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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Tropes:
Retelling
Music based magic
He falls first
Wound Tending
Feminine Rage
Dark Romantasy
“Perhaps loving someone so much made small moments larger."
This is my first taste of Sheila's work and I can honestly say I really enjoyed this mix of Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood with some Handmaid's tale vibes. This is a gothic fairy tale stand alone romantasy following the newly appointed Red Maiden, Rowan, and The Wolf or God Of Death, Conner. Rowan was raised to replace the previous Red Maiden after her 5 year term venturing into the woods guiding newly departed sould accross to the realm of the dead. She has been raised to be the sacrificial lamb to Conner and meant to serve him in any way he requests, but he soon shows her he might not actually be the big bad wolf that she was made to believe he is.
"Death's gift is in taking. I have nothing to give. I'm not someone who can love you, Rowan. There's nothing but darkness where my heart should be."
The magic system was so interesting and artwork scattered throughout the book is such a great added detail! Thank you to The Realm Archives and Sheila Masterson for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Retelling
Music based magic
He falls first
Wound Tending
Feminine Rage
Dark Romantasy
“Perhaps loving someone so much made small moments larger."
This is my first taste of Sheila's work and I can honestly say I really enjoyed this mix of Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood with some Handmaid's tale vibes. This is a gothic fairy tale stand alone romantasy following the newly appointed Red Maiden, Rowan, and The Wolf or God Of Death, Conner. Rowan was raised to replace the previous Red Maiden after her 5 year term venturing into the woods guiding newly departed sould accross to the realm of the dead. She has been raised to be the sacrificial lamb to Conner and meant to serve him in any way he requests, but he soon shows her he might not actually be the big bad wolf that she was made to believe he is.
"Death's gift is in taking. I have nothing to give. I'm not someone who can love you, Rowan. There's nothing but darkness where my heart should be."
The magic system was so interesting and artwork scattered throughout the book is such a great added detail! Thank you to The Realm Archives and Sheila Masterson for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
✨ARC READING✨
This is a stand alone Red Riding Hood retelling and it’s wonderful!
I love Shiela’s writing, character development and world building.
She has complex and fierce FMC, her MMC are funny and just as compelling but never over take the FMCs.
The Song of the Dark Wood is full of angsty, anger, love, danger, some spice sprinkled in. It deals with some tender topics so please read the TW before starting.
I love how everything is wrapped up and there are some Easter eggs in there if you have read Shiela’s other series. Which is a nice little dagger to the heart.
This is a stand alone Red Riding Hood retelling and it’s wonderful!
I love Shiela’s writing, character development and world building.
She has complex and fierce FMC, her MMC are funny and just as compelling but never over take the FMCs.
The Song of the Dark Wood is full of angsty, anger, love, danger, some spice sprinkled in. It deals with some tender topics so please read the TW before starting.
I love how everything is wrapped up and there are some Easter eggs in there if you have read Shiela’s other series. Which is a nice little dagger to the heart.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I stayed up until 1am to finish this story and I have NO regrets!
Everything about this read was perfect.
The narratives on grief and shame and indoctrination was profound and I related to much of the FMC's experience and inner dialogue.
The vibe is atmospheric and spooky season approved.
The banter is delicious.
The spice is naughty and NICE.
It's twisty and rageful and consuming.
Be prepared to devour and/or be devoured when you dive into this masterpiece.
4.5⭐️'s
Everything about this read was perfect.
The narratives on grief and shame and indoctrination was profound and I related to much of the FMC's experience and inner dialogue.
The vibe is atmospheric and spooky season approved.
The banter is delicious.
The spice is naughty and NICE.
It's twisty and rageful and consuming.
Be prepared to devour and/or be devoured when you dive into this masterpiece.
4.5⭐️'s
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
“I don’t think we know yet what I might become to protect the people I love.”⠀⠀
⠀⠀
Sheila Masterson, Song of the Dark Wood⠀⠀
⠀⠀
⠀⠀
Song of the Dark Wood is a rich, immersive story with fairytale elements and a kick-ass main character. Rowan is the picture of feminine strength and passion. She wants out from under the thumb of her religious oppression and will fight to bring about change any way she can. ⠀
⠀
The Wolf is the perfect shadow daddy, with control issues and a dark backstory. He's a complicated character but I love how much he respects Rowan and asks for her consent. When they are together the banter and sass is off the charts!⠀
⠀
My two favorite things about this book are the themes of consent and feminine rage. It's hard to write about these in a way that doesn't seem preachy but the author expertly wove them throughout the book with quotes like, “Bind my heart to yours if you deem me worthy. Weave your life with mine.” and "All men wanted a wild woman until it was time to be tame." ⠀
⠀⠀
Song of the Dark Wood is a five star standalone fantasy romance that quickly rose in ranks to be one of my favorite books of the year! I would recommend it to anyone who loves magical romance with a dark side. After all, "Love is what holds back the dark."
⠀⠀
Sheila Masterson, Song of the Dark Wood⠀⠀
⠀⠀
⠀⠀
Song of the Dark Wood is a rich, immersive story with fairytale elements and a kick-ass main character. Rowan is the picture of feminine strength and passion. She wants out from under the thumb of her religious oppression and will fight to bring about change any way she can. ⠀
⠀
The Wolf is the perfect shadow daddy, with control issues and a dark backstory. He's a complicated character but I love how much he respects Rowan and asks for her consent. When they are together the banter and sass is off the charts!⠀
⠀
My two favorite things about this book are the themes of consent and feminine rage. It's hard to write about these in a way that doesn't seem preachy but the author expertly wove them throughout the book with quotes like, “Bind my heart to yours if you deem me worthy. Weave your life with mine.” and "All men wanted a wild woman until it was time to be tame." ⠀
⠀⠀
Song of the Dark Wood is a five star standalone fantasy romance that quickly rose in ranks to be one of my favorite books of the year! I would recommend it to anyone who loves magical romance with a dark side. After all, "Love is what holds back the dark."