This was such a creepy book. The supernatural elements yes, the danger around every corner yes, but also, the main character himself was a bit of a creep. There was a lot I enjoyed about this book, but what elevated it beyond a very well done, atmospheric horror, was my mixed feelings around our protagonist. We meet him straight away knowing he’s grieving a woman. As we go through the book, we come to understand their relationship and the torment he suffers around her death. I veered dramatically (and frequently) between feeling quite sorry for him and then feeling like he was self-centred and couldn’t see the harm he caused to others. This spiralling conflict made for a really interesting read. The pacing of this was excellent, there was just enough reflection on the past whilst keeping the action moving in the present. The unveiling on past events made you question the character’s behaviour. He takes quite radical and Ill-advised steps in an already dangerous environment, and we need to understand his past to see why. The rainforest is integral to this story. It was fascinating to see the character’s conjugation of danger alongside the real jeopardy around every corner. His dismissiveness of the safety advice and guidance he’s offered, really highlights flaws in his personality. Flaws that explain a lot about actions he has taken, and chooses to take as the story unravels. I found this completely gripping, totally atmospheric, creepy and menacing. I’ve only read three books from this author, but this is certainly my favourite! Couldn’t put it down. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

I loved and admired Michelle Paver's previous books Dark Matter and Thin Air so much I was almost reluctant to start Rainforest in case it was an anti-climax. Paver creates unease and dissonance in dangerous environments, her protagonists usually stiff upper lipped British male professionals. Rainforest is no exception. Simon is an unlikable character hoping to rescue his etymologist career by going to a remote research site in the rainforest. His colleagues are cut from the same cloth, all of them with undesirable secrets. Simon is trying to escape from an obsession. He becomes convinced he needs to confront it head on by taking a hallucinogenic concoction used by the Mayans for centuries. But the Shaman, whose brother died in violent circumstances, refuses to help yet another white outsider. The tension and terror builds as Simon loses his way and becomes lost in the rainforest. Paver somehow makes the supernatural appear normal, while the normal- the ferocious weather, the wild animals, the deadly insects - are also intent on preying on Simon. Meticulously researched and sent a shiver down the spine.