Through the Woods Review

"It came from the woods (most strange things do)"

Review:

Emily Carroll's Through the Woods is a chilling, gorgeous piece of art. Carroll's style in both her art and story telling is attention grabbing, awe-inspiring, but most of all a bit disturbing... but in a good way if that makes any sense.

First, Emily Carroll's art alone gives us a design that at first glance is not too detailed in some areas but still very pretty to look at. As one goes on in the stories they will notice they become more intricate in both art and story, as well as surprise you by how creepy the creatures are. I personally found Carroll's style for her people and backgrounds actually very adorable and pretty, thus giving an interesting contrast when the tales took darker twists. The colors vary in each story from being very colorful to using a limited color scheme that regardless gives its readers detailed stories.

In the story department, the creepy tales are short but leave an impact. Carroll leaves some of the stories open to interpretation or the very least a chilling cliffhanger that leaves the reader in suspense. Most cases Through the Woods goes to the "less is more tactic" with its stories without going to really gory lengths but still managing twists that will give one chills.

Recommendations:

The book already lists itself for being the "14 and Up" crowd, it is indeed full of frightening images but no over-the-top gore. It is a must for any YA and horror shelves and if anyone is interested in more by Emily Carroll her personal site has a collection of other lovely and unnerving comics. You will also notice some of the stories on the site have ties to the tales in Through the Woods and like the one in Through the Woods the site comics are also quite terrifying.