Child of the Forest: Into the Wyld

by Joann Mazzella

Mara Fiorenza thought the end of Earth was the end of her story. Instead, she wakes in a world where forests breathe, shadows whisper, and monsters see her as a snack with legs. Her DNA is altered, her once-normal dogs have become bonded companions, and survival means learning magic she never believed in.

Armed with sarcasm, stubbornness, and two very protective familiars, Mara must face beasts, haunted ruins, and the creeping influence of the Void. Every step forward pulls her deeper into a destiny she never asked for, but one she cannot ignore.

Child of the Forest is the beginning of the Wyldborne Saga—a sharp, sassy, and heart-driven fantasy about survival, loyalty, and the bonds that can outlast even the end of worlds.

472 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Miscah Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy

Easy reading, adventure in another world.If you love fantasy read this book. Can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic LItRPG! The story follows Mara and her 2 rescued puppies Celestine and Aria. Mara lives on a dying dystopian earth until she is transported to a new planet with her dogs. The planet Joann Mazzella creates is inviting and mythical. If you had to be sent to a planet and constantly fighting monsters I would want to do it on her planet. The other thing about this LitRPG is the author didn’t overly read off leveling up stats. Mara and her puppies had interesting skills and spells but they weren’t powered up too fast. The pacing of the leveling is spot on.

[Quan West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child of the Forest: Into the Wyld pulled me in right from the opening chapter. What I really liked was how Joann Mazzella balanced the end-of-the-world tension with Mara’s sharp wit and relatable voice. Even though she’s thrown into this strange, dangerous world, Mara never loses her sarcasm or stubborn streak, it makes her feel real instead of another “chosen one” stereotype.

The worldbuilding is lush and eerie at the same time. The idea of forests that breathe, shadows that whisper, and ruins that seem alive gave the book this almost mythic atmosphere, but without slowing down the action. I especially loved how Mara’s dogs transformed into bonded companions, it added both heart and humor to the story, and I found myself just as protective of them as Mara was.

The pacing is solid: moments of survival and suspense balanced with character development. The threat of the Void looms larger the deeper you read, and while it’s a classic “dark force,” the execution feels fresh because of how personal the stakes become for Mara.

Overall, it’s a gripping start to a saga that feels both adventurous and emotional. If you enjoy fantasy that mixes danger with sass, survival with loyalty, and magic with just the right touch of darkness, this is absolutely worth picking up. I finished it wanting to know immediately where Mara’s journey will lead next.

[John Jennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child of the Forest is a standout LitRPG that blends survival, heart, and immersive worldbuilding into a story that feels both emotionally grounded and exciting. Rather than relying on overpowered progression or endless stat dumps, the book focuses on Mara—a practical, resilient protagonist whose grief, humor, and determination make her immediately relatable. The bond between her and her companions, Celestine and Aria, is the emotional core of the story, turning every challenge into something personal and meaningful. The LitRPG mechanics are clean, intuitive, and well-paced, enhancing the narrative instead of overwhelming it, while the living forest setting feels ancient, beautiful, and quietly dangerous. By the end, this feels less like a simple genre entry and more like the beginning of a deeply personal journey, making Child of the Forest an excellent start to the Wyldborne Saga and an easy recommendation for readers who enjoy LitRPG with strong characters and real emotional stakes.

[maltida · Rating 5 out of 5]

The worldbuilding is both haunting and beautifully immersive. From breathing forests to whispering shadows and ruins that feel disturbingly sentient, the setting carries a mythic quality without ever sacrificing momentum. Mara’s dogs becoming true bonded companions was a standout element it brought warmth and levity to the story, and I grew just as attached to them as she did.

The pacing is well balanced, weaving tense survival sequences with meaningful character growth. The looming threat of the Void becomes increasingly tangible as the story progresses. While it echoes the familiar concept of a dark force it feels revitalized thanks to the intensely personal stakes driving Mara’s journey.

[Luna C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child of the Forest hooked me from page one. Mara Fiorenza is the perfect mix of sass, strength, and vulnerability, and her journey through a wild, magic twisted world feels both dangerous and deeply human. The worldbuilding is rich, the creatures are terrifyingly creative, and the bond between Mara and her familiars gives the story real heart. It’s equal parts thrilling adventure and emotional survival tale. Fans of strong heroines and immersive fantasy worlds this is one you don’t want to miss.

[Eli V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was awesome! So much fun!

The FMC is a 40+, smart-arse, ex-mechanic, and I adore her so much. This book is dripping in sarcasm and wit, and I love the shit out if this kind of writing.

Mara's companions are also fantastic. They compliment her so much. And I love their reasoning for following her and also their growth in the

This finished on one hell of an awesome cliffhanger, and I will be chomping at the bit until the next one is released.

If you love easy, fun, LitRPG novels, then I'd be keeping an eye out for this one!

[Marie Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic adventure!

This is a fantastic adventure! Love the world building and characters of the Wyldborne Saga. Looking forward to book 2 and hoping to see a crossover with Lyra.