There is an undeniable allure in this story of something mystic, otherworldly…offering glimmers of dreams that are hiding sharpened shards of nightmares that will cut you when you least expect it. Alyssa Wees has written a novel that draws the reader into a world full of wonders and terrors; I was completely engrossed in this story from beginning to end, locked in the waking nightmare our protagonist was experiencing and loving every minute of it. I devoured this novel in an afternoon, and I’m sure others will too
The Waking Forest is the story of Rhea, a witch, and a fox who is not quite a fox. For Rhea the waking forest is a teasing dark thing that waits at the edge of her backyard, disappearing the minute she gets close enough to touch. Then a young man appears and offers to reveal the secrets of the forest if they play a game. For the witch, the forest is what she calls home, where she grants wishes to children who seek her out in the darkness. One night she has an uninvited visitor, one who wants to know what the witch wishes for. Unfortunately for the witch, the uninvited guest won’t leave as easily as she thinks. Something is waking in the forest, and soon the path of the witch and Rhea will collide. What will they both risk to survive?
I’m not sure what direction I was expecting this story to take, it had this ominous almost horror thriller vibe to it. That eventually turned into this gothic adventure that reminded me of Damsel by Elana K. Arnold in some moments…but with its own unique prose. Wees’s descriptions within the book are so captivating, managing to make the horrifying alluring and shattering what we’d normally perceive as beautiful. It’s a story of family, friends, romance, loyalty, and taking down your fears. Rhea was such a mystifying character from the get-go, a young woman plagued by visions of things that others can’t see, especially the forest. Those visions are only getting worse and who knows where she might wake up next. Her progression throughout the book is so fascinating.
Another character that I loved seeing the progression of is that of the witch. She’s a terrifying benevolent thing, granting the wishes of children, and taking the things they think they won’t miss. Her development in the story is fascinating, as well as her interactions with the uninvited guest who’s not quite what he seems. The fox was such an enigmatic character, and honestly is what really cemented my interest in this story. His voice was one of my favourites within The Waking Forest, a true storyteller indeed.
I’ve seen mixed feelings on the pacing of this book. For me, it went by in a flash but I think that’s because this type of story is one of my favourite kinds to read. I was able to find interest in all of the actions that are happening to Rhea, the witch, and the fox-not-fox. As I was trying to tease out the current story, it suddenly morphs into something bigger and more alarming. It was unexpected. I loved the immersive nature of the story, a memory that nags at the brain but doesn’t quite seem to come into focus. It drove me to keep reading.
While there is definitely some wonderful romance in this book, it doesn’t necessarily take center stage. Family seems to be at the center of this story, and I loved that aspect, especially the bond between sisters. For Rhea especially, it alters her character and shows the reader the potential of who she can become. Without giving too much away, her meeting with the witch is epic. It will click everything into place for the reader in such a satisfying way.
For me this was a satisfying read. There wasn’t too much I didn’t love, but I did wish the climax has a little more time to develop. It felt a little rushed and I honestly wished I could have had a little more, to understand the machinations of the villain, because there were still a few things that I wanted to understand. However I could forgive this in terms of the overall story.
I’d rate The Waking Forest an 8/10. It was a great read, but I wish the climax would have been prolonged and even explained a little more. I felt that I was missing something but I definitely loved the story and journey of the characters. Definitely pick this up if you love mystical storytelling and things that go bump in the night.
The Waking Forest is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers
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Synopsis | Goodreads
The waking forest has secrets. To Rhea, it appears like a mirage, dark and dense, at the very edge of her backyard. But when she reaches out to touch it, the forest vanishes. She’s desperate to know more—until she finds a peculiar boy who offers to reveal its secrets. If she plays a game.
To the Witch, the forest is her home, where she sits on her throne of carved bone, waiting for dreaming children to beg her to grant their wishes. One night, a mysterious visitor arrives and asks her what she wishes for, but the Witch sends him away. And then the uninvited guest returns.
The strangers are just the beginning. Something is stirring in the forest, and when Rhea’s and the Witch’s paths collide, a truth more treacherous and deadly than either could ever imagine surfaces. But how much are they willing to risk to survive?
