The Children is a dark, fairy tale-like gothic novel about two siblings haunted by their childhood, their mother’s literary success, and the mysterious force at the center of it all.

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Guinevere and Ennis Sharpe grow up half-feral in the woods around their Vermont farmhouse, largely left to raise themselves while their mother Edith finds massive success writing fantasy novels starring fictional versions of her children. Their strange childhood comes to an abrupt end when the farmhouse burns down, orphaning and estranging the siblings. Years later, Guin is promoting a memoir while Ennis prepares a disturbing new art exhibit called Mother, forcing both of them to confront what really happened the night of the fire.

The story drew me in immediately. The language of Guin’s flashbacks to her childhood is so lyrical and haunting. Her childhood memories are filled with a dark fairytale-like sense of dread and unease in a gothic house that seems to breathe and speak to her. Through rich, vivid detail, I felt completely immersed alongside Guin as she explores her shadowy house on baited breath, discovering dusty hiding places and chests, animal carvings and golden knobs, the distant whisper of creatures and ghosts. This is a land where men look like willow trees and women appear out of the woods to kiss her adolescent brother. It all feels so gothic and Victorian but it actually takes place in the late 90s and early aughts.

The present day scenes are less immersive, though Ennis’s art installations are very creepy and imaginative. Through them we see how their unusual upbringing affected him and Guin in very different ways. When the truth finally comes out about what happened the night of the fire, I honestly found myself conflicted and really wanting to discuss the book with someone! So much so that I asked my book club to read it next, so I can discuss it with them.

Bottom line, this is a gorgeously written, immersive, haunting fairytale-like story. Perfect for fans of dark fairytales, gothic literary fantasy, and stories where the real world feels enchanted and dangerous.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC. All opinions are my own.