A review by bookedwithbay
Song of the Dark Wood by Sheila Masterson

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐑𝐞 πƒπšπ«π€ 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐛𝐲 π’π‘πžπ’π₯𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓃 π“ˆπ’½π‘’ π“Œπ’Άπ“ˆ 𝒻𝒾𝓋𝑒 π“Žπ‘’π’Άπ“‡π“ˆ π‘œπ“π’Ή, π‘…π‘œπ“Œπ’Άπ“ƒ π’žπ“π‘’π’Άπ“‡π“Ž π“Œπ’½π’Ύπ“ˆπ“…π‘’π“‡π‘’π’Ή 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓃𝒢𝓂𝑒 π“‰π‘œ 𝓉𝒽𝑒 π’Ÿπ’Άπ“‡π“€ π’²π‘œπ‘œπ’Ή, 𝒢𝓃𝒹 π“‰π’½π‘’π’Ÿπ’Άπ“‡π“€ π’²π‘œπ‘œπ’Ή π“Œπ’½π’Ύπ“ˆπ“…π‘’π“‡π‘’π’Ή 𝒾𝓉 𝒷𝒢𝒸𝓀.

SHEILA SHEILA SHEILA! Once again, you’ve proven that your writing is phenomenal! The very first line from 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐑𝐞 πƒπšπ«π€ 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝 had me hooked. 

I haven’t read many Little Red Riding Hood retellings, but I can say that this one was a favorite. And the illustrations included?? Perfection!

I enjoyed seeing Rowan embrace her wild side throughout this story and I’ll always be a fan of an MMC who encourages the FMC to be exactly who she is instead of putting her in a box, and Conor is one of the good ones.

There’s a few side characters I absolutely adored, but Charlie is my favorite! He’s loyal and funny and he always seems to be lurking around, just waiting for someone to need him. 

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Sheila novel if she didn’t cause a little bit of emotional damage (you know what you did).. but I understand the β€œwhy” of it, even if it still stings. 

*Note: All content is written with care, but please check the CW’s for the specifics. 

Overall, I enjoyed this story and if you like dark fantasy retellings, you will too. I can’t wait to see what Sheila writes next!

I received this book as an ARC.