Author: Catriona Ward
Publisher: Tor Nightfire
Released: February 24, 2026
Received: ARC
Find it on Storygraph | More Horror | Thriller
Book Summary:
People have told tales of Nowhere, an isolated ranch in the woods where many horrors and tragedies took place. Once, it was the home of Leaf Winham – before he committed his infamous crimes.
More recently, rumor has it that Nowhere has become home to lost children. These children do not need help; they are feral and want to be left alone. The offer refuge to fellow children, such as Riley and her little brother, Oliver.
My Review:
Catriona Ward has a way with words and a way with creating an atmospheric world. So the second I saw Nowhere Burning, which promised to tell the tale of lost children in the woods, I knew this one was going to be good.
Nowhere Burning is a tense yet slow-burning build. It’s a layered mystery, as multiple perspectives tell their tales about the land of Nowhere. I was tempted to say that the perspectives start revealing the truth, but simply put, some narrators are less reliable than others.
In a way, this novel made me think of the Lost Boys, but with a Lord of the Flies-style twist. The description of feral children probably made that obvious, however. In this setting, Ward put the readers in a position to be consistently surprised at every turn.
To say that Nowhere Burning was the most atmospheric novel I’ve read this month would be an understatement. It was deeply compelling and emotional in ways I didn’t expect. I can’t wait to see what Ward comes up with next.
Highlights:
- Paranormal Horror
- Multilayered Mystery
- Unreliable Narrator
- Isolated Horror Setting
Trigger Warnings:
- Abusive Parenting
- Severe Injuries
- Animal/Child Death
Thanks to Tor Nightfire and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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