book review: the waking forest by alyssa wees

The Waking Forest by Alyssa Wees
Delacorte, 304 pp.
Published March 12, 2019

DISCLAIMER: I received a free physical ARC of this title from the publisher for review purposes. This did not inform or influence my opinion in any way.

The waking forest has secrets. To Rhea, it appears like a mirage, dark and dense, at the very edge of her backyard. But when she reaches out to touch it, the forest vanishes. She’s desperate to know more—until she finds a peculiar boy who offers to reveal its secrets. If she plays a game.

To the Witch, the forest is her home, where she sits on her throne of carved bone, waiting for dreaming children to beg her to grant their wishes. One night, a mysterious visitor arrives and asks her what she wishes for, but the Witch sends him away. And then the uninvited guest returns.

The strangers are just the beginning. Something is stirring in the forest, and when Rhea’s and the Witch’s paths collide, a truth more treacherous and deadly than either could ever imagine surfaces. But how much are they willing to risk to survive?

You'll LOVE it if...you enjoy fantasy with diverse group of female characters.

I occasionally come across a very well-phrased criticism of the notion of "strong female characters", which I agree with more each time I read it. The gist is that not every female character in the media we consume has to be strong; women and girls are as nuanced as their male counterparts, which means they suffer from doubt, cowardice, selfishness, and a whole host of traits and flaws that make them human. It's important that readers get to experience female characters with all the different kinds of strengths and weaknesses, morals, and motivations that male characters have enjoyed. Rose and her sisters are all distinct, engaging characters with a familial dynamic that is instantly believable. And while this is primarily a tale of Rose's growth, the bonds that connect her and the rest of her family are compelling as well. This applies to both the fantasy and modern worlds, characteristics and relationships translating seamlessly between the two. No matter your personality, there's a young woman in The Waking Forest that will feel familiar, sympathetic, and worth rooting for.

You'll LIKE it if...you're a fan of dark fairy tales.

The atmosphere that Alyssa builds up throughout the book — and across all of the locations, both fantastical and recognizable — is delightfully spooky. In fact, my only complaint is that I wish readers got to spend even more time with the Witch in her forest, purely because those were my favorite interludes in the book. The central mystery of Rose's connection to the Witch means that the vague and insistent threat carried in the wooded home of the latter permeates the entire book, literally and figuratively. As the imagery and sensations of the Witch's realm bleed over into Rose's reality devastation of some kind feels inescapable. Stakes are certainly high as the novel enters its final act; once you start Part II, be prepared to blaze through the final one hundred pages without stopping! And the payoff for the mystery was unexpected and satisfying, which should make fantasy fans happily embrace it.

You MAY NOT LIKE it if...keeping up with a "dream versus reality" conflict stresses you out.

One of my favorite aspects to The Waking Forest — the uncertainty and instability of what constitutes "reality" — might be more of a distraction than an indulgence for some readers. Wees deploys the tactic exceptionally well, so this drawback comes down to reader preference. If this type of storytelling device frustrates or confuses you to the point of detracting from the greater narrative, you may want to tread carefully here. Considering the well-drawn suspense and satisfying payoff, however, The Waking Forest is more than worth a try for those who generally avoid this kind of plot, or for readers who don't usually gravitate towards it.

RATING:

Recommended for fans of THE HAZEL WOOD, THE WICKED DEEP, and THE DEVOURING GRAY