The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black - review
Photograph: Orion
As an avid paranormal lover, I have read many books involving sexy vampires and brooding werewolves and powerful warlocks, but one supernatural type I've always hidden away from is the Fae. Their tricky rules and suspicious personalities have always annoyed me greatly, so I wasn't too excited when I heard Holly Black was going to be bringing out a new book solely based around them. Nevertheless, I was delighted to receive a copy early to review and was even pleasantly surprised with how I felt about it after reading.
The first thing which struck me about this novel was the relationship between Hazel and Ben, siblings who are so close, but also so far apart. Whilst the book progresses, their history and emotions are gradually pulled to the surface and help create a heartbreaking back-story which helps add depth and a greater sense of family loyalty and misunderstanding to the novel.
The Darkest Part of the Forest takes place in a town where the Fae and humans live in harmony which throughout the novel begins to feel more like an upcoming crescendo to the readers and many of the townsfolk. Magic and mischievousness and a misunderstood evil begin to churn up the normality of life; if normality was ever an actual thing in this town. Holly Black manages to weave together ancient fairytales, fairy lore and teenage angst into a beautiful story which I wasn't expecting in the slightest. I'm still not the biggest fan of fairies, but because of this book I now don't hate them as violently.
My favourite parts of this book were the intelligent plot-twists and the incredible character of Severin. You will be quite confused for a majority of this book, but when you finally figure out what is going on and how the leading protagonists are going to try and sort the madness occurring out, the whole confusing part of the novel is going to be completely worth the time it took to get through. Sometimes with certain books you have to persevere through weird writing styles or slow beginnings before you honestly begin to enjoy reading them. Sometimes the most difficult books are the best ones you'll ever read.
The character of Severin was a delight to read about. Severin is a fairy Prince, cursed to spend his days trapped in a glass coffin situated in the darkest part of the forest. These fairytale ties definitely influenced my love for this character, but Severin is a fantastically intricate and unique character even without his back-story (although that does help just saying).
All in all, TDPOTF is definitely a must read for 2015. You don't like fairies? Still read it. You don't like fairytales? Firstly WHY? Secondly still give this book a chance. Be open minded and your patience will be worth it.
Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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