The Devil in the Woods

by Jessaca Willis

The Devil has cursed us. He's plagued the women in our town with madness. Vexed them into oblivion. And I am afraid my dearest Cecily might be next.

There is something insidious lurking in the forest behind Thimbleton where Ellowyn resides. It has taken half a dozen women in the last year alone, and anyone who dares run after them winds up dead themselves. But when the love of Ellowyn’s life is taken, nothing will stop her from uncovering the truth and reuniting with her dearest Cecily. Even if it means forsaking everything she thought she believed in.

56 pages, Unknown Binding

First published May 1, 2024

About the author

JESSACA is a fantasy writer with an inclination toward the dark, epic, and romance sub-genres. She draws inspiration from books like the Nevernight Chronicles & ACOTAR, videogames like Dark Souls III, and television shows like Game of Thrones and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

She is a self-proclaimed nerd who loves cosplay, video games, and comics, and if you live in the PNW, you just might see her at one of the local comic conventions in one of her favorite RWBY cosplays!


Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several women have disappeared from Thimbleton in the last year. There is something dark in the woods that chooses its wictims, and everyone that has tried to save them have been killed. When Ellowyn's love Cecily vanishes she needs to find out what's really lurking in the woods.

This was a short story that surprised me! It was not at all what I was expecting, but I can't say I was disappointed. I won't spoil it by saying anything more, other than despite it being short I had time to feel joy, uneasiness, anger and sadness. I probably won't remember it a year from now, but it's still worth reading!

* I received an ARC through the author's newsletter and I'm giving my honest review. *

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never been a fan of short stories, but this one managed to be enjoyable and detailed enough to not feel incomplete. I often find short stories find me unimpressed and wanting. I get no sense of the characters, no chance to get attached in any real way, and I want more details. But this was pretty well formed, and I didn't finish it with a sense of lacking. It was atmospheric and spooky and (almost) long enough. I wouldn't have minded a couple more chapters, honestly, but not necessarily because it needed it.

[Cindy Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick novella!
It was enjoyable , enough going on to want mores I think it definitely could have done with a few more chapters but it was still good.

There’s something gong on in Thimbleton , woman are being cursed & lured into a deep dark forest never to return. When Ellowyns love Cecily suddenly goes missing she tries to do all she can to find her.
But all is not what it seems!!

A lovely quick little palette cleanser :)

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just how far will women go to live their lives their own way?

I enjoyed this story about just that—how far a young woman goes in order to live her life her way instead of the way men dictate. Even though this is a short story, it is very well written and the pace kept me turning pages to find out what Ellowyn ends up doing and if she achieves her goal or not.

[Vervada · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, short story that should appeal to those that loved Extasia: A Great Fall and Halloween Read for Teens.

[Cat B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what I was expecting but this was not it. It was, however, a very quick, easy, well written read that I enjoyed. My curiosity was well piqued and I had to know ... what was taking the women?
I received a free reader's copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. Quick read with lots of witch dark action

[may · Rating 4 out of 5]

the Devil Herself.


Cecily fastens a skull to my face, one that matches hers. Then she takes my hand into hers, and me and my sisters dance in the moonlight like the feral creatures we were always destined to be.

can I join

[Rosina Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very short read, but I really liked it.

[Ana-Maria Derzsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

◦ I've received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ◦

⮞ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝/𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 ⮜
This story wasn't what I expected it to be, that's why I'm going straight to what I liked/disliked. The story is short and fast-paced and I feel in this time of "Females are choosing the bears" this fits just right in. In this story, the females are choosing the devil in the woods, running away from being oppressed by their parents or men in general. There is also a scene about a priest that legit gave me the chills because that type of scene can and does happen in real life. I felt this story depicted what women are going through in general in a patriarchal world, and I wish we had a devil in the woods to which we can run when we need to. One thing I do wish to read more about is Ellowyn and Cecily being together, they are interesting characters.

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[Spiritedbookishbabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world where men were more important and more powerful than the women. Some women outsmarted the men and left home for their freedom.

This was a great short story!! I really really enjoyed this book. I honestly didn’t expect the book to end the way it did, but it was good. If you want a good short story did this one