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The Girl in the Forest
The world burned beneath the rage of the queens.
The kings trampled the remains into the mud.
And the truth in that was a roaring in my ears.
I feared the day when he understood the truth, that what we felt might not be love, but it was certainly rage. We were the perfect lovers. We were passion. We could be destruction. The Dread Lord and the Faille. He wanted to save me. I wasn't sure he could.
Danger and passion reach new heights as Noa and Grayson fight their fate and the threat from an ancient queen who could destroy their world. But even with Grayson at her side, Noa may not be able to save those she loves. A richly woven tale of love entangled in political intrigue and a struggle for survival, where alliances shift and what exists might be irrevocably changed. The Girl in the Forest is book two in the Sentinel Falls Trilogy, perfect for fans of romantic fantasy, heart-pounding action, hidden identities, forbidden desire, and fated mates. This paranormal fantasy ends with a mild cliffhanger. For readers over 18.
The kings trampled the remains into the mud.
And the truth in that was a roaring in my ears.
I feared the day when he understood the truth, that what we felt might not be love, but it was certainly rage. We were the perfect lovers. We were passion. We could be destruction. The Dread Lord and the Faille. He wanted to save me. I wasn't sure he could.
Danger and passion reach new heights as Noa and Grayson fight their fate and the threat from an ancient queen who could destroy their world. But even with Grayson at her side, Noa may not be able to save those she loves. A richly woven tale of love entangled in political intrigue and a struggle for survival, where alliances shift and what exists might be irrevocably changed. The Girl in the Forest is book two in the Sentinel Falls Trilogy, perfect for fans of romantic fantasy, heart-pounding action, hidden identities, forbidden desire, and fated mates. This paranormal fantasy ends with a mild cliffhanger. For readers over 18.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2024
153 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Sue Wilder
15 books119 followersSue Wilder first discovered the power of story as a child living in California, when she was caught starting a grapefruit war in a neighboring orchard. She managed to absolve all her cohorts from guilt and has since moderated her behavior. She now writes New Adult romance and Paranormal Fantasy romance with hunky heroes, independent women, and twists, suspense, spice, and HEAs.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a yellow lab named Maxine.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a yellow lab named Maxine.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 11, 2025
I am struggling with this book series. In sooo many ways…
And what it comes down to is that the author is clearly releasing information intermittently through the book, but in a way that is so confusing and disjointed that I spend a lot of time re-reading pages because I feel like I am missing something.
The one clear example I have of this is at the end. Grayson says that he won’t send Noa back to the ‘wrinkle’ again in case she wakes up and forgets who she is and that she was angry with him about that from last time. Was that anger and risk of unwillingly forgetting herself off page? Because from what I read, she willingly went and was content for a time. Yes she spent too long there but she also made friends, learnt skills, and gained strength and courage to leave and fight. Also she was angry with Grayson for not coming to find her on her return, for not wanting her to go into danger, and for communicating like a dictator. Not because he set her safe space as the ‘wrinkle’. So did Grayson the character not understand Noa? Or did the reader not understand her? I’m still like WTAF are you talking about. And also I don’t understand what Noa did on that battle field. Did she get Brin? Did she close the gateway? Did she save anyone? Who was she projecting her power onto?? I have no clue.
There is just no chemistry between these characters. I loved the end of the first book. It kept me moving onto the second. I finally saw some emotion from Noa and Grayson - finally saw compassion and despair and longing. So I thought maybe we would see some more of that warmth and development. Newsflash, we don’t.
Fantasy novels work best when the darkness, battle, and tragedy are all balanced against lightness, great banter, periods of joy and beauty. This story is just all hardship and doom and any downtime is a sex scene.
Also I think we’ve been told what the prophesy is but I’m still really confused what Noa saw on the cave wall.
I can see why this trilogy has gone down well with some - there are just too many gaps in the writing for me. I shouldn’t be this confused at the end of the second. I think what’s going on in this author’s head is complex and amazing. The world-building, the relationships, the scene-setting… I imagine they are wonderfully played out in her head. Because you can see the potential here. But it’s just not translating clearly onto paper. And I’m sad. Because I probably won’t read the last one now.
And what it comes down to is that the author is clearly releasing information intermittently through the book, but in a way that is so confusing and disjointed that I spend a lot of time re-reading pages because I feel like I am missing something.
The one clear example I have of this is at the end. Grayson says that he won’t send Noa back to the ‘wrinkle’ again in case she wakes up and forgets who she is and that she was angry with him about that from last time. Was that anger and risk of unwillingly forgetting herself off page? Because from what I read, she willingly went and was content for a time. Yes she spent too long there but she also made friends, learnt skills, and gained strength and courage to leave and fight. Also she was angry with Grayson for not coming to find her on her return, for not wanting her to go into danger, and for communicating like a dictator. Not because he set her safe space as the ‘wrinkle’. So did Grayson the character not understand Noa? Or did the reader not understand her? I’m still like WTAF are you talking about. And also I don’t understand what Noa did on that battle field. Did she get Brin? Did she close the gateway? Did she save anyone? Who was she projecting her power onto?? I have no clue.
There is just no chemistry between these characters. I loved the end of the first book. It kept me moving onto the second. I finally saw some emotion from Noa and Grayson - finally saw compassion and despair and longing. So I thought maybe we would see some more of that warmth and development. Newsflash, we don’t.
Fantasy novels work best when the darkness, battle, and tragedy are all balanced against lightness, great banter, periods of joy and beauty. This story is just all hardship and doom and any downtime is a sex scene.
Also I think we’ve been told what the prophesy is but I’m still really confused what Noa saw on the cave wall.
I can see why this trilogy has gone down well with some - there are just too many gaps in the writing for me. I shouldn’t be this confused at the end of the second. I think what’s going on in this author’s head is complex and amazing. The world-building, the relationships, the scene-setting… I imagine they are wonderfully played out in her head. Because you can see the potential here. But it’s just not translating clearly onto paper. And I’m sad. Because I probably won’t read the last one now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2024
What I Liked:
There is a lot of action in Noa's quest to identify and combat the evil entity threatening her found family. I also appreciated that things are not easy between Noa and Grayson even if fate may think they are supposed to be together.
What I Didn't Really Like:
I struggled a little at the end with the amount of death. I know there are casualties in battle situations, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
Overall:
The Girl in the Forest is another great addition to the Sentinel Falls Trilogy. Readers that enjoy action packed romantic fantasy with messy relationships should definitely check it out. Just note that both the first and the second installments each end with a cliffhanger that will have you reaching for the next book and the third hasn't been released yet.
There is a lot of action in Noa's quest to identify and combat the evil entity threatening her found family. I also appreciated that things are not easy between Noa and Grayson even if fate may think they are supposed to be together.
What I Didn't Really Like:
I struggled a little at the end with the amount of death. I know there are casualties in battle situations, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
Overall:
The Girl in the Forest is another great addition to the Sentinel Falls Trilogy. Readers that enjoy action packed romantic fantasy with messy relationships should definitely check it out. Just note that both the first and the second installments each end with a cliffhanger that will have you reaching for the next book and the third hasn't been released yet.
October 10, 2025
DNF’d at 75%. I loved the first book, but this sequel had several issues that made it lose momentum and drag. Once again, the MMC views the FMC through a lens that feels completely disconnected from how the reader experiences her and that disconnect just doesn’t work. I actually like the FMC overall, but the story spends far too much time in her internal monologue, which bogs down the pacing. When the romantic tension finally resolves, it lands as anticlimactic and underwhelming. I may come back to it later, but for now I’m content to set it aside. Not a bad book just too slow and too little payoff to keep going.
September 16, 2024
Damn good cliffhanger
3.5 rounded up.
We get an angry Noa, finally, but for all the wrong reasons. She was a bit annoying in this book... really whiny and self-centered. Noa liked to think that she knew enough of this world she'd rejected and, like a child, thought she knew enough to make decisions that risked other's lives.
The higher rating was because there were consequences all over the damn place for stupid decisions. Noa paid for her recklessness. Grayson pays for his. I can get behind that.
This fell a bit short in other ways. Unfortunately, there's a lot of telling instead of showing. Especially when it comes to Noa and Graysons' relationship. I'm not convinced that they even know each other. Their interactions are a bunch of overdone metaphors that are basically on repeat but ultimately mean nothing.
There are a lot of repetitive phrases, and Noa thinks in circles throughout the book and, for the most part, makes little sense.
But there is a very dark story being told here, and Wilder doesn't shy away from it. She takes risks with some characters to add appropriate emotion to the read.
I will read the next one.
3.5 rounded up.
We get an angry Noa, finally, but for all the wrong reasons. She was a bit annoying in this book... really whiny and self-centered. Noa liked to think that she knew enough of this world she'd rejected and, like a child, thought she knew enough to make decisions that risked other's lives.
The higher rating was because there were consequences all over the damn place for stupid decisions. Noa paid for her recklessness. Grayson pays for his. I can get behind that.
This fell a bit short in other ways. Unfortunately, there's a lot of telling instead of showing. Especially when it comes to Noa and Graysons' relationship. I'm not convinced that they even know each other. Their interactions are a bunch of overdone metaphors that are basically on repeat but ultimately mean nothing.
There are a lot of repetitive phrases, and Noa thinks in circles throughout the book and, for the most part, makes little sense.
But there is a very dark story being told here, and Wilder doesn't shy away from it. She takes risks with some characters to add appropriate emotion to the read.
I will read the next one.
February 28, 2024
This is a beautifully written and extremely suspenseful book. I never use the phrase "heart pounding"- but I do here! There is electrifying action, but what I like most is the depth, complexity and intelligence of the central issues.
The world building is fascinating, combining the "real" world with a fantastical tangential world. The use of sentient magic is unlike any I've read. A nymph described it as "an excited puppy prone to slobbering over a new toy." Loved it!
The evolution and complexity of Noa and Gray's relationship is beautiful and painful. I really care about them. I give a lot of credit to an author who creates supporting characters that could easily have an individual series written about them - and there are many here.
They are up against seemingly insurmountable odds. They have suffered and lost a lot. And I'm sure there is more to come...
I really, really love this series!!
The world building is fascinating, combining the "real" world with a fantastical tangential world. The use of sentient magic is unlike any I've read. A nymph described it as "an excited puppy prone to slobbering over a new toy." Loved it!
The evolution and complexity of Noa and Gray's relationship is beautiful and painful. I really care about them. I give a lot of credit to an author who creates supporting characters that could easily have an individual series written about them - and there are many here.
They are up against seemingly insurmountable odds. They have suffered and lost a lot. And I'm sure there is more to come...
I really, really love this series!!
November 25, 2025
Unfortunately this book was the nail in the coffin. I can tell the author had this wonderful idea but it doesn’t translate through the page to the reader. We spend too much time in Noa’s internal monologue which just slows everything down . She thinks and thinks about her actions and past events far too much. Rehashing the same territory again and again.
There are revelations made throughout the book again and again that feel disjointed and dot. Come through for the reader. There is just no romantic chemistry between the couple this book. It feels like the male interest just doesn’t care about Noa at all. He doesn’t come to her when she returns, he doesn’t spend time with her or talk to her. Who he sees and how he interprets her actions feels disjointed from what the reader sees and feels. When they got together it was so anticlimactic and rushed.
The potential was there but the execution fell flat
There are revelations made throughout the book again and again that feel disjointed and dot. Come through for the reader. There is just no romantic chemistry between the couple this book. It feels like the male interest just doesn’t care about Noa at all. He doesn’t come to her when she returns, he doesn’t spend time with her or talk to her. Who he sees and how he interprets her actions feels disjointed from what the reader sees and feels. When they got together it was so anticlimactic and rushed.
The potential was there but the execution fell flat
March 19, 2024
This story sucked me in from the start, which is a credit to the author, as at this point of where the story lead in book 1, I thougt the majority of the world building was set in the first book. In Book 2 we headed deeper instead into this beautiful world( Failles,Dread Lords& everything else) to have mysteries revealed & the record corrected - more of this world building is shared. Relearning what you thought you knew is not whats really happening, as we peal back the layers of a brutal past.
So it put me offside monentarily, but I quickly reorientated myself to progress forward. I reminding myself this is not your average shifter read, this is part of the charge of new reads in the shifter genre bringing the Higher fantasy plot feels The world building was much more interesting than most urban fantasy reads.
Wilder did a great job of balancing the scene setting without dragging the reader down in too much detail.
Noa and Gray's relationship feels timeless in this book feels written in the stars,marked on trees and under our feet for generations - Again this is not your typical shifter read - there is a believable strength in their medium burn.
It has taken me a while, to write this book review as I havent read a book 2 like this in a long while. The magic system is unique and refreshing. & any review writing steps and thoughts I have wouldnt do it justice.
I will revisit this review once - I read the complete series. For my final view - as i need all the book puzzle pieces.
Jasmin E Reads
So it put me offside monentarily, but I quickly reorientated myself to progress forward. I reminding myself this is not your average shifter read, this is part of the charge of new reads in the shifter genre bringing the Higher fantasy plot feels The world building was much more interesting than most urban fantasy reads.
Wilder did a great job of balancing the scene setting without dragging the reader down in too much detail.
Noa and Gray's relationship feels timeless in this book feels written in the stars,marked on trees and under our feet for generations - Again this is not your typical shifter read - there is a believable strength in their medium burn.
It has taken me a while, to write this book review as I havent read a book 2 like this in a long while. The magic system is unique and refreshing. & any review writing steps and thoughts I have wouldnt do it justice.
I will revisit this review once - I read the complete series. For my final view - as i need all the book puzzle pieces.
Jasmin E Reads
August 5, 2024
I felt this book was better written than the first, but I still am emotionally distant from these characters and this book and don't fully care for the writing style, same as my review from the first novel. I know not every book you read will be one you get attached to, but this was one of those series where it'd of been nice because it's not a short and sweet palette cleanser. The story was just a bit boring to me, sadly. The FMC and MC have zero personality. It felt like they understood each other, but that didn't transcend to the reader. I also felt some of the side character happenings were left hanging. I didn't see the one little twist coming, if I recall right. I've finished the series now and I should've written my review before the 3rd book, but I didn't and I honestly don't recall where this book ends and the last begins so in order not to spoil, I won't give details. I still like the story elements, and at this point, I've invested enough time I'll finish out the series.
January 16, 2025
I'm just starting book three and I really want to wait until I can review book one (reviews are currently being paused IYKYK) and then leave review for the series. I'll be back when the dust has settled but I highly recommend that if you enjoy shifters with a side of other magical creatures such as vampires, witches and nymphs this is a refreshing tale to pick up. Be warned that it is a little on the darker side. Past trauma, bullying and violence that often comes from battles between creatures such as these exist in this series.
January 14, 2025
Noa thinks she is the cause for all the death and destruction around her. With the help of the Man in the Forest, she heads off into a wrinkle in time. While there she learns about herself with help from creatures who lived through the past. Everything is twisted in shadows and misdirections so that Noa is never sure what's right. While she never gives us, she learns that she wasn't even really a player in the game.
January 24, 2025
Dreams become real?
Noa keeps having dreams or visions. She wonders if she's "Fracky." Shes as stubborn as she accuses Gray of being, more confident and becoming more capable. Her inner dialogue is much less defeatist and more confident. We see Gray's pov, too!
This story broke my heart, repeatedly. It also left me more intrigued and I need to know how things will end!
Noa keeps having dreams or visions. She wonders if she's "Fracky." Shes as stubborn as she accuses Gray of being, more confident and becoming more capable. Her inner dialogue is much less defeatist and more confident. We see Gray's pov, too!
This story broke my heart, repeatedly. It also left me more intrigued and I need to know how things will end!
January 30, 2025
yikes, emotional, violent and difficult
Book 2 in a three book series to be read in order. It answers some difficult questions. Noa grows in strength and compassion. We discover who the enemies are. It ends very emotionally. Be prepared to read the third book. There are unexpected twists and surprises. Well written, it hold your interest.
Book 2 in a three book series to be read in order. It answers some difficult questions. Noa grows in strength and compassion. We discover who the enemies are. It ends very emotionally. Be prepared to read the third book. There are unexpected twists and surprises. Well written, it hold your interest.
January 30, 2025
Such a great series!
I cannot explain eloquently enough how good this series is! Developed characters, a complex story and beautiful writing, with feelings and just the right amount of sizzle, this story kept me flipping pages. I am looking forward to the final book and I highly recommend this series!
I cannot explain eloquently enough how good this series is! Developed characters, a complex story and beautiful writing, with feelings and just the right amount of sizzle, this story kept me flipping pages. I am looking forward to the final book and I highly recommend this series!
July 12, 2025
Unbelievably Powerful Fantasy
I just finished this book, and I am ACTUALLY SHAKING. This is so powerful and terrifying and shocking and compelling, and I am not sure how to function now. Ms. Wilder's writing is spare and concise, romantic and flowered. Wow. These characters, this plot, the wholly encompassing experience. Amazing.
I just finished this book, and I am ACTUALLY SHAKING. This is so powerful and terrifying and shocking and compelling, and I am not sure how to function now. Ms. Wilder's writing is spare and concise, romantic and flowered. Wow. These characters, this plot, the wholly encompassing experience. Amazing.
January 16, 2025
The story rolls really well. The characters from Book 1 are well established. Gray and Noa are getting closer. Noa's fear about her power causes friction among a few among the pack. And the strong writing from the first book continues into this one.
March 18, 2024
Loved it!!
Now the dreaded wait for book 3.
Now the dreaded wait for book 3.
May 21, 2024
I absolutely love this book and series. What an ending!!! Cannot wait for the third!
September 7, 2024
I am in pieces!!!
The power couple that would burn the world for each other! Reminds me of Feyre & Rhysand who I adore.
The power couple that would burn the world for each other! Reminds me of Feyre & Rhysand who I adore.
January 18, 2025
Well written and suspenseful with a cliffhanger ending. Loved it!
January 20, 2025
wow. what a great ride
This book really has some pace and emotional roller coasters. It became unable to be put down. Some very complex characters and shocks
This book really has some pace and emotional roller coasters. It became unable to be put down. Some very complex characters and shocks
January 29, 2025
Amazing story telling
As werewolf books go, this is pretty epic, and being the 2nd of a trilogy, i literally couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.
As werewolf books go, this is pretty epic, and being the 2nd of a trilogy, i literally couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.
February 13, 2025
This was really good. Action packed edge of your seat stuff. Onto book 3!
February 23, 2025
really good
This has been such a good read. I look forward to seeing what happens next. Totally worth the read!
Thankyou Sue for writing it!
This has been such a good read. I look forward to seeing what happens next. Totally worth the read!
Thankyou Sue for writing it!
March 3, 2025
This is a great series. Quick and enjoyable read!
March 23, 2025
An amazing sequel to The Wolf In The Watchtower I fell even more in love with the world and the characters in book 2!
January 25, 2025
As with all series, the slow burn romance in this and the bickering between FMC AND MMC as well as more building of the storyline, gets you hooked. If you can get past the slowness of it, it's like you have to find out what is going to happen next!
December 26, 2024
Lord the end was brutal. There better be some reckoning and payback in the next book!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews