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The Song of the Sleepers #1.5
The Child of the Greenwood
Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn meets Tarzan in this epic fantasy, Japanese-inspired coming of age tale.
WHAT BEGINS WITH WATER WILL FINISH IN FLAMES.
On the day the river destroyed his people, Jilo took up his father’s spear. Years later, when the heirloom is taken from him, he vows to do anything to get it back.
The river is sick and putrid.
The magic is in the wrong hands.
The spear is the answer to it all.
The Child of the Greenwood is the second novella that supports The Song of the Sleepers series, an epic new fantasy from Joshua Walker.
WHAT BEGINS WITH WATER WILL FINISH IN FLAMES.
On the day the river destroyed his people, Jilo took up his father’s spear. Years later, when the heirloom is taken from him, he vows to do anything to get it back.
The river is sick and putrid.
The magic is in the wrong hands.
The spear is the answer to it all.
The Child of the Greenwood is the second novella that supports The Song of the Sleepers series, an epic new fantasy from Joshua Walker.
- GenresFantasy
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
9 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Walker
7 books81 followersJoshua Walker is a fantasy author currently living in Sydney, Australia. He works as a primary school English teacher, and likes to read, brew beer, and hang out with his wife and BFD (Big Fluffy Dog) in his free time.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 18, 2025
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
Part coming-of-age survival tale, part revenge heist, The Child of the Greenwood is an absolute gutpunch of a novella that gives an entirely refreshing look into a new Japanese-flavoured corner of the epic world of Q’Ara. Plus, we’re delving into the Hidden Ones culture, so get ready for weasel time baby!
Similarly to in The Rest to the Gods, the previously published companion prequel novella to The Song of the Sleepers series, Walker proves his incredible skill at character-driven dual timeline storytelling. Throughout the interchanging Then and Now chapters, we follow a boy/man called Jilo on a harrowing journey of survival, grief, self-discovery, and tentative healing.
The way that Walker builds this character through the two timelines is nothing short of masterful, and I really loved seeing exactly how Jilo’s past experiences shaped him into the scarred yet strong man that we see in the present. Not to mention, the level of tension, mystery and intrigue that starts to build as the puzzle pieces of this narrative slowly click into place with each new revelatory chapter through the non-linear and unreliable narration make The Child of the Greenwood just absolutely unputdownable.
To me, the more introspective aspects in the Tarzan-esque coming of age tale were the absolute highlight of The Child of the Greenwood, and I loved exploring the fascinating society and culture of the Hidden Ones through Jilo’s human perspective. At its heart, this is a story of family, both blood and found, and it gives a brutally honest exploration of how those messy, complex interpersonal relationships can drive a person to actions they never, ever thought they would be capable of.
Everything about Walker’s storytelling is just so rich and nuanced, and I am constantly in awe of how he imbues the world of Q’Ara and its inhabitants with so much realism and painfully relatable humanity, while also never sacrificing the transportive and mystical quality of the story. There were maybe a few events/decisions (especially near the end) that felt a bit rushed to me amidst all the hectic action, but ultimately I can’t deny that it’s beyond impressive how much emotional weight and depth is packed into so few pages.
With the release of this second standalone prequel novella, Walker has now provided three equally strong and enticing entries into The Song of the Sleepers series; it’s not a matter of where you start your adventure into the lands of Q’Ara, but when you start it. If you like your epic fantasy to be dark yet inspiring, character-driven yet action-packed, and just brimming with imagination and emotion, then you simply have to try out The Child of the Greenwood.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Child of the Greenwood is scheduled for release on 4 February, 2025.
Part coming-of-age survival tale, part revenge heist, The Child of the Greenwood is an absolute gutpunch of a novella that gives an entirely refreshing look into a new Japanese-flavoured corner of the epic world of Q’Ara. Plus, we’re delving into the Hidden Ones culture, so get ready for weasel time baby!
Similarly to in The Rest to the Gods, the previously published companion prequel novella to The Song of the Sleepers series, Walker proves his incredible skill at character-driven dual timeline storytelling. Throughout the interchanging Then and Now chapters, we follow a boy/man called Jilo on a harrowing journey of survival, grief, self-discovery, and tentative healing.
The way that Walker builds this character through the two timelines is nothing short of masterful, and I really loved seeing exactly how Jilo’s past experiences shaped him into the scarred yet strong man that we see in the present. Not to mention, the level of tension, mystery and intrigue that starts to build as the puzzle pieces of this narrative slowly click into place with each new revelatory chapter through the non-linear and unreliable narration make The Child of the Greenwood just absolutely unputdownable.
To me, the more introspective aspects in the Tarzan-esque coming of age tale were the absolute highlight of The Child of the Greenwood, and I loved exploring the fascinating society and culture of the Hidden Ones through Jilo’s human perspective. At its heart, this is a story of family, both blood and found, and it gives a brutally honest exploration of how those messy, complex interpersonal relationships can drive a person to actions they never, ever thought they would be capable of.
Everything about Walker’s storytelling is just so rich and nuanced, and I am constantly in awe of how he imbues the world of Q’Ara and its inhabitants with so much realism and painfully relatable humanity, while also never sacrificing the transportive and mystical quality of the story. There were maybe a few events/decisions (especially near the end) that felt a bit rushed to me amidst all the hectic action, but ultimately I can’t deny that it’s beyond impressive how much emotional weight and depth is packed into so few pages.
With the release of this second standalone prequel novella, Walker has now provided three equally strong and enticing entries into The Song of the Sleepers series; it’s not a matter of where you start your adventure into the lands of Q’Ara, but when you start it. If you like your epic fantasy to be dark yet inspiring, character-driven yet action-packed, and just brimming with imagination and emotion, then you simply have to try out The Child of the Greenwood.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Child of the Greenwood is scheduled for release on 4 February, 2025.
January 19, 2025
The Child of the Greenwood is my first foray into Walker’s writing, and it is viscerally descriptive. Told in a dual timeline format, we follow the emotional tale of Jilo during past events that shaped who he is, alongside current events set more than one hundred and fifty years later.
Jilo is a fantastic protagonist. I was more drawn to the events of his past, but both time periods are extremely well-linked and influence each other subtly and overtly. We have old magic (Luminosity), anthropomorphic weasels, and a spear that is far more than any common weapon. Plenty to love if you’re a fan of epic fantasy and coming of age stories.
You feel the fourteen year old’s fear in the “past” timeline, where he endures unimaginable horrors (the description of the Sickness in the river was masterfully done - I was absolutely transported there). We also explore the tumultuous relationship he has with his father and feel Jilo’s sense of loss and grief during the final chapters of the arc.
The “present” timeline is much more action-focussed, with an older (more traumatised and hardened) Jilo. We still have a lot of events from the past catching up to him, and how he deals with long repressed (almost forgotten) thoughts and emotions was almost painful to ensure alongside him.
A good chunk of this novella is set in the titular Greenwood, and the portrayal of this lush, verdant forest was so immersive I could practically smell the trees. Jilo finds himself against Priests of Dirt, who wear human skulls blended with animal antlers or horns, which lends an almost horror-like element to this character-driven novella.
I haven’t read anything else in this series, so I am unfamiliar with the wider plot, however it is clear this is a world in the midst of ancient wars and tribulations. The Child of the Greenwood is very much a small peek into what is evidently a huge saga, and the sheer scale of this series is hinted at on every page.
This was a wonderful story from an exciting new voice in epic fantasy!
Jilo is a fantastic protagonist. I was more drawn to the events of his past, but both time periods are extremely well-linked and influence each other subtly and overtly. We have old magic (Luminosity), anthropomorphic weasels, and a spear that is far more than any common weapon. Plenty to love if you’re a fan of epic fantasy and coming of age stories.
You feel the fourteen year old’s fear in the “past” timeline, where he endures unimaginable horrors (the description of the Sickness in the river was masterfully done - I was absolutely transported there). We also explore the tumultuous relationship he has with his father and feel Jilo’s sense of loss and grief during the final chapters of the arc.
The “present” timeline is much more action-focussed, with an older (more traumatised and hardened) Jilo. We still have a lot of events from the past catching up to him, and how he deals with long repressed (almost forgotten) thoughts and emotions was almost painful to ensure alongside him.
A good chunk of this novella is set in the titular Greenwood, and the portrayal of this lush, verdant forest was so immersive I could practically smell the trees. Jilo finds himself against Priests of Dirt, who wear human skulls blended with animal antlers or horns, which lends an almost horror-like element to this character-driven novella.
I haven’t read anything else in this series, so I am unfamiliar with the wider plot, however it is clear this is a world in the midst of ancient wars and tribulations. The Child of the Greenwood is very much a small peek into what is evidently a huge saga, and the sheer scale of this series is hinted at on every page.
This was a wonderful story from an exciting new voice in epic fantasy!
October 24, 2024
WHAT BEGINS WITH WATER WILL FINISH IN FLAMES.
This one is a hard-hitter, folks.
As an author, I've wanted the novellas in this series, The Song of the Sleepers, to count as individual entry points for readers, and this book is no different.
It does, however, mark a darker tonal shift for the series, and some more mature themes than my previous work. I'm super proud of this one, and the tale of internal struggle it tells of our main character, Jilo.
Keep your eyes peeled for further information on Book #2 in the series, coming out sometime in 2025!
This one is a hard-hitter, folks.
As an author, I've wanted the novellas in this series, The Song of the Sleepers, to count as individual entry points for readers, and this book is no different.
It does, however, mark a darker tonal shift for the series, and some more mature themes than my previous work. I'm super proud of this one, and the tale of internal struggle it tells of our main character, Jilo.
Keep your eyes peeled for further information on Book #2 in the series, coming out sometime in 2025!
Read
September 28, 2025The Child of the Greenwood is a fast-paced, action-packed novella with themes of grief, growth, and challenging one's beliefs. It is the second novella in The Song of the Sleepers series, but it also works as a standalone.
Just like the first novella (The Rest to the Gods), we have two timelines—past and present—with chapters titled Now and Then. Although we are always following the same character, Jilo, the difference between each timeline is incredibly well done. While then-Jilo was frustrated about his father's behaviour, being often self-deprecated and a bit sour, now-Jilo is bitter, traumatised, and has changed as he aged. As a result, although he is a bit of an unreliable narrator (especially then-Jilo, since he was also a young teenager) it was easy and enjoyable to pick up the character biases throughout the plot.
Overall, Jilo as a character is excellent. His emotions and thoughts come out of the page, and we see how his low self-esteem affects his inner dialogue. It reads natural, and Walker's easy-to-read yet engaging prose make him an even more compelling character.
The alternation of chapters basically tells us how he came to be, and why he's on his current predicament. Both timelines weave together seamlessly, as one posits questions the other answer (either immediately or in future chapters), making the narrative engrossing.
Something that I really loved are all the little details that tie The Child of the Greenwood to the remainder of the series. Let me give you some hints on spoilers. Reading the series is not required to pick up on these details, but they weave together to demonstrate that Q'ara is large, living world full of magic and mystery. To me, it made Q'ara feel alive.
This novella does feature the Nestler/Burrowers (aka, Hidden Ones) a bit more—a species of weasel-like creatures of Q'ara. While I loved exploring their lives and beliefs, the novella focuses more on how Jilo is adopted by the Nestlers and the friendships he forms, rather than exploring the Hidden Ones' culture.
While this novella doesn't focus on the Sleeper's magic, which gives the name to the series, it sows the seed for a bit of mystery that hasn't appeared on the series before—artifacts called 'grindels' that seem to have some of the Sleeper's power (i.e., luminosity).
Finally, while the pacing of the entire book was almost perfect, the last two chapters (each closing their respective timeline's arcs) felt (to me, subjectively) a bit fast. I would have enjoyed them more were they slightly longer. However, this is a novella, and fast-paced plots are common and expected.
Just like the first novella (The Rest to the Gods), we have two timelines—past and present—with chapters titled Now and Then. Although we are always following the same character, Jilo, the difference between each timeline is incredibly well done. While then-Jilo was frustrated about his father's behaviour, being often self-deprecated and a bit sour, now-Jilo is bitter, traumatised, and has changed as he aged. As a result, although he is a bit of an unreliable narrator (especially then-Jilo, since he was also a young teenager) it was easy and enjoyable to pick up the character biases throughout the plot.
Overall, Jilo as a character is excellent. His emotions and thoughts come out of the page, and we see how his low self-esteem affects his inner dialogue. It reads natural, and Walker's easy-to-read yet engaging prose make him an even more compelling character.
The alternation of chapters basically tells us how he came to be, and why he's on his current predicament. Both timelines weave together seamlessly, as one posits questions the other answer (either immediately or in future chapters), making the narrative engrossing.
Something that I really loved are all the little details that tie The Child of the Greenwood to the remainder of the series. Let me give you some hints on spoilers. Reading the series is not required to pick up on these details, but they weave together to demonstrate that Q'ara is large, living world full of magic and mystery. To me, it made Q'ara feel alive.
This novella does feature the Nestler/Burrowers (aka, Hidden Ones) a bit more—a species of weasel-like creatures of Q'ara. While I loved exploring their lives and beliefs, the novella focuses more on how Jilo is adopted by the Nestlers and the friendships he forms, rather than exploring the Hidden Ones' culture.
While this novella doesn't focus on the Sleeper's magic, which gives the name to the series, it sows the seed for a bit of mystery that hasn't appeared on the series before—artifacts called 'grindels' that seem to have some of the Sleeper's power (i.e., luminosity).
Finally, while the pacing of the entire book was almost perfect, the last two chapters (each closing their respective timeline's arcs) felt (to me, subjectively) a bit fast. I would have enjoyed them more were they slightly longer. However, this is a novella, and fast-paced plots are common and expected.
November 30, 2025
my rating 4.25
Jilo's story, told in dual timelines, hits hard and stabs you in the heart.
We are deep in the Hidden Ones lore and both the Burrowers and the Nestlers help Jilo in his quest to retrieve Ka-Del from the ones that hold it.
It is a part of his past and history, and holds power to save them all from the Theradorians.
There are terrible losses, this is the darkest of novellas so far, and an unlooked for shock for Jilo.
The author excels at these dual timelines stories and manages to grow each at the right times so we are sucked in to root for the characters.
This doesn't feel like a novella, it's full and rich all on its own.
Jilo's story, told in dual timelines, hits hard and stabs you in the heart.
We are deep in the Hidden Ones lore and both the Burrowers and the Nestlers help Jilo in his quest to retrieve Ka-Del from the ones that hold it.
It is a part of his past and history, and holds power to save them all from the Theradorians.
There are terrible losses, this is the darkest of novellas so far, and an unlooked for shock for Jilo.
The author excels at these dual timelines stories and manages to grow each at the right times so we are sucked in to root for the characters.
This doesn't feel like a novella, it's full and rich all on its own.
January 8, 2025
Absolutely fantastic novella. Loved Jilo, the nestlers, and the burrowers. Longer review to come soon.
December 11, 2025
The Child of the Greenwood is about imperialism, the loss of culture, the value of blood versus chosen family, and scene-stealing weasels.
Captured and tortured by the imperial nation that stole his dead family’s magical spear, Jilo fights to escape their clutches and recover the spear, which requires him to make heart-wrenching choices about whether he values his blood family more than his ideals and the memory of his people. In the past, a younger Jilo survives the destruction of his people and tries to rebuild his life with his new adopted clan, but continues to face serious personal tragedies as he does. The two narratives intertwine to tell us a story about empire, determination and loss.
The Child of the Greenwood has some sharp and important points to make about imperialism. Empires steal what they want from their subjects (or those they want to be their subjects), and kill them if they object to the manifest destiny mentality that if something has value, only the empire can use it correctly. The Theradoran Empire is interested in Jilo’s Sai-Kathan culture only inasmuch as his spear, Ka-Del, has significant magical powers that they want to harness, believing that the spear’s connection with an ancient source of magic makes it the solution to catastrophes befalling their empire. They don’t care who they have to hurt to get what they want, because it is only the harm befalling them that they find significant. It’s a very gloves-off critique of colonial plundering and violence in the name of a greater good, which lands very well throughout the book, as does the subtle commentary that Jilo himself ends up being very similar to them in order to combat them.
Some other things don’t land as well for me. I like nonchronological narratives and split timelines, but I find that the choice to tell this story through two different time periods doesn’t add much to the story. Present-day Jilo tells us the conclusion of the flashback portions of the book in the first few chapters, with only one significant surprise that he chose to leave out. I spent the book assuming that the last flashback chapter, the book’s penultimate chapter, would contain some important revelation that reframed what had been happening in the present day, or at least some dramatic new piece of information that had been concealed until then, but I ended up a little disappointed because it was exactly what Jilo told us had happened already. And the scene was dramatic and sad, but it made me feel like all the buildup of the flashback chapters was for nothing, and probably could have just been conveyed in Jilo’s present-day narration, considering it already was.
The present-day portions of the book take place in a very short span of time that I think only doesn’t feel rushed because of the interspersed flashback chapters. The book’s in media res opening feels more like in termina res, opening at the beginning of the climax of a story we haven’t seen most of. Obviously you can’t show decades of a person’s life in a novella, but seeing the beginning and the end simultaneously but none of the middle made me feel a bit lost as I was reading, and also made the climactic conflict that Jilo goes through a bit hard to follow.
I will pause here to tangentially say, Scov and Clev and the other Nestlers were the best part of this book. You can’t possibly go wrong with a species of talking warrior weasels who are leading an anticolonial war effort. It’s very original and very fun and I was delighted every time them or one of their cousins appeared on page.
Some of the trouble I had with this book maybe be due to the fact that I thought I was the first book in a series, only to discover after reading it that it was actually the third. Or, to be more accurate, the second of a trilogy of prequels. This, of course, is on me for not realizing that. It’s very possible that some of the issues I had with the book’s pacing are explained by that—maybe Jilo’s story is further explored in other books in the series. Even if that’s true, however, I don’t know that it would address my personal issues here.
The structure and pacing issues I talked about above, for me, also made it hard it hard to get attached to anyone but Jilo, and I didn’t like Jilo much. I think that’s intentional on Joshua Walker’s part, Jilo seems like a hard to like guy who’s very single minded, stubborn and a little bit racist (expressing some opinions about a mixed-race villain that are very uncomfortable which, I want to be extremely clear, I believe to be completely the voice and opinions of Jilo, not something we’re expected to agree with as readers). I’m all for an unlikeable character and I was still rooting for Jilo, but his being the only character we can really attach to in The Child of the Greenwood made it a bit slow going for me as a reader.
The Child of the Greenwood is not for me and that’s okay. It’s for people who like a lot of action, some light military vibes, and talking weasels.
Just kidding. The talking weasels are for everyone.
Captured and tortured by the imperial nation that stole his dead family’s magical spear, Jilo fights to escape their clutches and recover the spear, which requires him to make heart-wrenching choices about whether he values his blood family more than his ideals and the memory of his people. In the past, a younger Jilo survives the destruction of his people and tries to rebuild his life with his new adopted clan, but continues to face serious personal tragedies as he does. The two narratives intertwine to tell us a story about empire, determination and loss.
The Child of the Greenwood has some sharp and important points to make about imperialism. Empires steal what they want from their subjects (or those they want to be their subjects), and kill them if they object to the manifest destiny mentality that if something has value, only the empire can use it correctly. The Theradoran Empire is interested in Jilo’s Sai-Kathan culture only inasmuch as his spear, Ka-Del, has significant magical powers that they want to harness, believing that the spear’s connection with an ancient source of magic makes it the solution to catastrophes befalling their empire. They don’t care who they have to hurt to get what they want, because it is only the harm befalling them that they find significant. It’s a very gloves-off critique of colonial plundering and violence in the name of a greater good, which lands very well throughout the book, as does the subtle commentary that Jilo himself ends up being very similar to them in order to combat them.
Some other things don’t land as well for me. I like nonchronological narratives and split timelines, but I find that the choice to tell this story through two different time periods doesn’t add much to the story. Present-day Jilo tells us the conclusion of the flashback portions of the book in the first few chapters, with only one significant surprise that he chose to leave out. I spent the book assuming that the last flashback chapter, the book’s penultimate chapter, would contain some important revelation that reframed what had been happening in the present day, or at least some dramatic new piece of information that had been concealed until then, but I ended up a little disappointed because it was exactly what Jilo told us had happened already. And the scene was dramatic and sad, but it made me feel like all the buildup of the flashback chapters was for nothing, and probably could have just been conveyed in Jilo’s present-day narration, considering it already was.
The present-day portions of the book take place in a very short span of time that I think only doesn’t feel rushed because of the interspersed flashback chapters. The book’s in media res opening feels more like in termina res, opening at the beginning of the climax of a story we haven’t seen most of. Obviously you can’t show decades of a person’s life in a novella, but seeing the beginning and the end simultaneously but none of the middle made me feel a bit lost as I was reading, and also made the climactic conflict that Jilo goes through a bit hard to follow.
I will pause here to tangentially say, Scov and Clev and the other Nestlers were the best part of this book. You can’t possibly go wrong with a species of talking warrior weasels who are leading an anticolonial war effort. It’s very original and very fun and I was delighted every time them or one of their cousins appeared on page.
Some of the trouble I had with this book maybe be due to the fact that I thought I was the first book in a series, only to discover after reading it that it was actually the third. Or, to be more accurate, the second of a trilogy of prequels. This, of course, is on me for not realizing that. It’s very possible that some of the issues I had with the book’s pacing are explained by that—maybe Jilo’s story is further explored in other books in the series. Even if that’s true, however, I don’t know that it would address my personal issues here.
The structure and pacing issues I talked about above, for me, also made it hard it hard to get attached to anyone but Jilo, and I didn’t like Jilo much. I think that’s intentional on Joshua Walker’s part, Jilo seems like a hard to like guy who’s very single minded, stubborn and a little bit racist (expressing some opinions about a mixed-race villain that are very uncomfortable which, I want to be extremely clear, I believe to be completely the voice and opinions of Jilo, not something we’re expected to agree with as readers). I’m all for an unlikeable character and I was still rooting for Jilo, but his being the only character we can really attach to in The Child of the Greenwood made it a bit slow going for me as a reader.
The Child of the Greenwood is not for me and that’s okay. It’s for people who like a lot of action, some light military vibes, and talking weasels.
Just kidding. The talking weasels are for everyone.
January 24, 2025
This review was originally posted to SFF Insiders.
https://www.sffinsiders.com/blog/revi...
Be ready to step into a captivating and emotional coming of age tale. The Child of the Greenwood takes us deeper into the land of Q’ara as Jilo, a young Kathani boy, watches in horror as his people are decimated by a sickness carried in the River Tomei. Reeling from the loss, he finds his father’s spear in the aftermath of the destruction. The spear glows with ancient magics and is all that Jilo had left of his family and tribe. But when the spear is taken by those intent on bringing Q’ara to its knees, Jilo makes a vow to stop at nothing to retrieve it and finds help from the most unexpected creatures along the way.
“This Sickness was not just a poison. It was a parasite.”
The world of Q’ara has gotten a little bit bigger. In this novella readers are now transported to places we have seen briefly mentioned in previous books of The Song of the Sleepers series. From the wildlands of the Kathani people, to the lush forests of the Greenwood, readers will be ensnared in Walker’s famously rich and descriptive writing.
In Greenwood we have a similar POV style to the novella prior, where we jump between the past and the present. The past focuses on Jilo's grief and survival in the aftermath of the devastating loss of his people, while the present focuses on his vow to recover his father’s spear. Throughout the story, the characters we meet leave a lasting impact. Through the trials and struggles they go through; Walker has crafted these experiences that can be related to on a deep and personal level.
This novella introduces characters that readers have long been anticipating. Among the most exciting are the Hidden Ones, a secretive anthropomorphic species of weasels, who aid Jilo in his quest and become a second family. The Hidden Ones consist of two groups; Nestlers who reside above ground in the forests of the Greenwood, and Burrowers who live in complex tunnels underground. Both Nestlers and Burrowers are formidable in weapons craft and are fierce in battle.
Depending on which book readers have used as an introduction to the series, Greenwood gives some in depth backstory on characters briefly mentioned in An Exile of Water and Gold, while hinting at what is yet to come in The Rest to the Gods. While I personally recommend reading Greenwood after Exile, this book can easily be an intense yet deeply moving starting point to the series.
In conclusion, I greatly enjoyed this novella. Out of all the books Walker has put out for the series, I believe that Greenwood is my most favorite thus far. The raw emotion I felt pouring off the pages is unparalleled with any other book I have read. Additionally, and I could be slightly biased here, seeing the Hidden Ones in action and learning more about their lore, customs, and culture was something I have wanted for quite some time. Ever since reading about Sergent Cavtil of the Hidden Ones in Walker’s first book, I have been itching for more and Greenwood delivered while also knocking it out of the park. I am super happy that I kicked off my New Year with this novella and I cannot wait for the next installment of the series coming near the end of 2025.
https://www.sffinsiders.com/blog/revi...
Be ready to step into a captivating and emotional coming of age tale. The Child of the Greenwood takes us deeper into the land of Q’ara as Jilo, a young Kathani boy, watches in horror as his people are decimated by a sickness carried in the River Tomei. Reeling from the loss, he finds his father’s spear in the aftermath of the destruction. The spear glows with ancient magics and is all that Jilo had left of his family and tribe. But when the spear is taken by those intent on bringing Q’ara to its knees, Jilo makes a vow to stop at nothing to retrieve it and finds help from the most unexpected creatures along the way.
“This Sickness was not just a poison. It was a parasite.”
The world of Q’ara has gotten a little bit bigger. In this novella readers are now transported to places we have seen briefly mentioned in previous books of The Song of the Sleepers series. From the wildlands of the Kathani people, to the lush forests of the Greenwood, readers will be ensnared in Walker’s famously rich and descriptive writing.
In Greenwood we have a similar POV style to the novella prior, where we jump between the past and the present. The past focuses on Jilo's grief and survival in the aftermath of the devastating loss of his people, while the present focuses on his vow to recover his father’s spear. Throughout the story, the characters we meet leave a lasting impact. Through the trials and struggles they go through; Walker has crafted these experiences that can be related to on a deep and personal level.
This novella introduces characters that readers have long been anticipating. Among the most exciting are the Hidden Ones, a secretive anthropomorphic species of weasels, who aid Jilo in his quest and become a second family. The Hidden Ones consist of two groups; Nestlers who reside above ground in the forests of the Greenwood, and Burrowers who live in complex tunnels underground. Both Nestlers and Burrowers are formidable in weapons craft and are fierce in battle.
Depending on which book readers have used as an introduction to the series, Greenwood gives some in depth backstory on characters briefly mentioned in An Exile of Water and Gold, while hinting at what is yet to come in The Rest to the Gods. While I personally recommend reading Greenwood after Exile, this book can easily be an intense yet deeply moving starting point to the series.
In conclusion, I greatly enjoyed this novella. Out of all the books Walker has put out for the series, I believe that Greenwood is my most favorite thus far. The raw emotion I felt pouring off the pages is unparalleled with any other book I have read. Additionally, and I could be slightly biased here, seeing the Hidden Ones in action and learning more about their lore, customs, and culture was something I have wanted for quite some time. Ever since reading about Sergent Cavtil of the Hidden Ones in Walker’s first book, I have been itching for more and Greenwood delivered while also knocking it out of the park. I am super happy that I kicked off my New Year with this novella and I cannot wait for the next installment of the series coming near the end of 2025.
December 28, 2024
An Exile of Water and Gold introduced us to a captivating world, and this novella is a brilliant continuation, weaving in some of its smaller yet memorable characters from an exile of water and gold. Overflowing with themes of grief, loss, and the human spirit, it invites readers into a world that feels both familiar and real. Joshua's world-building shines once again, offering an immersive escape that allows you to lose yourself in someone else’s troubles, perhaps even giving a brief respite from your own.
Blending the past and present in a seamless narrative, this story keeps you on the edge of your seat, offering thrilling twists and captivating moments at every turn.
While this novella can be enjoyed either before or after an Exile of Water and Gold, I'd recommend reading it first to catch the subtle connections to the main story. But honestly, I'm a firm believer in reading what you're in the mood for, so feel free to dive in however you wish. No matter the order, this story will leave its mark.
It's so good that every page feels like it takes forever to turn because you can't wait to see what happens next.
Blending the past and present in a seamless narrative, this story keeps you on the edge of your seat, offering thrilling twists and captivating moments at every turn.
While this novella can be enjoyed either before or after an Exile of Water and Gold, I'd recommend reading it first to catch the subtle connections to the main story. But honestly, I'm a firm believer in reading what you're in the mood for, so feel free to dive in however you wish. No matter the order, this story will leave its mark.
It's so good that every page feels like it takes forever to turn because you can't wait to see what happens next.
December 26, 2024
Absolutely Wow! This was such an amazing written book, by Joshua. He has such an interesting and intriguing writing style which meant that I didn’t want to put the book down. The way in which the plot line developed with such growth, which allowed the overall story as well as the characters. The characters within this book was absolutely gripping and the main characters story (Jilo) was very fascinating, and with everything in which they had went through was spectacular. It had had got to a point where I didn’t want to put the book down. I just wanted to find out what was going to happen next. With this very spectacular ending of this book I am excited to see what else the author has in store for the next book in the series.
January 1, 2025
Joshua Walker’s novellas have become wonderful companions to his novel, An Exile of Water and Gold. In this novella, we are introduced to Jilo and Scov’s pasts. They weren’t the main protagonists in the novel but I have to say, knowing who they are and where they came from gave me a feeling of completeness and I agree with Joshua Walker’s statement that this novella would make a good starting point. Personally, I’d read both novellas first (The Rest to the Gods and this one) before going for the main book as they give readers a chance to know some of the characters prior to the main story.
I personally enjoyed getting introduced to the ways of the Hidden Ones and getting a clearer understanding of their culture. It made me look forward to meeting the other races and cultures of Q’ara because I love reading the worlds authors create!
Kudos to you, Joshua and looking forward to the next installment!!
I personally enjoyed getting introduced to the ways of the Hidden Ones and getting a clearer understanding of their culture. It made me look forward to meeting the other races and cultures of Q’ara because I love reading the worlds authors create!
Kudos to you, Joshua and looking forward to the next installment!!
January 12, 2025
Wow.
Review coming very soon, but for now: this is excellent.
Review coming very soon, but for now: this is excellent.
December 18, 2025
“The earth takes back what it is owed!”
Joshua takes us down a darker road in this punch to the guts novella.
Continuing in the world of The Exile of Water and Gold, this novella explores side characters and stories that really fill out the entire Q'ara world.
Jilo 🥺 oh how I felt your journey in my soul. This story really steps up the stakes and Joshua just gets better and better as the story continues.
It's weird to say that this story captured so much beauty and sorrow, but I truly felt it. I can't wait to continue on to The Celestial Tears of Dying Light.
Some amazing artwork could be created from these stories (wish I was an illustrator). The cover is just *chef's kiss*
Loved this story, Joshua. Well done 🤩
5/5 stars
Joshua takes us down a darker road in this punch to the guts novella.
Continuing in the world of The Exile of Water and Gold, this novella explores side characters and stories that really fill out the entire Q'ara world.
Jilo 🥺 oh how I felt your journey in my soul. This story really steps up the stakes and Joshua just gets better and better as the story continues.
It's weird to say that this story captured so much beauty and sorrow, but I truly felt it. I can't wait to continue on to The Celestial Tears of Dying Light.
Some amazing artwork could be created from these stories (wish I was an illustrator). The cover is just *chef's kiss*
Loved this story, Joshua. Well done 🤩
5/5 stars
January 6, 2025
I received this book as an ARC, and was very excited to get started. I was not disappointed in my enthusiasm.
We are introduced to Jilo, the 14 year old son of Hiro, the chief of the Tribe Sai-Kathan. Unfortunately, the tribe has been decimated by the very river that has sustained them up to this point. Something has tainted the water, and its effects are gruesome and deadly. Hiro also carries the staff of his Tribe, named Ka-Del, which has been handed down through millennia to each successive chief. It possesses a magic that is almost sentient, glowing blue to warn of enemies and danger, or green when a being or situation is friendly and poses no harm. It also transmits healing properties to the wielder and is an integral piece of the story that unfolds.
What follows is a very interesting weaving of each chapter, as they’re written from either the 14 year old Jilo’s point of view, or jumping years forward, to the viewpoint of Jilo as a grown and more cynical, less trusting man. The reasons are heartbreaking, and the reader will come to realize this as the story progresses.
Mr. Walker captures Jilo’s voice in the progression from naive teenager to a more thoughtful man so beautifully. I found I could understand his reactions to being suddenly an orphan, clinging to the memories of comfort he received from his mother, and the weight of the disappointment he always felt from his stern father, always trying to please this man, yet only feeling rejection from him. This shapes his view of himself, which is painful to read. But the worst is yet to come.
There is a darkness that weaves its way through this story. It’s one perpetrated by those who covet that which is not theirs to take. The heart of this darkness is a sect of zealous priests who search tirelessly for objects of power. And they have their sights set on Ka-Del, and will let nothing stop them acquiring it.
The ability to craft a tone for not only the settings but the characters throughout, is masterful. The prose is rich, tactile, and effortless to read. It never feels ponderous or heavy. The wonderful beings that Jilo encounters while navigating the Greenwood, are those of myth. The Hidden Ones they are called, and this particular group is known as Nestlers. They are brought to life and given character, joyfulness, and the dynamic between the
Nestler named Scov and Jilo is sweet, their banter like that of dearest friends.
I have enjoyed this from start to finish, and find it to be a great addition to the world Mr. Walker created in An Exile Of Water And Gold. To have the perspective of another part of Q’ara just made me want to know so much more about this magical world. I cannot wait for the next book!
We are introduced to Jilo, the 14 year old son of Hiro, the chief of the Tribe Sai-Kathan. Unfortunately, the tribe has been decimated by the very river that has sustained them up to this point. Something has tainted the water, and its effects are gruesome and deadly. Hiro also carries the staff of his Tribe, named Ka-Del, which has been handed down through millennia to each successive chief. It possesses a magic that is almost sentient, glowing blue to warn of enemies and danger, or green when a being or situation is friendly and poses no harm. It also transmits healing properties to the wielder and is an integral piece of the story that unfolds.
What follows is a very interesting weaving of each chapter, as they’re written from either the 14 year old Jilo’s point of view, or jumping years forward, to the viewpoint of Jilo as a grown and more cynical, less trusting man. The reasons are heartbreaking, and the reader will come to realize this as the story progresses.
Mr. Walker captures Jilo’s voice in the progression from naive teenager to a more thoughtful man so beautifully. I found I could understand his reactions to being suddenly an orphan, clinging to the memories of comfort he received from his mother, and the weight of the disappointment he always felt from his stern father, always trying to please this man, yet only feeling rejection from him. This shapes his view of himself, which is painful to read. But the worst is yet to come.
There is a darkness that weaves its way through this story. It’s one perpetrated by those who covet that which is not theirs to take. The heart of this darkness is a sect of zealous priests who search tirelessly for objects of power. And they have their sights set on Ka-Del, and will let nothing stop them acquiring it.
The ability to craft a tone for not only the settings but the characters throughout, is masterful. The prose is rich, tactile, and effortless to read. It never feels ponderous or heavy. The wonderful beings that Jilo encounters while navigating the Greenwood, are those of myth. The Hidden Ones they are called, and this particular group is known as Nestlers. They are brought to life and given character, joyfulness, and the dynamic between the
Nestler named Scov and Jilo is sweet, their banter like that of dearest friends.
I have enjoyed this from start to finish, and find it to be a great addition to the world Mr. Walker created in An Exile Of Water And Gold. To have the perspective of another part of Q’ara just made me want to know so much more about this magical world. I cannot wait for the next book!
January 11, 2025
This is the third installment of the Song of the Sleepers, Josh's exceptionally unique epic fantasy world, and it does not disappoint. I'm lucky enough to count myself on his ARC team, which means I get to read this early (sorry not sorry), and I'm so happy I did.
Like the previous novella, we don't have much time to get into the story and get back out again, but—also like the previous novella—that's not a problem. Josh has expertly worked a story of loss, grief, growth, and vengeance into so short a page count.
But wait, I keep doing this, where I don't actually explain a bit about the story before giving my thoughts, so let me go back a ways.
Our story diverges from An Exile of Water & Gold (Book 1), and acts as an alternate entry point into the series. In this entry point, we fall Jilo, heir to the Sai-Kathan clan (I hope I'm spelling that right), a tribe of people that live along the great river flowing throughout much of wester Q'ara. And again, as I keep saying, I LOVE dual timeline stories, and we have another one here.
In the present, we have Jilo's quest to retrieve Ka'Del, and in the past, we learn about how he loses it. If I had to pick a favorite story, I would say the past one is the one for me, but the present is also fantastic, so it's a hard choice.
The river floods, tearing apart Jilo's village and loosing the spear into the wilds. Lost, without friend or family, Jilo wanders until he eventually finds the spear. And then his father. Together, they live with the Hidden Ones for a time. But a thief in the night (The Priests of Dirt from Therador) raid them, stealing Ka'Del for seemingly no reason.
Flash forward to the present, we've got Jilo with some Hidden Ones fighting to get the spear back, against an unknown foe. And man, the reveal was something else. Gripped with pain, confusion, and an uncertainty of the future, Jilo must decide to forgive the person responsible for the theft of the spear, his family heirloom, or destroy it forever. Which will he choose? Well read the book and find out, duh!!
So much happens in this novella. Loss, grief, coming to terms with the harsh truths of life and death and betrayal. Its maneuvered expertly by Joshua, who once again works wonders with his storytelling. I myself would not want to be in this position, but could feel the heartstrings being tugged with every line, so I'll take that as a good consolation.
Picking right up where Josh leaves us in An Exile of Water & Gold, we again have a unique story, with a unique cast of characters fighting an unseen enemy who is more than meets the eye. I cannot recommend this, and Josh's other works, enough. Seriously, go read them!
Like the previous novella, we don't have much time to get into the story and get back out again, but—also like the previous novella—that's not a problem. Josh has expertly worked a story of loss, grief, growth, and vengeance into so short a page count.
But wait, I keep doing this, where I don't actually explain a bit about the story before giving my thoughts, so let me go back a ways.
Our story diverges from An Exile of Water & Gold (Book 1), and acts as an alternate entry point into the series. In this entry point, we fall Jilo, heir to the Sai-Kathan clan (I hope I'm spelling that right), a tribe of people that live along the great river flowing throughout much of wester Q'ara. And again, as I keep saying, I LOVE dual timeline stories, and we have another one here.
In the present, we have Jilo's quest to retrieve Ka'Del, and in the past, we learn about how he loses it. If I had to pick a favorite story, I would say the past one is the one for me, but the present is also fantastic, so it's a hard choice.
The river floods, tearing apart Jilo's village and loosing the spear into the wilds. Lost, without friend or family, Jilo wanders until he eventually finds the spear. And then his father. Together, they live with the Hidden Ones for a time. But a thief in the night (The Priests of Dirt from Therador) raid them, stealing Ka'Del for seemingly no reason.
Flash forward to the present, we've got Jilo with some Hidden Ones fighting to get the spear back, against an unknown foe. And man, the reveal was something else. Gripped with pain, confusion, and an uncertainty of the future, Jilo must decide to forgive the person responsible for the theft of the spear, his family heirloom, or destroy it forever. Which will he choose? Well read the book and find out, duh!!
So much happens in this novella. Loss, grief, coming to terms with the harsh truths of life and death and betrayal. Its maneuvered expertly by Joshua, who once again works wonders with his storytelling. I myself would not want to be in this position, but could feel the heartstrings being tugged with every line, so I'll take that as a good consolation.
Picking right up where Josh leaves us in An Exile of Water & Gold, we again have a unique story, with a unique cast of characters fighting an unseen enemy who is more than meets the eye. I cannot recommend this, and Josh's other works, enough. Seriously, go read them!
February 21, 2025
This was a short novella that I really enjoyed. It is entirely character driven with the narrative following two timelines - the past and the present.
It's a very emotional journey of a young boy grappling with the loss of his home, his family and people, and how that has driven him to the actions in the present day. My heart was aching for him as we see a glimpse of his past and the turmoil he finds himself in.
Bringing the story back to the present we can see how Jilo has changed. How his past has affected him and he has definitely hardened and grown through his experiences. We also get to see more of the Hidden Ones, these small woodland creatures which are really great at fighting with knives..
The writing is really well done and immersive. My heart was beating fast and I felt like I was right there with Jilo seeing what he was seeing. The relationship between Jilo and the Hidden Ones was magical and heartfelt in a variety of different ways. I enjoyed seeing them interact with each other and truly have one another's back.
The pacing was a bit off for me, personally. At times it felt perfect but in the present day scenes it felt far too fast. But I also know I could read pages and pages of battle scenes so perhaps that's a 'me' thing! It didn't take anything away from the story, I just would have liked a bit more depth by slowing things down a little. Maybe this is a sign to take on this author's novels which I'm sure I'm going to really like after reading this short novella.
It's a very emotional journey of a young boy grappling with the loss of his home, his family and people, and how that has driven him to the actions in the present day. My heart was aching for him as we see a glimpse of his past and the turmoil he finds himself in.
Bringing the story back to the present we can see how Jilo has changed. How his past has affected him and he has definitely hardened and grown through his experiences. We also get to see more of the Hidden Ones, these small woodland creatures which are really great at fighting with knives..
The writing is really well done and immersive. My heart was beating fast and I felt like I was right there with Jilo seeing what he was seeing. The relationship between Jilo and the Hidden Ones was magical and heartfelt in a variety of different ways. I enjoyed seeing them interact with each other and truly have one another's back.
The pacing was a bit off for me, personally. At times it felt perfect but in the present day scenes it felt far too fast. But I also know I could read pages and pages of battle scenes so perhaps that's a 'me' thing! It didn't take anything away from the story, I just would have liked a bit more depth by slowing things down a little. Maybe this is a sign to take on this author's novels which I'm sure I'm going to really like after reading this short novella.
January 30, 2025
The Child of the Greenwood, a brilliant novella and addition to the Song of the Sleepers series by Joshua Walker, is a refreshing take on fantasy and one that I imagine many people will keep coming back to.
Sometimes I feel that two timelines has been done too many times for it to work well. Sometimes I'm wrong. Joshua has masterfully weaved these tales into a great coming-of-age story that builds on the main characters - Jilo - experiences. A quick read, but Joshua knows his audience and has us wanting to learn more about the fascinating culture, relationships and story that he has put together.
What I enjoy most about Joshuas writing is that it feels so fresh and rich. The world of Q'Ara is mystically beautiful that it ranks up there with some top fantasy worlds. I may even wish to see an art book in the future....!
This series continues to be a favourite. Joshua Walker gets better with each release, which is hard when I really enjoyed book one! This is a character-driven twist to the stomach that is full of wonderful character, plot and everything in-between.
January 17, 2025
I had a chance to read this one a little early, and it was a true delight. I’m already a fan of Joshua Walker’s writing, but this novella really elevated it across the board: the worldbuilding, the stakes, the character interactions, the plot developments (and hints), the sheer fun (and madness) of adventure.
This was a fun, thrilling, and often harrowing story that fleshes out the world in an interesting way and gives us a great, compact, character-driven adventure. It’s a worthy addition to the series and a fun jumping-in point for new magic, villains, and threats in Q’ara.
Highly recommended!
This was a fun, thrilling, and often harrowing story that fleshes out the world in an interesting way and gives us a great, compact, character-driven adventure. It’s a worthy addition to the series and a fun jumping-in point for new magic, villains, and threats in Q’ara.
Highly recommended!
November 1, 2024
The Child of the Greenwood is a powerful, beautiful story about loss and how we deal with it. About the reality we create for ourselves and the futures we build. About families broken, lost, found, and strong. Walker did an incredible job of expertly weaving two timelines into one captivating story that kept me turning the pages. And yet, where it shines the brightest is in Walker's worldbuilding. If you're looking for an expansive, imaginative fantasy world to escape into, your first step should be into Joshua Walker's The Child of the Greenwood.
February 22, 2025
A fantastically written and gripping novella in The Song of the Sleepers series. However, I have not yet started this series myself and started with this novella, which is an alternative entry point to this series. I was hooked from the beginning as I really enjoyed the writing style and the fact that it is written in a dual timeline. The characters themselves are also engagingly written. I will definitely be catching up on the other stories in this series as I just loved this novella.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 28, 2025
The Child of the Greenwood by Joshua Walker is an action-packed novella with all the weasel goodness! I loved the character development and the duel-timeline. I didn't expect some of those twists!
This novella gives some great context for some of the characters in An Exile of Water and Gold! I think it also helps set up some more crazy twists coming in Book 2! You can start wherever you like between the two novellas or Book 1.
I really enjoyed this book and can not wait for Book 2!
This novella gives some great context for some of the characters in An Exile of Water and Gold! I think it also helps set up some more crazy twists coming in Book 2! You can start wherever you like between the two novellas or Book 1.
I really enjoyed this book and can not wait for Book 2!
December 27, 2025
Do not miss. This is my new favorite novella of the series. Coming of age turned revenge quest?! yes please. Full review to come.
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