The Darkest Part of the Forest
4 journalers for this copy...
I found this handsome hardcover at a local Savers thrift shop. It opens with this evocative passage:
"Down a path worn into the woods, past a stream and a hollowed-out log full of pill bugs and termites, was a glass coffin. It rested right on the ground, and in it slept a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives."
The story's set in a small town that touches up against a wood inhabited by the fey, and there's a delightful (and often creepy) mix of mundane modern life and ancient faerie myths. The locals have come to a kind of detente with the fey, respecting their presence and obeying certain rules while also using protective talismans to keep off the worst of the mischief; in return, the fey (mostly) focus on tourists for their pranks, hunts, or outright crimes. But there have been incidents that cross this tentative boundary; among them, one local family had their child taken and a changeling left behind. The mother realized what had happened and knew what to do to reclaim her own child - and once she had her baby back, she refused to let the faerie mother reclaim *her* kid on the grounds that if she was willing to swap it in the first place she wasn't a good enough mother to deserve any children. Hence the mundane family with near-twin sons, one their own and the other fey!
The protagonists of the story are siblings Hazel and Ben, who are friends with changeling-boy Jack. Hazel and Ben also share a fascination with the horned prince in the crystal coffin - not that that's unusual, as the thing has become a major tourist attraction as well as a hangout for locals. It's impossible to break - and word has gotten out that those who try tend to have really bad luck not long afterwards - and nobody knows how to open it or wake the prince, but rumors abound as to what it will mean if and when he does wake. Hazel and Ben each have a major crush on the beautiful sleeper, and have a more respectful attitude towards him, so when (surprise!) he does wake up, they find themselves allied with him in what may be a deadly war with the king of the local fey...
Complicating things: Hazel broke one of the key rules about staying safe from the fey, by making a bargain with them as a child. She had good intentions, but of course the agreement was manipulated by the fey for their own amusement, and much of the book is about Hazel gradually learning what she has been paying - and how badly the deal worked out for her brother, whom she wanted to benefit.
I liked the weaving of faerie myths with modern-day kids and their community, and I found the characters sympathetic and interesting. The relationships worked out as I'd hoped they would {wry grin}, though as with any dealings between fey and mortal it seems there may be some heartache down the line. But in general the story works well, with tantalizing clues leading to major revelations, alliances and bravery and some trickster behavior - good yarn!
"Down a path worn into the woods, past a stream and a hollowed-out log full of pill bugs and termites, was a glass coffin. It rested right on the ground, and in it slept a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives."
The story's set in a small town that touches up against a wood inhabited by the fey, and there's a delightful (and often creepy) mix of mundane modern life and ancient faerie myths. The locals have come to a kind of detente with the fey, respecting their presence and obeying certain rules while also using protective talismans to keep off the worst of the mischief; in return, the fey (mostly) focus on tourists for their pranks, hunts, or outright crimes. But there have been incidents that cross this tentative boundary; among them, one local family had their child taken and a changeling left behind. The mother realized what had happened and knew what to do to reclaim her own child - and once she had her baby back, she refused to let the faerie mother reclaim *her* kid on the grounds that if she was willing to swap it in the first place she wasn't a good enough mother to deserve any children. Hence the mundane family with near-twin sons, one their own and the other fey!
The protagonists of the story are siblings Hazel and Ben, who are friends with changeling-boy Jack. Hazel and Ben also share a fascination with the horned prince in the crystal coffin - not that that's unusual, as the thing has become a major tourist attraction as well as a hangout for locals. It's impossible to break - and word has gotten out that those who try tend to have really bad luck not long afterwards - and nobody knows how to open it or wake the prince, but rumors abound as to what it will mean if and when he does wake. Hazel and Ben each have a major crush on the beautiful sleeper, and have a more respectful attitude towards him, so when (surprise!) he does wake up, they find themselves allied with him in what may be a deadly war with the king of the local fey...
Complicating things: Hazel broke one of the key rules about staying safe from the fey, by making a bargain with them as a child. She had good intentions, but of course the agreement was manipulated by the fey for their own amusement, and much of the book is about Hazel gradually learning what she has been paying - and how badly the deal worked out for her brother, whom she wanted to benefit.
I liked the weaving of faerie myths with modern-day kids and their community, and I found the characters sympathetic and interesting. The relationships worked out as I'd hoped they would {wry grin}, though as with any dealings between fey and mortal it seems there may be some heartache down the line. But in general the story works well, with tantalizing clues leading to major revelations, alliances and bravery and some trickster behavior - good yarn!
I'm sending this to BCer bamaforever, for the US/Canada wishlist-tag game. Enjoy!
Thank you so much for the wishlist book! I've read two series by this author that I really enjoyed and have decided that I would like to read all of her books. :-)
Journal Entry 4 by bamaforever at Wishlist Tag Game , A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Released 4 yrs ago (11/19/2019 UTC) at Wishlist Tag Game , A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Loved it! Sending to emmejo for wishlist tag.
I'm a very special book. I'm traveling the world in search of new friends. I hope I have found one in you. If you are my new owner please make a brief journal entry with my BCID number. You can read and release me for a new friend to read or keep me. It's your choice!
If you are new to bookcrossing and want to join please consider listing bamaforever as your referral. Welcome to bookcrossing!
Happy reading!
I'm a very special book. I'm traveling the world in search of new friends. I hope I have found one in you. If you are my new owner please make a brief journal entry with my BCID number. You can read and release me for a new friend to read or keep me. It's your choice!
If you are new to bookcrossing and want to join please consider listing bamaforever as your referral. Welcome to bookcrossing!
Happy reading!
This just arrived! Thank you so much! I haven't read any Black's writing in a while, so I'm looking forward to diving back in.
On the whole, this was basically exactly what I remembered Black's stories being like! It is a slightly dark, definitely angsty, YA urban fantasy. There is some great world building that blends traditional myth with a modern take. (The scene of them going under the hill and the fae party is going to stick with me for a long time!)
Most of the character's aren't particularly unique (exception being IMO, Jack, as the changing raised in the human world) but they are engaging enough to keep the plot going. The variety of magic was interesting, and continued the blending of old tales and a modern world.
On the other hand, Black's very particular character-creations and storytelling style almost feel a little dated. I was quite surprised this was published in 2015; it has so much in common with the late-00's, post-emo, edgy fairytales that I recall being popular then.
Also, almost no tech usage? Again, it feels odd for a YA story set today. The characters have cell phones, they just... don't seem to use them much. And there is basically no mention of the internet. For example, when a bunch of teens are faced with a familiar-sounding but unplaceable name, I would imagine someone would think to try Googling it. I suppose those would reduce the suspense and mystery, but I would have liked to at least have some kind of in-universe, hand-wavy reason given for why folks aren't using tech.
Most of the character's aren't particularly unique (exception being IMO, Jack, as the changing raised in the human world) but they are engaging enough to keep the plot going. The variety of magic was interesting, and continued the blending of old tales and a modern world.
On the other hand, Black's very particular character-creations and storytelling style almost feel a little dated. I was quite surprised this was published in 2015; it has so much in common with the late-00's, post-emo, edgy fairytales that I recall being popular then.
Also, almost no tech usage? Again, it feels odd for a YA story set today. The characters have cell phones, they just... don't seem to use them much. And there is basically no mention of the internet. For example, when a bunch of teens are faced with a familiar-sounding but unplaceable name, I would imagine someone would think to try Googling it. I suppose those would reduce the suspense and mystery, but I would have liked to at least have some kind of in-universe, hand-wavy reason given for why folks aren't using tech.
Added to the Wrap It Up bookbox.
Removing from the First Lines Wrap It Up Bookbox
