Willa of the Wood
(Willa #1)
by Robert Beatty
Published by Disney-Hyperion
on July 10, 2018
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Ages: 8 - 12 years
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Literary Awards:
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Middle Grade & Children's (2018)
Synopsis:
Move without a sound. Steal without a trace.
Willa, a young night-spirit, is her clan's best thief. She creeps into the cabins of the day-folk under cover of darkness and takes what they won't miss. It's dangerous work--the day-folk will kill whatever they don't understand--but Willa will do anything to win the approval of the padaran, the charismatic leader of the Faeran people.
As forces of unfathomable destruction encroach on her forest home, Willa must decide who she truly is, facing deadly force with the warmest compassion, sinister corruption with trusted alliance, and finding a home for her longing heart.
My Thoughts:
Willa is a night-spirit; a child who lives hidden away in the mountains and steals from the day-folk to appease her 'padaran'. The best hauls gain the most favor after all and going home empty handed isn't a choice. But Willa knows there is more to life than stealing for the padaran, for her ancestors are the faeran and they have always lived on the smoky mountain, friend to the trees and animals, and they even had magic once.
But there is destruction and chaos in the world that finds root within her clan and Willa must fight for what she knows is right.
Willa is my new favorite character.
She's fiercely independent but also a kind and protective soul that considers the trees and woodland creatures as her very best friends. Thanks to her grandmother's lessons, Willa has learned the language of the faeran and can communicate with both. She's a fascinating character with a big heart and I can't help but adore her. I wish I had had more characters like Willa in my childhood literature!
Beatty has captured my heart once more. His beautiful, descriptive prose had me feeling like I was right there in the book. In the Great Smoky Mountains right alongside Willa and her animal friends.
This was such a beautiful, heartwarming read with a focus on conservation. Nature-lovers will enjoy this series very much.
There's also a Netflix adaptation coming to screens very soon so take the chance to read this gem soon!
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