The Hungry Forest by Kaela Rivera - Book Review
Release: 18/08/2026
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Source: GoodReads
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Synopsis: In this fast-paced, thrilling middle grade horror, a boy must face his grief and save his little brother from a cursed forest.
Never go into the Hungry Forest.
Ryan’s dad had a lot of rules: Never let anyone see you cry. Never let anyone hear you speak Spanish. Work extra hard. Always succeed. But one rule mattered most: Never go into the forest. Too many kids had disappeared there.
Since Dad died, Ryan has followed those rules, hoping to become the kind of man his father would be proud of. But his anger keeps growing, and he fights more and more with his little brother, Teddy, who constantly embarrasses him. When Teddy hears their father calling from the forest, he runs inside. Ryan follows to save him—and discovers that the forest is every bit as cursed as the legends say. If Ryan can’t find Teddy and escape before sunrise, the forest will trap them there forever.
Goodreads
Amazon
About the Author Kaela Rivera: Kaela Rivera was raised to believe in will-o’-the-wisps and el chupacabra, but even ghost stories couldn’t stop her from reading in the isolated treetops, caves, and creeks of Tennessee’s Appalachian forests.
She still believes in the folktales of her Mexican-American and British parents, but now she writes about them from the adventure-filled mountains of the Wild West. When she’s not crafting stories, she’s using her English degree from BYU-I as an editor for a marketing company (or secretly doodling her characters in the margins of her notebook).
Her biggest hope is to highlight and explore the beauty of cultural differences—and how sharing those differences can bring us all closer.
A Hauntingly Imaginative Horror Story with Heart
Kaela Rivera's The Hungry Forest is a fantastic middle-grade horror novel that beautifully balances human emotions, complicated family relationships, and just the right amount of frightening moments. The author creates a story that can leave readers of all ages feeling unnerved without going overboard with the scares, making this an incredibly engaging and immersive read.
What Works:
One of the book's biggest strengths is its character development, particularly Ryan and his younger brother, Teddy. Ryan's grief over their father's absence manifests in ways that can make you frustrated with how he treats Teddy, especially when he struggles to accept that his brother is coping differently. However, as the story progresses, you begin to understand Ryan's behaviour and the emotions driving it. Teddy, meanwhile, is absolutely lovable, and there were moments when I genuinely wanted to reach into the pages and give him a hug! The evolving relationship between the brothers is easily one of the story's biggest highlights.
I also loved Perdida and how she becomes involved in Ryan and Teddy's quest. Her intriguing backstory adds another layer to the narrative, and I was invested in seeing how her journey unfolded.
The world-building deserves special praise. Rivera has created a wonderfully imaginative and unsettling setting filled with masks, curses, and memorable antagonists, including the Chance Twins, the Hollow Jester, and the Brothers. Every element adds to the forest's eerie atmosphere and makes the adventure feel unpredictable. One of my favourite moments involves Ryan playing a game with the Chance Twins, particularly because he understands their methods and just how difficult winning will be. The tension is wonderfully executed, and the story never feels dull.
What Falls Short:
Honestly, I had very little to complain about. The blend of horror, adventure, and emotional storytelling worked exceptionally well for me.
Verdict:
The Hungry Forest is a wonderful middle-grade horror novel that I devoured in one sitting. Its imaginative world, unsettling atmosphere, and heartfelt take on grief and sibling relationships make this an easy five-star read for me. I cannot wait to explore more of Kaela Rivera's work!
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy imaginative middle-grade horror, creepy fantasy adventures, memorable villains, and emotionally rich stories about family and grief
The Hungry Forest
by Kaela Rivera
Synopsis
"In this fast-paced, thrilling middle grade horror, a boy must face his grief and save his little brother from a cursed forest.
Never go into the Hungry Forest.
Ryan’s dad had a lot of rules: Never let anyone see you cry. Never let anyone hear you speak Spanish. Work extra hard. Always succeed. But one rule mattered most: Never go into the forest. Too many kids had disappeared there.
Since Dad died, Ryan has followed those rules, hoping to become the kind of man his father would be proud of. But his anger keeps growing, and he fights more and more with his little brother, Teddy, who constantly embarrasses him. When Teddy hears their father calling from the forest, he runs inside. Ryan follows to save him—and discovers that the forest is every bit as cursed as the legends say. If Ryan can’t find Teddy and escape before sunrise, the forest will trap them there forever."
Release
18/08/2026
Format
Hardcover
Publisher
Bloomsbury Children's Books
Source
GoodReads
About the Author
Kaela Rivera
Kaela Rivera was raised to believe in will-o’-the-wisps and el chupacabra, but even ghost stories couldn’t stop her from reading in the isolated treetops, caves, and creeks of Tennessee’s Appalachian forests.
She still believes in the folktales of her Mexican-American and British parents, but now she writes about them from the adventure-filled mountains of the Wild West. When she’s not crafting stories, she’s using her English degree from BYU-I as an editor for a marketing company (or secretly doodling her characters in the margins of her notebook).
Her biggest hope is to highlight and explore the beauty of cultural differences—and how sharing those differences can bring us all closer.
My Review
A Hauntingly Imaginative Horror Story with Heart
Kaela Rivera’s The Hungry Forest is a fantastic middle-grade horror novel that beautifully balances human emotions, complicated family relationships, and just the right amount of frightening moments. The author creates a story that can leave readers of all ages feeling unnerved without going overboard with the scares, making this an incredibly engaging and immersive read.
What Works:
One of the book’s biggest strengths is its character development, particularly Ryan and his younger brother, Teddy. Ryan’s grief over their father’s absence manifests in ways that can make you frustrated with how he treats Teddy, especially when he struggles to accept that his brother is coping differently. However, as the story progresses, you begin to understand Ryan’s behaviour and the emotions driving it. Teddy, meanwhile, is absolutely lovable, and there were moments when I genuinely wanted to reach into the pages and give him a hug! The evolving relationship between the brothers is easily one of the story’s biggest highlights.
I also loved Perdida and how she becomes involved in Ryan and Teddy’s quest. Her intriguing backstory adds another layer to the narrative, and I was invested in seeing how her journey unfolded.
The world-building deserves special praise. Rivera has created a wonderfully imaginative and unsettling setting filled with masks, curses, and memorable antagonists, including the Chance Twins, the Hollow Jester, and the Brothers. Every element adds to the forest’s eerie atmosphere and makes the adventure feel unpredictable. One of my favourite moments involves Ryan playing a game with the Chance Twins, particularly because he understands their methods and just how difficult winning will be. The tension is wonderfully executed, and the story never feels dull.
What Falls Short:
Honestly, I had very little to complain about. The blend of horror, adventure, and emotional storytelling worked exceptionally well for me.
Verdict:
The Hungry Forest is a wonderful middle-grade horror novel that I devoured in one sitting. Its imaginative world, unsettling atmosphere, and heartfelt take on grief and sibling relationships make this an easy five-star read for me. I cannot wait to explore more of Kaela Rivera’s work!
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy imaginative middle-grade horror, creepy fantasy adventures, memorable villains, and emotionally rich stories about family and grief
