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A review by esmayrosalyne
The Child of the Greenwood by Joshua Walker
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
Part coming-of-age survival tale, part revenge heist, The Child of the Greenwood is an absolute gutpunch of a novella that gives an entirely refreshing look into a new Japanese-flavoured corner of the epic world of Q’Ara. Plus, we’re delving into the Hidden Ones culture, so get ready for weasel time baby!
Similarly to in The Rest to the Gods, the previously published companion prequel novella to The Song of the Sleepers series, Walker proves his incredible skill at character-driven dual timeline storytelling. Throughout the interchanging Then and Now chapters, we follow a boy/man called Jilo on a harrowing journey of survival, grief, self-discovery, and tentative healing.
The way that Walker builds this character through the two timelines is nothing short of masterful, and I really loved seeing exactly how Jilo’s past experiences shaped him into the scarred yet strong man that we see in the present. Not to mention, the level of tension, mystery and intrigue that starts to build as the puzzle pieces of this narrative slowly click into place with each new revelatory chapter through the non-linear and unreliable narration make The Child of the Greenwood just absolutely unputdownable.
To me, the more introspective aspects in the Tarzan-esque coming of age tale were the absolute highlight of The Child of the Greenwood, and I loved exploring the fascinating society and culture of the Hidden Ones through Jilo’s human perspective. At its heart, this is a story of family, both blood and found, and it gives a brutally honest exploration of how those messy, complex interpersonal relationships can drive a person to actions they never, ever thought they would be capable of.
Everything about Walker’s storytelling is just so rich and nuanced, and I am constantly in awe of how he imbues the world of Q’Ara and its inhabitants with so much realism and painfully relatable humanity, while also never sacrificing the transportive and mystical quality of the story. There were maybe a few events/decisions (especially near the end) that felt a bit rushed to me amidst all the hectic action, but ultimately I can’t deny that it’s beyond impressive how much emotional weight and depth is packed into so few pages.
With the release of this second standalone prequel novella, Walker has now provided three equally strong and enticing entries into The Song of the Sleepers series; it’s not a matter of where you start your adventure into the lands of Q’Ara, but when you start it. If you like your epic fantasy to be dark yet inspiring, character-driven yet action-packed, and just brimming with imagination and emotion, then you simply have to try out The Child of the Greenwood.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Child of the Greenwood is scheduled for release on 4 February, 2025.
Part coming-of-age survival tale, part revenge heist, The Child of the Greenwood is an absolute gutpunch of a novella that gives an entirely refreshing look into a new Japanese-flavoured corner of the epic world of Q’Ara. Plus, we’re delving into the Hidden Ones culture, so get ready for weasel time baby!
Similarly to in The Rest to the Gods, the previously published companion prequel novella to The Song of the Sleepers series, Walker proves his incredible skill at character-driven dual timeline storytelling. Throughout the interchanging Then and Now chapters, we follow a boy/man called Jilo on a harrowing journey of survival, grief, self-discovery, and tentative healing.
The way that Walker builds this character through the two timelines is nothing short of masterful, and I really loved seeing exactly how Jilo’s past experiences shaped him into the scarred yet strong man that we see in the present. Not to mention, the level of tension, mystery and intrigue that starts to build as the puzzle pieces of this narrative slowly click into place with each new revelatory chapter through the non-linear and unreliable narration make The Child of the Greenwood just absolutely unputdownable.
To me, the more introspective aspects in the Tarzan-esque coming of age tale were the absolute highlight of The Child of the Greenwood, and I loved exploring the fascinating society and culture of the Hidden Ones through Jilo’s human perspective. At its heart, this is a story of family, both blood and found, and it gives a brutally honest exploration of how those messy, complex interpersonal relationships can drive a person to actions they never, ever thought they would be capable of.
Everything about Walker’s storytelling is just so rich and nuanced, and I am constantly in awe of how he imbues the world of Q’Ara and its inhabitants with so much realism and painfully relatable humanity, while also never sacrificing the transportive and mystical quality of the story. There were maybe a few events/decisions (especially near the end) that felt a bit rushed to me amidst all the hectic action, but ultimately I can’t deny that it’s beyond impressive how much emotional weight and depth is packed into so few pages.
With the release of this second standalone prequel novella, Walker has now provided three equally strong and enticing entries into The Song of the Sleepers series; it’s not a matter of where you start your adventure into the lands of Q’Ara, but when you start it. If you like your epic fantasy to be dark yet inspiring, character-driven yet action-packed, and just brimming with imagination and emotion, then you simply have to try out The Child of the Greenwood.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Child of the Greenwood is scheduled for release on 4 February, 2025.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Death of parent, War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia