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The Crying Forest by Venero Armanno

IFWG Publishing Australia, 2021

ISBN-13: 9781925956559

Available: Paperback, Kindle

Paul Munro and his young daughter Lía move from Hong Kong into a large country house in Australia. It becomes clear early on that Lía is more than what she appears. She sees things and has a power that others want to harvest for themselves. Agata Rosso, an ancient Italian witch, is one such individual. She used to hold so much power, but that power, and her youth, are long gone for her and her ailing husband, Giancarlo. Another party interested in restoring his vitality and power is the lecherous and wealthy Karl Haberman. After Agata Rossa endears herself to Karl by way of offering him something of a youth elixir, presented to him by a mutual acquaintance, Donatello Zappavigna. The old wretch and the aged witch join forces to track down the rich source of power in their midst.

Venero Armanno’s folk horror combines a good mystery, interesting characters, and both inhuman and very human monsters. I found myself unable to put the book down, while at the same time needing to take breaks to properly digest the chapters. Most of the characters are multifaceted, especially Donatello. I could go from having immense sympathy for him in one chapter, and absolutely hating him in the next. I liked discovering more about Lía as the story progressed, including details about her previous schooling and why she had to leave the hallowed halls of that school. She’s full of mystery and surprises, and a strength that shines through even from the first pages. I would recommend this for adult readers who enjoy folk horror works.

There is a content warning that needs to be addressed. Karl Haberman has certain sexual appetites that are disturbing. When Agata Rossa tells him what kind of person he needs to look for to pinpoint their target, it is revealed Karl has a liking for young girls.

Contains: blood, sex, pedophilia

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker