In The Darkest Part of the Forest Holly Black will bring shivers to your spine and warmth to your heart with this haunting modern fairy tale.
Hazel and her older brother Ben are in love with the mysterious horned boy encased in a glass coffin in the woods near their small town of Fairfold.
Holly successfully merges modern teenage life with faerie legends and creates characters that have real depth that you care about. Even when describing the most mythical sections, the writing is really grounded and feels real.
I like how Hazel is good yet feels the need to kiss so many boys. When I first read this I was especially terrified at the chant young girls used:
There's a monster in our wood. She'll get you if you're not good. Drag you under leaves and sticks. Punish you for all your tricks. Anest of hair and gnawed bone. You are never, ever coming... [home].
But they ever get say that last word.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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