Don't Look in the Trees

by Jason Nickey

Don’t Look In The Trees; the main rule in Appalachia. Many question why, but Justin and Billy found out the hard way on their way home from a bonfire party after coming across a fallen tree and mysterious lights coming from the sky. Can they survive the night and the strange beings coming from the forest that surrounds their cabin?

From Jason Nickey, Author of ‘Road Hazards’ and ‘They Come From Within’ comes a new fast paced sci-fi/horror novella.

Genres: Horror, Novella, Aliens, Horror Thriller, Adult, Thriller, Science Fiction

Audible Audio

First published January 18, 2024

Reviews

[Stitching Ghost · Rating 3 out of 5]

While my experience with the author's work is rather limited this one didn't rise to the level I expected based on it, there was something of an early version feeling to it. The characters needed more space and the story needed more tension (especially to make the rather unceremonious ending work as a subversion of expectations).

[Peter Topside · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a ton to say here, beyond the other reviews. There were a lot of plot points introduced, but none of them were fully explored. I didn’t like the constant perspective hops between the characters and felt that sticking with a single lead would have sufficed. Pretty typical alien type of content, with the slight, underdeveloped pivot not making much of a difference. I guess we could classify this as horror, but it just barely crossed that line. Definitely felt like a rough draft of a longer story. Not terrible, but just lacking a ton of context and substance.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a very creepy alien short story. I definitely was not enjoying the vibes the creatures were giving off- slender man like bodies and hard to kill- no thanks!

As bright lights appear in the sky an emergency broadcast warns people to take shelter and board up entrances. A wave of destruction and chaos ensues as mankind realizes they are no longer alone in the universe.

I would’ve liked to see more depth from the characters, and their reactions to trauma just seemed off; making jokes and raunchy comments during a potential end of the world scenario just didn’t feel fully genuine.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story definitely brought the creepy tension! Lights in the skies, figures in the trees, you don't know what's causing the chaos in this rural place, just that it's incredibly unsettling.

I flew through this one in about a day. I definitely recommend checking this out!

[Jessie Paige · Rating 1 out of 5]

I audibly said ‘that was terrible’ when I finished.

[The Yeti Reads and Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't Look in the Trees by Jason Nickey

Following a bonfire party, Justin and Billy, as well as their inebriated friend Kevin, attempt to return home, but a tree has fallen in their way. While attempting to remove the tree from their path, the lights came, and what came next will change their lives forever.

Nickey gives us some horror/sci-fi this time out, and I have to say I definitely want more. Solid characters, dialogue, and story. Nickey continues to shine with this latest outing. If you haven't read him, you are missing out on some stellar storytelling. Entertaining from start to finish.

5 severed fingers out of 5

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story but the writing just isn’t there to make it worth it. Very amateurish prose and two dimensional characters we never get any real insights into. Even with a short length I expect something to draw me in and make me want to keep reading.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been debating on the rating for this one. It easily falls between 3 and 4 for me, so for the sake of goodreads, I've chosen to rate up rather than down.

The story itself was solid but a bit rushed. I did love that it had inclusive characters, and they felt like real people. I also thought that Joe did a phenomenal job as always on narration.

I want to think about it a bit more, and I'll probably be back with a more detailed review later.

Thank you to fright night audio for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[renee w · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this book. Justin, Billy, and a drunk friend named Kevin are headed home from a bonfire. When a tree is suddenly in the road, blocking their path as they get out to remove the tree, bright lights come out what follows will change their lives forever. This is a little bit different read than what I’m used to from Nickey. Although it is definitely not lacking any character development or his way of in-depth relationships. This was a highly enjoyable read as everything from Nickey is . I highly recommend this to everyone as well as everything else that he puts out.

[Bailey Lamar · Rating 2 out of 5]

i... dont even know.

[Matthew Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This week I read Jason Nickey's latest release, Don't Look in the Trees, and I loved it. I've been a fan of Jason's writing from the first story I read of his, and the more he writes, the better and better he's getting. This book was just fantastic!
This time around, he blends in some Sci fi with his horror, and I'm a big fan of that. He gives us a little Fire in the Sky in the Appalachian backwoods. But, more important than the antagonists of this story, his main characters were just perfect. Their interactions both before and during the conflicts are just examples of superb writing.
I highly recommend you pick this one up or read it on KU. I know you'll have a great time with it.

[Lauren McGivney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and snappy but super interesting! Would loved for it to have been longer!

[Dez Nemec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Late one night in the middle of nowhere, strange lights are seen in the sky. Is it heat lightning? Aliens? The government up to no good? Neither Justin nor Billy are sure what to think, they just know better than to go looking...

A little sci fi, a little horror, and a big reminder...stay the f*ck out of the woods.

3.5 stars rounded up for the narrator. Joe Hempel never disappoints.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's short, obviously, and dragged even with that. Very disjointed, I wasn't expecting character development really with the length, but there was none. At least it was short so this was a fast disappointment.

[Milt Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded to 4. A well-written novella of suspense, mystery, some science fiction, and a good amount of horror. Most of the stars go to the characters: they're really well done, they feel real; it's also refreshing to place their plight, both the social and the supernatural one, in this setting, among these people, who have often been slighted and stereotyped as backwards and anti-progressive. I didn't care for the meaning beings, however. They could have been any kind of supernatural or science fictional threat, and the story would have been the same.

[Zephyr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um...just...no.

It has potential, it's there. But this feels, juvenile. Like a rough first draft. Someone just getting out all their ideas onto paper.

Could have been great. Really could have. Might check back in with this author in a few years.

[RachelZ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nah. Felt like a creative writing story one would write in 11th grade for an assignment.

[J.M. Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short fun little read.

Justin and Billy are heading home after a party with their drunk friend Kevin. While they're driving, they see a bright light from the sky and the rest of their night doesn't go as planned.

I do wish this story was a little longer but that's a me problem, not the author's. When the alien type stuff started happening, it reminded me of many alien movies I have seen over the years. Creepy crawly things coming out of someone's mouth? Yes please!

If you want a quick read about a couple who are just trying to survive the night while dealing with aliens and the unknown, be sure to check this story out!

[Clariece · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this little novella! I also enjoyed the short story after as well. The main story had good plot and got to the point rather quickly. Definitely a fast paced read. It’s a cabin in the woods type of story with beings from another dimension taken over the human race. I think any horror reader that enjoys this type of plot will enjoy it. Lastly, I appreciate the queer representation in this story!

[Bookworm With a B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for a unique novella.

This was a great short story and would have made an interesting novel. I had a lot of fun reading this, and I will be looking for more of Jason Nickeys' works. The only thing I want to complain about is the lack of a proof reader/editor. There were some sentences that were choppy and a few grammatical errors. But, if that is all I have to complain about, it's a damn fine short story!

[Taylor Parus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short read!! I think I found a quote from Joe Rogan which makes me like the book even more. I told kevin to read it because it was only 78 pages!

[Lauren Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy woods and alien type encounters !!! Loved it!!!

[Rhonda Ofstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book!

This book is short and quick. Easy to read. Spooky and creepy. It remind me of signs movie. Ha. Overall it was good

[Courtney Shortt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good quick read. I enjoy reading local authors esp when it's my fav genre

[IvyInThePages · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rating: 1.6 leaves out of 5
-Characters: 2/5
-Cover: 3/5
-Story: 1/5
-Writing: 2/5
Genre: Horror
-Horror: 0/5
Type: Ebook
Worth?: No

Hated|Disliked|Meh|It Was Okay|Liked|Really Liked|Loved

I got this recommended to me as a weird horror book. It wasn't. It was a snoozefest. For something so short I should have finished this in a max of 2 days. I don't even think if the writing was good it would have saved this book. There was no horror aspect in this. Nothing was built up. The creature was so flat. I was really excited for an Appalachian horror story and this whole thing did not do it justice.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second book of Jason's (though it's my first solo book, the other was a collaboration), and it won't be my last!

Don't Look In The Trees follows Billy and Justin as they're heading to Justin's home in the woods after a bonfire party. Before they leave, a warning pops up on the television: get somewhere safe, don't go outside. Something unknown and strange is happening in the area.

They start the trek home with their friend Billy, but they come across a tree that has fallen on the only road leading there. As they start to work on the trees, they're met with the reason for the warning, and it's more terrifying than they could have ever imagined.

I enjoyed this one, and the narration by Joe Hempel was amazing (as always), but I really wish it was longer. Once it ended, it ENDED. Boom. Here's the climax, and then ope, it's over with a short explanation of what happened afterwards. I liked the characters and the relationships, it just felt like it was missing something.

Thank you again to Fright Night Audio for a copy of the audiobook!

[Breanne McCoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a silly little novella and I don’t remember where the recommendation came from. I don’t usually go in for the aliens invading earth trope but this was a fun take. The writing however left something to be desired. The story moves along nicely but the changes in POV weren’t done very well and the prose and word choices felt simplistic, almost unfinished, like this was a first draft. I would read something from this author again especially on recommendation from someone I like but this one wasn’t my favorite.

[Patricia Mays · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like I am being generous with 2 stars. This book was poorly written. However, I’m trying to give it the benefit of the doubt (hence 2 stars instead of one). The writing style was childish but maybe that’s what they were going for when they came up with this story? Maybe they were going for humor and it just fell flat for me, I really don’t know what there is to like about this book.

[timj26 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting concept for an invasion story and what tactics aliens may utilize to win the war

Joe does a fantastic job narrating as always that’s why he’s one of the best
If you’re looking for a quick listen, with an equally entertaining bonus story, definitely check this one out

[Wisteria_Dreams420 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was really interesting. I had two issues with this story though. The writing style could use a bit more development and at times there were paragraphs that seemed more like filler than actual story.