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A review by bloodsmith_reads
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
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.