Andie’s Book Club: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Taylor Swift told the world about this book – for good reason! Buckle in for The God of the Woods by Liz Moore …
I read and loved this book before it appeared in the Taylor Swift doc. I'm excited to see the uptick in people devouring it like I did - and now it's going to be a Netflix series. Check out my review of The God of the Woods by Liz Moore with no spoilers.
The first book I read by Liz Moore was Long Bright River. If you’ve read my review, you know I didn’t exactly enjoy my time with it - but I also couldn’t deny how well written it was, or how important the story felt. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, whether you like it or not.
So yes, I was really excited to pick up Moore’s next novel, The God of the Woods. Going in, I hoped the subject matter wouldn’t be heavier than a missing sister and Philadelphia’s drug crisis. Spoiler: it is. What I got was another beautifully written story steeped in mystery, loss, and heartache. And somehow…it’s still worth it. Moore has a way with words that makes her books more than stories; they evoke emotion.
Kissing someone - someone you want to kiss, I mean - is like living inside the best song you ever heard. It's the same feeling.
The God of the Woods isn’t about one missing child - it’s about two. It explores teenage angst from both sides: the teens living it and the parents trying (and often failing) to understand it. It’s also a story about privilege, and what happens when some people are protected by it while others are not.
Rich people, thought Judy—she thought this then, and she thinks it now—generally become most enraged when they sense they’re about to be held accountable for their wrongs.
What I love most about Moore’s writing is how deeply she inhabits her characters. I’ll admit it — I’m the kind of reader who often forgets books once I’ve moved on to the next one. But this one lingered. The novel is told from multiple perspectives, which could feel overwhelming, but it never does. Each new viewpoint adds clarity and depth, even as the mystery tightens and you’re left constantly wondering what’s coming next.
I know The God of the Woods is getting a lot of attention thanks to the Taylor Swift documentary connection, but it truly deserves the spotlight. If you’re looking for a gripping, thoughtful mystery that will keep you guessing long after you’ve turned the last page, this is it.
