2025 Challenge: Forest

[Margaret]

Here is the place to discuss retellings, traditional tales, or books set in the forest.

[Andy]

My suggestion for this from this year reading would be The Thorns Remain - anything with fae more or less works I guess... Not sure what I'll read next year - maybe the next Emily Wilde...

[Rose]

A few ideas

The Man who Spoke Snakish
The Taiga Syndrome
Gossip from the Forest
Moonwise

I might read The Last Unicorn as I have been meaning to for a while

[Cheryl]

Oh, I loved the graphic novel adaptation of The Last Unicorn.

[Rose]

Oh that's good to know- might have to read both!

[Kristina]

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett
Both are middle grade novels but I believe many adults would enjoy reading them :)

[Margaret]

Kristina wrote: "The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett
Both are middle grade novels but I believe many adults would enjoy reading ..."

I love reading middle grade. :)

[Jalilah]

Here are some of my favourite books that take place in or near a forest:
After the Forest
The Darkest Part of the Forest
Forests of the Heart ( parts of it also take place in the desert)
Daughter of the Forest

I don’t know what I’ll read yet

[Netanella]

I just finished Mother of Rome by Lauren J.A. Bear, a retelling of the Romulus and Remus' mom, Rhea Silvia, who here is also reimagined as the she-wolf who nursed the twins. I thought it was a great story.

About half the story takes place in the forest as the she-wolf conceals the infants and rears them until they are discovered by a local shepherd.

[Margaret]

There are so many good forest fairytales, it's hard to even know where to begin (hence the group name!).

Some ideas until my kid wants me, lol.

House of Frank by Kay Synclaire: A cozy queer fantasy. This is an interesting take on the theme because it's a created forest. The setting is a mansion funeral home where they plant people's ashes and they turn into trees.

The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd-Jones: A fae competition in the woods. Oh, and The Drowned Woods, a YA heist novel.

Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero: A charming Jewish middle grade fantasy.

Lei and the Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea: A Hawaiian mythology middle grade forest, most of it happens in the forest.

We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride: YA novel-in-verse contemporary fantasy/magical realism. Really lovely.

A Game of Fox & Squirrels by Jenn Reese: Middle grade contemporary fantasy

Notes from the Burning Age by Claire North: A really intriguing fantasy dystopian novel.

The River Has Teeth by Erica Waters: A YA horror that's based on one of my favorite local parks.

For the Wolf by Hannah F. Whitten

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

Okay, kid wants me!

[Jalilah]

Margaret wrote: "There are so many good forest fairytales, it's hard to even know where to begin (hence the group name!).

Some ideas until my kid wants me, lol.

House of Frank by [author:Kay Sync..."

I’m amazed you are able to read as much as you do with a young child! I have not read any of the books you mentioned!

[Margaret]

Jalilah wrote: "Margaret wrote: "There are so many good forest fairytales, it's hard to even know where to begin (hence the group name!).

Some ideas until my kid wants me, lol.

House of Frank by..."

I'm kinda surprised too! I never read for a long period of time, but all those 15 or 30 minute increments add up.

[Margaret]

I realized I missed some last night that I love, so adding three more!

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh: Gorgeous Green Man fantasy novella.

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert: YA horror that lives up to the hype.

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black: YA contemporary fantasy, one of my favorites by the author.

[Jalilah]

Margaret wrote: "I realized I missed some last night that I love, so adding three more!

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh: Gorgeous Green Man fantasy novella.

[book:The Hazel Wood..."

I forgot got about the first two, but see I gave them both 4 stars!
Darkest Part of the Forest is definitely my favourite Holly Black book

[Margaret]

I just read Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin, a sweet and charming middle grade retelling of the fairytale, set in a magical forest.

[Kelsey]

Just finished The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed, which is a very dark, creepy magical forest book.

[Jalilah]

I might read this In the Forests of Serre if I can find a copy.

[Jalilah]

Kelsey wrote: "Just finished The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed, which is a very dark, creepy magical forest book."

Actually I’ve been checking this author out , but wondering if it’s too creepy for me. I like a little creep, but not if it’s too much

[Margaret]

Jalilah wrote: "Actually I’ve been checking this author out , but wondering if it’s too creepy for me. I like a little creep, but not if it’s too much..."

I might read Premee Mohamed for the challenge. I've been wanting to try her books.

Jalilah wrote: "I might read this In the Forests of Serre if I can find a copy."

That one is lovely.

[Kelsey]

Jalilah wrote: "Kelsey wrote: "Just finished The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed, which is a very dark, creepy magical forest book."

Actually I’ve been checking this author out , but wond..."

It's creepy in the "malicious forest otherworld out to trick you so you're trapped forever" sense, but all of that was familiar enough to me to not be really disturbing. The the backdrop of political tyranny was actually what I found to be super dark and unsettling. So... make decisions accordingly?

[Katy]

Jalilah wrote: "I might read this In the Forests of Serre if I can find a copy."

I should have a copy here at home. I'll find it and read it. Hope you find a copy.

[Jalilah]

Katy wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "I might read this In the Forests of Serre if I can find a copy."

I should have a copy here at home. I'll find it and read it. Hope you find a copy."


I think we had it as a group read here many, many years ago.

[Jalilah]

Kelsey wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Kelsey wrote: "Just finished The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed, which is a very dark, creepy magical forest book."

Actually I’ve been checking this autho..."

Good to know! Thank you This will be my pick and my library has it!

[Katy]

I think I will read Solstice Wood by Patricia A. McKillip for this setting.

[Jalilah]

Katy wrote: "I think I will read Solstice Wood by Patricia A. McKillip for this setting."

I liked it and found it an interesting follow up to Winter Rose

[Hunter]

Treasures of the Lochs
This is a retelling, and it's suspenseful YA Christian fiction, involving a modern-day treasure hunt in Scotland, with a bit of supernatural thrown in. Blending historical fact and Scottish legend within an action-packed adventure, Treasures of the Lochs is an exciting, powerful story of faith, friendship, and redemption. The target audience is teenage and above (some parts would be too intense for younger readers). It also hit Amazon#1 New Release for Christian Fantasy. I hope you’ll check it out.

[Jalilah]

Andy wrote: "My suggestion for this from this year reading would be The Thorns Remain - anything with fae more or less works I guess... Not sure what I'll read next year - maybe the next Emily W...".

I just finished The Thorns Remain and enjoyed it so much! It’s perfect for this prompt!
I will also be reading In the Forests of Serre and it’s so funny, I remembered it was a group read here years ago and that I started it! I don’t remember why I stopped as it was many years ago!

[Margaret]

Jalilah wrote: "Andy wrote: "My suggestion for this from this year reading would be The Thorns Remain - anything with fae more or less works I guess... Not sure what I'll read next year - maybe the..."

I will likely read The Thorns Remain for this challenge, too! I'm reading forest books in May.

I enjoyed In the Forests of Serre!