Month in Review: July 2026

We're (somehow) already almost a week into August, but I still need to take a second to take a look at July. It was a weird month in the sense that I can't immediately place what happened in July (it was a long month, but where did it go??), but I also had some pretty great times. Life is definitely still throwing a lot of ups and downs at me and it's a struggle at times, but we're hanging in there! Was July weird for anyone else? I hope you all are having a really lovely summer so far!

In personal news, not a lot to report! Work's been really busy despite summer being the slower season (or so I've been told, haha), but I'm getting used to things and I think figuring out a decent routine these days. I'm still doing aerial regularly, and I also added in a few dance classes during the week at a local studio, and--as someone who has zero dance background--it is the most humbling thing I've done, haha--and also a lot of fun! I really love a challenge (and it's definitely a challenge), but I'm having a great time and hoping it can transfer over to aerial as well. 

In reading news, it was overall a pretty good month! I read a lot of really great books this month and I finally feel like I'm getting back into a bit of a groove with readings, so (fingers crossed) hopefully it continues in August. I had a blast reading Islington's upcoming sci-fi debut, Scion, and I was also really pleasantly surprised by Jen Julian's The Winter Folk. The book I least enjoyed was probably Orbital, and I feel like it's just because it didn't click with me for some reason, which was a bit of a bummer because I love the concept (and the cover!). I'm also finally almost finished up with a hefty tome I've been working my way through, The Cure for Living, so I'm hoping to finally have that review up in August, as well! I have so many great books lined up for August, though, so things are feeling good. 

How was your July and what books have you been reading? Any reading-related goals?  Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!

   

# books read: 12

A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-Young

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: This was a super thought-provoking and weird little read that wasn't quite what I expected! I still generally enjoyed this one, though--I also still really love this cover!

Scion by James Islington

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I had such a fun time with this! I'm very used to Islington's huge epic fantasy stories, so a shorter sci-fi thriller felt very different, and I found it be a huge page-turner. 

The Winter Folk by Jen Julian

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I really loved this delightfully weird and horror-ish tale! I'm definitely going to try to prioritize getting around to Jen Julian's previous release that I've been meaning to read now!

The Lord of the Wood by E.M. Anderson

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: This was described as "cozy horror," and I'd probably agree that that's pretty much what it felt like! Definitely a worthwhile read if that's your vibe.

The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood by H.G. Parry

Source: Publisher | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I always enjoy Parry's reads, and this one was no change to that. This is also probably the first Arthurian-themed story that I actually enjoyed and followed along with, so that's also a win!

The Inevitable Ruin (Dungeon Crawler Carl #7) by Matt Dinniman

Source: Owned | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I finally got around to getting through this one and while I'm still enjoying the Dungeon Crawler Carl books, I definitely have found the last couple books to be a bit lackluster compared to the earlier ones. 

Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham

Source: Library | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: I read the first volume of Fables years and years ago, but I remembered none of it so I decided to revisit it and give it a re-read in the hopes of finally continuing on with the series!

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This one had a really great premise, but unfortunately missed the mark a bit for me and I couldn't really get into many of these stories. 

Captives and Companions: History of Slavery and the Slave Trade in the Islamic World by Justin Marozzi

Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: This was really fascinating--definitely a lot of information to take in, but extremely informative. 

The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil A Run, Vol. 4 by Nagabe

Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: My hold finally came in at the library so I'm continuing the series! It's still grabbing me enough that I want to keep reading, but it's definitely a very slow one. I adore the illustrations, though!

The Bone Snatcher by Charlotte Salter

Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This was SO wonderfully creepy and weird. This is one of those middle grade books that makes me feel like it might terrify some young readers, but unlock a whole new world for others. Really fun read, and I'd recommend it!

Trash!: A Garbageman's Story by Simon Pare-Poupart

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was an entirely random read that I grabbed because it showed up as a recommendation on Libby! I often end up listening to very random audiobooks because if I finish one without something immediately planned to read after, I tend to just pick the first thing I see that seems interesting on Libby, which has mixed results. Fortunately, this one was really interesting and has given me a new appreciation for garbagemen!

Wormwood Abbey by Christina Baehr

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was another random Libby read! It was cute and I can see a lot of readers enjoying it, but it didn't really grab me that much or stand out and I won't be continuing the series, probably. 

To-Be-Finished:

None! (that I can recall...)

 

Prince of Swords (Arcana Academy #2) by Elise Kova

The Winter Folk by Jen Julian

The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood by H.G. Parry

The Lord of the Wood by E.M. Anderson

The Infinite State by Richard Swan

 Posts:

Month in Review: June 2026

Anticipated August 2026 Releases

Blog Memes:

Can't-Wait Wednesday:

7/1: Mulai by Munir Hachemi, Reliquary by Hannah Whitten, & Etna by Paul Yoon
7/8: The Dungeon Book by Gareth Hanrahan, The Salt King by Natasha Pulley, & Portrait of a Witch Undone by K.S. Shay
7/15: Bury Your Dead by Ana Paula Maia & Kitten by Stacey Yu

7/22: A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett, Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher, and Freight by Ryan Lowell
7/29: A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-young, The Calamities by Chuck Wendig, & Hiroshima, 8:15: The Lost Memoir by Kiyoshi Tanimoto

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Blacktail by Scott Hawkins, Beyond the Graves Waits Mist and Sea by Kathleen Kaufman, & Fallow by Sarah Anderson

 

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released!

Blacktail by Scott Hawkins

Publication: September 1st, 2026

Crown

Hardcover. 288 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"The long-awaited second novel from the author of the cult hit The Library at Mount Char, a one-of-a-kind dark fantasy in which a wolf sets out on an epic journey of revenge. 

The wolf Blacktail is faithful to his Forest God, but in these times, faith is not enough. His world is besieged by men. Soon his territory will be overrun, and then there will be nowhere left to go. When his mate, a house dog, is killed, Blacktail rebels. He invades the house of her owners, seeking vengeance. 

Blacktail’s fury catches the notice of an ancient and terrible feline witch, who makes an offer. What if Blacktail could end the human race responsible for the death of his family and for the destruction of the natural world, altogether? To do so, Blacktail must find and wake the Forest God. Only He might stand against the plague of men. Blacktail knows that his north woods are dwindling to nothing. He sees no other choice. 

As Blacktail journeys farther from his wild home and deeper into the world of man, he encounters strangers—animal, mortal, and otherworldly—who, for their own reasons, want to help Blacktail rid the world of humans. Along the way, it becomes clear that he is more than just a wolf. The Forest God is sleeping, yes. But what will be the price of waking him?

'A tale of lupine vengeance—at first—whose stakes escalate to degrees I never saw coming. Unexpected, blood-soaked, and vividly told.'—qntm, author of There Is No Antimemetics Division"

This sounds wonderfully weird and intriguing, and given Hawkins in the author of The Library at Mount Char, I have a feeling this is going to be one hell of a read. I have an ARC that I'm dying to get started on, so hopefully I can get to it soon! I'm also quite obsessed with this cover.

Beyond the Graves Waits Mist and Sea by Kathleen Kaufman

Publication: September 26th, 2026

Kensington

Paperback. 384 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"A marine biologist’s search for an undiscovered species of octopus leads her to an isolated island where long-buried memories rise like specters from the deep, intent on dragging her darkest truths to the surface… 

From the author of The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey, this hauntingly evocative novel is perfect for fans of Emilia Hart’s The Sirens, Sarah Penner’s The Amalfi Curse, and Adrienne Young. 

Twenty nautical miles off the coast of Boston lies Bell Island, shrouded in fog, mystery, and legend. Historically a refuge for women fleeing the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials in the 1600s and a way station on the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves in the 1800s, the island is isolated and rumored to be haunted by spirits and . . . other things. 

It is to Bell Island that microbial biologist Harper Hafdóttir ventures in search of evidence of a new species of octopus, Thalassa, possibly lurking below the swirling water’s surface. Along with her equipment, and her luggage, Harper carries with her the burden of past trauma and vivid, recurring dreams. 

Swept up in unexplained phenomena ranging from increased seismic activity and a boat-capsizing rogue wave to encounters with island creatures that defy explanation, Harper looks to the island’s venerated if mysterious mayor for answers. Lady Loreana Bell comes from a single matriarchal line that has ruled the island for 400 years—and seems to have been expecting Harper’s arrival. 

It is within the walls of Bell Manor—its gothic grandeur matched only by the intensity of Harper’s deja vu—that she discovers the 1690 journal of a young woman in the grips of a religious cult. As a tsunami threatens the island, Harper finds herself on the verge of a revelation that will ultimately unlock the mystery of her haunted dreams and disclose her true purpose on Bell Island..."

I am loving the sound of just about everything about this one and cannot wait to check it out!

Fallow by Sarah Anderson

Publication: September 15th, 2026

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Hardcover. 416 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"Slyly funny and disarmingly tender, Fallow is the story of a young woman who signs up to be the world’s first in-house corporate surrogate, then finds herself caught up in a social experiment of another kind. 

Natalie knows one truth: there is no such thing as a good job. 

As the clock ticks away at the call center where she logs complaints of workplace harassment, she tries to ignore the increasing pain in her jaw. She has no dental insurance. She has no skills or ambitions. She has student loans. And, minute by minute, she hears the many ways workers are not just not getting by, but actually getting hustled. 

Then, at the blood bank where she sells her plasma, a mysterious flyer leads her to The Company. Natalie turns out to be the perfect candidate for their pilot program, pitched as an opportunity to help women access greater gender equity. She will be their in-house surrogate, delivering seven babies in ten years and enabling their executives to have motherhood without maternity leave. Finally, she will be adequately―generously―compensated. 

For years, her every need is met: stacks of healthy meals in the refrigerator of a luxury condo, fitness coaches and nutritionists, around-the-clock health care. Between deliveries, she takes time off―a fallow period, with no obligations or expectations. For the first time in her life, she is good at her job; for the first time, she feels free. 

But just as she’s about to fulfill the terms of her contract, a staffing decision upends everything. Natalie is pulled into an entirely different kind of social experiment, one that raises new questions about her future, her freedom, her purpose, what she can expect from the world, and what she can offer to it. 

Woundingly funny and genuinely moving, Sarah Anderson’s Fallow is a tender, alarmingly real vision of a woman balancing on the knife-edge of capitalism as she comes to realize who she wants to be."

Look-did this book pique my interest because of the cow on the cover? Yes, I'll admit that that's the main reason I decided to check this book out--but fortunately, it also has a really intriguing premise. I'm seeing this marketed as horror, satire, dystopia, etc., so I'm very curious to see what it'll be like.

Review: The Infinite State by Richard Swan

The Infinite State by Richard Swan
Tor Books
Publication Date: August 4th, 2026
Hardcover. 416 pages.

About The Infinite State:

"In this blistering science fiction epic, international bestselling author Richard Swan presents a thrilling tale of survival and an eviscerating examination of totalitarianism.

THE INFINITE STATE begins at a flashpoint in the lives of a widowed party member, a disgraced investigator, and a hypersled pilot―entangled in a plot to escape the suffocating authority of a fascist state.

WHO GIVES YOU LIFE?
PATER AETERNUS.

Katherine Fuller’s husband is dead. As an esteemed member of Pater Aeternus―governing party of the fascist, galaxy-spanning Decurion Empire―he has left behind an estate of immeasurable wealth. And Katherine is going to inherit it.

WHO GIVES YOU PURPOSE?
PATER AETERNUS.

Life under the Eternal Father is rigidly stratified, surveilled, and controlled―each new day to be endured, not lived. But with Katherine’s newfound fortune, she is presented with a rare and dangerous opportunity: purchase a virgin world, and create a better, fairer society.

WHO GIVES YOU JOY?
PATER AETERNUS.

But the Empire cannot allow its wayward daughter to succeed. And as Katherine works in secret, recruiting allies she's not even sure she can trust, she will discover exactly how far Pater Aeternus is willing to go to stop her. Because Katherine is going to create something nobody has seen for many years.

A democracy."

The Infinite State--one of my most anticipated releases for 2026--is a fantastic new sci-fi novel from Richard Swan, whose Empire of the Wolf and The Great Silence (ongoing) series I've thoroughly enjoyed. Set within the oppressive and sprawling Decurion Empire, this story follows three characters whose lives offer very different perspectives on what it means to exist--or perhaps, even to break free from--a totalitarian society.

The core of our story revolves around Katherine Fuller, a recently widowed woman living on the planet Leonis who has become the recipient of a rather sizable amount of money and has taken on the task of building a new society. She knows what she doesn't want, but since she's never known anything else but the authoritarian regime she's lived under for her entire life, she's not entirely sure what that should look like.

The Infinite State is definitely a slower-paced read and really takes its time building everything up. The synopsis describes Katherine building a new society on a new planet and while that is absolutely the core of this story, it does take a minute to get there. And once it does, the process itself continues in a very gradual manner. That being said, I personally didn't have any complaints about the pacing because I thought it all worked really well for developing enough background and character development of our characters for the story that was unfolding.

I'll admit that Katherine herself surprised me with how naive she could be about certain things. It didn't initially fit with the way I saw her as a character, but the more I thought about how and where she grew up, and from seeing more of her own reactions to different developments in the story, it made much more sense to me that she really wouldn't have had the opportunity to even know about so many different things. Of course she would be unaware of things that seem completely obvious to us as readers about society when she has spent her entire life within a totalitarian society where those ideas simply weren't part of her reality. It was actually weirdly fun to explore something that seems conceptually basic like democracy alongside someone who has never really encountered it before, and to whom the idea of simply voting for a person you want to be a leader sounds almost ludicrous.

I also appreciated that Katherine has very little experience with governing outside of managing her own household. She not only has to learn how to lead, but also that giving people freedom means accepting that they may make choices she doesn't agree with. She learns that you can't simply replace one authoritarian ruler with a benevolent one and call it democracy, and I really enjoyed watching her grapple with what that freedom of choice actually means in practice.

We also follow Cyprian and Julian, both of whom offer very different experiences in this world. Cyprian works within what is essentially law enforcement, while Julian is a hypersled racer, one of the most popular sports. Julian is a foreigner who has been brought in to race for the Leonis team, which was quite a surprise to many of the citizens. He really seems to get a bit of a crash course in what it's like to live on Leonis, and I was pretty captivated by his more unique circumstances. Cyprian, by contrast, has a great deal of experience with the empire and is probably the least naive of all three. He is, nevertheless, also constantly screwed over by the empire. He's much more of a seasoned character who is aware of the ins and outs of the politics and grittier aspects of this world.

What I found most interesting about these three character is that they all either already have or eventually develop a certain sense of hopelessness about their positions and the world they live in. They understand (whether gradually or right away) how little power they actually have and how fruitless even the thought of resistance can seem. I also liked how Swan created such truly distinct characters that provided very unique perspectives and experiences, which made the entire world and story feel that much more well-rounded. Even outside of the main protagonists, Swan gives us a glimpse of how other types of people survive in this world and the different paths this results in people taking.

I was particularly fascinated by the logistics of how these uninhabited or untouched planet are developed and built up, and especially with how an entirely new society can be created from the ground up. While Swan gives us plenty of detail about this process, the endlessly curious part of me probably could have read an entire book focused more solely on the minutiae of how it all works. I'm not necessarily disappointed that we don't get quite that much detail because what we do get is more than enough for the story, and I thought there was also plenty of fascinating insight into Fuller's thought process as she figures out how to build a functioning society that is nothing at all like what she's used to--while also doing this under the thumb of the empire.  

The Pater Aeternus fascist government really makes for the perfect villainous empire. It's incredibly easy to hate, while at the same making all of the dirty politics, scheming, manipulation, and force compelling to read about. I especially enjoyed seeing how all of these influences from the empire manifested depending on which character we were following and where they sat within its own hierarchy. I also liked getting to hear about the Free Nations and what their role was like in this galaxy. And I can't forget to mention that the hypersled racing is a really fun idea that added an entirely different elements to this world. It helped the world feel more lived in, and it made a lot of sense for them to have a competition where Leonis could consistently come in at the top.

One nitpick element I was a little less convinced by was Katherine's relationship (platonic) with Lukah. I found the speed at which Katherine essentially came to trust him and readily follow his advice a little strange. I understand why the relationship needed to develop and could generally by into it given Katherine's personality,  but the level of trust felt somewhat quick to me. There were a few smaller things like this that didn't work quite as well for me, but these were few and far between--and fairly minor at that--so I can't say they detracted too much from my reading experience.

Overall, The Infinite State is a thoughtful and impressively detailed sci-fi that takes its time exploring not only an oppressive political system, but the different types of people living within and the different ideas that may populate within them. I particularly enjoyed how much attention Swan gives to what freedom and change could look like in practice, and especially how difficult it can be, as simply trying to overthrow or escape is hardly even half of it. Between the governmental aspects, politics, worldbuilding, characters, and all the intrigue, there was a lot that kept me invested in each page of this book. I'd say that Richard Swan excels at both fantasy and sci-fi, so now there's something for every SFF reader and no excuse not to pick up his work!

*I received a copy of The Infinite State courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating or enjoyment.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Can't-Wait Wednesday: A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-young, The Calamities by Chuck Wendig, & Hiroshima, 8:15: The Lost Memoir by Kiyoshi Tanimoto

   

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released!

A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-young, trans. Sophie Bowman

Publication: August 11th, 2026

Tor Nightfire

Hardcover. 112 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"First the flood
Next the sickness
Last the change

Visionary Korean author Kim Bo-Young unleashes a Lovecraftian nightmare of infection, transformation, and abomination.

“[Kim Bo-Young's] fiction is a breathtaking piece of cinematic art.” ―Bong Joon Ho, Academy Award-winning director of Parasite

While waiting for a train to Haewon, an isolated Korean seaside village, bodyguard Mu-young gets a disaster alert on her phone. Screens throughout the station report breaking news of a massive earthquake on the coast. Despite the danger, Mu-young boards the train with her niece: she’d rather face the earthquake than leave the girl in her mother’s care. That choice haunts her for the rest of her life.

Three years later, Haewon Village is home to horrors. The earthquake unleashed an ancient plague that transforms its victims into fishy monsters, and the government’s lockdown has cut off any hope for help. Mu-young’s niece is dead, and all that’s left for her is to hunt villagers who break isolation. When an officious bureaucrat from Seoul arrives in the village, he stirs up even deeper trouble. Will Mu-young survive? Does she even deserve to?"

I've just started an ARC of this one and so far I'm really liking it, so I'm really curious to see where it goes!

The Calamities by Chuck Wendig

Publication: August 18th, 2026

Del Rey

Hardcover. 592 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"The heir to one of the world’s most influential families reckons with the demonic secret of their power in this contemporary dark fantasy that melds occult magic with shocking family drama, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents.

“Vivid, unsettling, and darkly compelling, The Calamities is Chuck Wendig at his best.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth

Mourning Mayne knows he’ll one day bear the duty of managing his family’s vast empire of wealth and power. But the feckless Mourning has always struggled to accept this legacy of cruelty, domination, and exploitation . . . and something even darker.

Because the Maynes are no ordinary family: Hidden in our world are the fiends—half-human, half-demon, and possessed of a dark magic born from buying human souls—and the Maynes are one of the oldest and most influential fiendish families.

But when Mourning’s estranged father, the formidable and terrifying Hadrian Mayne, demands that Mourning return to the fold, he has to decide whether to accept his legacy and embrace his role in the family or to forge his own destiny, and with it, change the course of the world.

Because along the way home, he will meet Key, a black-market seller of human souls, and Quinn, an artist who may hold the dark truth behind the fate of the fiends. Alone, they have all struggled with the darkness of their natures . . . but together, they might find a path out of the shadows."

I'm always up for some new Chuck Wendig!

Hiroshima, 8:15: The Lost Memoir by Kiyoshi Tanimoto

Publication: August 4th, 2026

Modern Library

Hardcover. 224 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"A newly discovered firsthand account of the Hiroshima bombing and its aftermath from one of the survivors—bringing unprecedented immediacy to our understanding of this world-changing event.

“A stunning historical discovery and a heartrending testimony.” —Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize–winning coauthor of American Prometheus

At approximately 8:15 on the morning of August 6, 1945, Kiyoshi Tanimoto was on the outskirts of Hiroshima when a flash in the sky signaled the birth of a horrifying new world. In an instant, tens of thousands of Hiroshima residents had been vaporized or crushed to death.

As Tanimoto, a thirty-six-year-old Methodist minister, raced back to the city center in search of his wife and infant daughter, he encountered unimaginable devastation: structures leveled; fires everywhere; uncountable injured suffering from burns, broken bones, and the effects of radiation. In the days, weeks, and months that followed this unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, he invested body and soul in helping his living congregants obtain food, shelter, and medical care, as well as identifying and burying with as much dignity as possible those who had perished. He dedicated himself to rebuilding not only his church, but his city and his nation.

Tanimoto went on to gain renown as one of the survivors featured in John Hersey’s New Yorker piece and book, Hiroshima, which changed the American public’s understanding of the event. But Tanimoto also wrote his own story. Hiroshima, 8:15 is Tanimoto’s never-before-published firsthand account of the bombing of Hiroshima, written in the immediate aftermath, in his own words.

This singular memoir is both an invaluable addition to the historical record and an urgent eyewitness testimony of one of the most calamitous events to befall humanity. At a time when the threat of nuclear war still looms, Tanimoto’s message of peace, and his vision of a better path forward for humankind, is of vital importance."

This sounds like it'll be an incredibly intense and informative read--I'm really hoping I'll have a chance to read it soon!

Review: The Lord of the Wood by E.M. Anderson

 

The Lord of the Wood by E.M. Anderson
Hanover Square Press
Publication Date: July 21st, 2026
Paperback. 448 pages.

About The Lord of the Wood:

"The cozy fantasy of TJ Klune meets the creeping horror of T. Kingfisher in this magical novel about a man who enters a deadly enchanted forest expecting it to endanger his life, but not his heart…

Clockmaker Arthur Throckmorton lives a quiet life with his sister and her children, only dreaming of adventure. So when a wealthy client offers him a job that involves traversing Shiftleaf—an enchanted forest that claimed his father decades ago—he reluctantly accepts. The forest is treacherous, but the money will change his family’s lives. The journey quickly turns perilous. Fleeing from monstrous birds, Arthur stumbles upon a hidden vale where he meets the Lord of the Wood—a figure from his father’s many stories. Instead of the fairy prince Arthur always imagined, Ira is a morose man, slowly transforming into a beast, his power over a dying forest waning.

Arthur enjoys the safety of the vale, and Ira’s company. But he yearns for his family. To safely return home and rescue Ira from a cursed and lonely existence, Arthur and Ira must reach the heart of the wood to heal the forest. Except the further they venture from the vale, the more beastly Ira becomes. If they can’t complete their mission before he turns completely, Arthur could lose the man he’s falling for—and never see his family again."

The Lord of the Wood first caught my attention with its absolutely gorgeous cover, but once I learned it centered around a strange and magical forest, I immediately knew I had to check it out. The Lord of the Wood is pitched as a "cozy horror" of sorts, and that's exactly what I'd say, though I'd note that those looking for true horror will not necessarily find that here. What you will find, however, is a magical forest that is shrouded in mystery and a dark atmosphere, some lingering melancholy throughout the pages, delightful characters, a bit of romance, and much more inside. 

We follow Arthur, a clockmaker, who lives with his sister, Charlotte, who is widowed with two children. One day, he is offered a job to traverse through Shiftleaf, the notorious and mysterious forest that surrounds their village. This forest is dangerous enough on its own, but it's also quite personal to Arthur and his sister. Their father, who regularly traversed through the forest when he was alive, claimed to have met the infamous Lord of the Wood on his journeys, but unfortunately one day went into the forest and never returned. Arthur, with mixed feelings, accepts the job and sets off into the forest--which pretty much immediately turns into a bit of a disaster. However, he soon runs into the Lord of the Wood himself,  and so the rest of the our story begins. 

Arthur is an incredibly easy protagonist to root for. He’s struggling to figure out where he belongs in life, and I thought Anderson captures those feelings of loneliness, uncertainty, and a lacking companionship really well. I also appreciated the insightful exploration of what it means to be queer in a world that doesn’t accept you, and I found that Anderson tackled that topic in a couple different ways that was very thoughtful. While my own experiences don't entirely overlap with Arthur's, the emotions behind Arthur’s search for belonging felt genuine and very deftly and thoughtfully handled. 

As a fan of magical and mysterious forests, I was of course very excited to explore Shiftleaf. It’s somewhat eerie without being overly oppressive in its intensity, and it feels like it’s brimming with magic without feeling too whimsical. And, most importantly, it’s very much unpredictable in what to expect most of the time (except a few things that seem to be staples). I really enjoyed exploring the forest alongside Arthur, although perhaps “enjoyed” is not the right word since many of Arthur’s experiences in the forest are downright negative and often quite terrifying. Still, I liked not knowing what creature or phenomenon might be waiting around the corner. The sickness that has been spreading through the forest also added another layer of unease that made the setting feel even more tragic and haunting. 

Readers looking for true horror may not find this to be quite up to their expectations, but that doesn’t mean there was nothing unsettling in this one. There's not too much that will haunt anybody's dreams, but there may be a few elements from the forest that could provide some disturbing visuals. I think there is a part of me that wishes a few ideas from this story had been expanded upon just a bit to flesh things out even more (and I also would've loved a bit more clockmaking than there actually was--which wasn't enough!), but I also understand what this book was trying to set out to do and the story it was trying to tell, and it did exactly that, so I really can't fault it for that. 

Lastly, I'll note that I was a little uncertain about one of the romances. I understood what it was trying to accomplish and overall it was perfectly lovely and sweet, but there was a bit of weird dynamic to it that felt decidedly odd to me. I can't really get into too many details so as to keep things spoiler-free, but I am definitely curious to hear others' thoughts on this and whether it's just me or not that felt this way. That being said, I really loved that we had two beautiful queer relationships featured in this story in a way that felt natural and meaningful to the story.

Overall, I think many readers will really love The Lord of the Wood. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Shiftleaf with Arthur, and I found myself invested in both his journey and the fate of the forest. If you enjoy magical forests with a dark edge and stories that balance an eerie atmosphere with some heartfelt and well-developed characters, then The Lord of the Wood is probably the next book you should pick up!

*I received a copy of The Lord of the Wood courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating or enjoyment.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org