Author: Camilla Sten
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Released: March 23rd, 2021
Received: NetGalley
Warnings: Abuse, mental health, suicide

The Lost Village is the first novel I’ve read by Camilla Sten – but after this beauty, you better believe I’ll be keeping an eye on everything else that she writes! I was tempted into reading this book right off the bat, thanks to a description that promised it to be a cross between The Blair Witch Project and Midsommar. Enough said, right?

Alice Lindstedt is a filmmaker, one who is obsessed with the project she’s working on. In her defense, the project touches close to home, as it ties back to her grandmother and great-aunt. In 1959, an entire village went missing.

It became known as The Lost Village. Now, Alice and her crew are returning to the scene. And she is hoping to uncover what went on all those years ago. Instead, she and her crew have walked right into a lethal trap.

“Getting closer! Almost inside the dead zone. See you in five days, if the ghosts don’t get us.”

The Lost Village is one of those novels that sucked me in from the very first page. No, that’s not quite true. I was captivated before I even picked up the book, thanks to that cover and description. It was more than enough for me.

This was a thrilling and chilling read, made all the more concerning thanks to the storytelling styles employed. It’s split into two timelines – the past and the present. The past is a study in pure horror and sets the scene for Alice and her crew to uncover.

Camilla Sten really nailed the whole creepy vibe, at least in my book. The whole time I was reading, I was pretty much at the edge of my seat. All because I kept expecting the worst to happen! It made for a bit of a daunting read, but one I enjoyed nonetheless.

“That last time I saw my sister, Aina, she was only seventeen.”

I should probably mention that The Lost Village has some truly disturbing and graphic scenes. There are also references to events in Alice’s past and her mental health. All of it did a great job of starting a conversation about bias and societal judgment, which I adored. However, it also makes this book a heavier read for some. So do consider yourself warned.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.