Scan barcode
kelly_inthe419's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book as an audiobook and maybe that was part of the problem. I actively disliked the narrator, who may be the first narrator I’ve disliked among all the audiobooks I’ve read this year. I also was not crazy about protagonist Alice - too much teen angst. The writing style is a bit too overwrought for me & is why I generally steer clear of YA. However, the plot moved along quickly once Alice’s mom is taken and it was sufficiently interesting & engaging enough for me to see it through to the end. If you give it a go, I’d highly recommend skipping the audio version for this one.
crhurlbert's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sharppointysticks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
3.5
Another good book for kicking off spooky season! It is YA magical realism with dark fairy tale flair. It was a nice little escape while getting ready to go back to school.
emilycsmith's review against another edition
2.0
"And while they're being told, stories create the energy that makes this world go. They keep our stars in place. They make our grass grow."
🦇
If you like dark, twisted fairy tales, this book might be for you. It wasn't for me. I initially liked its creepy, read-with-the-lights-on narrative, but the more I read the less I cared for it. The writing style made me feel lost and uncomfortable, and the last third of the book was nonsensical. Although I thought the plot was clever, the pieces never lined up for me. The main character was irate, rash, and insensitive, with no apologies. I had hope for the sidekick, but his arc fell pretty quickly. I can't dismiss that this book had far too much language for me -- this is a young adult novel! There were also some strange themes of racism. I really wanted to like this book, because I had heard so many good things about it! Unfortunately, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
🦇
If you like dark, twisted fairy tales, this book might be for you. It wasn't for me. I initially liked its creepy, read-with-the-lights-on narrative, but the more I read the less I cared for it. The writing style made me feel lost and uncomfortable, and the last third of the book was nonsensical. Although I thought the plot was clever, the pieces never lined up for me. The main character was irate, rash, and insensitive, with no apologies. I had hope for the sidekick, but his arc fell pretty quickly. I can't dismiss that this book had far too much language for me -- this is a young adult novel! There were also some strange themes of racism. I really wanted to like this book, because I had heard so many good things about it! Unfortunately, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
bookreader626's review against another edition
3.0
This was probably a 3.5. It was VERY confusing, but I liked the story???
sambamfam's review against another edition
DNF.
Besties, I tried. I really did. I wanted to like this book. I rly gave it my all.
From the start the plot is a confusing tale and it doesn’t get much easier to understand. I couldn’t relate to the main character, Alice, at all and I couldn’t sympathize with anything that was happening.
I would read for a couple hours and still not feel like I was getting any farther in the book. So unfortunately it’s a DNF for me because this is the year I don’t force myself to finish books I am not enjoying 🥰
Besties, I tried. I really did. I wanted to like this book. I rly gave it my all.
From the start the plot is a confusing tale and it doesn’t get much easier to understand. I couldn’t relate to the main character, Alice, at all and I couldn’t sympathize with anything that was happening.
I would read for a couple hours and still not feel like I was getting any farther in the book. So unfortunately it’s a DNF for me because this is the year I don’t force myself to finish books I am not enjoying 🥰
whatkatyread87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was an amazing Grimm type fairytale story. Loved the stories included.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
mjwilson2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
bloodsmith_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I've been searching for something to really sink my teeth into for a while, and for me this book fit like it was tailored to my tastes. As someone with a deep love for old folklore and fairy tales, this is a wonderfully crafted story with dark and strange folklore vibes.
The Hazel Wood has themes of displacement, family, found family, and identity. There are elements of generational trauma. Alice struggles with anger issues and the desire for stability throughout the story. I was a bit surprised by how relatable she was from the beginning, and I think in general the characters all felt like they could be real; often complex and flawed, but also likeable. I was very pleasantly surprised by the emotional realism portrayed alongside this kind of entrancing web of folklore motifs and fairy tale fragments.
From a fantasy/folklore perspective, I really appreciate that the information given is just enough to build a world, without overcooking so to speak. The folktale motifs were familiar enough to feel engaging, cozy, and believable; echoing the syntax of stories long told and retold. That said, the actual fairy tales of the Hinterland were unique enough to stand out on their own, and the dark and unsettling qualities of each character & their stories were what really drew me in. I am excited to read the second book in the series, but also maybe more excited to read the companion "Tales from Hinterland" because I find myself wanting to know more about the strange, feral land and its inhabitants.
I also found that the pacing of the book was, in my opinion, really good. I felt like it all came together very well- there is a lot of anticipation and dread that build while Alice and Finch uncover, piece by piece, the reality of their quest; and the closer they get to the center of the mysteries around Tales from Hinterland, the more it picks up and the more magical, weird, and psychedelic elements come into play. It builds steadily, and the pace builds with the urgency and desperation of Alice as well. It is unsettling and satisfying.
All in all, I think I may have found a new favorite fantasy book, and I'm excited to continue the series and see more from this author.
The Hazel Wood has themes of displacement, family, found family, and identity. There are elements of generational trauma. Alice struggles with anger issues and the desire for stability throughout the story. I was a bit surprised by how relatable she was from the beginning, and I think in general the characters all felt like they could be real; often complex and flawed, but also likeable. I was very pleasantly surprised by the emotional realism portrayed alongside this kind of entrancing web of folklore motifs and fairy tale fragments.
From a fantasy/folklore perspective, I really appreciate that the information given is just enough to build a world, without overcooking so to speak. The folktale motifs were familiar enough to feel engaging, cozy, and believable; echoing the syntax of stories long told and retold. That said, the actual fairy tales of the Hinterland were unique enough to stand out on their own, and the dark and unsettling qualities of each character & their stories were what really drew me in. I am excited to read the second book in the series, but also maybe more excited to read the companion "Tales from Hinterland" because I find myself wanting to know more about the strange, feral land and its inhabitants.
I also found that the pacing of the book was, in my opinion, really good. I felt like it all came together very well- there is a lot of anticipation and dread that build while Alice and Finch uncover, piece by piece, the reality of their quest; and the closer they get to the center of the mysteries around Tales from Hinterland, the more it picks up and the more magical, weird, and psychedelic elements come into play. It builds steadily, and the pace builds with the urgency and desperation of Alice as well. It is unsettling and satisfying.
All in all, I think I may have found a new favorite fantasy book, and I'm excited to continue the series and see more from this author.