My Reaction in a Nutshell: 
 Books like this deserves to be listened to, not read. 
 The Long Version: 
 Actual rating: 3.5/5 stars 
 Truthfully, there isn't anything special about The Darkest Part of the Forest. There were no twists or turns in the book that I didn't see coming. I saw each plot twist coming from a mile away. But there is just something about this book that kept me captivated. 
 I'll say before and I'll say it again: Holly Black's books are meant to be listened to not read. There is just something about her writing style that makes everything a story rather than a book. I know, that sounds weird because books are stories . But you know those people who are really really good at story telling. Those people who keep you entranced. Those people who have just the right pacing, just the right accents, just the right amount of plot and humor and whimsical-ness. Those people who are great at telling stories that you want to listen to but not read? The stories you tell with friends around a campfire aren't the same stories you want to read on paper. Those are the types of stories Holly Black tells. It probably also helps that her audiobook narrators are fantastic. 
 There is something about The Darkest Part of the Forest that reminds me of Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys series. Both are whimsical. Both are meant to be heard NOT read. Both don't really have plot twists. Neither are special. But there is just something there that makes you unable to stop listening. 
 Whatever. This review makes me sound super weird, but I don't care. 
 I'm just lowkey kind of mad now that I've listened to nearly every Holly Black book. What else am I going to listen to on my way to work!?!?! 
 If you have audiobook recommendations pleaseeeeeeeeeeee give me your favorites! I'm desperate. 
 ***TRIGGER WARNINGS: mentions of suicide, mentions of spousal abuse, neglect, drug use, self-harm, memory loss