Matt and Harrison Query came out of nowhere, and released one of the better horror novels I’ve ever read, that being their debut, Old Country. I liked the book so much that I bought a brand new copy after originally borrowing it from the library, then picked a digital copy up during a sale. It’s one I’ll definitely read again.
Above lays the reason why I was so excited to see a new book by the Querys appear on NetGalley, and requested it immediately. I had some things to finish up first, but couldn’t wait to start it upon being approved and receiving a digital ARC.
Their latest effort is called Wilderness Reform, and it’s another venture into the dark and dangerous. It’s also another title that deals with wilderness, in a greater capacity than even Old Country did.
After robbing some folks’ cabins down in the Louisiana swamps, new teenager Ben Thibodeaux decides to hold up a convenience store with a fake gun. Following this attempt, and his subsequent flight from the premises, he’s caught by police and is looking at time in juvenile detention. Then, something comes up that will forever change his life and destiny.
That something is a program called Bear Springs Academy, which is based in the wild mountains of rural Montana. Ben is sentenced there by the judge, and his abusive aunt, whom he and his younger brother unfortunately live with. The men come and get him, pay for him to fly back with them and provide food, shelter and discipline based programming free of charge, through a scholarship.
Despite being defiant, Ben — who’s much smarter than almost anyone else his age, or older — ends up going and becomes a new member of the Bear Springs Academy summer group. He knows one kid from back home who attended it, and has seen how polite and uninspired that boy became afterwards, leaving his unruly and self-destructive behaviour in the mountains.
However, Ben quickly susses out that something is up with this wilderness survival camp, and its counsellors. At least, he thinks there is. What, exactly, is unclear.
That’s all I’ll say about this plot, out of respect for spoilers. You won’t want to know any more before reading Wilderness Reform, which is something you should do. Although it isn’t as good as Old Country, it’s a rather good book and is certainly above average. I think I expected too much because of how much I loved their debut, which wasn’t fair to this sophomore effort.
For the most part, the writing is quite good, just like it was before. However, some passages are a bit too descriptive, and you should know that this is a slow burn. A worthy one nonetheless.
Those wishing to find another quality horror book should certainly read through Wilderness Reform by Matt & Harrison Query when it’s available. That, and Old Country, if they haven’t done so already. You won’t be disappointed!
I’ll surely end up picking a copy up for my personal collection.
This review is based on an early, uncorrected, copy of the book, which we were provided by NetGalley and its publisher. Receiving a free review copy did not sway our opinion.