I was intrigued by people saying that 'The Devouring Grey' reminds them of Stranger Things so I vehemently ignored other people saying that this novel reads like a CW show. Well, I am a fool and this book wasn't for me. The only thing that echoes stranger things is the 'other world', also called the grey, with a 'monster' lurking somewhere in the woods. But that's it. The rest was a melodramatic story that really feels like a CW show and yeah, I need to face the facts that I don't like CW shows with melodramatic teenagers and adults that are basically stupid teenagers too. Sorry, that's on me! While reading this I could already see the cast on that certain CW show - beautiful 20 something year old actors playing teenagers and beautiful 30 something actors playing their parents. Everyone is so dramatic and nobody really talks to each other. And if they talk it sounded so fake and stunted. Conflicts feel unnatural and are resolved SO fast. Entertaining more or less but not really… Good? At least not for me. Maybe I will check out the rest of the series out of curiosity when they come out but since I feel no connection to any of the characters whatsoever I'll maybe abandon it rather sooner than later.

People could hurt each other without being monsters. And they could love each other without being saints. I didn't have too high expectations for this book, but I was so surprised by how good this was?? Very dark and atmospheric, diverse cast of protagonists (multiple bi characters and also one with a disability), with interesting turns and twists. I immediately started reading the sequel! The vibes are definitely similar to Riverdale/Chilling Adventures of Sabrina/Stranger Things, and I can also highly recommend the audiobook that I switched to for some parts - there's music and creepy singing involved in it, do I need to say more? "Little children, led astray, Wandered through the woods one day. Stumbled right into the Gray, Never to return. In that place where nightmares dwell, Only four have lived to tell. That is why we have to say: Branches and stones, daggers and bones, They locked the Beast away. Sinners who were led astray, Wandered through the woods one day. Stumbled right into the Gray, Never to return. Hear the lies our gods will tell, The prison the Four wove so well, But listen to us when we say: Branches and stones, daggers and bones, Will meet their judgement day."