THE FOREST DEMANDS ITS DUE

Desean Terry gives a compelling--if sometimes flat--performance of a twisted tale of a powerful queer, Black "Chosen One." After being unexpectedly enrolled at Regent Academy, Douglas learns he's the only one capable of breaking a centuries-long curse that stems from a nearby forest. But with the deceitful school headmaster on one side of the curse and a terrifying apparition on the other, who is Douglas to trust? As he enters the woods to complete his task with the help of his new love, Douglas realizes he must follow his own instincts if he wants to get out alive. While Terry commits to an emotional performance, the story's limited character development causes his narration to fall just short of fully immersing the listener. A.A.H. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2024]