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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Sheila, Sheila, Sheila.
I love your writing so much it hurts.
“Perhaps loving someone so much made small moments larger.” ❤️
I love your writing so much it hurts.
“Perhaps loving someone so much made small moments larger.” ❤️
✨️ARC REVIEW✨️
Thank you to Sheila for this early review copy. My thoughts are my own.
This is the first book I have read of Sheila's and I absolutely loved it!!! At first it was giving me Little Red Riding Hood vibes and then IT switched to Beauty and the Beast vibes. I don't know if that's what she was going for but it was perfect.
There is spice, magic and the banter was off the charts! My emotions where everywhere feeling for these characters. She had me laughing, crying, wanting to throw my kindle in frustration LOL It was definitely a roller coaster in the best possible way.
Sheila, you had me on my heals at every turn waiting to see what happens next. Your writing style is amazing and I can't wait to read more of your work.
Thank you to Sheila for this early review copy. My thoughts are my own.
This is the first book I have read of Sheila's and I absolutely loved it!!! At first it was giving me Little Red Riding Hood vibes and then IT switched to Beauty and the Beast vibes. I don't know if that's what she was going for but it was perfect.
There is spice, magic and the banter was off the charts! My emotions where everywhere feeling for these characters. She had me laughing, crying, wanting to throw my kindle in frustration LOL It was definitely a roller coaster in the best possible way.
Sheila, you had me on my heals at every turn waiting to see what happens next. Your writing style is amazing and I can't wait to read more of your work.
The perfect standalone to kick off spooky season! I absolutely love Rowan, our FMC, and her wildness. Song of the Dark Wood by Sheila Masterson is a dark retelling of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf and make it spicy. Our "little red" ("The Maiden" to her people) is a spirit singer who guides souls from the realm of the living, through the Dark Wood and to the Wolf's keep so that he can help them pass on. The wolf in this story is the God of Death, and a HOTTIE! Rowan's scent is intoxicating to him and she has been trained her whole life by the Elders to please the Wolf. However, there is a blight spreading throughout the Dark Wood and into the village that threatens the livelihood of its people. It is Rowan's job to find out why and figure out how to stop it.
I recommend Song of the Dark Wood if you enjoy:
✨female rage✨
I recommend Song of the Dark Wood if you enjoy:
✨female rage✨
A unique story with a nod to Red Riding Hood
This standalone brought all the elements I love from Masterson's ability to weave a wonderful story with great plot and characters. I liked that she was able to loop in breadcrumbs from her series and did ways to always drop so many little gems you can collect in her stories and worlds. Beautiful work!
This standalone brought all the elements I love from Masterson's ability to weave a wonderful story with great plot and characters. I liked that she was able to loop in breadcrumbs from her series and did ways to always drop so many little gems you can collect in her stories and worlds. Beautiful work!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Shiela really made Rowan a strong and sassy FMC that has such a path ahead of her. However, she refused to face her fate. Could you tame a death god? Well, tame might not be the right word. The spicy scenes are absolutely delicious, and not tame at all. 😉
The cover? Gorgeous! Characters? Rich and full of personality. Feminine rage? Perfection and needed!
Thank you for writing this book!! Thank you for letting me have the chance to be a part of the ARC team. Not only because I loved the book, but what an amazing community you’ve built.
***Second read as ALC*** Still 5 Stars!
I had previously read this book as an ARC reader. I am learning that going back and listening to the book adds even more to the story. You can really sit back and get lost in it. I definitely did. All all the heartache, fear, anger, and spice were just intensified. Read the trigger warnings, as you should for any book.
Sheila did such an amazing job at really developing Rowan’s personality. She is a strong and fierce FMC, but also cares so much about those around her. She was not going to back down from her facing her fate. Could you tame a death god? Well, tame might not exactly be the right word. Those spicy scenes were anything but tame!! Rowan’s job is to seduce the wolf, but there is so much more there. He’s not what she expected, which only leaves her with inner conflict. Add in a dose of religious manipulation and abuse of power, Rowan has so much inner turmoil to deal with. The one things she has is her voice, and she will use it in so many ways through out the book.
A deadly blight is spreading from the Dark Wood. What is causing it? Some blame Rowan, some blame the Wolf, and some do not know what is causing it. The only thing that Rowan knows is that the Wolf is not as vengeful as she was lead to believe all of her life. She also learns that the ones that want to devour her are not the ones she was taught to fear.
I highly recommend this book both in print, ebook, and absolutely grab this audiobook to read. Now, I just need book 2 to hurry up!
Aoife and Dermont did a wonderful job with the narration, and I loved the slight accent. Do I wish they could have been in the same room so they each could have done the voices? Yes, however it makes sense when you compare it to the book, since the chapters were from that character’s POV. They both did an amazing job at changing their voices for the different characters and keeping that throughout the book. I have such a new appreciation this past year for audiobook narrators and the magic they create.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Sheila for allowing me to review the ALC of Song of the Dark Wood (Fable Song Book 1) in exchange for an honest Review.
The cover? Gorgeous! Characters? Rich and full of personality. Feminine rage? Perfection and needed!
Thank you for writing this book!! Thank you for letting me have the chance to be a part of the ARC team. Not only because I loved the book, but what an amazing community you’ve built.
***Second read as ALC*** Still 5 Stars!
I had previously read this book as an ARC reader. I am learning that going back and listening to the book adds even more to the story. You can really sit back and get lost in it. I definitely did. All all the heartache, fear, anger, and spice were just intensified. Read the trigger warnings, as you should for any book.
Sheila did such an amazing job at really developing Rowan’s personality. She is a strong and fierce FMC, but also cares so much about those around her. She was not going to back down from her facing her fate. Could you tame a death god? Well, tame might not exactly be the right word. Those spicy scenes were anything but tame!! Rowan’s job is to seduce the wolf, but there is so much more there. He’s not what she expected, which only leaves her with inner conflict. Add in a dose of religious manipulation and abuse of power, Rowan has so much inner turmoil to deal with. The one things she has is her voice, and she will use it in so many ways through out the book.
A deadly blight is spreading from the Dark Wood. What is causing it? Some blame Rowan, some blame the Wolf, and some do not know what is causing it. The only thing that Rowan knows is that the Wolf is not as vengeful as she was lead to believe all of her life. She also learns that the ones that want to devour her are not the ones she was taught to fear.
I highly recommend this book both in print, ebook, and absolutely grab this audiobook to read. Now, I just need book 2 to hurry up!
Aoife and Dermont did a wonderful job with the narration, and I loved the slight accent. Do I wish they could have been in the same room so they each could have done the voices? Yes, however it makes sense when you compare it to the book, since the chapters were from that character’s POV. They both did an amazing job at changing their voices for the different characters and keeping that throughout the book. I have such a new appreciation this past year for audiobook narrators and the magic they create.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Sheila for allowing me to review the ALC of Song of the Dark Wood (Fable Song Book 1) in exchange for an honest Review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
As with any book you read, make sure to read the trigger warnings.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Song of the Dark Wood was my introduction to Sheila Masterson's work. The outcome? I need to read everything Sheila has written. Her writing style flows; it is lyrical without being overbearing and takes you on such an emotional journey.
Sheila has taken the classic fairytale of Red Riding Hood and the myth of Hades & Persephone, merged them, and created magic of her own. It tells the story of the Red Maiden—the symbol of deep religious beliefs rooted in devotion and fear. It is a story of those who believe in "the greater good", no matter the consequences or sacrifices. The story of women forced to give up their voices to become the perfect servants of gods. But do they serve the god or the ruling men? The question is as old as time, and Sheila has masterfully dug deep into these issues. She has shown just how powerful feminine rage can be and how we can be the catalysts of change to create a better world.
And the catalyst is a Red Maiden called Rowan. She will be the one to challenge deep-rooted beliefs and customs, she will be the one to inspire real change in the God of Death, and she will be the bringer of change. Her voice and her song will become as mighty as any sword. Rowan will be the true hero of the story, and along the way, she will find her path and make her own life choices, with love included. And what a love story it will be!
I loved Rowan & Conor; they showed how one can defeat one's inner demons and become worthy of others and, more importantly, themselves. Their love is rooted in song and music, and it was perfect and eerily beautiful. If you are looking for a gothic, hauntingly beautiful tale of love, rage, oppression, birth and rebirth, you will love Song of the Dark Wood. It is a perfect fantasy standalone to warm you during these colder autumn nights and is being released on September 20th.
Song of the Dark Wood will gift you
- Red Riding Hood meets Hades & Persephone
- gothic fantasy standalone
- feminine rage & fight against religious oppression
- haunted forest
- music-based magic
- grumpy God of Death MMC
- FMC who sees ghosts
- he tends to her wounds
- demon companions
- HEA
Sheila has taken the classic fairytale of Red Riding Hood and the myth of Hades & Persephone, merged them, and created magic of her own. It tells the story of the Red Maiden—the symbol of deep religious beliefs rooted in devotion and fear. It is a story of those who believe in "the greater good", no matter the consequences or sacrifices. The story of women forced to give up their voices to become the perfect servants of gods. But do they serve the god or the ruling men? The question is as old as time, and Sheila has masterfully dug deep into these issues. She has shown just how powerful feminine rage can be and how we can be the catalysts of change to create a better world.
And the catalyst is a Red Maiden called Rowan. She will be the one to challenge deep-rooted beliefs and customs, she will be the one to inspire real change in the God of Death, and she will be the bringer of change. Her voice and her song will become as mighty as any sword. Rowan will be the true hero of the story, and along the way, she will find her path and make her own life choices, with love included. And what a love story it will be!
I loved Rowan & Conor; they showed how one can defeat one's inner demons and become worthy of others and, more importantly, themselves. Their love is rooted in song and music, and it was perfect and eerily beautiful. If you are looking for a gothic, hauntingly beautiful tale of love, rage, oppression, birth and rebirth, you will love Song of the Dark Wood. It is a perfect fantasy standalone to warm you during these colder autumn nights and is being released on September 20th.
Song of the Dark Wood will gift you
- Red Riding Hood meets Hades & Persephone
- gothic fantasy standalone
- feminine rage & fight against religious oppression
- haunted forest
- music-based magic
- grumpy God of Death MMC
- FMC who sees ghosts
- he tends to her wounds
- demon companions
- HEA
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No