This was a strong case of judging the book by its cover. Unfortunately, that was the only thing I enjoyed. I do understand that I am not the target audience for this book, but I do read a fair amount of children's literature. I was so excited for a story full of fairytales and magic, but Welcome to The Enchanted Forest just didn't deliver. I found the characters to be quite annoying and whiny which led me to DNF the book at 27%.

Too much show, not enough tell. And it this didn't feel like a story for children even though it was written about children and it wasn't a story for adults.

So Entertaining!!!
Welcome to the Enchanted Forest is such an incredible book! I devoured this book in 2 days. I couldn't put it down for a sec.

This review is based on an ARC of 'Welcome to the Enchanted Forest' which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (Atmosphere Press).

DNF @ 36%

Once upon a time, as a young girl in my childhood homeland of the great beautiful North--British Columbia--I spent the day at an amusement park called The Enchanted Forest, nestled in Revelstoke, B.C. I was dazzled, enchanted for sure, awestruck, and left marked well into adulthood. Upon seeing this title on NetGalley, o be still my heart, I knew I needed to return to the Enchanted Forest of my youth. The cover, the premise, the notion that I would be transported back to the careless enchantment of my youth! Alas, Ms. Himmel Glassman's Enchanted Forest is not mine...

My own dorky prose aside, my decision to DNF any book happens when I ask myself 'Do I care what happens to these characters, any of them, one way or another?' If the answer is a resounding 'No' I deftly close the book and go on with my life. In this case, the decision was pretty easy.

All of the characters are somewhat obnoxious and whiny, do not come across as real thinking children, with concrete reasons for their actions and desires. They are all rather flighty and impulsive, I feel. As for the forest itself, or at least the creatures within it, I'm sorry but I can't get behind the giant anthropomorphic animals. I would find Alice in Wonderland-type talking animals (small things with adult roles) sort of quaint and fanciful, but a rabbit and squirrel the size of men in costume? Ick. Get me out of here.

And lastly, it needs to be stated that I found the writing rather amateurish and repetitive.

Kudos to Himmel Glassman for doing the darn thing and writing a book. Lord knows I struggle to finish a thought (er, plot?) Maybe some kid will find enchantment within this story. Here's to hoping...

"Welcome to the Enchanted Forest" by Rebecca Himmel Glassman is a children's novel that follows the adventures of four sisters—Sarah, Nikki, Mandy, and Rose—and a lonely boy named Drew, as they venture into a magical forest filled with talking animals and mystical experiences. The narrative sets out to provide a whimsical journey for younger readers, with elements of enchantment and life lessons scattered throughout its pages.

The novel's cover, often highlighted in reviews, is indeed a striking feature that promises an enchanting tale. It is beautifully designed and serves as an effective lure for potential readers. Unfortunately, the content of the book does not consistently live up to the allure of its exterior.

One of the book's commendable aspects is its suitability for a younger audience. Parents can rest assured that the content is appropriate, free from any vulgarity or themes beyond the intended age range. This makes it a safe choice for children and provides a comforting read that does not venture into any controversial territory.

The enchanted forest itself is a well-conceived setting, rich with magical elements such as talking animals and a house where furniture and food appear magically. These imaginative details can captivate a child’s imagination and offer a delightful escape into a fantastical world.

The story attempts to impart valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and hope. Quotes like “The magic and the enchantment of this place are entirely based on hopes and dreams. If you don’t believe and you have no hope, then everything is plain and boring and sad and lonely,” encapsulate the moral undertone of the narrative.

However, the disjointed writing style disrupts at times the flow of the story and can be jarring for readers, making it difficult to stay engaged with the narrative.
The characters, with the exception of Rose, also lack depth and personality. While Rose stands out slightly, her sisters and Drew are described as bland and unmemorable. The dialogue is also criticized for being jerky and unnatural, failing to develop the characters’ personalities further.
The book’s emotional value is another area where it falls short. Despite the author's apparent intention to create a lighthearted and meaningful read, there is little emotional reaction from the characters to their journey. This lack of emotional depth makes it hard for readers to connect with the characters or feel invested in their adventures.

While the enchanted forest and its mysteries provide a backdrop for potential excitement, the actual storyline is slow to unfold and lacks the gripping element necessary to keep older readers engaged. The novel's attempt to reach a broader age range, from 8 to 18, seems overly ambitious given the simplistic plot and character dynamics.

"Welcome to the Enchanted Forest" has its charms and can be a delightful read for younger children who are new to the fantasy genre. Its safe content and imaginative setting make it a suitable choice for parents looking for appropriate books for their children. However, for older readers or those accustomed to more dynamic and emotionally engaging stories, it may prove to be a disappointment. The writing style, character development, and pacing need significant improvement to make future installments more appealing to a wider audience. Despite its shortcomings, the book's positive elements and potential for growth leave room for optimism about the series' future.

DNF at 20%. Unfortunately the writing here was a little too dry for my taste. Thank you to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful cover! This is a children's story, however, I find the characters to be overly annoying at times. While the book states the animals purpose and the story just drags on at times. The overall story does have a kind of Chronicles of Naria feel. It seems like in general a safe book to give your children.

I am hopeful that if there is a second one that we see some real development and emotion in the pages, as Book 1 was a bit of a hard sell for me. I think that going into it, I was comparing it to other books that have had talking animals and such, and really thinking it would be along those lines. But this was not the case. The writing was a bit choppy, in an effort to be more descriptive, you lost feeling and that connectivity with the characters. All in all, I would still read another one. I am curious to see where it goes. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC of this!

This story follows five children—Rose, and her three sisters, as well as a boy named Drew—who get swept away to an enchanted forest, where there are charming talking animals that guide them through a special “Enchanted House”. The House is one of magic that helps them discover how to deal with parental problems, loneliness, and other issues typical to people of their age in an original way that is supposed to leave them wiser, more forgiving, and more satisfied. The friends they meet—the experiences they have—the whole plot is lighthearted, innocent, and playful.
Unfortunately, I cannot grant that it is heartwarming, as there was little emotion to be felt. The characters were a bit flat, only Rose really having any personality at all, and I believe that this will be a large turn-off for younger readers. Having at least one relatable, heartfelt character is essential when trying to engage with an audience on a journey of emotional discovery. I feel that this is the biggest issue, but not the only one, as the writing was also choppy and repetitive, making the whole story difficult to navigate.
This book had potential, but fell short of living up to it.