you ever been sitting in the dark only to hear something scraping across your window? Even when you realize it's just a tree branch, you can't shake the feeling that something is out there watching you. Maybe it's sitting in the tree, or hiding just out of eyesight. Check out these teen reads featuring creepy forests to rival even the scariest you've ever heard of.

In Strange Grace by Tessa Gatton long ago Mairwen's village made a deal with the Devil. They would send their saints, the best of their young men, into the forest, and in return their village wouldn't know hunger or sickness. This year, Mairwen, a feisty witch; Rhun, the expected saint; and Arthur, the prickly outcast will have vital roles in saving not only each other, but their village when the Devil demands his due.

Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee follows Sirscha, who is training to be the next royal spy. Her plans are derailed by a shaman attack. Her best friend, Saengo is killed, until Sirscha uses shaman magic to bring her back to life. As the first soulguide in living memory Sirscha is sent to the Spider King who controls the Dead Wood, a forest that is slowly overtaking the kingdom, and would sooner absorb you into a tree than see you pass.

In Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw only the Walker women can pass through the woods unharmed, and Nora Walker is no exception. Yet she finds Oliver Huntsman, who disappeared form the Camp for Wayward Boys weeks ago, alive and well in the woods. He appears to have no memory of the traumatic events that led him there. Get ready for a real twist of an ending.

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black follows Hazel and her brother Ben who have been running wild through the woods hunting and fighting faeries since they were young. But like all childhood games, it came to an end. Faeries haven't completely disappeared from Hazel and Ben's lives, there is still the horned boy who has been sleeping in a glass coffin in the woods. He's been there forever. Until one day he isn't.