When we become uprooted, we must put down strong new roots. Containing exceptional nature magic, Emily Tesh's lyrically abstract prose reaches out like tree branches and draws you ever further into a fairytale esque dream. Not strange as the captivating cover lead me to believe, the novella presented me with a darkly whimsical treat. Lovely and queer, Silver in the Wood's emotionally heavy plot rushed along like a babbling brook. A story of secrets, reflection, and rebirth drew to a close with one of the most gorgeous endings I've ever read. listen. LISTEN. this book is the Book Of My Heart and i wish i could give it 6 stars because it deserves it. Think of the loveliest, most shivery story you ever read, perhaps from a crumbling book of folk tales, and combine it with a book of nature writing. Add queer romance, a steely mama witch hunter, and the tension of knowing what a sweet, silly love interest doesn’t know. That is Silver in the Wood. Well done. Reads very much like a fairy tale but from the other side and queer friendly. I wanted a bit more meat but I gobbled it up regardless so can't say I didn't like it. he felt himself for a moment as the stump of a rotten old tree, putting up thin green shoots at strange new angles.”

Silver in the Wood - Emily Tesh - Google Books

Mr Finch," said Mrs Silver, the one time he said anything about it. "you are not, in point of fact, a tree.”I rated this down mainly due to the latter half of the plot, which starts to loose its way a little bit when Fabian is introduced. As an omnipotent threat he's menacing and malevolent, but the confrontation with him feels a little overwrought and silly. If anything, I would have forgone this section for more stories of Tobias and Mrs Winter on their travels. They're a very unlikely duo of supernatural crime fighters, and I would have devoured all of their antics. I really enjoyed the supernatural elements and I would read five books about briar. I loved the way that Tesh wove the events of the story into the local mythology. There’s a bit of mystery here as the wood cyclically takes on a life of its own. Bridging magic and legends and curses, this starts with Tobias who’s tethered to the forest for unclear reasons except he simply knows he’s a protector. When his new inquisitive “landlord” starts to show up on a regular basis, a very slow burn connection commences. Tobias knows Henry’s just the sort of light that would attract the darkness to take Henry for its own. I’ll be all right. I sleep out by the fire plenty of nights this time of year. Pearl’ll keep me company, said Tobias. Get along to bed with you.

Greenhollow Duology - Wikipedia Greenhollow Duology - Wikipedia

So much of this story is about the atmosphere. I love the way the Wood is embodied in the story and in Tobias – even the way he thinks and feels about the world seems very slow and green and strong and old, like an ancient oak.First off, as someone who knew nothing about the Green Man and is completely unfamiliar with any Green Man lore which I’m told this book is a retelling of, Tobias pretty much reads as Lorax. When you tell me that he speaks for the trees, my orange friend is the blueprint. Silver laughed abruptly, a splendid peal of sound. Maidens, they told me. Yellow-haired for preference.