BOOK REVIEW - The Secret of the Dread Forest (YA Novel)
Mike
Summers © 2009 Llewellyn ISBN: 978-0-7387-1411-0 281 pages
Paperback $9.95
According to other reviewers this is a Young Adult “chick fantasy”
series. Unfortunately for me, this is another series I discovered by
accident and long after it started. This is the final book in the
current trilogy (the Scions of Shadow trilogy will continue the
story).
This book (and the series, from what I can gather) is intended purely
as entertainment, which is a good thing, as some of the imagery is
wrong. At one point Keelie, the young heroine, refers to the Salem
Witch Trials as ending “…in a barbecue.” Actually, they ended with
hangings, but since this is not intended to be a factual book, this is
a minor point.
While I would hesitate to say that this is a classic work, it does
incorporate some classic ideas of fantasy literature: the
juxtaposition of mundane and otherworldly characters and locales, the
opposition of good and evil, and the redemption of “evil” by the
compassion of the protagonist.
It is an enjoyable book which, while requiring a suspension of
disbelief on the part of the reader, can be easily understood (even by
“muggles”) and read without arousing a lot of “What’s that?” moments.
I wish I had found this series earlier so I could have read it from
the very start.
The story of Keelie Heartwood (daughter of a Tree Shepherd) will
continue through at least another trilogy (Scions of Shadow) which
sound as if they may have a slightly darker emphasis (or is that my
personal reaction to “Shadows”?). In any case, I am sure she will
grow and mature. She will also learn of her multiple heritages (elf,
human, and fae).
If you are a parent looking for a fun summer read for your child, this
series may fit the bill. While the central character is a teenage
girl, even the guys should enjoy this story.
