The Gravewood coming April 7th, 2026 from Scholastic Press; 384 pages
Content Warning: Blood, gore, foul language, violence, death, mentions of medical torture
About the Author: “Kelly Andrew lost her hearing when she was four years old and she’s been dreaming up stories in the silence ever since. Andrew lives in New England with her husband and their two daughters (and a very grouchy Boston Terrier). She has a BSW, but received her Masters in English & Creative Writing. When she’s not writing, she enjoys obsessing over a good book, scouring flea markets for treasure, and getting intentionally lost in the woods” (Bio from author’s website).
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With her father missing and her mother consumed by Rot, Shea Parker is now alone in the shadow of the Gravewood, a carnivorous forest that surrounds her small town. In the hardened community of Little Hill, Shea relies on her hearing aids to avoid being left behind. However, resources are dwindling, and when her hearing aid batteries run out, she’ll be forgotten in the silence. Faced with no other options, Shea turns to her one remaining hope, if he can be called that: Oliver Lysander, the dangerous leader of the vampires who prowl the Gravewood. She strikes a deal with him: blood in exchange for batteries. Nothing more. But when one of Shea’s best friends is lured into the Gravewood and her friend’s brother, Asher Thorley, returns from the frontlines to rescue her, he threatens to expose Shea’s worst secrets if she doesn’t help him. With Asher forcing her hand, Shea leads him to Lysander, who offers them both a new deal—one that might destroy them all.
The Gravewood was both chilling and crushingly romantic. I’m no stranger to Kelly Andrews’ stories by now, but this novel left me stunned and heartsore nonetheless. Andrew does an amazing job crafting each one of her characters, which makes it simultaneously thrilling, stressful, and devastating to watch them undergo each twist and turn of the Gravewood. They’re all broken in some way, and their relationships and decisions are messy and imperfect, but they’re so endearing, so deeply feeling, that you can’t help but want the best for them. My heart ached for Shea and all of her losses, and even for Lysander, who did his best to clumsily show his care for Shea even when it was (literally) monstrous. This was, in part, due to the admirably well-written dual POVs, which helped convey all of the big, complicated emotions of Shea and Lysander. (And intensified the yearning in the story exponentially.) That being said, while I was biting through my fist for most of this story, there is some much-appreciated humor incorporated throughout the book, which makes it easier for both characters and reader alike to cope with all the horrors in the dark of the forest. I was also a big fan of the atmosphere Andrew creates in the story, and the subtle themes of government censorship and corruption woven into her world-building. This story is cutting and tender all at once, perfect for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The Gravewood releases on April 7th, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Scholastic Press for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Melia Gemrose, Pine Reads Review Co-Assistant Director and Lead Editor