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AND THE TREES STARE BACK
About AND THE TREES STARE BACK: 1989, Soviet Estonia. In 16-year-old Vik’s village—and the cursed forest that looms beyond—danger is everywhere. Soldiers threaten those who so much as dream of dissent. The villagers’ words are sharp with accusations of witchcraft. And deep in the heart of the wood, a lantern-eyed spirit lies in wait to disappear those who wander too far past the trees.
Vik knows because five years ago, she led her little sister Anna over that invisible line—and never saw her again.
The only thing Vik has wished for since then is her sister’s safe return. So when Anna stumbles back through the tree line on the anniversary of her disappearance, it’s a miracle…
Or is it a lie?
As unsettling inconsistencies between this girl and the one who vanished reveal themselves, Vik starts to doubt whether this Anna is her Anna—or something else entirely. Whoever she is, one thing is clear: she was never meant to escape the trees. And unless Vik can uncover the secrets of the forest, it’s going to take her back.
Rooted in real history with a speculative twist, the horrors of AND THE TREES STARE BACK are the ones we already know: existing as a marginalized person under a hostile state. Raising powerful questions about whose humanity counts and how to survive if the governing body decides yours doesn't, this politically incisive folk-horror irresistibly explores ever-relevant legacies of activism and solidarity.
About the author: Gigi Griffis is the author of the Netflix tie-in novel The Empress (2022) and creepy YA horror The Wicked Unseen (2023). She’s a sucker for little-known histories, “unlikable” female characters, and all things Europe. After almost ten years of semi-nomadic life, she now lives in Portugal with an opinionated Yorkie-mix named Luna and a fancy blender that cost more than her couch. Gigi’s work has been translated into many languages, and she has been featured in WestJet Magazine, Netflix Tudum, The New York Times, Noble Blood, and more. https://gigigriffis.com
Things to know: Vik’s mother and Liis’ mother have been secretly in love since childhood and want to live together, and one of Vik’s tarot cards she uses throughout the story depicts two women kissing. The story contains child abduction, scientific experiments on children, and death (past, not on page). There are soldiers and threats of political violence/oppression.
Foreign sales history:
The Empress (we don’t handle): Brazil (Planeta), British (Swift Press), Catalonia (Columna Edicions), Croatia (Znanje), Czech (Euromedia), Denmark (People’s Press), Finland (Otava), France (J’ai Lu Editions), Germany (HarperCollins Germany), Hungary (Europa Kiado), Italy (Mondadori), Lithuania (Alma Littera), Netherlands (Boekerij), Poland (Dressler), Portugal (Porto Editora), Serbia (Vulkan), Slovenia (Mladinska), and Spain (Contraluz Editorial)
Praise for AND THE TREES STARE BACK:
“The setting effectively uses both the inherent creepiness of an insular town given to supernatural beliefs and the menacing Soviet presence to maximize tension and scares….A bit of sci-fi and political intrigue makes this changeling tale a compelling genre mash-up with a broad audience.” – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“I do think this novel highlights an important part of history by showcasing what life was like in the USSR. I appreciated how this book was about rebellious people in Estonia and how it reflected the protests of that era. The book delicately handles many complex themes and balances it with lighter moments throughout the text. It has a powerful message of hope when times are dark as it explores the effects of occupation, prejudice, marginalization, and mental illness. The mystery at the novel’s core is what will keep readers guessing throughout the novel as they will have to discern the horror elements as human or figments of the imagination. It keeps you guessing until the very end with a surprising twist. I would recommend this novel for those who enjoy historical fiction or gripping suspenseful stories.” – Rachel Moulden, Staff Reviewer, YA Books Central
“[P]henomenal…had me constantly guessing what direction it was going to go in next. I loved all the tie ins of different genres such as , folklore, mystery, suspense, and history.” – @ethansbooks_andbricks on IG
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