Tales of the Wythenwood

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.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.