Suicide Forest

Jeremy Bates

Book 1 in the series:World's Scariest Places

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"Suicide Forest" by Jeremy Bates is a psychological thriller set in Aokigahara Jukai, famously known as The Suicide Forest in Japan. The book follows a group of friends who decide to camp in the forest after their Mt. Fuji hiking plans are disrupted by rain. As they explore the dense and eerie forest, they encounter unexpected horrors and mysteries, leading to a nightmarish experience. The writing style immerses the reader in the haunting atmosphere of the forest, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps the suspense high until the shocking end.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed with unique personal struggles and diverse backgrounds, though some readers find them stereotypical or lacking depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is a mix of engaging descriptions and thematic depth, though it has moments that critics describe as clichéd or lacking in nuance.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on a group of campers who, after their hike is disrupted, choose to spend the night in a haunted forest known for its tragic history, leading to a series of eerie and intense events.

Setting:

The setting is the infamous Aokigahara Forest in Japan, known for its dark history and haunting atmosphere, which plays a crucial role in the story's tension.

Pacing:

The pacing balances character development with building suspense, although some moments may feel slow to those seeking constant action.

We took two carsfrom Tokyo to Yamanashi Prefecture, where Fujisan, better known inthe West as Mt. Fuji, is located. The first car was directly infront of ours. It was a Toyota minivan, smaller and box...

Notes:

Suicide Forest is based on Aokigahara, a real forest in Japan known for its high suicide rate.

The book explores themes of friendship, love, and mental health amidst horror.

The characters in the story are a diverse group, including English teachers and Israeli hikers.

The forest is described as having twisted trees, rocky caverns, and an eerie absence of wildlife.

It's said to be cursed and associated with demons in Japanese mythology.

The story starts as a camping trip but quickly turns into a survival horror scenario.

Humor is interspersed with the dark themes, allowing characters to cope with their fears.

The narrative leaves readers with a feeling of suspense and unease throughout the story.

The book is part of Jeremy Bates' 'World's Scariest Places' series, which features real haunted locations.

Critics mention a mix of praise for its suspense and criticism for some character development.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of suicide, violence, and possibly triggering discussions surrounding mental health.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance, primarily involving the main character and his girlfriend.

From The Publisher:

Just outside of Tokyo lies Aokigahara, a vast forest and one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in Japan...and also the most infamous spot to commit suicide in the world.

Legend has it that the spirits of those many suicides are still roaming, haunting deep in the ancient woods. When bad weather prevents a group of friends from climbing neighboring Mt. Fuji, they decide to spend the night camping in Aokigahara. But they get more than they bargained for when one of them is found hanged in the morning-and they realize there might be some truth to the legends after all.

Ratings (3)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (15):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (9)
Not Interested (3)

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