Erin A. Craig, beloved for her young adult Gothic fantasies like House of Salt and Sorrows and Small Favors, ventures boldly into adult fiction with A Land So Wide, delivering a darkly atmospheric tale that seamlessly weaves Scottish folklore with supernatural romance. This adult debut showcases Craig’s evolved storytelling prowess while maintaining the haunting beauty that has captivated readers throughout her previous works.
Where Maps End and Monsters Begin
Set in the isolated settlement of Mistaken—a town trapped by both prosperity and curse—Craig crafts a world that feels simultaneously claustrophobic and vast. The story follows Greer Mackenzie, a mapmaker whose cartographic passion serves as both blessing and torment in a place where borders are absolute. Greer’s character development stands as one of the novel’s greatest strengths; she transforms from a dreamer confined by circumstances into a woman who must confront not only external monsters but the supernatural legacy flowing through her veins.
The premise unfolds with calculated precision: Mistaken’s founders struck a deal with mysterious entities called the Benevolence, trading freedom for protection. Warding Stones encircle the town, keeping the terrifying Bright-Eyeds at bay while simultaneously imprisoning the townspeople. When Greer’s beloved Ellis disappears beyond these protective barriers, pursued by one of these monstrous creatures, her quest to rescue him unravels decades of carefully constructed lies.
The Art of Atmospheric Horror
Craig’s prose exhibits remarkable maturity in this adult offering, painting landscapes that breathe with otherworldly menace. Her descriptions of the wilderness beyond Mistaken’s borders create an almost tangible sense of dread, where every shadow might conceal predators and every sound carries the promise of danger. The Bright-Eyeds themselves represent horror at its most effective—not through excessive gore, but through their alien nature and the suffocating silence that accompanies their presence.
The author’s handling of Scottish folklore elements feels authentic and respectful, drawing from traditions of shape-shifters and blood-drinking creatures without appropriating or oversimplifying these rich mythological foundations. The incorporation of terms like “Betwixt” and references to creatures from Scottish legend adds layers of cultural depth that elevate the narrative beyond generic fantasy.
Love Tested by Transformation
The romance between Greer and Ellis anchors the story’s emotional core, but Craig wisely avoids saccharine sentimentality. Their relationship faces the ultimate test as Greer undergoes a supernatural transformation that threatens to fundamentally alter who she is. The exploration of identity—both personal and inherited—creates compelling tension as Greer grapples with her dual nature as both human and something far more dangerous.
Ellis’s character, while perhaps less developed than Greer’s, serves as an effective emotional catalyst. His disappearance drives the plot while his relationship with Greer provides stakes that feel genuinely meaningful. The supporting cast, particularly the enigmatic Finn and the revelation of Ailie’s true nature, adds complexity to the supernatural elements without overwhelming the central narrative.
Examining the Foundation’s Cracks
Where “A Land So Wide” occasionally falters lies in its pacing during the middle sections. Some revelations about Mistaken’s true history feel rushed, particularly the exposition surrounding Resolution Beaufort’s machinations and the fictional nature of the Benevolence. These plot points, while necessary for the story’s progression, sometimes overwhelm the more intimate character moments that make the novel strongest.
Additionally, certain aspects of the supernatural hierarchy and the Bright-Eyed society could benefit from clearer definition. The rules governing transformation and the transfer of power occasionally feel inconsistent, though this ambiguity may be intentional to reflect Greer’s own confusion about her heritage.
Technical Excellence and Thematic Depth
Craig’s worldbuilding demonstrates sophisticated attention to detail, from the practical considerations of surviving in harsh wilderness to the intricate politics of supernatural societies. Her maps—both literal and metaphorical—serve as powerful symbols throughout the narrative, representing humanity’s desire to understand and control the unknown.
The novel’s themes of freedom versus security resonate particularly strongly in contemporary contexts. Mistaken’s citizens accept imprisonment in exchange for safety, raising questions about the price of protection and the value of autonomy. Greer’s journey becomes not just a rescue mission but a reckoning with inherited trauma and the courage required to forge one’s own path.
Standing Among Genre Giants
A Land So Wide positions itself confidently within the adult fantasy landscape, sharing thematic DNA with works like Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale. However, Craig’s unique voice and her specific blend of Gothic atmosphere with folkloric elements create something distinctly her own.
Readers familiar with Craig’s previous works will recognize her signature ability to blend beauty with horror, though the adult context allows for deeper psychological complexity and more nuanced romantic elements than her YA offerings typically permitted.
A Recommendation with Reservations
“A Land So Wide” succeeds brilliantly as an atmospheric horror-fantasy that prioritizes character development and world-building over action sequences. Readers seeking fast-paced adventure may find certain sections slow, but those who appreciate literary fantasy with Gothic sensibilities will discover much to savor.
The ending, while satisfying, leaves certain threads deliberately unresolved—whether this indicates plans for a sequel or simply reflects the realistic messiness of life remains to be seen.
For Readers Who Enjoyed
- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
- The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (for character-driven narrative)
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Final Verdict
A Land So Wide represents a successful evolution for Erin A. Craig, demonstrating her ability to craft compelling adult fiction while retaining the atmospheric mastery that established her reputation. Despite minor pacing issues and occasional exposition-heavy moments, the novel succeeds as both a supernatural thriller and a meditation on identity, sacrifice, and the courage required to break free from inherited constraints. Craig’s adult debut proves that some authors not only survive the transition from YA to adult fiction—they thrive in the deeper waters of mature storytelling.
