A Forest, Darkly by A.G. Slatter- An Enchanting 5 Star Review.
Um… wow. A Forest, Darkly by A.G. Slatter is everything I didn’t know I was looking for. It was a warm hug on a lonely night. It was the crackle from a fireplace in a woodland cabin. It was the mug of hot chocolate that sweetens your dreams. It was simultaneously a grossly grotesque fairy tale and a cozy companion for the coldest of winter days.
A.G. Slatters words’ are oozing with rich magic and, I fear, this marks the beginning of my obsession with her writing. I had never read Slatter before, and how fortunate I am to have discovered her writing now. My only struggle, now, will be finding my way back from the magical forest she has held me captive in for these past few days.
This post is all about my 5 star review of A Forest Darkly by A.G. Slatter
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A Forest, Darkly by A.G. Slatter- Synopsis
A grumpy, isolated, aging witch, Mehrab, exists in a forest just outside of Berthta’s Forge, in a little cottage where she spends her witchy days. One day a younger sorceress, Rhea, is taken into Mehrab’s care, for she is running from the ways of men. Mehrab, somewhat reluctantly, offers her a home, and takes her in as a fosterling, just as a witch had done for her many moons ago.
And so they exist as a matriarchal unit until two villagers wonder upon their cabin, distressed, marking the first of the lost children. Their daughter, Ari, believed to be lost and consumed to the forest leaves a dark hole in Berthta’s Forge. Until she returns. Changed. And an offering of a limb is left on Mehrab’s door. Over the months to come the same fate befalls other innocent children, and the villagers begin to turn hostile.
Mehrab, having defeated death, and with the reluctant help of the green goddess on her side, must right a wrong that has been spreading through Berthta’s Forge like a sticky, black plague. Can Mehrab help a village who has turned hostile to her; can she figure out what evil force has been plaguing the village she had began to call home; can she protect the women seeking refuge in her cottage and can she protect the man who has her heart?
Slatter writes of a wonderful fairy tale, perfect for adults looking to get lost in a forest- for a short while at least.
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My Rating
Obviously, 5 stars. 5/5.
This book is literally everything I didn’t know I needed, and Slatter’s magical words have enchanted me so.
Who I would recommend this to.
I would recommend this to witches young and old who wish to disappear into a wonderfully rich and complicated, yet simple and cozy, fairy tale for 363 pages. Anyone who feels lethargic and needs some rest from the busy world, for this story will find its way into your heart.
Ultimately, this book is for lovers of gothic fantasy; for those who want to believe in magic and far away lands.
This is for the lover’s of Angela Carter, Harry Potter and Julia Donaldson.
If you dream of living in a forest, this book is for you.
Key Themes
Family relationships and community
Young and old
Feminism- resilience of women
Nature and magic.
If you loved this book, you may also enjoy…
1.Tinder by Sally Gardener
2. My Swordhand is Singing by Marcus Sedgewick
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
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This post was all about a book review of A Forest, Darkly by A.G. Slatter.
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