Scan barcode
iris_smith's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
fairiesdust's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
trixx_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Fairy tales have taught us not to go into the dark woods alone. Yet Nora does, as a descendant of an ancient witch family, she can't be harmed by the Forest. She spends her days alone since her grandmother died, because her mother is often away. She has no friends at school, as no one wants to give a witch a chance. Her only company is her dog, Fin, who is a half-wolf, so the locals are afraid of him too.
The mystery of Oliver was a challenge for me, and I only partially solved it. I had forgotten how the story of the missing boy and the dead boy could be connected. There were a few suspicious clues that led me to figure out what was going on with Oliver, but the Max case surprised me too. It's a bit of a coincidence that uncontrollable boys end up in this camp for a reason...
I really liked the way Nora and Oliver's love slowly built in the book. She also discovered her magical powers, which is more special than you might think. And all the time he blamed himself for what happened, but in the end it turned out that he wasn't the evil one at all.
The story was given a unique atmosphere by the short book excerpts that described the lives of the Walker family's most interesting witches. My favourite was Nora and her grandmother Iona.
If you are looking for a special winter read, I highly recommend Winterwood!
The mystery of Oliver was a challenge for me, and I only partially solved it. I had forgotten how the story of the missing boy and the dead boy could be connected. There were a few suspicious clues that led me to figure out what was going on with Oliver, but the Max case surprised me too. It's a bit of a coincidence that uncontrollable boys end up in this camp for a reason...
I really liked the way Nora and Oliver's love slowly built in the book. She also discovered her magical powers, which is more special than you might think. And all the time he blamed himself for what happened, but in the end it turned out that he wasn't the evil one at all.
The story was given a unique atmosphere by the short book excerpts that described the lives of the Walker family's most interesting witches. My favourite was Nora and her grandmother Iona.
If you are looking for a special winter read, I highly recommend Winterwood!
lunaenandromeda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
scepter's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful, whimsical book Winterwood is!
I am still enchanted by Nora Walkers' story, the dark and dangerous woods and the strange boy she finds there.
Everything moves in a poetical pace which slows the story down at times. But the magical voice of Shea Ernshaw keeps one under her spell and brings the mystery to a wonderful ending.
Also, the little stories of the Walker Women before Nora, told on black pages inbetween chapters, are a great look at the strange and witchy lifes her ancestors lived.
Overall I can see how this book may not appeal to everyone, but if you love slow and whimsical stories and stories where natural magic bleeds into real life, if you love narration similar to Maggie Stiefvater, then this is a book I wholeheartedly recommend.
I am still enchanted by Nora Walkers' story, the dark and dangerous woods and the strange boy she finds there.
Everything moves in a poetical pace which slows the story down at times. But the magical voice of Shea Ernshaw keeps one under her spell and brings the mystery to a wonderful ending.
Also, the little stories of the Walker Women before Nora, told on black pages inbetween chapters, are a great look at the strange and witchy lifes her ancestors lived.
Overall I can see how this book may not appeal to everyone, but if you love slow and whimsical stories and stories where natural magic bleeds into real life, if you love narration similar to Maggie Stiefvater, then this is a book I wholeheartedly recommend.
idratherliveinbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ollieandeviesmama's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! Shea Ernshaw has done it again, she has quickly become one of my favourite authors. The only didn’t like is that it had to come to an end.
brianne_k's review against another edition
4.0
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. This did not affect my rating.
*4/5*
"A sleeping forest will allow safe passage. But if it wakes, be prepared to run."
Has one line of text ever given you chills? Given you a sense that you will love the atmosphere of a story? This book has that line for me.
“I am more darkness than girl. More winter shadows than August sunlight. We are the daughters of the wood”
Nora Walker is a witch. Or so they say. The Walker women are all witches. They never leave Fir Haven. If they do, something always pulls them back. They can enter the Wicker Woods on a full moon and not be harmed. They can bring back what has been lost.
Nora enters the woods on a full moon, and finds a boy. A boy who shouldn’t be there. A boy who changes her life. As storm after storm blocks the people of Fir Haven in, Nora decides to unravel the truth behind the mysterious boy. How did he survive the woods? What secrets is he keeping?
Quiet, slow burning, and intense. This novel made me want to curl up by a fireplace with hot tea and snuggle in. The air of mystery, and of magic.
As a bonus, there were little backstories and spell from previous Walker women and I loved it.
I will read whatever Shea Ernshaw publishes.
*4/5*
"A sleeping forest will allow safe passage. But if it wakes, be prepared to run."
Has one line of text ever given you chills? Given you a sense that you will love the atmosphere of a story? This book has that line for me.
“I am more darkness than girl. More winter shadows than August sunlight. We are the daughters of the wood”
Nora Walker is a witch. Or so they say. The Walker women are all witches. They never leave Fir Haven. If they do, something always pulls them back. They can enter the Wicker Woods on a full moon and not be harmed. They can bring back what has been lost.
Nora enters the woods on a full moon, and finds a boy. A boy who shouldn’t be there. A boy who changes her life. As storm after storm blocks the people of Fir Haven in, Nora decides to unravel the truth behind the mysterious boy. How did he survive the woods? What secrets is he keeping?
Quiet, slow burning, and intense. This novel made me want to curl up by a fireplace with hot tea and snuggle in. The air of mystery, and of magic.
As a bonus, there were little backstories and spell from previous Walker women and I loved it.
I will read whatever Shea Ernshaw publishes.
lizarrdbreath's review against another edition
5.0
To me, this book was so beautifully tragic. The way everything was described and how I stayed at the edge of my seat at the halfway point was perfect. I love fantasy and mystery and Winterwood really blended the 2 well for me. I highly recommend!