A review by sunnydale
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

As someone who loves fairy tales and fairy tale scholarship, I felt so seen. Beneath the story, which was compelling on its own, was the author's clear understanding of why we tell fairy tales and why they hold power over us. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping

Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Gun violence, Suicide, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism

The protagonist is kidnapped as a child, but is unharmed and not sexually abused in any way. The kidnapper's identity is later revealed, and he never intended to hurt her.