When screenwriter Phil Hastings moves his family to a remote New York farmhouse, he unwittingly places them at the center of an ancient, malevolent force lurking within the surrounding woods. Seeking a quiet retreat to focus on his writing, Hastings finds his domestic peace shattered by supernatural entities that view his family as intruders. The narrative follows the family's struggle to survive as the boundaries between their reality and a dark, mythical realm begin to dissolve. The story utilizes a third-person perspective to track the escalating psychological and physical threats posed by the forest's inhabitants.

This novel is often noted for its departure from the high-fantasy epics typically associated with Raymond E. Feist, leaning instead into the darker, more visceral territory of contemporary horror. The premise suggests a focus on the unsettling contrast between the mundane life of a screenwriter and the ancient, predatory nature of the faerie realm. Readers likely find the shift in tone to be a deliberate attempt to explore the darker side of folklore, moving away from traditional heroic archetypes. The narrative structure emphasizes the slow erosion of safety, creating a sense of dread that permeates the family's transition to their new home.