Same Book, Second Look - The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

Published: January 2015

Publisher: Little, Brown Books

Pages: 328

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does…

As the world turns upside down, Hazel tries to remember her years pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?

Review:

I had no idea what to expect from this title.  The last series I read of Holly's was the Black Cat series on Curseworkers so this seemed like it might be a fairytale mash-up/remake.  It sounded interesting and unique plus I love Holly's previous work.

How do I even describe this novel? It was so bizarre at first.  There are a lot of things going on and Hazel has flashbacks of her childhood with Ben as she tries to unravel the mystery of the boy in the glass coffin....especially once he wakes up.  What is her role in his disappearance and is he really the sleeping hero that they have always portrayed him to be or is he much more sinister than that?

What I liked about this novel was that it was completely unpredictable to me.  Hazel was a much more complicated character than I had first imagined and while I thought the story would centre more around the mysterious horned prince, I was mistaken.  Give The Darkest Part of the Forest a read if you are looking for a unique stand-alone and prepared to dive into something unusual.  I enjoyed it!

On a side note, have you ever taken the time to read an author's dedication (at the beginning) and notes (at the end of the book)?  Often I see names of other familiar authors that I have read. It makes me feel like I am part of some exclusive club without paying a ridiculous initiation fee.  It is also a great way to find other authors you may enjoy along the same genre vein.

Parents, there was a little bit of language but not much.  

Check out Curlypow's review here