Book Review- Silver in the Wood

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh

There is a Wild Man who lives in the deep quiet of Greenhollow, and he listens to the wood. Tobias, tethered to the forest, does not dwell on his past life, but he lives a perfectly unremarkable existence with his cottage, his cat, and his dryads.

When Greenhollow Hall acquires a handsome, intensely curious new owner in Henry Silver, everything changes. Old secrets better left buried are dug up, and Tobias is forced to reckon with his troubled past—both the green magic of the woods, and the dark things that rest in its heart.

It was the middle of an autumn downpour when Tobias first met Henry Silver. Summer had come and gone, and the wood was quiet.

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about the books I love that are under 200 pages. If I had read Silver in the Wood before making that post, it was sure to have topped the list. It is truly a gorgeous novella and it is incredible what Emily Tesh was able to accomplish in 112 pages.

Silver in the Woods is set in the forest, and this is one of those books where the setting itself is a character. The forest is so alive, and the world building is so vivid, that I could perfectly imagine myself there. The actual characters themselves are just as well developed and memorable. There is a lot of character growth that happens as the story progresses and it is beautiful.

This is exactly the kind of fantasy that I love. The magic is more subtle and quiet, while still being intriguing and sparking imagination. I will say it again- the woods come alive!

Perhaps the best part of the novella is the relationship between our two main characters. Tobias and Henry care for each other in a way that is moving and sweet. Seeing them navigate their feelings for one another, and for themselves, was a delight.

Some may argue that the book is too short, and while I would have loved to have spent more time with these characters, I think that the length was perfect. It is evident that the author put a lot of thought in to every word and every scene. I can not wait to read more from her in the future.

Yes! Even if you are not typically a fantasy lover I think you will enjoy Silver in the Woods. There is so much to love in the story- from the characters, to the setting, to the plot itself.

Silver in the Wood is out now! Thank you Macmillan-Tor for the opportunity to read it early in exchange for an honest review.