The Woods Of Oxpeina

by R.E. Bartlett

A new fantasy by R. E. Bartlett, an intriguing mix of fairy tale and modern fable with touches of humor.

The regions are closing, and the image-bearers turning.

Deborah has no idea what that means; she is only concerned with her depressed father and the fact he has suddenly left her to journey into the woods alone.

She soon discovers that the extraordinary life those woods contain is more than she ever knew existed. A wisecracking owl, a brismun, and a dwarfish lumdil befriend and guide Deborah in her determination to rescue her father.

That is, if she doesn’t let his rejection overwhelm her and cause her to lose heart.

Genres: Fantasy

548 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2025

About the author

R. E. Bartlett lives in the North Island of New Zealand. She enjoys a good coffee by the sea and walking her dog regularly (a labrador who will eat anything that looks remotely edible. Dirt is edible, apparently).

Reviews

[Jill Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely book

I absolutely love this book! I’m sad it’s over. So much goodness and hope in i love the creatures and their personality, but mainly the struggle to choose righteousness over selfishness. It helps me evaluate my own life direction.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really disliked this book. I've given it 2 stars because the writing is good and I can see how some people would see the good in it. I just found it very depressing. Very negative and very 'religious'. Whilst not stating any specific religion - it seemed to be promoting a 'this one religion' is good and everything else is bad and evil and selfish and you will lose all goodness (and life) unless you follow this one true religion, where everyone is - near as dammit - perfect.
Any individuals, no matter how good to start with, can be persuaded away by promises of control and independence. Though, whilst of course, there is temptation, the key characters resist it all and go on to be perfect. So very, very slow as well. I might have coped better if I had it as an audio, because I listen to that to go to sleep and very rarely follow any real story anyway. It was easy to read but just far too long.
It depressed me.

[Kathleen Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

despair and grief

This book was kinda hard to read because Deborah was such a negative nelly. She never understood things and questioned almost everything. Surprised that all that surrounded her didn’t give up on her and leave. All the traveling was tiresome just reading it. Glad in the end her father came around and she achieved what she wanted.

[Beverly Fuqua · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so slow and just boring. Nothing happening, I just couldn't go on.

[Karolyn Danae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt every word!

This book was amazing and actually came in step with the things currently happening in my life. Thank you so much!