This book has a lot of promise, but unfortunately, the execution falls short. The narrative feels messy and choppy, with a flow that can be hard to follow. There’s a noticeable amount of repetition throughout—certain words and phrases seem to be on repeat, which disrupts the overall reading experience and makes the story feel stagnant at times.

That being said, the core of the story has potential. With some serious editing to clean up the excess and smooth out the pacing, this could be a much stronger work. It’s clear that there’s an interesting concept buried beneath the repetitive sections, but as it stands, the structure needs some fine-tuning to bring out its full potential. Hopefully, future revisions will polish it into something more engaging and cohesive.

J.W. Hawkins’ Tales of the Wythenwood transports readers to a world where whimsy and darkness coexist, weaving together tales that capture the essence of classic fairy tales with a modern, gritty edge. This collection of short stories delves into themes of power, morality, and survival, set against the rich and atmospheric backdrop of the Wythenwood—a mystical and omnipotent forest where creatures, both benevolent and malevolent, manipulate the fates of all who enter.

The strength of this collection lies in the world-building. The Wythenwood is not just a setting; it is a character in its own right, with Hawkins’ descriptive and rhythmic prose breathing life into its tangled branches, whispering winds, and shadowy corners. The author masterfully blends elements of dark fantasy with folklore, creating a world that feels both timeless and fresh. From the Great Oak, a force of nature that commands the forest with an iron grip, to the mysterious creatures that roam the night, each story in the collection is imbued with a sense of foreboding, yet tinged with wonder.

The characters that inhabit the Wythenwood are equally captivating. Desideria, injured and lost, encounters a creature whose true intentions remain unclear—an encounter that sets the tone for the eerie unpredictability that pervades the collection. The Taker of Faces is another chilling creation, a predator whose quest for her next victim drives much of the suspense. Each character, whether human or not, is morally complex, with Hawkins blurring the lines between good and evil. The manipulation of power—whether through magical forces, political cunning, or sheer survival instinct—serves as a recurring theme, keeping readers engaged with the tension between fate and free will.

One of the most intriguing characters is Indoli, the benevolent master of manipulation. Through his story, Hawkins explores the consequences of teaching someone too well, a plotline that underscores the delicate balance of knowledge and power. Indoli’s tale, like many in the collection, is tinged with moral ambiguity, challenging readers to question their own understanding of right and wrong.

While Tales of the Wythenwood excels in its rich prose and world-building, it’s important to note that this collection is not for the faint of heart. The darkness in these stories is palpable, with moments of violence, cruelty, and horror that evoke the raw and sometimes brutal nature of fairy tales from times past. Hawkins doesn’t shy away from exploring the more grotesque and macabre aspects of the fantasy genre, making this collection a gripping but often unsettling read.

However, the collection’s biggest strength—its haunting atmosphere—can also be a challenge. At times, the pacing feels slower as Hawkins indulges in intricate descriptions of the Wythenwood and its inhabitants. While this helps immerse readers in the setting, it can occasionally detract from the momentum of the narrative. Additionally, the cohesiveness of the world and its characters may leave some readers wanting more connection between the individual stories, though the loose ties between them still serve to create an overall sense of unity.

Final Thoughts:
Tales of the Wythenwood is a darkly captivating collection that blends the magic and moral complexity of classic fairy tales with a modern, foreboding twist. J.W. Hawkins has crafted a world that feels alive and unpredictable, where the fantastical and real coexist in unsettling harmony. Readers who enjoy dark fantasy, moral ambiguity, and rich, immersive world-building will find much to appreciate in these stories, though the collection’s darker elements may not be for everyone. A solid 4-star read, Tales of the Wythenwood proves that not all fairy tales were meant for children.

Tales of the Wythenwood is a collection of short stories set in the Wythenwood. They are mainly a collection of fable type stories that follow animal characters on an adventure/learning a lesson. The last two lean more horror than previous three stories. The writing is beautiful, descriptive and immersive. I loved the fairytale-esque whimsy of these stories. The illustrations are beautiful. All in all a very enjoyable read.

˚₊‧꒰ა 3 stars ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

༉‧₊˚. « We foxes live in the Wythenwood. It is our home, our food. The Wythenwood feeds us when we’re hunted and shelters us when it rains. Everything we have we owe to the Wythenwood. » ・₊✧

this book was different from the books i usually read. i love reading fantasy but this is more like a fable. this book was really intriguing though.

to begin with, the tales in the book are mostly allegories. when you first start reading it, you think you’re just reading a fantasy book where animals talk. this is darker than that. there are many messages in it and that made me have deep thoughts about the situations in every story.

the first stories were amazing but i feel like it got weirder and more complex towards the end.

i might’ve felt that way because of the language as well. the chapters got longer towards the end. since the author uses a flowery and very descriptive language, it might’ve become more difficult for me to decipher everything happening in the stories. however, i loved the fact that this included both prose and poetry.

overall, this was an enlightening read!! since it was different from the book i normally read, i couldn’t exactly enjoy it and i had to skim some parts of it but i would recommend this book to the readers who love fables/fantasy books. i also recommend this to people who enjoyed “Animal Farm” because this book includes allegories, which reminded me of it.

༉‧₊˚. « Some might even say that in the end you saved them, but guilt is a strange thing. It can rarely be anticipated: for if we knew how badly we would feel as a result if our actions then perhaps our actions would have been different in the first place. » ♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧


Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A great series of fantasy/fairy tail short stories with whimsical creatures and beings. This is a quick and great read.

I loved the first story of the Wythenwood short stories with Gerald but I found that the stories grew increasingly darker, weirder and more depressing as they went on. There's a part where the animals are having nectar dripped on their tongues and writing around in ecstacy and I felt like I was reading a really weird animal orgy. I did enjoy the story with the beavers and was sad about Ernald and loved Indoli's accent. The book gave me Watership Down vibes in that sense that I enjoyed it but it left me feeling weird.

This was a wonderful collection of short stories. Taking much more of an inspiration from the old original fairytales, It was very much a collection of fairytales with much more of a dark and sinister twist, with the fantasy of the tales we know and love, and full of lots of lessons of morality sprinkled in.

Tales of the Wythenwood consists of multiple short stories which have been inspired by classical fairytails as well as fables of Aesop. I liked how you can read about different type of lessons of morality. Eventhou these stories are inspired by fables and fairytails they are definitely not suited for children or younger audience.

As much as i enjoyed the complexity of the story and the vivid images. The way the centences were written in a lyrical prose ended up distracting me quite a lot. However it does bring more of a fairytale vibe to it. I still think in some stories it kinda made it confusing.
All in all i did enjoy reading each of these stories!

Thank you Netgalley for this Arc copy in exchange of an honest review.

I have given this book a 4.5 star rating. This book of tales was a nostalgic journey for me, reminding me of my childhood. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and appreciated the author's use of language, which was a departure from the usual works of other authors I've read recently. The fantasy- inspired lessons within these stories were a notable aspect of the book and made for a captivating read. Furthermore, I must add praise for the cover illustration, as it had initially drawn me to request this read!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.8 Stars
Review

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing this ARC.

“Tales of the Wythenwood” by J.W. Hawkins is a darkly enchanting collection of stories that transports readers into a world where the line between reality and fantasy blurs. One can consider Wythenwood itself a character in these strange tales—a place where oddness is the norm.

Talking and sentient animals is one of my favourite genre of fantasy. From the whimsical tales we read as a child to the more dark and gritting tales now, it feels like the stories have also grown along with us; And this is one such story.

In fact “Tales of the Wythenwood” is a collection of short stories that artfully embraces the dark side of fantasy and age old tales of animal adventure as Hawkins masterfully weaves together elements of dark fantasy, high fantasy, and classic fairy tales, creating a rich tapestry that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.

The stories are not however for the faint of heart as Hawkins delves really deep into the darkness that lurks in the shadows of towering trees in the depth of this enchanting forest.

There are a total of six short stories in the book, each one taking place in the same forest but with a different protagonist including foxes, trees(yes, sentient tree!) and more. My favourite of these tales is “The Curious Tale of the Far-Away-Trees”, one of the shortest stories but definately the most fun ( and grim) to read.
Pros:

Atmospheric World-Building: The Wythenwood is richly described, creating a setting that feels alive with mystery and magic. The environment itself becomes a character, enhancing the immersive experience including plenty of whimsical and dark creatures, some that exist in our world and some that don not.

Complex Characters: The characters are multi-dimensional, each with their own motives and moral dilemmas. Every tale features different creatures and main characters who are motivated by thier own desires which moves the stories

Blend of Genres: The collection seamlessly merges elements of dark fantasy, high fantasy, and classic fairy tales. It takes a twist on the usual stories in this genre which often involve some hopefull meassage and makes it into something much darker.

Thematic Depth: The stories explore deep themes such as morality, the natural world, and the tension between good and evil, offering more than just surface-level entertainment.
Cons:

Pacing : Some readers might find the pacing uneven, with certain stories moving slower due to the detailed descriptions and introspective moments. Each story is different and has the information and pacing according to its needs. Readers with certain preferances might find themselves in a pinch.

Ambiguity: The blending of reality and fantasy might leave some elements ambiguous, which could be frustrating for readers who prefer clear-cut resolutions. Although from experience this seems to be feature of the short story genre.

Not for All Ages: While it draws from fairy-tale traditions, the dark and mature themes make it unsuitable for younger readers, which may limit its audience. Anyone who is disturbed by harm done to animals should stay away from his.

Tales of the Wythenwood is a beautifully written collection of short stories. Each story follows the plight of the main character represented by an animal resident of the Wythenwood. Each tale has a message behind it and the writing is strong and descriptive enough to create the perfect image of the characters and settings your mind. Each tale is also accompanied by linoprint artworks that excellently portray the magic of the book.

Tales of the Wythenwood is the kind of book you don't want to put down for a second. I really recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good.

Tales of the Wythenwood is a series of short stories reminiscent of the fables of Aesop mixed with the classic fairy tales of our youth. The author spins the fantastical with lessons in morality, creating darkly beautiful tales. Do not be fooled, though, these stories are not meant for young children.

At the heart of the forest lies the Great Oak, an ancient tree that acts as the guardian spirit of the forest. She is an omnipotent force, taking note of all that goes on within the wood. She presides over the creatures of the forest - Protector, guide, judge, and jury. However, all are happy with the over-reaching nature of the Great Oak.

The collection is written in a lyrical prose. The imagery is vivid and lush, but I found that the complexity of the writing can take away from the flow of the story in some instances. I would love to see this book turned into an audio, because I believe the right narrator could really bring these tales to life. Some stories are best enjoyed in the oral tradition.

Overall, though, I truly did enjoy Tales of the Wythenwood and hope to see more from J. W. Hawkins in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for a free copy of the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Unfortunately, I didn’t really enjoy this book. Overall the writing felt very stiff - I understand the intent was to sound like classically told folk tales, but it fell flat for me.