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The Zenia Wood
Gwyn has always been focused on fitting in with the popular girls in her idyllic seaside town. But when a hooded stranger alerts her to her parents’ danger, survival becomes her goal. After finding her parents murdered in their own home, Gwyn and her brother scramble to escape the killer—the notorious Black Wizard.
Desperate to break away from his father's scrutiny and criticism, the prince of Vickland—Heron Oakheart—escapes into the mysterious Zenia Wood. There, he meets Bromlin. The eccentric old man tells the prince a dark secret about his father and forces him to question everything he knows.
Thrown together by chance, Heron and Gwyn begin to unravel the dark plots surrounding them. Facing dragons, witches, and dark magic, Gwyn and Heron have no choice but to cling to their courage if they are to survive. Can they outwit their cunning opponents and rescue Gwyn’s brother from a castle prison before it’s too late?
Desperate to break away from his father's scrutiny and criticism, the prince of Vickland—Heron Oakheart—escapes into the mysterious Zenia Wood. There, he meets Bromlin. The eccentric old man tells the prince a dark secret about his father and forces him to question everything he knows.
Thrown together by chance, Heron and Gwyn begin to unravel the dark plots surrounding them. Facing dragons, witches, and dark magic, Gwyn and Heron have no choice but to cling to their courage if they are to survive. Can they outwit their cunning opponents and rescue Gwyn’s brother from a castle prison before it’s too late?
304 pages, Paperback
Published October 17, 2019
16 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Looper Stephens
1 book11 followersCarrie Looper Stephens first created the Vickland trilogy when she was thirteen. It all began as a story she told her siblings on rainy days and long road trips, or when she was supposed to be doing homework. In 2016, she married her prince charming, and now lives in the beautiful upcountry of South Carolina with her husband Daniel, daughter Elanor, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 16, 2019
The world of The Zenia Wood brims with mystery and political intrigue. Its strength is Stephens’ vivid writing, which pulls the reader in: we can smell the the pine-scented forests, visualize the treacherous stone palaces of Vickland, and feel breathless along with Gwyn as she struggles to save all she has left in the world.
This book has a Medieval European flair with plenty of magician/wizard characters. Fans of classic fantasy will find themselves enchanted by this high-stakes adventure.
This book has a Medieval European flair with plenty of magician/wizard characters. Fans of classic fantasy will find themselves enchanted by this high-stakes adventure.
January 6, 2020
The Zenia Wood was an adventure to read! I love the character development and the world-building with the author's descriptive writing style. Whenever there are dragons and castles, that's a plus. I enjoyed how the chapters flowed but were episodical enough that you could jump back into the adventures. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to her future books!
March 27, 2021
I am a cover person. I have a hard time picking up a book when I just don't like the cover. This cover didn't call to me, but I read the blurb on the back and that did. I'm glad I didn't put it aside because it is a fast moving story that centers around this "haunted" wood which actually becomes a sanctuary and growing up place for some of our characters.
Gwyn lives with her parents and her little brother. One day while they play in the woods a stranger warns her not to go home, there is danger there. Well, Gwyn, having a mind of her own, goes home and finds her mother dead and her father on the point of death. As he is dying he warns the children to flee, but to take care of the medallion that the Black Wizard is desperate to get ahold of - the only problem is, the Black Wizard can't touch the medallion or it would kill him, but it holds great power and the witches that work with him can touch it; so Gwyn and her brother now have the Black Wizard and the evil witches on their tails.
In the meantime, the king, who uses the Black Wizard's council, has finally turned on his son, Prince Heron, and he flees into the Zenia Wood and there meets Bromlin, but he is in no state of mind to accept what the man has to say to him and isn't ready to stay in the Wood.
When Gwyn and her brother are separated and he is taken captive by the Black Wizard, she is rescued by Heron and together they work to save her brother. She has lessons to learn about trusting people and not running headlong into situations; and Heron is learning that even the working class of people should be cared about.
This is a clean read.
Gwyn lives with her parents and her little brother. One day while they play in the woods a stranger warns her not to go home, there is danger there. Well, Gwyn, having a mind of her own, goes home and finds her mother dead and her father on the point of death. As he is dying he warns the children to flee, but to take care of the medallion that the Black Wizard is desperate to get ahold of - the only problem is, the Black Wizard can't touch the medallion or it would kill him, but it holds great power and the witches that work with him can touch it; so Gwyn and her brother now have the Black Wizard and the evil witches on their tails.
In the meantime, the king, who uses the Black Wizard's council, has finally turned on his son, Prince Heron, and he flees into the Zenia Wood and there meets Bromlin, but he is in no state of mind to accept what the man has to say to him and isn't ready to stay in the Wood.
When Gwyn and her brother are separated and he is taken captive by the Black Wizard, she is rescued by Heron and together they work to save her brother. She has lessons to learn about trusting people and not running headlong into situations; and Heron is learning that even the working class of people should be cared about.
This is a clean read.
December 26, 2021
There was something about The Zenia Woods that made me feel nostalgic, it reads like a classic children’s fantasy adventure and had given me a craving to revisit The Hobbit and The Dalemark Quartet. Fun adventure, well-paced and full of magic. Can’t go wrong with a mysterious medallion, dark wizards and a few dragons for good measure!
January 26, 2022
The Zenia Wood is a fast moving adventure fantasy with a hint of romance. Gwyn’s character as a heroine developed slowly but with a purpose. At times, the plot wavered, and the Christian worldview was somewhat veiled. However, the good versus evil and magic is typical of this genre. This one might be better for the younger readers.
November 19, 2021
My 9-year old son loved this book! At the end of every chapter he begged to have another read to find out what would happen next. The writing was descriptive, the plot exciting, and the narrative features a young heroine with a heart of gold that every boy and girl will admire.
March 26, 2022
YA clean read. There must be a sequel coming. What’s happening today:⬇️
“Often a state is changed not by dictators, kings, and usurpers, but by the slow and subtle change of a mind-set, a way of life, the erasing of the ancient ways and laws. And most of all, the abolishing of truth.”
“Often a state is changed not by dictators, kings, and usurpers, but by the slow and subtle change of a mind-set, a way of life, the erasing of the ancient ways and laws. And most of all, the abolishing of truth.”
November 20, 2019
An enjoyable read that is well written and easy to read. What a journey for Gwyn and her brother, Martin and all the interesting characters they meet on the way. Power hungry Andulzo, the Wizard keeps them running for their lives; witches and dragons trying to kill them. Great storytelling by Carrie Looper Stephens.
October 26, 2019
What a delightful story. The author created memorable and likable characters, sprinkling in magic, dragons, and witches. The story was well paced and left me turning the pages. I look forward to the second book in the series.
November 11, 2019
A fun, clean story that will capture the imagination of kids and teens alike (and the adventure-loving adult)! Memorable characters who show development over the course of the book. Looking forward to the sequel!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews