How does the use of foreshadowing affect reader engagement?

When authors drop hints about what might happen later, they invite readers to get involved and piece together the clues. This creates a sense of suspense, making readers eager to keep turning the pages to see how everything unfolds.
Good foreshadowing also deepens our emotional connection to the story; when we catch on to what those hints might mean, we feel more tied to the characters and their journeys. Overall, it turns reading into an interactive experience, where we’re not just passively consuming the story but actively trying to solve its mysteries and see if our predictions come true.