Beyond the Border Forest: Into the Prawdziwy Las

by Molly Haniszewski

Two kings rule the ancient woods—the Oak King in summer, the Holly King in winter—and no mortal may cross into their realm without leave. But when eighteen-year-old Rowan Gwózdek’s sister vanishes, Rowan defies the old laws and enters the forbidden forest, desperate to find her.
She isn't alone for long. Keziah, a trans (and very handsome) hunter with a shadowy tie to the Oak King, offers his help—and a perilous path to the Bear Maiden, a creature said to grant wishes. Together, Rowan and Keziah face mossmen, a wood dragon, and other servants of the forest kings.
But danger lurks deeper still. Caught between the warring Oak and Holly Kings, Rowan is forced to take sides in a battle far older and fiercer than she ever imagined. Saving her sister could cost her everything—including her way home.

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Molly Haniszewski has been telling stories since they were a child. After having a child of their own, they decided to actually try and make one of those stories into a finished book. After that, they found they couldn’t stop. They have also had works of poetry and creative nonfiction published in a variety of magazines and literary journals. When they aren’t writing, they are baking far too many pastries, camping in the Montana mountains with their family, foraging for berries and tea ingredients, and helping their kiddo find slugs in the backyard.