Into the Dark Forest

October 1, 2024
A strange call's coming from the Dark Forest... Rowan doesn't want to leave her home in the city of Holderby, especially without her father, but war has finally arrived in her hometown, and she must escape with her mom to stay at her grandpa's house in the woods. She's never met her grandpa before and is surprised to discover that he's a healer of animals and humans. When she sets off deep into the forest to follow a mysterious noise, Rowan makes an astonishing discovery: an injured dragon. As she attempts to help the dragon, Rowan witnesses its mother's capture by hunters from the enemy country of Estria. Worried about what will happen to the young dragon, Rowan returns to her grandpa to search for answers and help, only to discover that her grandpa is the feared wildsmith the poachers were talking about--someone who can communicate with animals. Together with her grandpa, some witches, and neighbors Will and Cam, Rowan must find a way to stop the poachers and protect the forest. Filled with adventure and friendship, this novel will capture readers' hearts with its magical creatures and exploration of belonging. The sketch-style art is rich in detail and shading while retaining whimsy in the way it colors slightly outside of the lines. Rowan and her family have light skin, and Will and Cam are pictured with darker skin. A magical adventure in the woods.(Fantasy. 6-11)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2024
Grades 2-4 Flanagan kicks off her cozy Wildsmith series with a story of magical creatures and community ideal for readers ready for more-advanced chapter books. The city Rowan calls home is under attack; her father remains behind as Rowan and her mother flee to a forest where her grandfather--a man she didn't know existed--lives. Curious, Rowan treads into the Dark Forest, where she discovers an injured baby dragon and witnesses a group of poachers trap its mother. Rowan soon meets neighbors Will and Cam, who reveal that Rowan's grandfather is a Wildsmith: someone who uses magic to speak with and heal magical creatures. As evil forces seek out magical creatures and Wildsmiths for their powers, Rowan and the inhabitants of and around the Dark Woods must come together to fight to protect their safe haven. While the narrative occasionally feels repetitive, Flanagan conjures a cottagecore aesthetic for this gentle adventure. The cozy elements are enhanced by Todd-Stanton's fine-lined, softly shaded, and loose style, which captures the characters' strong emotions.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.