Review: A Land So Wide by Erin A. Craig

I received this book via the publisher Pantheon, Random House Audio. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

A Land So Wide by Erin A. Craig
Narrator: Cecily Bednar Schmidt
Published by Pantheon, Random House Audio on 2025-09-02
Age Range: 18+
Length: 529 pages
Length: 12 hours and 8 minutes
Listening Speed: 2x
Reviewing Advanced Listening Copy, eARC from the publisher Pantheon, Random House Audio
Rating:
Reading Challenges: #NGEW2025, 2025 Audiobook Challenge, 2025 New Release Challenge

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child comes an irresistible blend of dark fairytale and romantic fantasy. • The town of Mistaken has a secret…and it’s up to one woman to uncover the truth, confront her past, and save the man she loves.

"Wonderous and haunting. Erin A. Craig strikes gold again." —Marisha Pessl, New York Times bestselling author of Night Film and Darkly

"This book is an undeniable triumph. Beautiful and dark and unforgettable.”—Shea Ernshaw, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A History of Wild Places

Like everyone else in the settlement of Mistaken, Greer Mackenzie is trapped. Founded by an ambitious lumber merchant, the village is blessed with rich natural resources that have made its people prosperous—but at a cost. The same woods that have lined the townsfolks’ pockets harbor dangerous beasts: wolves, bears, and the Bright-Eyeds—monsters beyond description who have rained utter destruction down on nearby settlements. But Mistaken’s founders made a deal with the mysterious Benevolence: the Warding Stones that surround the town will keep the Bright-Eyeds out—and the town’s citizens in. Anyone who spends a night within Mistaken’s borders belongs to it forever.

Greer, a mapmaker and eccentric dreamer, has always ached to explore the world outside, even though she knows she and her longtime love, Ellis Beaufort, will never see it. Until, on the day she and Ellis are meant to finally begin their lives together, Greer watches in horror as her beloved disappears beyond the Warding Stones, pursued by a monstrous creature. Determined to rescue Ellis, she figures out a way to defy Mistaken’s curse and begins a trek through the cold and pitiless wilderness. But there, Greer is hunted, not only by the ruthless Bright-Eyeds but by the secret truths behind Mistaken’s founding and her own origins.

Playfully drawing from Scottish folklore, Erin A. Craig’s adult debut is both a deeply atmospheric and profoundly romantic exploration of freedom versus security: a stunning celebration of one woman's relentless bravery on a quest to reclaim her lost love—and seize her own future.

The gothic fantasy queen is back with an adult debut, and it is a must read! A Land So Wide by Erin A. Craig is a dark romantasy full of thrills, perfect for the upcoming spooky season. The town of Mistaken is located in a small corner of the North American continent. The stones surrounding the town’s border offer a protection and a curse to its residents, keeping them safe from the monstrous Bright-Eyeds and trapped, unable to leave the borders.

Greer MacKenzie is a mapmaker like her mother before her and the only child of the town’s mill owner. This makes her a prize catch in the Hunt, a marriage tradition that was started when there was not enough women for the men of the town. With the Hunt upon them, the women of Mistaken hide while the eligible men look for them. Whoever finds them is married at the end of the night. When Greer’s childhood sweetheart walks by her and then out past the stones, everything she thought she knew about her world turns on its head.

Greer makes an interesting character, and the story is told entirely from her perspective. She is an oddity in her town, able to hear whispers as if they were speaking right in her ear. This ability makes her an outcast, even if she is the most coveted girl for the inheritance she’ll receive. But Greer is also a girl in love, ready to marry Ellis, and start a new life with him. She dreams of exploring, mapping out the world beyond the stones. When Ellis crosses the border, Greer follows. The deeper she travels though the more she uncovers about herself and the mysteries surround her town.

Erin A. Craig is an auto-buy, drop-everything-and-read author for me, so it should come as no shock to anyone that I devoured this book. The plot and mystery surrounding the town are compelling and drive the story forward in a way that you do not want to sit it down. Even now, after finishing the book, I’m still thinking about the ending, the characters, and everything that happened. When I said earlier that Craig is the queen of gothic fantasy, I meant it. She’s created a dark, atmospheric fantasy based loosely on Scottish folklore (the Ciuthach I believe) that is unputdownable.

Overall, I loved A Land So Wide. I fell in love with the coastal wilderness of the town and its inhabitants. The mythology of the Bright-Eyeds adds to the thrill of the story by bringing a touch of horror. Then there’s Greer herself. I loved walking with her through this story of self-discovery as she raced to find the man she loves. If you are a fan of Craig’s writing, dark fantasy, or looking for an atmospheric read, I highly recommend it.

Audiobook Note: I also received an advance listening copy of this book from the publisher. I loved Cecily Bednar Schmidt’s narration. She fully immersed me into the story. Her subtle inflections and tone shifts added to the story. Highly recommend this format if you enjoy listening.

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