Moore and Strand deliver a fun blend of horror and humor in The Haunted Forest Tour, reminiscent of the campy monster movies from my youth, but with the gore cranked up to Scream-level intensity. If you're looking for a horror novel that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still packs some scares, this one is an entertaining ride.
The premise is intriguing, if not entirely original: a forest bursting with ghastly creatures turns an ordinary New Mexico town into a paranormal tourist trap. The idea of commodifying horror is both absurd and amusing, laying the groundwork for equal parts terror and satire.
While the writing may not break new ground, it does what it’s supposed to—it's fast-paced, accessible, and vivid enough to immerse you in the action. You can almost feel yourself on the doomed tour tram. The dialogue is snappy, often offering humor just as things get too dark, adding a lighthearted touch to balance the scares.
The monsters are the real stars of this book. Each is crafted with creative flair, blending traditional horror elements with modern, over-the-top gore. Think flying limbs and splattering blood—gruesome, yes, but it’s so exaggerated that it becomes part of the book's campy charm. It’s splatter horror at its most entertaining, perfect for fans of late-night B-movies where the over-the-top violence is half the fun.
Where the book might stumble for some readers is in its character development. The characters often feel like they're there to serve the plot rather than grow with it. But this feels intentional, in line with the homage to classic monster flicks where archetypes reign supreme and character depth isn't the priority.
For pure entertainment, The Haunted Forest Tour delivers. It’s like a rollercoaster through a haunted house where every turn brings a new fright or a laugh—sometimes both at once. The balance between horror and humor is well maintained, making it a great pick for readers who like their scares served with a wink.
The Haunted Forest Tour isn’t here to redefine the genre, and it doesn’t need to. It’s here to entertain, thrill, and evoke nostalgia for those campy, creature-feature films we all loved. If you’re in the mood for big scares, loud laughs, and plenty of monsters, this tour is one worth taking.
