Book Review: “The Heart of the Wood” by Dulee Carmel

“The Heart of the Wood” by Dulee Carmel (2023)

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade

Page Length: 203 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis:

The Heart of the Wood is the magical story of Damian, who embarks on an extraordinary adventure when his elvish heritage is revealed in his encounter with his aunt, Lady Rachel. At Midwood Castle, Damian discovers the Heart of the Wood and its importance. Join Damian on this magical journey as he dives deeper into a world of magic and mystery.

Review:

The Heart of the Wood is a fantasy middle-grade novel full of fantasy and wonder. It takes readers on an adventure as we follow Damian who discovers his magical lineage and the mythical world that exists in that our human world. From the discovery of an enchanted forest to beings that disguise themselves in plain sight the story has a lot to offer. But when danger strikes around the corner will he be able to save the magical world he’s just now discovered.

This novel is fun, light-hearted, and fast-paced making it an ideal read for its intended audience. However, I felt like the novel could be extended to help with the story’s choppiness and world-building. Throughout the story, there are many fantasy elements introduced and once they occur the story seems to move onto the next scene without really weaving into the plot for further context. This would have cleared up some confusion for me and made it so it didn’t feel like we were rushing through Damian’s journey. I think it would have been cool if the magical lineage within Damian’s own family could have expanded on it more. Maybe there will be a sequel?

Nonetheless, I still enjoyed this book, I just wanted more from it as an avid fantasy reader. This story is a good escape from reality and plays homage to many traditional fantasy elements that spark imagination in its readers.

Final Verdict: