The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest

by Aubrey Hartman, Marisa Calin (narrator), Brown Young Readers Little (publisher)

This delightfully grim tale follows Clare, the lonely, undying Usher of souls to the Afterlife, as an unexpected friendship turns his solitary life upside down and takes him on a heartwarming exploration of moving on. Perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Tim Burton!

Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Here, leaves grow in a perpetual state of not quite dead, but not quite alive…just like Clare. Long ago, he was struck by a car, and, hovering between life and death, he was given the choice to either cross into the Afterlife or become an Usher of wandering souls. Clare chose the stepping into a solitary life of helping souls meet their destiny.

Clare’s quiet and predictable days are met with upheaval when a badger soul named Gingersnipes knocks on his door. Despite Clare’s efforts to usher her into the Afterlife, the badger is unable to find her way out of Deadwood. This is unprecedented. Baffling. A disturbing mystery which threatens the delicate balance of the living and the dead. Clare seeks the help of Hesterfowl—the visionary grouse who recently foretold of turmoil in Deadwood. But Hesterfowl divulges a shocking revelation about the badger that leaves Clare devastated, outraged, and determined to do anything to change their fate.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Animals, Audiobook, Fiction, Childrens, Death

Audible Audio

First published February 25, 2025

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The cruel words from loved ones often find the deepest roots in our souls."

As an undead usher of the dead, Clare ferries souls from the Deadwood Forest to the afterlife. The forest acts as an in-between spot, a place for lost souls to gather, regroup, and then find their final home.

Before becoming an usher, Clare's life on earth was short, painful, and left him with deep scars - both visible (his missing eye, ruined ear) and invisible (a scar upon his heart).

"It felt, to Clare, like a peace he'd found only in death."

His work is deeply fulfilling, if a bit lonely and empty. But then the badger comes to Clare's door after a particularly nasty bear spirit was sent to the afterlife. And Clare hates badgers. All badgers.

And this badger won't go to the afterlife - no matter what Clare tries. And then Clare realizes the badger's true purpose and Clare feels his little sense of peace come crumbling down.

Whew. It's been a bit since I've read this one and I'm still not quite sure what to make of it.

This story is clearly written for children, but thematically it was so much more - and often caused me to pause and think about the world, of grief and loss, and what sort of life the future holds.

This book faces headlong the cruelties of this world with compassion and understanding, but no sugarcoating. Life is often callous, sweeping away the kind and good along with the evil, and Clare must confront that every day.

Clare, the undead fox of Deadwood Forest, gripped me from the start. The way he kept reaching out - time and time again - for just a sign that someone out there cared for him while he did his utmost to care for others was difficult for me to read and digest.

Even when he did try to be selfish, you could see where the thoughts came from and why he felt he must act in such ways, and whew. My heartstrings.

Overall, I lost track of the times I almost cried while reading this book. The emotional journey was just as strong as the mystery elements and the hero's quest in this story - making it one of the most powerful children's books I've read in a long time.

[Jesse (JesseTheReader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

New hyper fixation just dropped. I am obsessed with this book! It was everything I wanted it to be. The characters will leap off the page and nest themselves in your heart. Clare and Gingersnipes are such great main characters and I was so hooked on their back and forth banter. Truly so fun! It's one of those books that will have you locked in from the start. The writing style is stunning, and the themes of self love, grief, and friendship are all unpacked in such a thoughtful way. Catch me talking about this book nonstop from here on out.

[Rosh (on a medical break) · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A middle-grade fantasy with an undead fox guiding souls towards the next phase of their “lives”. Good anthropomorphic animal characters, interesting concept, atmospheric writing. Dark in themes and tone. Somewhat ableist in a few scenes. Has some life lessons, though these might be more relevant to adults. I am not sure about its appeal to kids.

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Plot Preview:

Clare the fox is the only resident of Deadwood Forest. That is to say, the only *undead* resident. The forest, which is in a perpetual state of autumn, is where souls come to be guided to their final resting place in one of the four realms of the afterlife. Clare is their guide, making sure they reach the realm most suited to them. He has been doing this ever since his own death, and has almost always sent the souls to the right realm. But when a new badger soul named Gingersnipes comes to his door, Clare’s days of routine and stability are over. Despite his best efforts, Gingersnipes isn’t able to move on to any of the realms. Clare is baffled at this unprecedented problem. How can he ensure that she moves on, thereby restoring the balance between the living and the dead? Desperate, Clare undertakes a dangerous journey to meet the seer Hesterfowl, but her shocking prediction leaves Clare with a new challenge.
The story comes to us in the third-person omniscient perspective of a bard telling us Clare’s story.

While most middle-grade (MG) novels work only for their target audience, many MG books work for kids and adults alike. And then there are a few MG novels that might work far better for adults and won’t click the same way with kids. This is in the third category.


Bookish Yays:
🦡 Clare the titular undead fox. A complex character with plenty of greys. His appearance, his personality traits, his emotional conflicts, his desperation – every aspect is touched upon. His learnings form a substantial part of the story.

🦡 Gingersnipes the badger. Love how snarky and lively she was though she clearly had some confidence issues. An better character for me than Clare was.

🦡 The conversations between Clare and Gingersnipes. Witty banter and repartee balanced by heartfelt admissions.

🦡 The Deadwood Forest. The perfect setting for a place that guides souls to their afterlife! The autumnal vibe comes across strongly.

🦡 The concept of the four realms and what they each stand for: interesting! Seems partially mythological, but as nothing religious is mentioned outright, it helps the book stay neutral.

🦡 The multitude of themes in the book: love, loss, death, self-confidence, letting go,… All the themes have deep implications that will be better when explored with an adult.

🦡 The vocabulary! Always love it when MG books don’t oversimplify language.

🦡 The use of the third-person omniscient narrative voice. Rare to see this in any fiction these days. The narration was exactly as an oral narration should be, making Clare’s story sound like a recounted story and speaking to the listeners in interludes. Just a few days ago, I reviewed an indie story collection where the stories were supposedly from a raconteur but it messed up the raconteur’s voice. What I wanted from that book is provided in this book; it captures the storytelling tone perfectly!

🦡 The cover: so eye-catching!


Bookish Okays:
🦊 The plotline. Quite unusual especially for a MG fantasy. It is fascinating but also very dark. It might not be for all middle-graders, especially because some of the content can get quite upsetting.

🦊 The name ‘Clare’. As far as I know, Clare is a female name, so it is very tough to think of a male fox while reading ‘Clare’. Then again, kids might not be confused by this as most names are new to them.

🦊 The pacing. Very much on the slower side, which is probably okay in adult fiction but an unpopular writing choice for a MG book with 300+ pages.


Bookish Nays:
🍄 Not much explanation about the fantastical aspects of the afterlife. What you see is what you get. Many things are left unclarified, especially about the guide’s selection.

🍄 Shades of ableism, coming from Clare’s lack of happiness with his appearance (specifically, his one empty eye socket) and considering himself a monster for the same. Not a good decision to have such content in a children’s book without some kind of a positive realisation at the end.

🍄 The post-finale scene contains a slight cliffhanger, though the main plot is closed neatly. I am not sure if this is being planned as a series, but as the cliffhanger comes out of nowhere, it better be a series.

🍄 The final chapter containing the narrator’s identity reveal. Not a fan of this revelation at all! Moreover, this closes the door on who will take the story ahead, if there is indeed some plan of offering a resolution to the cliffhanger in future.


🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 6 hrs 28 min, is narrated by Marisa Calin. Her voice was a bit too soft for my middle-aged ears, but otherwise, she was fabulous, sounding exactly as a children's storybook narrator should, with exaggerated enunciation, dramatic emotions, and varying voice modulation and volume. I love how she stayed in character even for the opening and ending credits. If you want this book for your children, the audio is an amazing option.


Overall, while this MG fantasy has several positive elements, it also misses some good opportunities. Given the darkish storyline, the grey lead character, the slow tempo, and the ableist content, I don’t see it being that appealing to kids, except for the anthropomorphic animals. Many of the above Yays come from my perspective as an adult reader, but a few of them might not be universally loved points. Then again, this was a nominee for the Newbery Honor Award 2026, so what do I know!?

Recommended to children who enjoy darker introspective stories with morally grey anthropomorphic leads. Better if read and discussed with an adult.

3.25 stars.


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I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.

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My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF 2025!

Ya'll...

I don't even have the words to describe how amazing this book is! Aubrey Hartman created a masterpiece with this book. If this does not receive at least a Newbery Honor I will be both shocked and devastated. 2024 and 2025 have been the years where grief seems to be heavily explored in middle grade novels; however, Hartman does it in such a unique way. The storytelling, the plot, the characters drew me into a choke hold that refused to release me. If you haven't had the chance to at least check this one out, then I seriously implore you to do so ASAP. If you're looking for more of my thoughts on this one, be sure to check out the following reading vlog: https://youtu.be/nlZSIsTZdPM?si=jTkJ7...

[Nikola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Świetne to było!

[Brooke ☯︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming, tender, and delightful, the undead Fox Clare who wears a monocle has a job to do that involves mushrooms. He ushers animal friends to the next realm which could be one of four states: pleasure, progress, peace, or pain. With his new friend the badger Gingersnipes, they will navigate friendship and grief in the forest.

This book handles themes of death quite a bit, especially for a middle grade read, however the author handles these very gently and with so much tenderness. While these themes may be a challenge for some young readers, I still find them really important in kids' literature because kids need and want to address difficult topics. Most kids today have survived a global pandemic and mass shut down, and are experiencing grief at alarming rates.

Which realm will Clare end up in?

🍄🦊🍄‍🟫 The illustrations are gorgeous! The vibes are on point.

4.5🌟

[Quirine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this if you want to cry x

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

"All souls get what they deserve in the end . . "

It's not often I read a book that immediately leaps onto my all-time favorites list; a book so perfect that upon finishing, I instantly wanted to flip to the first page, and start the magic all over again. . .

Clare is not alive anymore, though he's not a ghost. Clare is an undead fox who is also an usher of wandering souls: he helps guide dead creatures to their rightful place in the afterlife.

"There are four realms in the Afterlife. While it's not my job to force you into any single one, I can tell you this: Each soul is drawn to the world where they will be most comfortable."

Though he loves his cozy cottagecore home surrounded by his glorious mushroom garden, Clare hates being undead . . . almost as much as he hates badgers. He's managed to adjust to his "unlife" of ushering, and being an authority on all things fungi. He is . . . content.

Until the day that BADGER shows up at his door.

I LOVED this! I laughed, then I bawled like a baby. This is a wonderful book that's a joy to read. Highly recommended for all ages.





Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for sharing.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want you to love this book as much as I did, reading it. Every word feels as though it were crafted for pleasure. Each description. Each turn of phrase. And each snarky come back by the main characters, a dead fox named Clare, and a dead badger named Gingersnipes (I read the whole book thinking her name was Gingersnaps.) Oh, and the narrator, we can’t forget the narrator, who warns us that it is about to get scary, or gruesome, or just about anything that is about to happen.
Clare helps souls of animals pass onto the four realms of eternity. They are Pain, Pleasure, Progress and Peace. She was told that she could either usher souls, or she could go to Pain, which she didn’t want to do.
When Gingersnipes shows up, Clare can’t figure out where to send her, and so she hangs around, and asks questions. So many questions.
Clare, for example, wants to go out, to figure out something.
“Where are you going?”
“Somewhere”
“To do what?”
“Something”
“You’re going somewhere to see someone about something?”
“Precisely” Clare said, hurrying off.
“Okay, but next time, don't prattle on about needless details!” Gingersnipes called after him. “It’s exhausting.”


This is instead a story of death, but also love. I know that sounds saccharine, but it works. And it is fun to read, so most of the audience won’t notice. There is no great moral here, other than to treat others as you would want to be treated.
Really, if I could give it ten stars, I would. And even though I have read the ARC, I still have it on my pre-order list. It is that good.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 25th of February 2025.

[Cana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot fully communicate how much I love this book. It was so clever, tender, funny, and atmospheric.

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest handles shame and grief, but also friendship, forgiveness, love, and acceptance. There were lines that made me laugh and others that made me stop and think (and even tear up a bit).

I adored Clare, the titular undead fox. His passion for his work and his mushroom garden are paired with overwhelming insecurities about his appearance and how he's perceived. This makes him a very sympathetic character, one that young readers will have no trouble relating to. What young person hasn't been horrified at their appearance, and worried everyone doesn't like them? But Clare discovers that self-love is worth pursuing, which is a powerful lesson for young readers. You really just want to give him a hug!

The side characters are full and well-fleshed out. The setting is charming and quirky. At some points, the plot had my heart in my throat! It also had a really unique take on death and the afterlife - a very comforting take. So well-executed and such a satisfying read. I highly recommend it.

I received this book through Netgalley, but I will certainly be purchasing a copy when it releases!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

lately i've felt a particular desire to slip into a forest world populated with woodland creatures, and this certainly satisfied that need for the time being. foxes, badgers, rats, bears, elk, a porcupine, and even a tortoise!

there's wonderful depth to this MG adventure - it's about death and the afterlife, after all. our foxy main character, clare, is the usher to the afterlife. he lives alone in a cozy cottage, where he receives visiting spirits of animals who are lost, unsure of which realm of the afterlife they belong in. he spends some time with them, and then points them to their realm - peace, progress, pleasure, or pain.

it's a story about loss and the necessity of letting go. i love that clare occasionally feels like the antagonist in his own story, making heavy mistakes as he works together with amiable badger gingersnipes to figure out why she is unable to pass into any of the four realms. clare eventually corrects his missteps and redeems himself with gingersnipes. i loved the little meditation on friendship, on how a friend is just someone who wants good for you.

clare makes selfish decisions which are motivated by fear, but he's a wonderful character - a tender little undead fox who adores caring for his mushroom garden. i also love the spirited gingersnipes, who has grown up feeling useless and unintelligent. there's a brilliant little discussion that praises her curiosity, which has more perpetuating value than any intelligence.

the narration addresses the audience as "dear reader" or "dear listener," and typically i enjoy this type of storytelling, but i found it a bit patronizing here. referring to the grownups in the reader's life is kinda weird and feels like it puts an age limit on the book... but i am certainly not part of the target audience here, so what do i know?

for the first half of the audiobook, i struggled to click with the story. the audiobook production is objectively great, with wonderful sound effects peppered in here and there, but i wasn't vibing with it. so i was all the more swept away when the final chapters of the book grabbed me and tore at my emotions. i love these characters and the structure of this magical world, and love that the ending seems to be teasing a sequel!

[Emily McKee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally, I prefer animals in books not to talk, but I wanted to give this a chance.

There is depth here—at first I thought maybe it was an allegory? Or even The Divine Comedy with animals? But it’s more “let’s explore existentialism with animals”—a philosophical story of confronting destiny, acknowledging painful memories, self-acceptance, finding meaning, and being able to love.

Then again, maybe I read too much into this. Maybe it’s just a story of a fox trapped between life and the afterlife and the badger helping him make sense of his childhood trauma. Either way…

Part of the plot is driven by destructive actions of humans (specifically, the murder of a mushroom). Human children come off as the villains for the harm they cause in nature. I’ve come across this before in children’s literature, and while there may be truth to it, it is also harsh, even a touch abrasive.

Will you or your kids enjoy it? I have a feeling that even the strongest, most patient readers will find it slow. If you loved Elf Dog and Owl Head or The Silver Arrow, you might enjoy this one.

[Joanna Okuniewska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doskonała. Żałuję, że tak szybko ją skończyłam.

„Ciekawość to rodzic zrozumienia”

[Katy O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top three middle grade reads of 2025 ❤️ This is such a beautiful story with perfect pacing that is just right for October reading. I absolutely adored the gentle messages about death and grief as well as, of course, the beautiful story of friendship and belonging. Masterful world building and vivid imagery would make this an amazing read aloud for grades three through six, but the story itself has universal appeal.

Using for my Mock Newbery!

Source: public library hardcover

[Alex Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about death and losing your purpose somehow managed to feel like a really warm and comforting hug I didn’t know I needed.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book immediately from the description and in that perfect bookish magic, it was precisely what I needed.

Clare is an undead fox tasked with being the Usher of Deadwood Forest. He enjoys his quiet cozy home, his mushrooms, his books, and tea. He even likes his work - even if he does have to deal with an occasional nasty spirit.

But when a badger arrives on his doorstep, this little fox’s undead life is about to change forever.

It’s beautiful. Stunning. I was utterly enchanted from beginning to end. It made me laugh with delight many times over, and I’ve highlighted so many passages that I want to press into my heart and hold forever.

What a precious jewel of a story.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me emotional about a mushroom

[spokój.w.głowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poruszyło mnie.

[Louis (audiobookfanatic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Hachette Audio for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest is an enchanting middle grade fantasy that delves into themes of grief, acceptance, and the delicate balance between life and death. Set in the perpetually autumnal Deadwood Forest, the story follows Clare, an undead fox who serves as an Usher, guiding departed lost souls to their final resting places in one of four afterlife realms. Clare’s routine existence is disrupted when he encounters Gingersnipes, a badger soul unable to transition to the afterlife, prompting a journey that challenges Clare’s understanding of his role and destiny. The story is told from the 3rd-person perspective of a wise-sounding narrator who occasionally speaks directly to the reader with amusing tidbits and intriguing backstory information.

The few characters in this story are extremely memorable, soulful, and well developed. Clare is a complex, witty, and introspective fox who loves his job ushering souls, his solitude, and his mushroom garden—but not much else. His peaceful existence is shattered when Gingersnipes keeps returning after he ushers her to each of the afterlife realms. When Clare realizes that the power granted to him is diminishing and Gingersnipes is there to take his place, he immediately concocts a plan to get rid of her. But as his plan falters, Clare is forced to face some harsh truths about himself, his death, and his mother. Gingersnipes soon becomes the sunshine to Clare’s grumpiness, and an unexpected friendship blooms between them, forcing Clare to reevaluate his plan and potentially accept his fate. The story is both heartwarming and grim, with so many diverse scenes that include adventure, comedy, acts of kindness, and heartbreaking moments, creating a multi-layered tale that resonates with readers of all ages!

Hartman uses atmospheric descriptive prose to bring the “perpetually autumnal” Deadwood Forest to life, with its majestic mushroom gardens, towering old trees, and gorgeous riverbank. The story also features an array of magical creatures, including talking rats, deadly snakes, an obnoxious angry bear, and a prophet that takes on different animal forms. The narrator’s note at the end of the story is definitely worth a listen, as it gives insight into the book’s central themes, its exploration of loss and letting go, and its profound spiritual messages—there's also a surprise twist that readers will enjoy!

In summary, The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest is a beautifully crafted story with unforgettable characters and important messages. Fans of Tim Burton’s films and TJ Klune’s Under The Whispering Door will really enjoy this book! Narrator Marisa Calin does an exceptional job bringing the characters and Deadwood Forest vividly to life, using a wide vocal range to capture all the heartfelt emotions, drama, and adventure. Readers who enjoy beautiful tales about life, love, loss, death, and letting go should add this book to their immediate reading lists!

[DaNae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clare, a fox with a lavender tail, has been working for The Afterlife for some six years when he didn’t quite die after being hit by a car. He has found purpose, pleasure, and comfort in the insular life he lives in Deadwood forest. Tending his mushrooms, taking care of his cottage, small excursion to the nearby dump, in between ushering the souls of animals to their final resting place. His peace is disrupted when a seemingly dead badger, full of questions and vim, shows up and refuses to find her proper doorway to her final resting place. Is this a problem for Clare to solve, or a solution The Afterlife is forcing on him with his consent?

How do you tackle the afterlife in a book for children? How do you tackle the afterlife for both readers who grow up surrounded by religious faith that proffers all the answers, and those who grow up without? This book deftly walks that line.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more Clare! This hermit-style-of-living fox who really just wants to love and be loved was a delight to get to know. His relationship with Gingersnipes was perfection. Now I just need a sequel with Greg!

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read with the kids. Unfortunately, they didn’t care for the story and I was completely bored, but we did push through and finish. It would have been more enjoyable as a short story or a novella. It was so drawn out and hard to stay engaged.

[Rachel Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried ~5 times, should not have read in the luteal phase, I’m unwell

[Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW: death, near drowning, death of an animal, animal hit by car, ableism (not called out) in regards to character's appearance.

While this story did very much deliver the vibes of cozy dark fantasy, it left me disappointed. It was the part of the storyline dealing with Clare's disabilities and facial/body differences. The message could be summed up to the classic "you need to love yourself despite what others think". While this is well intended, it is deeply flawed even in this narrative.

The narrator, the other characters, and Clare himself do not shy away from expressing how "ugly" "hideous "monsterous" Clare looks. He scares creatures, he is judged, mocked, and forced to hide himself in his clothing. He has no friends, his only social connection is with the rats who are honestly just using him.

The reason why Clare hides and is so miserable is never to do with his disabilities holding him back from what he wants or loves to do, it's only miserable for him in regards to how other people treat and act around him. How he is quite literally unwanted. The issue was not that he didn't love himself. His issue was discrimination.

No matter how much you practice self love it does not solve the pain of alienation and slander. Sure he had internalized ableism which self love can help with, but it can't fix the impact and trauma of this discrimination.

The author could totally have done this storyline but it needed to be done in a more thoughtful way. Could not the narrator, or another character, realize and learn that *they* were at fault for discriminating, judging, and unintentionally making (after)life miserable for Clare? This would leave the reader with the lesson "Your treatment of others has consequences, you are responsible. We need YOU to make the world better and safer. " Teaching readers about their accountability is such an important lesson that could have easily been added, and bettered, to the narrative.

Gingersnipes is the only character who doesn't really bring up Clare's disabilities and differences, but she also didn't do more than just say "Just love yourself" when Clare opened up to her.

I think one thing authors really need to do when writing stories with disabled characters, is to imagine what a child with those disabilities would think/feel upon reading their work. Would that person feel uplifted or ashamed?

Listen, I have disabilities, however I will be clear none are blindness or facial differences, but I still felt if I was a child or person with either reading this book, I would have been very ashamed. I just wanted to cry every time the book almost took glee in talking about how monsterous Clare looked. How terrifying he was, how much everyone feared him.

If this wasn't such a glaring and painful mistep, I would happily have rated this much higher. But I just desperately wish authors would practice that last exercise. Would you read those lines aloud to a 10 year old with the same or similar differences? Was that one line of encouragement worth the chapters full of pain?

[Marta Demianiuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️ Jedna z ciekawych książek middle grade, jakie czytałam. Bardzo oryginalna, bardzo specyficzna, zachwycająca swoim przekazem i tym, jak dosadnie, a jednak z jakąś delikatnością lawiruje wokół tematu śmierci, godzenia się z nią, a także tego, czy mamy wpływ na zmianę własnego losu.

Zostaje u mnie w biblioteczce i jaszcze nie raz ją będę polecała.

[Krissi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. It was kind of deep for a middle grade book exploring the stages of grief after death and coming to terms with it and things that have happened in your life. The characters were all interesting, and you could feel empathy towards them as the author explains how they've died and what they're going through searching through the deadwood forest to move on.

It also portrays how we as humans are very destructive in the grand scheme of things and need to do better as a whole for the environment and the creatures that we share space with. I wish that the e-arc could have provided some of the pictures to help move the story along and provide a little more description of what was going on, but I'm sure once it is published and they are there they will be great for it's intended audience. It's definitely worth a read

[Kelli Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hesitant but it had so many good lessons and I couldn’t put it down.

“Curiosity is the parent of understanding”

“The cruel words from loved ones often find the deepest roots in our soul.”

“Grief is a thing with weight and bulk- perhaps the heaviest thing of all. It pushes at the edge of your soul, forcing it to take a different shape. You ca never fill it, because it is not empty. And it will not shrink with time. But you can learn to carry it. Practice noticing it less S it becomes a more familiar part of you. In the end your grief will always be there taking up space. And I suppose that’s the beautiful thing about a soul. There is infinite space. You may even find that there is space for more grief. But this is what I want you to remember-there is room for more joy. And it is your job to open your arms and welcome joy and joy and joy until your grief looks small in comparison.”

[Stan Yan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts off highly narrated, very much like older children's books, which ordinarily wouldn't be very appealing to me, but in this semi-anthropomorphic world featuring a fox, Clare, who works as a sort of ferryman to the afterlife felt immersive, and I found myself getting very emotionally invested in the characters, and aspects of it got me a little misty, not unlike the end of The Good Place. I really how Clare learns that caring for others/community is love, it is important to love oneself and to forgive, and unlikely friendships can come from getting to know one another.

[Beka Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! I love reading middle grade books inbetween my adults reads because they just seem so much richer! This book did not disappoint!

“What I’m saying is, anyone can take love, but only the good souls can give it.”
Even though he’d never been on the receiving end of love, he felt it deeply for the world around him. His mushrooms were his companions. His books, his family. His tea, his passion. His job, his purpose. ❤️❤️❤️

[✨ Aaron Jeffery ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AHHHHHH
a perfect book to end this year
so cosy and heartfelt