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A review by monetp
Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer
4.0
THIS IS AN ARC BOOK REVIEW FOR NETGALLEY.
After falling in love with author [a:Joanna Ruth Meyer|16278742|Joanna Ruth Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596575079p2/16278742.jpg]'s fantasy writing in [b:Echo North|40046030|Echo North (Echo North, #1)|Joanna Ruth Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534396000l/40046030._SX50_.jpg|60054057], this book was a no brainer to pick up next. And it did not disappoint! Meyer weaves a wondrous world of tree sirens, fickle constellations, and immortal kings. There were so many plot twists I did not see coming at the end, wow I am winded! This is an ideal read for fans of [a:Leigh Bardugo|4575289|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1534446099p2/4575289.jpg]'s writing style and [a:Ashley Poston|4279769|Ashley Poston|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1603175651p2/4279769.jpg]'s [b:Among the Beasts & Briars|50622362|Among the Beasts & Briars|Ashley Poston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581362704l/50622362._SY75_.jpg|60423336].
I loved Meyer's dedicated sense of worldbuilding, especially when it came to the precise plot pacing. Nothing ever felt rushed, and the fantasy world was easy to understand. I grew to love all the characters, especially Owen's family. His friendship with the other soldiers was adorable too, very much in the style of [b:The Lord of the Rings|33|The Lord of the Rings|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566425108l/33._SX50_.jpg|3462456]. It wasn't difficult for me to picture what Seren looked like - I'm picturing something like the Ents from "Lord of the Rings," but more lithe, maybe feminine-looking? Anyway, I loved that this is a standalone fantasy story that has a little bit of everything: just enough romance (but no annoying love triangles thank goodness), worldbuilding, plot twists, and character development. THAT ENDING THO! Chief's kiss.
After falling in love with author [a:Joanna Ruth Meyer|16278742|Joanna Ruth Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596575079p2/16278742.jpg]'s fantasy writing in [b:Echo North|40046030|Echo North (Echo North, #1)|Joanna Ruth Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534396000l/40046030._SX50_.jpg|60054057], this book was a no brainer to pick up next. And it did not disappoint! Meyer weaves a wondrous world of tree sirens, fickle constellations, and immortal kings. There were so many plot twists I did not see coming at the end, wow I am winded! This is an ideal read for fans of [a:Leigh Bardugo|4575289|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1534446099p2/4575289.jpg]'s writing style and [a:Ashley Poston|4279769|Ashley Poston|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1603175651p2/4279769.jpg]'s [b:Among the Beasts & Briars|50622362|Among the Beasts & Briars|Ashley Poston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581362704l/50622362._SY75_.jpg|60423336].
I loved Meyer's dedicated sense of worldbuilding, especially when it came to the precise plot pacing. Nothing ever felt rushed, and the fantasy world was easy to understand. I grew to love all the characters, especially Owen's family. His friendship with the other soldiers was adorable too, very much in the style of [b:The Lord of the Rings|33|The Lord of the Rings|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566425108l/33._SX50_.jpg|3462456]. It wasn't difficult for me to picture what Seren looked like - I'm picturing something like the Ents from "Lord of the Rings," but more lithe, maybe feminine-looking? Anyway, I loved that this is a standalone fantasy story that has a little bit of everything: just enough romance (but no annoying love triangles thank goodness), worldbuilding, plot twists, and character development. THAT ENDING THO! Chief's kiss.