Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky

Greenwild #3

by Pari Thomson

The Secret Garden meets A Wrinkle in Time in the spellbinding final book of the New York Times-bestselling Greenwild trilogy.

This is Daisy Thistledown’s greatest battle yet.

With the support of the Iffenwilders and their mighty water magic, Daisy and her new friend Max are finally setting off to rescue the Botanists—including Daisy’s mother—imprisoned in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. But when an unexpected attack sends the rescue mission spinning off course, Daisy finds herself confronting danger alone. With Max shipwrecked on a distant shore, her only hope is to find a wild and wondrous pocket of the Greenwild, hidden in the heart of the ancient forest. But time is running out—and with every passing day, the terrible Reaper King is drawing closer.


In the shadows of the great rainforest, it’s impossible to know who to trust. Daisy and her friends must draw on every ounce of courage they have to fight for Daisy’s Ma, for the Greenwild, and for everything they hold most dear.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Audiobook, Fiction, Magical Realism, Adventure

401 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2025

About the author

Pari Thomson is Editorial Director for picture books at Bloomsbury Children’s Books. Half Persian, half English, she lived in many places while she was growing up, including India, Pakistan, the USA, the UK and Belgium. She studied at Oxford University and now lives near the river in London, not far from Kew Gardens.

Reviews

[Dora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, the conclusion to this supposed epic journey ended with a very rushed, very shallow whimper.

What was once a detailed and extremely creative magical lore, filled to the brim with nuance and mysteries waiting to be unraveled, has become a mere shadow of itself - the vastness of the Greenwild was constricted into a very English point of view... The many cultures and languages of this big wide world were simply forgotten, as well as any semblance of character depth. The most egregious offence in the latter being the Reaper King whose identity makes absolutely no sense; rather it feels like an afterthought given shape in hopes of artifically rising up the stakes of the final battle. This reveal in tunr led to another big character let down: Sheldrake. I absolitely HATED how the author ignored him after the first book, how he was made to be the bad guy and how Daisy (the author) judged and sentenced him without even hearing his part of the story (especially after it was repeatedly stated how people do harm without intending to, how mistakes are regretful but necessary for us to learn and grow, how people aren't just all good nor all bad etc).

I know this is a children's story but that shouldn't be an excuse for bad pacing and glaring plot holes.

sigh

It wasn't all bad, though. Max continued to be the most interesting and nuanced character of the story - his pov felt more intriguing and complex than Daisy's for sure. And it was nice that Acorn was finally given some more screen time and a more active role in the story. The showdown at the hidden Galapagos pocket was full of tension and excellently exectued! Gus was adorable, love that little guy. The turtles... I cannot find words that would accurately describe the disgust and utter saddness I felt when the Grim Reapers killed the giant turtle that was coming to greet them innocently... I had to close the book for more ten minutes to calm myself down💔

All in all, this series had a wonderful magical potential and a few genuine moments of pure joy and sorrow that make one lose their breath. It definitely should have been a longer series rather than a rushed trilogy 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books have reliably delivered all the entertainment, travel and adventure. We’ve come to know the characters well over the course of the books and I’m rooting for them so hard to find the happy endings to their stories. And in this one, we see the culmination of two books of build up and a life and death fight against the Reapers.

Daisy, accompanied by her faithful 5 oclock club friends, embark on a dangerous journey along with Max, who, as the new king is the Iffenwild, has much to prove. They face a lot in this final story and have a lot to overcome. But as ever, the strength of their friendships is so heartwarming to read.

It was an exciting adventure and one that did true justice to the series. I absolutely raced through the ending as I just couldn’t put it down and needed to know how it was all going to conclude. It was all so lovely and you’re left with a big fat fulfilled smile on your face by the end!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad to say goodbye to the Greenwild, Iffinwild and Amazeria.

I listened to this on audiobook due to time, but really wish I'd stuck to ink and page version. The voices didn't land for me, and while I appreciate the artists appearance in Rings of Power, I just didn't find she was what I was wanting in my Greenwild Characters. I am only commenting on this as I think it affected my overall enjoyment and rating of the book.

This book tied up everything a little too nicely for the year long journey we saw Daisy journey and discover her magic, losing and gaining friends and family. There were one or two twists I didn't expect or see coming, plenty I did that dragged out to get to the point. I felt there was this really long build up and a quick sprint to the end.
I still enjoyed it, though book 2 was my favourite, closely followed by book 1.

[Christine Heron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book inbetween two book clubs (4 other books). I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I hadn’t had to split up my readings of it so much. This book wrapped up a darling trilogy. Enjoyable fantasy junior fiction with wholesome friendships, a little intrigue and action. I can see Greenwild made into films or a tv series. I

[Marg Corjay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, the writing was colorful and so descriptive. It draws you into the story and pulls you along to the exciting conclusion. A must read for anyone who likes their adventure with an earth friendly message.

[Mara K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

super good!
my favorite in the series so far.
absolutely amazing!
the plot twist of the dandelight was amazing. one of the first plot twists that i did'nt see coming!
i felt that all the loose ends were tied up which was nice too.
loved!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy! Sophia Nomvete did an amazing job with the narration (which if you did audio for the first two, I’m sure you expected as much).

This finale absolutely had me on the edge of my seat at times, unsure about how Daisy and friends were going to pull through. I’d begun to suspect who the villain was in the last half and felt so satisfied when I was correct! Who is it? Well, if you read, you’ll find out!

This was such a satisfying conclusion to the series (even if I wish I could have lived in this world forever).

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last book in the series. As usual, the settings shine. Thomson has a gift for creating places of wonder. The characters continue to be likeable. The plot flows well.

It gets pretty intense in parts. I think I’d recommend the series for at least 13+ now. I wish the scariness had been toned down a tad so it would be appropriate for a larger age range.

In this book we finally come to the climax of all the previous plots, and I found it a letdown.

(And some people are gonna be annoyed about the classic trope that was pretty obvious, but I wasn’t. It fit.)

For me personally, I needed the main villain’s motivations to make way more sense than “my dad called me a half-witted fool so I decided build a giant army to burn down his whole country.” Really?? And yet the dad in question is totally forgotten in this revenge?

Plus, even if a person snapped and became a total psychopath, where could they find a thousand other plant-hating psychopaths to make an army? With what financial resources could they procure ships and helicopters and tanks? There’s zero explanation. Very disappointed. Sigh.

Otherwise, everything is pretty solid. A good ending to a great series.

ETA: I've realized what would have made this a 5-star book for me. The destruction of natural habitat is a recurring theme in this series. In real life that's not motivated by personal vendetta, but by greed and apathy. I needed that to be the villains' motivation here. And fighting our own greed and apathy would be an applicable moral lesson for everyone. There were no real moral takeaways in this series and Daisy doesn’t go through any personal character development arc of becoming a better person. So those two things are what I would have needed to bring this up to 5 stars.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an hones review.

Ahhhhh I’m so sad this series is over! It’s so lovely. I already can’t wait to read this on audio when it’s released and my book club pick it 😂

I was right about a lot of my suspicions but I really enjoyed getting to see it all play out. This is a very fitting end to an utterly fantastic series.

[Omiai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic ending to the series. Full of excitement, crazy things happening and breath taking moments.
I love the way Thomson connects different worlds, including our own, showing how damage to one ecosystem can cause damage to another.
This is definitely an environmentalist book, but it does so without being preachy.
The characters are wonderful, the story moving. What more could you want? Just be sure to read the first 2 books in the trilogy first, otherwise you'll be lost!

[Harvest · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this trilogy to my kid and we’ve enjoyed it. All 3 books were definitely worth the read! There were a couple issues with the final one though. The first issue my kid and I both noticed, at least in the hard copy we got, was that the pictures were poorly placed a lot of the time and became spoilers for what we were about to read in the following couple of pages. The editor should have put them a couple of pages past where they were placed much of the time! I would even go so far as to suggest that you have a friend cover every picture with a taped piece of paper so that you don’t see them too early. I’ve never seen a book do that before. I started holding the book up and showing my kid the pictures when it made sense to see them so that parts of the story weren’t spoiled for them but they were still spoiled for me.

There were also some plot holes in the third book which I’ll explain now so SPOILERS: I felt like how the prof acted in the third book was a bit out of character but she’s a kid and kids do silly things sometimes so I’m willing to let that go. The explanation was weird though because Daisy would have lent the dandy light to her if she’d known that it could help her without having to mourn the loss of an important tool and last item her parent had gifted her. Moving on from that, my kid and I also noticed that there were multiple times that Daisy did very little to help during fights which was really strange. She had a lot of magical power and it just felt weird that while Max was, for example, parting water for people to walk through or putting out humongous fires that she was just standing around letting plants and people get attacked. Very strange for a main character in the final book. Finally, while I loved that the caterpillar became a butterfly, it just doesn’t make sense that they’d assumed it was dead prior to that. Either they lost the caterpillar or it was in a cocoon. Neither would make you sure that it had passed away. And these people are literally called botanists. They’ve studied nature for years. They would definitely know what a cocoon is.

I feel like for how good the writing has generally been that this final book could have been a 5 star read if there was just a little more attention to detail and thought into what explanations made sense. It’s a magical world! You could say that this type of butterfly cocoon is invisible or that Acorn lost the caterpillar, have her and Max look and not find him, then have to leave the island. Then it would make sense that he turned up in a cocoon on the boat because he’d only gone missing, not dead. And Daisy could have used her strong plant powers to fight the bad guys more for sure! Just because she learned she could also communicate with plants in this book doesn’t mean she lost all her other abilities. She’d always accidentally used too much strength with green magic and that totally should have been an asset under dire circumstances.

I still loved the scenic landscapes and the personalities of the characters. I loved that the magical seed grew a new tree and that flowers rose up after the ultimate sacrifice. There were still gripping parts of the plot as well. I’m glad we read it, I just know it could have been more seamless. I even kind of hope she decides to add a fourth book to the saga someday for another chance but for now, this remains a trilogy.

[Grammar Gremlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Mild spoilers**

Like many others, I have been waiting a year to read this conclusion to a stunning series. I am still of the fierce belief that it wholeheartedly deserves much more recognition.

Overall, "The Forest in the Sky" did not disappoint. Thomson has proven herself to be incredibly gifted with creating lush, vivid environments, pacing at a wonderful speed, and describing the various and complicated emotions of these many characters. However, in this story, she displays yet another skill: she does a marvelous job at tying together so many loose ends, which is no easy feat. My many questions were answered, and I commend her for that. I also admired how Thomson portrayed the multifaceted angles of war and its complex range of struggle, grief, and triumph.

Daisy Thistledown is a glorious main character, and I loved her arc. Admittedly, it wasn't a massive growth or change due to her being so likable in the beginning. Nonetheless, she makes mistakes, does great internal reflection, learns valuable lessons, and eventually chooses to forgive--all beautiful things for young readers to absorb.

The worlds she crafts within this story are lovely. I think I enjoyed Mallowmarsh the most of all the pockets Thomson devised. However, Amazeria and Galamorga were delightful to read and envision.

I especially really enjoyed the animals and wildlife in this one! The personalities of Albert, Gus, and grumpy Napoleon shone. Discovering the emerald-studded tortoises, seals, bats, fruit dragons, and more was utterly enchanting. Thomson did a stellar job of incorporating these.

For my critiques, the first 100 pages were a bit slow. With the split POV, it helped a smidge to keep things moving, but I was still wanting faster movement. Additionally, I found some things to be repetitive: particularly certain emotions being described several times, and a few word choices that were mentioned multiple times in the series ("glittering", "surged", "shimmering", etc.). Furthermore, a bigger gripe is that I wasn't satisfied with the how the Reaper King was handled. While I did get goosebumps when their identity was revealed, the dialogue and reactions didn't land emotionally for me. I felt like some of the things said could have been more realistic and rawer. I wish this had been stronger. Lastly, I wish Acorn and especially Sheldrake had been utilized more. Acorn often seems to disappear during certain adventures of each book (I understand it fits others' perception of her, as she and Max note, but still...), and then Sheldrake was a crucial character in this book by nature yet not by the writing. How he was handled didn't align at all with a particular plot element, in my opinion.

As a whole, this is my favorite trilogy I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I hated when my lunch breaks ended, and I had to return to work, which was so dull in comparison. In case I didn't make it clear, I highly enjoyed the characters, the magic, the creatures, the plot, and the worlds that Thomson so expertly created. While I am most satisfied with how Thomson has ended this series, I shall dearly miss it. Parti Thomson has solidified herself as a trustworthy, imaginative author; I am eagerly watching for news of her next book!

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This plant, Albrecht - it is greater and more terrible than anything I have known. It is a thing with the power to change the course of the world.

Dit is het derde en laatste deel in de Groenwoud-reeks, al had ik daar even mijn twijfels bij toen ik eraan begon. Er gebeurt in het verhaal altijd wel heel veel, maar het duurt even voor de belangrijkste rode draden echt beginnen te evolueren. En bovendien zijn er wel danig wat rode draden die opgelost moeten worden, dus Thomson had nog wel wat werk te verzetten. Het was dan ook opvallend dat pas na ongeveer een derde er echt dingen beginnen gebeuren die erop wijzen dat het einde wel degelijk nabij was. Dat is niet negatief en positief bedoeld, het is gewoon een algemene constatatie.

Het opvallende personage in dit boek is allicht Acorn (eh, ik weet niet hoe ze dat vertaald hebben...). Toen ik merkte dat zij en Max hun eigen boontjes moesten gaan doppen, begon ik bijna spontaan te kreunen. Want in Boek 1 en 2 was Acorn op z'n best een grijze muis te noemen. Maar de auteur heeft dat duidelijk expres en bewust gedaan, want nu haalt ze alles uit de kast om haar personage uit te diepen - en dat lukt ook bijzonder goed.
Helaas zag ik wel al van mijlenver aankomen hoe het met een ander personage zat: de Reaper King. Hij blijft tot helemaal op het einde van het eindspel vaag en afwezig, zonder dat je ook maar één aanknopingspunt over zijn mogelijke identiteit krijgt. Maar aangezien het natuurlijk wel iets van betekenis moet hebben voor het verhaal, moet het wel iemand van belang zijn. Wat betekende dat er wat mij betreft maar één iemand in aanmerking kwam voor de rol, en ik had gelijk ook. Dat was een beetje jammer, maar anderzijds toont het wel hoe erg mensen kunnen veranderen.

De wereld wordt verder uitgebreid, en dat wordt ook weer heel goed gedaan. Onder andere met dat dodelijk zaad merk je dat Thomson alles goed heeft uitgedacht en uitgewerkt, van bij het begin, en dat een aantal details uit de vorige boeken nu verklaard worden. Amazeria is een prachtig gebied, de magie werkt fantastisch, en het is dan ook des te spannender en verontrustender wat er gebeurt met de plek - temeer omdat je als lezer maar al te goed weet dat dit niet volledig uit de lucht gegrepen is, helaas.

Er zouden ook wel meer boeken met oranje covers mogen zijn. Hup Holland hup, zeg ik dan! Ik vind de kaft weer zeer geslaagd, net als de tekeningen in het boek zelf, zoals steeds van Elisa Paganelli. Ik ben fan van haar!

8/10
Gemiddelde score voor de reeks: 8/10

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/8 of this book is as good as the rest of the trilogy -- I loved everything about Amazeria, including its recently ascended young queen, and its marvelous plant life, specifically the incredible trees, not to mention the walkways between them. Also, the Scottish explorer whose name I cannot for the life of me remember (Maude? Marge?), is my new favorite character, along with her parrot.

I also loved exploring the island that Max accidentally ends up on, with its surprising connection to his history. Not least because Acorn, the accidental stowaway, FINALLY gets to shine as his sole companion. I still wish this series was only narrated by Daisy but this was a good way to make use of him.

But multiple things about the final showdown & resolution left me with a sour feeling that casts a pall over the earlier books, and I get that it's good storytelling, but it also makes it not a 5-star feeling anymore. :(

Specifically, her dad - whom we met as a boy via Magic in book 1 and adored - being the Reaper King. Because enacting teenage vengeance against his dad was more important than being a loving husband and father. I HATE that, I hate having the grief of his loss and their good memories spoiled. That alone would have been enough to disappointment. But also, him then killing his own mother, aka Artemis? NOPE, don't like that! AND the dandelight gets destroyed?? Come onnnnn.

Final notes:
-I can't find anything to suggest that this book has a Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition, which is a bummer because I thought at least I had the consolation prize of a bonus short story waiting for me once I finished. :(

-I listened to this mostly as an audiobook, narrated by Sophia Nomvete, and it's excellent that way, but also got a physical copy (after months of waiting for them to arrive from "on order" at the library; what was that about) to enjoy the always-excellent illustrations.

-The full-color map on the endpages remains a highlight

[Sue.the.very.busy.reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 Book Review
Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky
By Pari Thomson (@par_thomson)
Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli (@elisapaganelli_illustration)
Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky is the third and final book in the magical Greenwild Trilogy—and what a thrilling conclusion it is! I started it just yesterday and I’m already nearly finished… I couldn’t put it down.
Daisy and her friends are on a mission to rescue her mother and several kidnapped Botanists from the sinister Grimm Reapers. King Max from Iffenwild (you’ll remember him from book two!) returns to help—and the bond between these characters is just as strong and moving as ever.
What I love most about this series is how real the characters feel. They’re likable, flawed, and constantly learning. Each challenge they face pulls you deeper into the story. You feel like you're right there with them—caught up in the danger, the magic, and the fierce loyalty of friendship.
And the illustrations! 😍 Elisa Paganelli’s artwork is stunning. I found myself eagerly flipping pages hoping each chapter would have a new one. The detailed maps of Amazeria on the front and back covers are a treat too—I studied them like a treasure map!
If you're looking for a fantasy series with a strong female lead this summer, I highly recommend the Greenwild series. It has it all:
🌿 Adventure
🌿 Mystery
🌿 Found family & hidden secrets
🌿 Environmental themes
🌿 Magic, bravery, determination—and most of all, love.
✨ Huge thanks to Chantal @MacKidBooks for sending me the Greenwild series!
✨ Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky releases June 3—find it at your favorite bookstore!

[Carla Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

*The Forest in the Sky* is a breathtaking and emotional finale to the Greenwild trilogy, delivering on every promise with heart-pounding action, dazzling imagination, and unforgettable plot twists. This is Daisy Thistledown’s most perilous and heroic journey yet—and her most personal.

With the powerful Iffenwilders and their awe-inspiring water magic by her side, Daisy and her loyal friend Max embark on a daring rescue mission to save the imprisoned Botanists, including Daisy’s mother. But the path is far from straightforward. A surprise attack splinters their plan and leaves Daisy stranded and alone, forcing her into the untamed and mysterious world of Amazeria.

What follows is a gripping adventure that showcases Daisy’s strength, resilience, and fierce love for those she holds dear. The stakes have never been higher, and in the dense shadows of the Amazon, trust becomes as rare and fragile as the magical life it hides.

Author Pari Thomson weaves a tale rich with wonder, danger, and heart. The world of the Greenwild continues to amaze with its originality and depth, while the tension builds masterfully toward a climactic battle with the menacing Reaper King.

*The Forest in the Sky* is a powerful and deeply satisfying conclusion—a story about friendship, bravery, and the magic of nature. A must-read for fans of the series, and a brilliant testament to Daisy’s growth as a hero.

[Lilli H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin?
OH.
MY.
GOODNESS.
What is this, this, this diamond that we call a book? I loved it. This series is fantastic. Anyone who doesn’t read this series is missing out, because this is a must-read for everyone. I loved and hated the ending.
Artemis’ death: 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻. Whyyyyy? Artemis was one of my favorite characters!
Hal White being alive: PLOT TWIST. Did not see that one coming, but man, he really changed from when he was a kid.
The island that Max “discovers”: Eh. I figured that the island was pretty dangerous based on the dragons. And I figured out well before it was revealed that the dazzling flowers’ seeds were the mortles, but did not see Jarndyce coming back from the dead coming.
Napoleon: He’s always on death’s doorstep, isn’t he? I was so happy when he turned out okay, but I knew that he would because of all the other times he sacrificed himself for Daisy.
The Prof.: Okay, why? Why did she steal the dandelion from Daisy? That was possibly the stupidest thing anyone has done in this series (and people do pretty stupid things in this series ngl) but Daisy would have listened to the Prof. Now my POV on one of my (former) favorite characters is ruined forever.
All in all, this was a satisfying book to read, but I wish that the ending had been less… open-ended.
Also, how did Hal fake his death? If you have any idea, please let me know in the comments below!
Also, who’s Fen? I didn’t see anything about her.

[Zoë · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read so many fantastic children's books in recent months that this one stood out as being... not as good. It's quite sad to say because I did/do adore the first Greenwild book but the quality of the trilogy has incrimentally decreased with every book. For example, the plot is build up to such a ridiculous degree that it couldn't be satisfyingly concluded within the last 100 pages and would have probably needed a fourth book at least to actually explore any of the topics that are being dropped like bombs into the book. Of course, that's not what happens, instead the book ends without ever examining the topic of environmental destruction (despite it being the central topic), the loss of magic, death, betrayal, etc. One of these topics (death) is concluded with a glib and entirely insufficient sentences, another one is shrugged off entirely. The rest? Nothing. We've beaten the enemy so we can assume that everything is good now? Honestly, some of these things were extremely disappointing because the book clearly sets them up as bigger deals (unity between the realms, for example, still excludes the Greyside - but the Greyside is where most of the environmental destruction happens - someone make it make sense) only to then seemingly forget about them.

Yeah, I guess my feelings is primarily disappointment? The book isn't bad but it had a lot more potential than it realized.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Forest in the Sky ends a trilogy packed with inventiveness, lovely writing, lovable characters and great ideas. It feels restricted by it's middle grade, best-selling trappings. If the reins had been cut, I can imagine there was so much potential for more. The end result is something effective and fun for its age group, a series that is hard to criticise, but not one that will takes a place among the greats of the genres. It's a shame, because everyone is looking for the next world-changing eco-fantasy that rewrites the success of Harry Potter for a new generation; more diverse, more aware, more relevant. We pick up the story after Max and Daisy have brought together the twin magical communities of Greenwild and Iffenwild. The expedition to rescue disappeared botanists in the Amazon is underway. Max and Acorn get seperated from the other three and we follow two parallel adventures that will lead everyone to the jungle prison where Daisy hopes to finally find her missing mother. We meet a few new characters along the way but really the side cast never really compliment the story, something that made book two stand out as the strongest of the series. Still, Max and Daisy are easy to root for and the fast-pace is mixed with plenty of light-hearted camaraderie and technicolour descriptions of flora and fauna. Unfortunately, too much feels scripted. Magical plants or berries that happen to solve just the right problem at the right time appear from nowhere, a contrast to, for example, Rowling's technique of surprising you with a seeming red herring with always impecable timing. Similarly, the big twist at the end of The Forest in the Sky seems scripted and unbelievable. There hasn't been enough time to make the Grim Reaper's identity so inexplicably evil. Given a longer series, or without the need to bring each of the three books to a frabricated, rounded conclusion, the Greenwild series might have blossomed into something more special, something that allowed the great ingredients to flourish. Certainly, I would have loved it as a kid. It ticks the right boxes, my childhood, Captain Planet-led wish to save the environment and live with animals. For that reason alone, I enjoyed Greenwild and will recommend it to many young readers. As an adult reader, it doesn't stand out from the massed crowds of middle grade fantasies on offer.

[Jaime Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
This was a beautiful series and a beautiful book. The writing is awesome and so easy to read. The chapters move the story along quickly. The illustrations are chefs kiss. I loved the characters. I will say it dragged some with half the crew on the island, but the pay off at the end was worth it.

For parents and kiddos, this book does go up in intensity and subject matter. A lot of people get killed/straight up murdered on page and there's the whole prison/torture element that sucks people's souls. The core of the plot is also rather complex in terms of its messages about trauma, abuse, grief, the choices people make to process their trauma or not, regret and consequences. It was notably heavier, not in a way inappropriate to the genre or too terribly heavy that it negatively impacted the story, but in a way that may spook some kiddos if they read them back to back. There may also be some further conversations needed regarding some topics mentioned above and the implications of those topics for the characters, as well as conversations surrounding the destruction of the Amazon and its resources (which this book doesn't shy away from).

Overall, I very much enjoyed these books (sans the audiobook. Skip it anyway so you can see the beautiful illustrations) and I hope more people read them because they deserve it!

[CB · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I like the location change! Set in the fictional worlds of Amazeria and the island of Galamagos. Dual pov of Max (the king of iffenwild) and Daisy (fmc.) This book didn’t flow for me as well as the 2nd one but that might’ve been because of the fact that I was busy and not in a reading mood while reading it. I like when they reference the title in the book “The Forest In The Sky.” I think the similarities between Harry Potter and this series enhance and hinder it from being a good story in various ways. I’m not saying it’s not original, it is sometimes. The battle and different nature themes throughout the book gave me a greater appreciation for the outdoors. The characters are lovable and quirky. The descriptions of the places, food, and magic, are a good addition. Though this book dragged a bit and I felt like it could’ve ended sooner. Some stuff felt added on halfway (such as the fate of the dandelight and the reaper king being her father) though which lowered the rating for me. I forgot some stuff from the 1st book so that was a nice refresher. (I read “The World Behind The Door” awhile before the other 2 in this trilogy that I read back to back.) “The City Beyond The Sea” will always be my favorite of these particular books though! There was a lot of new info in Greenwild book 3 which I think kept things interesting. I like that Daisy finds peace and happiness at the end of the book with her mom and the lives lost after everything that happened even if Max and the five o clock club is split up they will always remain friends. I think Indigo and Max have the coolest magic! Also thank god the cat Napoleon survived I don’t think I could’ve handled it being a cat mom myself. The author handles grief and loss in a sensitive manner especially for a children’s book. I am sad it is over. A good 3.5 stars!

Greening standard / the daily prophet
Silver moon Pennies / wizard money / Galleons (gold), Sickles (silver), and Knuts (bronze)
Reaper king like Voldemort (in the sense that they’re the main evil bad guys) or like Darth Vader because Hal is Daisy’s (the fmc) father that was presumed dead is in fact the reaper king.
Maud Oldroot, Daisy Thistledown, The Prof / names that are a lil funny like hp

[sarah_bbgr · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A great finale to a really fantastic trilogy! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all three of the books in the series, but this thrilling conclusion definitely wraps things up with a bang. Truly loveable characters, dazzling worldbuilding, and a plot so adventure-filled it’s hard to put down. My only complaint was that it felt like there were some significant plot parallels to another very popular series, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this story. The dual narrative kept the pace feeling fast, and once again Thomson manages to take readers on a great adventure while also handling difficult relationships, loss, and grief with real care. This will be a must-buy series to have for my kids.

CW: considerable peril (for younger readers) including multiple fires, parent loss prior to story, child illness/loss prior to story, on-page death

[Caitlin Gilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 1/2 year old daughter and I read this together. Here is her review: (she fell asleep while I typed my review, so I will add hers tomorrow 😉)

My review: I am so happy my daughter picked out this series this summer and we got to enjoy this beautiful and touching world together. This last book in the Greenwild series was moving, heartbreaking, funny, and immersive. I kept finding myself wanting to read another chapter when she fell asleep, but held off to enjoy it together the following night. Many parts of this book spoke to my soul and healed some parts of me. I am sad this series is over, but loved the journey. I highly recommend this series to adults and middle school kids. There are some intense parts that can be too much for younger audiences. You know your child best with what they can handle and will still enjoy. I will definitely seek out more from this author.

[Kaylie Angell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this series aloud to my children, and I must admit we were all a bit bored and disappointed in this series' closure. This book did not have as much adventure or magic as we had hoped, and none of the new characters added any more depth or interest to the story (except we did all enjoy Gus in his brief appearances). We loved the new characters that the 2nd book introduced us to, and felt this book sadly lacked in that department.

Though I love the descriptive tone in this series, I felt this third book should have been edited down further, with it being a fairly large book, with not much happening throughout. It also felt very dark at times, with a lot of talk of death and moments of peril, that felt unnecessary. We are glad to be reading something a little more light-hearted next.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy and her friends are back on track to the Amazon rainforest to rescue the kidnapped botanists after defeating the Grim Reapers in Iffenwild (book 2).

Even though they start out together, the group gets separated and we follow Daisy, the Prof and Indigo into the Amazon without the guidance of the adults, and Max and Acorn wind up shipwrecked on an island. Lots of suspense and some surprises in this book!

Great conclusion to this trilogy.

Perfect for kids who love adventure, botany, and magic.

4.25 ⭐️ stars

Publication date: June 2, 2025

** Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this audio book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**

[Jesus Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The adventure has come to an end.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the digital ARC.

I will undoubtedly miss Daisy and her companions, but their enchanting adventures will continue to flourish in our school library as I enthusiastically promote the series through engaging book talks. Throughout this journey, I have gained a profound understanding of botany, the essence of friendship, the wonders of magic, and the inner strength that resides within us all. I hold onto the hope that one day, this remarkable series receives the recognition and accolades it truly deserves, like a garden bursting into bloom.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Greenwild trilogy by Pari Thomson is absolutely phenomenal. The third and final book, Forest in the Sky, just released in early June 2025, and my entire family will be reading the series.

I didn’t realize the series was a trilogy, and WOW, this final book hit hard. Tears were shed. A bookseller recommended this series to me two years ago stating it was like a Hogwarts herbology class, and I can confirm this is accurate. The series is also incredibly cozy and sweet and also jam packed with adventures and very high stakes.

I’m hoping Pari has another book or series up their sleeve; I can’t wait to see what is next for this author!

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final installment of the Greenwild trilogy did not disappoint!

The we gain more locations on the magic map, new plants, new critters, and the Reaper King has finally been revealed! Did Daisy find her mother? Who and what takes out the Reaper King? Will the magical spots retain their magic? Is there a mole filtering intel from greenside to greyside ?!

This is such a fantastic fantasy series for upper elementary and beyond. Must read! I just love the names and intentionality behind each plant, its appearance, and what magical properties it has.

Oh yea, I still want to color all the amazing artwork between the pages too!

[Kiley Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fitting ending to this trilogy. The series is this generations FernGully, crossed with Caption Planet, and a whole lot of magic mixed in.

Final book wraps up all the story lines we have been following in the previous two books, has a satisfying twist, and a little bit of heartbreak.

If you started this journey with the 5 o’clock gang you need to see them through - till the very end.

Highly recommend this book and series as a whole.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to the audio book in exchange for an honest review.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic ending to the series, or what I am assuming is the ending to the series based on how it ended.
This book was filled with adventure, mystery, an epic battle, sadness, and happiness. Pari has a great imagination and she sucked us into this series in book1. I look forward to reading more of Pari's work in the future.

Sophia Nomvete did a great job narrating this series and these characters. I love that Sophia was able to bring these characters to life without making their voices squeaky and high-pitched.