What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lord of the Wood
The cozy fantasy of TJ Klune meets the creeping horror of T. Kingfisher in this magical novel about a man who enters a deadly enchanted forest expecting it to endanger his life, but not his heart…
Clockmaker Arthur Throckmorton lives a quiet life with his sister and her children, only dreaming of adventure. So when a wealthy client offers him a job that involves traversing Shiftleaf—an enchanted forest that claimed his father decades ago—he reluctantly accepts. The forest is treacherous, but the money will change his family’s lives.
The journey quickly turns perilous. Fleeing from monstrous birds, Arthur stumbles upon a hidden vale where he meets the Lord of the Wood—a figure from his father’s many stories. Instead of the fairy prince Arthur always imagined, Ira is a morose man, slowly transforming into a beast, his power over a dying forest waning.
Arthur enjoys the safety of the vale, and Ira’s company. But he yearns for his family. To safely return home and rescue Ira from a cursed and lonely existence, Arthur and Ira must reach the heart of the wood to heal the forest. Except the further they venture from the vale, the more beastly Ira becomes. If they can’t complete their mission before he turns completely, Arthur could lose the man he’s falling for—and never see his family again.
Clockmaker Arthur Throckmorton lives a quiet life with his sister and her children, only dreaming of adventure. So when a wealthy client offers him a job that involves traversing Shiftleaf—an enchanted forest that claimed his father decades ago—he reluctantly accepts. The forest is treacherous, but the money will change his family’s lives.
The journey quickly turns perilous. Fleeing from monstrous birds, Arthur stumbles upon a hidden vale where he meets the Lord of the Wood—a figure from his father’s many stories. Instead of the fairy prince Arthur always imagined, Ira is a morose man, slowly transforming into a beast, his power over a dying forest waning.
Arthur enjoys the safety of the vale, and Ira’s company. But he yearns for his family. To safely return home and rescue Ira from a cursed and lonely existence, Arthur and Ira must reach the heart of the wood to heal the forest. Except the further they venture from the vale, the more beastly Ira becomes. If they can’t complete their mission before he turns completely, Arthur could lose the man he’s falling for—and never see his family again.
445 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2026
About the author
E.M. Anderson
7 books272 followersE.M. Anderson (she/they) is the queer, neurodivergent author of The Lord of the Wood (Hanover Squre Press, 2026), The Keeper of Lonely Spirits (MIRA Books, 2025), and the now out-of-print The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher, as well as various short stories. It is their doom to one day vanish in the depths of a forest, never to be seen again, after ignoring the repeated warnings of the locals to stay out of the woods. Until that fateful day, you can find them on Bluesky or Instagram @elizmanderson.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
August 12, 2026
2.5 stars.
I want to start by emphasizing that this is definitely a case of it being me, not the book. Sometimes I find myself in a mood that breeds anger and stubbornness, which stays for a while, leading me to nitpick every detail, even the tiny ones I usually wouldn’t care about. Unfortunately, this tendency caused the book to suffer.
When I picked up this book, I expected something very different based on the blurb. I thought I was about to read a story set in an enchanted forest filled with eldritch horrors and a love story that would make my heart swoon. While it does have all of these things, it ultimately focuses on family bonds, and all these other elements are left somewhat in the background.
I like stories about family ties when I'm in the right mood, and, frankly, I was not in that mood.
First, I want to give a shout-out to the atmosphere the author created. The mood was magnificent; the author really knows how to evoke the creepy, haunted vibe of a sickly forest filled with monsters.
Second, the cat. The cat was, without question, the star and the most lovable character. I give the cat 5 stars for charm and personality.
Third, the portrayal of characters with chronic illnesses and neurodivergence was handled very well and was a part of the story that I found very compelling.
Now, onto my complaints:
From the start, I had doubts about whether I was going to enjoy the story, mainly because I generally dislike children characters in books, and this story was no exception. They weren't necessarily irritating, but I still didn't like them. The early setting in a fishing village was another strike; I couldn't stand the judgmental villagers, and we spent way too much time on that part.
As the story moved into the forest, I found myself a bit more engaged, but the book kept taking turns I really hoped it wouldn't.
Arthur, one of the protagonists, is a character who can either be a hit or a miss. For me, he leaned more toward a miss, kind of likable but mostly just blah. His romantic arc showed promise at first but was overshadowed by his obsession with his sister.
I get his worries, and I understand them, but the constant obsessing made me roll my eyes. It took over the story so much that the romance became background noise.
Again, I wasn’t in the mood for a family-bond story; I was craving romance. Arthur’s dependence on his sister, as portrayed, made me think they needed some kind of intervention, probably a group therapy session.
Charlotte was insufferable; honestly, all the characters felt lacking. I didn't care about her point of view or her love story, despite my efforts. It was dull and irritating. I can't stand characters who worry so much about everyone’s opinions and pretend they’re made of steel. I understand why she is the way she is, but I have little patience for this type of character.
And again, her dependency on her brother made me roll my eyes; I understood their connection and why they were so dependent on each other, but that doesn't mean I didn't find it irritating.
I could go on, but let’s face it, this book just wasn't for me. I'm sure it will find its fans since it’s well-written and has a very moving story about grief and siblings who would do anything for each other, but it just didn't match my tastes. I also tend to prefer stories where the focus is more on the magical beings rather than the humans.
In conclusion, this book and I just weren’t meant to be.
I want to start by emphasizing that this is definitely a case of it being me, not the book. Sometimes I find myself in a mood that breeds anger and stubbornness, which stays for a while, leading me to nitpick every detail, even the tiny ones I usually wouldn’t care about. Unfortunately, this tendency caused the book to suffer.
When I picked up this book, I expected something very different based on the blurb. I thought I was about to read a story set in an enchanted forest filled with eldritch horrors and a love story that would make my heart swoon. While it does have all of these things, it ultimately focuses on family bonds, and all these other elements are left somewhat in the background.
I like stories about family ties when I'm in the right mood, and, frankly, I was not in that mood.
First, I want to give a shout-out to the atmosphere the author created. The mood was magnificent; the author really knows how to evoke the creepy, haunted vibe of a sickly forest filled with monsters.
Second, the cat. The cat was, without question, the star and the most lovable character. I give the cat 5 stars for charm and personality.
Third, the portrayal of characters with chronic illnesses and neurodivergence was handled very well and was a part of the story that I found very compelling.
Now, onto my complaints:
From the start, I had doubts about whether I was going to enjoy the story, mainly because I generally dislike children characters in books, and this story was no exception. They weren't necessarily irritating, but I still didn't like them. The early setting in a fishing village was another strike; I couldn't stand the judgmental villagers, and we spent way too much time on that part.
As the story moved into the forest, I found myself a bit more engaged, but the book kept taking turns I really hoped it wouldn't.
Arthur, one of the protagonists, is a character who can either be a hit or a miss. For me, he leaned more toward a miss, kind of likable but mostly just blah. His romantic arc showed promise at first but was overshadowed by his obsession with his sister.
I get his worries, and I understand them, but the constant obsessing made me roll my eyes. It took over the story so much that the romance became background noise.
Again, I wasn’t in the mood for a family-bond story; I was craving romance. Arthur’s dependence on his sister, as portrayed, made me think they needed some kind of intervention, probably a group therapy session.
Charlotte was insufferable; honestly, all the characters felt lacking. I didn't care about her point of view or her love story, despite my efforts. It was dull and irritating. I can't stand characters who worry so much about everyone’s opinions and pretend they’re made of steel. I understand why she is the way she is, but I have little patience for this type of character.
And again, her dependency on her brother made me roll my eyes; I understood their connection and why they were so dependent on each other, but that doesn't mean I didn't find it irritating.
I could go on, but let’s face it, this book just wasn't for me. I'm sure it will find its fans since it’s well-written and has a very moving story about grief and siblings who would do anything for each other, but it just didn't match my tastes. I also tend to prefer stories where the focus is more on the magical beings rather than the humans.
In conclusion, this book and I just weren’t meant to be.
September 23, 2026
This is a nice little horror fairy tale with a bit of MM and sapphic romance. No sex scenes, just a few tiny kissing scenes and a few subtle hints at monster kink. But you have to fill in the rest yourself.
The plot was very well written. Everything builds up piece by piece in a very charming way. There are a few creepy scenes here and there, but I think it’s written in a rather mild tone. That’s why I’d call it a fairy tale. The forest is malevolent and kills those who mean harm, but overall it was almost sweet. I certainly wasn’t scared—probably because there were no spiders.
Just wet socks...
Toward the end, everything felt rushed. I had the feeling that something was missing in the last two or three chapters.
Otherwise, the scenes with Arthur and Ira together—in whatever form—were my favorites; I really like how slow and careful they were with each other.
“I don’t . . . fit in here, the way everything else does. It doesn’t matter what form I take—the beasts, the plants, they all know I’m not one of them. But I’ve never fit in with humans, either, because I’m not human. I’m always the Lord of the Wood. I’m never just Ira.” 🥺
“For what it’s worth,” Ira said, “I think—I think you’re lovely. I’m sorry you can’t leave, but . . . I like your company.” Arthur’s chest bloomed with faint warmth, like the first spring flower poking through the snow. 🫠
The plot was very well written. Everything builds up piece by piece in a very charming way. There are a few creepy scenes here and there, but I think it’s written in a rather mild tone. That’s why I’d call it a fairy tale. The forest is malevolent and kills those who mean harm, but overall it was almost sweet. I certainly wasn’t scared—probably because there were no spiders.
Just wet socks...
Toward the end, everything felt rushed. I had the feeling that something was missing in the last two or three chapters.
Otherwise, the scenes with Arthur and Ira together—in whatever form—were my favorites; I really like how slow and careful they were with each other.
“I don’t . . . fit in here, the way everything else does. It doesn’t matter what form I take—the beasts, the plants, they all know I’m not one of them. But I’ve never fit in with humans, either, because I’m not human. I’m always the Lord of the Wood. I’m never just Ira.” 🥺
“For what it’s worth,” Ira said, “I think—I think you’re lovely. I’m sorry you can’t leave, but . . . I like your company.” Arthur’s chest bloomed with faint warmth, like the first spring flower poking through the snow. 🫠
Read
April 12, 2026THE LORD OF THE WOOD is a sweet, adventurous, queer fantasy that offers a perfect alternative for THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA (minus the anti-indigenous and colonialist rhetoric!), but with a tinge of HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE (love interest) and OVER THE GARDEN WALL (creepy forest adventures).
I would recommend this book for readers who love cozy fantasy, sentient forests, late-bloomer-coming-of-age tales, and who can get down with a little bit of monster fucking.
Also! I buddy read this book with my friend Kat, whose review is a lot more in-depth and who I agree with wholeheartedly, so go check that out.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
CW: loss of parent, loss of spouse, grief, illness, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, violence, injury detail, emesis, panic attacks, hallucination
I would recommend this book for readers who love cozy fantasy, sentient forests, late-bloomer-coming-of-age tales, and who can get down with a little bit of monster fucking.
Also! I buddy read this book with my friend Kat, whose review is a lot more in-depth and who I agree with wholeheartedly, so go check that out.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
CW: loss of parent, loss of spouse, grief, illness, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, violence, injury detail, emesis, panic attacks, hallucination
April 11, 2026
3.5. This was a very fun, very queer adventure fantasy, darkly whimsical and lightly romantic. There are shades of House in the Cerulean Sea*, Over the Garden Wall, and Princess Mononoke, although its elements don’t necessary combine quite as effectively as those comps.
I think The Lord of the Wood’s real heart and greatest strengths lie in its cast of characters. Charlotte and Arthur were wonderful dual protagonists with a well-written and realistic sibling bond, and I especially loved the way the story tackles otherness in the forms of autism, queerness, and disability.
Unfortunately I did feel somewhat let down by the atmosphere. The prose was just never quite as autumnal or indulgent as I wanted it to be. I also think the pacing was a detriment here - almost every chapter tries to introduce some major change or new element, never allowing us to rest and settle in with the characters. This makes each individual chapter punchy, but creates a counterintuitive overall effect where the book actually starts to drag. Individual events lose weight, because it’s easy to tell what won’t really matter long term. The stop-and-go pacing also makes the romance feel abrupt and less affecting than it might have been otherwise.
While the resolution wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for, and I think there were more interesting directions the story could have gone, it ultimately did a perfectly fine job of tying all its threads back together. Charlotte and Arthur’s character arcs both wrap up in a satisfying way, balancing coziness and the realistic hurdles of surviving in the world as an adult who will always be “other.”
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
And thanks to Bri for buddy reading with me 💖
*This is not a cosign on House in the Cerulean Sea, which is a mediocre book by an anti-indigenous author. Read The Lord of the Wood instead for your fix of queer cozy fantasy romance featuring found family and a middle-aged main character.
I think The Lord of the Wood’s real heart and greatest strengths lie in its cast of characters. Charlotte and Arthur were wonderful dual protagonists with a well-written and realistic sibling bond, and I especially loved the way the story tackles otherness in the forms of autism, queerness, and disability.
Unfortunately I did feel somewhat let down by the atmosphere. The prose was just never quite as autumnal or indulgent as I wanted it to be. I also think the pacing was a detriment here - almost every chapter tries to introduce some major change or new element, never allowing us to rest and settle in with the characters. This makes each individual chapter punchy, but creates a counterintuitive overall effect where the book actually starts to drag. Individual events lose weight, because it’s easy to tell what won’t really matter long term. The stop-and-go pacing also makes the romance feel abrupt and less affecting than it might have been otherwise.
While the resolution wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for, and I think there were more interesting directions the story could have gone, it ultimately did a perfectly fine job of tying all its threads back together. Charlotte and Arthur’s character arcs both wrap up in a satisfying way, balancing coziness and the realistic hurdles of surviving in the world as an adult who will always be “other.”
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
And thanks to Bri for buddy reading with me 💖
*This is not a cosign on House in the Cerulean Sea, which is a mediocre book by an anti-indigenous author. Read The Lord of the Wood instead for your fix of queer cozy fantasy romance featuring found family and a middle-aged main character.
February 19, 2026
3.5
Very fortunate to have received an e-ARC copy of this book releasing July 2026
This book is a slower pace fantasy, more of a luxurious story telling with great writing than a fast paced firework filled bonanza. This is about the small moments and character development. I had a good time reading it, but I did find the pacing started to drag for me a bit as it went on.
Arthur and his sister Charlotte like in a small coastal town, bordered by a dark and feared forest. As a child, Arthur always dreamed of traveling through the woods to other cities where he might belong. Always having been labeled as odd or an outcast, he only truly belonging with Charlotte and her children. The four of them being all the family they have left after being struck by one tragedy after another. But one day, Arthur is given the opportunity to travel to woods, knowing he may perish in them, but the reward being too great to pass up, he takes off on his quest. See, Arthur had always been told stories about the lord of the wood, a magical creature, part man, part stag - that guided lost travellers and protected the forest. Never did he expect in all his misfortunes to meet him. But it isn’t like the stories, the forest is dying, there is a sickness, a rotting, that is spreading and even the lord of the wood is at risk of perishing. It’s a story of self discovery, love (familial and unexpected) and perseverance.
Very fortunate to have received an e-ARC copy of this book releasing July 2026
This book is a slower pace fantasy, more of a luxurious story telling with great writing than a fast paced firework filled bonanza. This is about the small moments and character development. I had a good time reading it, but I did find the pacing started to drag for me a bit as it went on.
Arthur and his sister Charlotte like in a small coastal town, bordered by a dark and feared forest. As a child, Arthur always dreamed of traveling through the woods to other cities where he might belong. Always having been labeled as odd or an outcast, he only truly belonging with Charlotte and her children. The four of them being all the family they have left after being struck by one tragedy after another. But one day, Arthur is given the opportunity to travel to woods, knowing he may perish in them, but the reward being too great to pass up, he takes off on his quest. See, Arthur had always been told stories about the lord of the wood, a magical creature, part man, part stag - that guided lost travellers and protected the forest. Never did he expect in all his misfortunes to meet him. But it isn’t like the stories, the forest is dying, there is a sickness, a rotting, that is spreading and even the lord of the wood is at risk of perishing. It’s a story of self discovery, love (familial and unexpected) and perseverance.
October 4, 2026
The Lord of the Wood by E.M. Anderson was an engaging and atmospheric read with a compelling premise and a richly imagined world. E.M. Anderson does a great job creating a sense of mystery and unease, while the characters and setting kept me invested in the story.
I particularly enjoyed the folklore-inspired elements and the darker atmosphere throughout the book. While there were a few moments where the pacing felt slower than I would have preferred, the overall story was enjoyable and kept me curious about how everything would unfold.
A solid read for anyone who enjoys fantasy with a darker, atmospheric edge. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it.
I particularly enjoyed the folklore-inspired elements and the darker atmosphere throughout the book. While there were a few moments where the pacing felt slower than I would have preferred, the overall story was enjoyable and kept me curious about how everything would unfold.
A solid read for anyone who enjoys fantasy with a darker, atmospheric edge. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it.
August 14, 2026
The Lord of the Wood is imperfect. It's also a five-star book. Because a book can be both of these at once.
July 10, 2026
Arthur and his sister Charlotte live a relatively quiet life in a seaside town with Charlotte's two children. Both have dealt with losing loved ones and having to grow up too fast. Arthur still thinks about and passes on stories their father used to tell them about the Lord of the Wood, who protects the forest and travelers and Arthur reads romance novels and dreams of his own adventures.
Their little seaside town, along with a lot of it's people, are dying. When an opportunity that pays too much money to pass up comes up, Arthur takes off into the forest on his own (well ALMOST on his own, less we forget Freya). Arthur, although excited for the adventure, is also worried about leaving his chronically ill sister home with the two children and dealing with woods, which seem to not only be making people sick but people have also been disappearing into.
On the surface this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling but it's really so much more than that. Although I do see you with naming the horse Maurice! Arthur, our MMC, who was always different from all the other boys and bullied for it, never really having any friends. He never could understand why courting a woman to marry held zero appeal to him. Seeing his slowly dawning realization of not only his feelings for Ira but that YES it is okay for a man to love another man?! I loved seeing an older character figure out who they are and fall in love.
Lucky for Arthur, one of his favorite romance novels seems to be a monster-loving book. He stumbles upon Ira at his home, which was located in a vale stuck in a perpetual winter. Upon learning that the forrest and Ira are slowly dying from deforestation, which harms all around them. Both Ira and Arthur have never really fit in, always being outsiders. Ira himself being stuck part animal and part human. Watching these two bond and slowly grow to care about each other gave me such heart eyes! I looked forward to reading every interaction they had.
And low and behold we got not one but TWO queer romances in the story? As Charlotte herself meets Elsbeth, whose looking for a lost relative and the two end up agreeing to work together to find their loved ones. I don't always love children added to stories but Sasha and Jonas were delightful. I loved that Jonas was nonbinary but the story recognized that a small village might not be so accepting of such things.
I also really appreciated not only having older MCs but these characters also did not have perfect bodies and they suffered from chronic illnesses or even just the pains of growing older. Who amongst us over 35 hasn't thought about how we'd never get off the floor if we sat on it?
This story was such a great mix of cozy, horror and romance. I loved the characters and finishing the story made me feel like I just had a warm hug, I loved it!
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Their little seaside town, along with a lot of it's people, are dying. When an opportunity that pays too much money to pass up comes up, Arthur takes off into the forest on his own (well ALMOST on his own, less we forget Freya). Arthur, although excited for the adventure, is also worried about leaving his chronically ill sister home with the two children and dealing with woods, which seem to not only be making people sick but people have also been disappearing into.
On the surface this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling but it's really so much more than that. Although I do see you with naming the horse Maurice! Arthur, our MMC, who was always different from all the other boys and bullied for it, never really having any friends. He never could understand why courting a woman to marry held zero appeal to him. Seeing his slowly dawning realization of not only his feelings for Ira but that YES it is okay for a man to love another man?! I loved seeing an older character figure out who they are and fall in love.
Lucky for Arthur, one of his favorite romance novels seems to be a monster-loving book. He stumbles upon Ira at his home, which was located in a vale stuck in a perpetual winter. Upon learning that the forrest and Ira are slowly dying from deforestation, which harms all around them. Both Ira and Arthur have never really fit in, always being outsiders. Ira himself being stuck part animal and part human. Watching these two bond and slowly grow to care about each other gave me such heart eyes! I looked forward to reading every interaction they had.
And low and behold we got not one but TWO queer romances in the story? As Charlotte herself meets Elsbeth, whose looking for a lost relative and the two end up agreeing to work together to find their loved ones. I don't always love children added to stories but Sasha and Jonas were delightful. I loved that Jonas was nonbinary but the story recognized that a small village might not be so accepting of such things.
I also really appreciated not only having older MCs but these characters also did not have perfect bodies and they suffered from chronic illnesses or even just the pains of growing older. Who amongst us over 35 hasn't thought about how we'd never get off the floor if we sat on it?
This story was such a great mix of cozy, horror and romance. I loved the characters and finishing the story made me feel like I just had a warm hug, I loved it!
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2026
This is my viewpoint alone.
This could have been a great and wonderful romance and adventure.
For me, the pacing was a bit slow.
The characters and the world - interesting. However, something about their execution was not complete.
It did not leave me feeling cozy. The world is presented as magical but I felt little heart.
This could have been a great and wonderful romance and adventure.
For me, the pacing was a bit slow.
The characters and the world - interesting. However, something about their execution was not complete.
It did not leave me feeling cozy. The world is presented as magical but I felt little heart.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Lord of the Wood is a self-described cozy fantasy/horror, detailing the lives of Arthur and his sister Charlotte. Set in a small, crumbling sea-side town, the siblings struggle to fit in with the locals and find happiness in their daily lives.
Arthur and Charlotte’s town is cut off from the bigger city by a woods that has become dangerous, claiming victims through illness and disappearances. To try and change the family’s fortunes, Arthur accepts a job that sees him try to transverse the woods, where he meets the mysterious Lord of the Wood.
My main thought on this book was that it tried to do too much, resulting in major things that don’t get enough detail or attention. While I loved the characters of Arthur and Charlotte, I found that the constant changing POVs really derailed any build up of tension.
I do enjoy an “older” MC, especially in fantasy, and I really liked that Arthur and Charlotte were not stereotypical perfect “chosen ones”. But I’ll be honest, my favourite characters were a cat and an eldritch plant creature.
For me, the pacing was off. Like sometimes the story dragged on or became repetitive, and sometimes it was too rushed. I felt the world building, especially with regard to Ira, could have used more development.
Overall a nice ready for romance lovers looking for a bit of fun fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing the ARC of this book. This review is my honest and voluntary opinion.
Arthur and Charlotte’s town is cut off from the bigger city by a woods that has become dangerous, claiming victims through illness and disappearances. To try and change the family’s fortunes, Arthur accepts a job that sees him try to transverse the woods, where he meets the mysterious Lord of the Wood.
My main thought on this book was that it tried to do too much, resulting in major things that don’t get enough detail or attention. While I loved the characters of Arthur and Charlotte, I found that the constant changing POVs really derailed any build up of tension.
I do enjoy an “older” MC, especially in fantasy, and I really liked that Arthur and Charlotte were not stereotypical perfect “chosen ones”. But I’ll be honest, my favourite characters were a cat and an eldritch plant creature.
For me, the pacing was off. Like sometimes the story dragged on or became repetitive, and sometimes it was too rushed. I felt the world building, especially with regard to Ira, could have used more development.
Overall a nice ready for romance lovers looking for a bit of fun fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing the ARC of this book. This review is my honest and voluntary opinion.
July 22, 2026
4.25 ⭐️ I’m always sat for a deadly, enchanted forest!! This was dark, cozy, queer, fantastical. It was Beautifully narrated -this absolutely enhanced my experience. If you liked Where The Dark Stands Still or The Bone Door, I think you may enjoy The Lord of the Wood.
Arthur and Charlotte are our dual protagonists, as well as brother and sister. Arthur attempts to traverse the enchanted woods known as Shiftleaf when a job opportunity arises that would provide significant financial relief for him and his sisters family. This is the very same wood that claimed his father many years ago. He meets the Lord of the Wood and they must work together to save the dying forest. When Arthur doesn’t return, Charlotte goes after him. A magical, twisty tale unfolds.
I really appreciated the queerness, disability, and neurodivergence representation. There were also so many tender moments in this story. The amount of times I caught myself smiling while listening !! Despite the pacing, in which I felt the romance subplots progressed a bit too quickly for believability, I had a great time overall. Thank you Libro fm for this ALC
Arthur and Charlotte are our dual protagonists, as well as brother and sister. Arthur attempts to traverse the enchanted woods known as Shiftleaf when a job opportunity arises that would provide significant financial relief for him and his sisters family. This is the very same wood that claimed his father many years ago. He meets the Lord of the Wood and they must work together to save the dying forest. When Arthur doesn’t return, Charlotte goes after him. A magical, twisty tale unfolds.
I really appreciated the queerness, disability, and neurodivergence representation. There were also so many tender moments in this story. The amount of times I caught myself smiling while listening !! Despite the pacing, in which I felt the romance subplots progressed a bit too quickly for believability, I had a great time overall. Thank you Libro fm for this ALC
July 11, 2026
Overall, I think this story sometimes struggled with what it wanted to be, thematically, but I did end up enjoying the folklore, dreamy atmosphere, and romance.
(I don't know if I would personally classify this as horror? Definitely leans heavier into the Fantasy and Romance categories. I guess you could argue there are kind of body horror elements when it comes to the forest.)
It's greatest strength lies in the character work- Arthur and Charlotte are wonderful protagonists. Siblings bound by their love and understanding of one another in a community that shuns otherness, the author does a wonderful job with writing autism, disability, and queerness.
(I don't know if I would personally classify this as horror? Definitely leans heavier into the Fantasy and Romance categories. I guess you could argue there are kind of body horror elements when it comes to the forest.)
It's greatest strength lies in the character work- Arthur and Charlotte are wonderful protagonists. Siblings bound by their love and understanding of one another in a community that shuns otherness, the author does a wonderful job with writing autism, disability, and queerness.
July 31, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
The Lord of the Wood is a sweet, cozy fantasy/horror. Arthur and Ira are questing to save Shiftleaf, while Charlotte seeks to cure the fatal wood sickness and helps the infuriating stranger, Elsbeth. It blends humor; examinations of grief, isolation, self-discovery, and industrialization; Disney’s Beauty and the Beast vibes; and (to me) light horror. There is slight, plant-based body horror, and the terror is for the characters rather than the reader. It’s slowly paced and more about the relationships than the harrowing scenes and mythical creatures.
If you’re looking for some whimsical, fairy tale horror with great characters, you may enjoy The Lord of the Wood.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
The Lord of the Wood is a sweet, cozy fantasy/horror. Arthur and Ira are questing to save Shiftleaf, while Charlotte seeks to cure the fatal wood sickness and helps the infuriating stranger, Elsbeth. It blends humor; examinations of grief, isolation, self-discovery, and industrialization; Disney’s Beauty and the Beast vibes; and (to me) light horror. There is slight, plant-based body horror, and the terror is for the characters rather than the reader. It’s slowly paced and more about the relationships than the harrowing scenes and mythical creatures.
If you’re looking for some whimsical, fairy tale horror with great characters, you may enjoy The Lord of the Wood.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
Read
August 4, 2026I feel kinda bad writing this, but my goodness I did NOT like this book.
First of all, wayyyy too long. The description doesn't mention that there's a whole other half of the story focused on Charlotte. Not only that, but neither Arthur or Charlotte are interesting at all. Unfortunately queerness and disability are not character traits. Ira was also not that interesting and could have been so much better developed (he had YEARS of life before Arthur) especially if the story had been more tightly plotted. Honestly the only adult who had any personality was Elspeth.
The Beauty and the Beast references were multiple, not charming, and had me rolling my eyes. There was an odd mix of wink wink modernity in a mostly industrial age world (where does Arthur buy monster romance in his tiny fishing village? oh cute Charlotte likes true crime podcasts I mean radio shows)
Finally, the stakes never felt high enough. The action/peril scenes were underwritten and often followed by a switch in POV that pulled them out of focus. People got injured a lot but then quickly healed at least enough to carry on in a way that negated any lasting emotional impact.
I was bored for the first 100 pages or so, and then annoyed the rest of the way through.
(Is this the saltiest review I've ever written on this site? Quite possibly.)
First of all, wayyyy too long. The description doesn't mention that there's a whole other half of the story focused on Charlotte. Not only that, but neither Arthur or Charlotte are interesting at all. Unfortunately queerness and disability are not character traits. Ira was also not that interesting and could have been so much better developed (he had YEARS of life before Arthur) especially if the story had been more tightly plotted. Honestly the only adult who had any personality was Elspeth.
The Beauty and the Beast references were multiple, not charming, and had me rolling my eyes. There was an odd mix of wink wink modernity in a mostly industrial age world (where does Arthur buy monster romance in his tiny fishing village? oh cute Charlotte likes true crime podcasts I mean radio shows)
Finally, the stakes never felt high enough. The action/peril scenes were underwritten and often followed by a switch in POV that pulled them out of focus. People got injured a lot but then quickly healed at least enough to carry on in a way that negated any lasting emotional impact.
I was bored for the first 100 pages or so, and then annoyed the rest of the way through.
(Is this the saltiest review I've ever written on this site? Quite possibly.)
July 22, 2026
Finished reading: July 21st 2026
"There's not one moment where you make a choice and now you're a different person. You have to keep choosing to be that person, again and again."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Hanover Square Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love E.M. Anderson's work and this book is no exception. It has a great cadence and pace, the storyline is unique and beautiful and I adored the main characters. If you took a bowl and added the perfect amount of action, romance, mystery and fantasy (and maybe an egg or 2 to hold it all together), mixed it all up and baked it you'd get this book, a perfect book brownie, right down to that homemade by mom lovely feeling that comes with baking and an E.M. book. Worth the read!
July 22, 2026
The Lord of the Wood is a cute, queer fantasy that has a ton of Ferngully vibes. If you are looking for queer love whilst trying to save the forest energy, this might be a good read for you. Arthur and his sister Charlotte live in a small coastal town bordered by an ominous forest that occasionally sees people go in and never come out. Arthur, an outcast at best and weirdo at worst, is given the chance to travel through the woods on a quest for which he will be greatly rewarded and the opportunity to get his family out of poverty and support his sister and her children is too good to pass up. He has grown up alongside the tales of the Lord of the Wood, a half stag/half man who protects the forest and who Arthur crash lands into quite soon into his journey.
The romance portions of the book were a bit stop and go, which was frustrating because I really wanted it to come together and it felt wrapped up a bit too cleanly but also, I just wanted the spice.
I think The Lord of the Wood’s real heart and greatest strengths lie in its cast of characters. Charlotte and Arthur were wonderful dual protagonists with a well-written and realistic sibling bond, and I especially loved the way the story tackles otherness in the forms of autism, queerness, and disability.
The Lord of the Wood is due to be published July 21, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
The romance portions of the book were a bit stop and go, which was frustrating because I really wanted it to come together and it felt wrapped up a bit too cleanly but also, I just wanted the spice.
I think The Lord of the Wood’s real heart and greatest strengths lie in its cast of characters. Charlotte and Arthur were wonderful dual protagonists with a well-written and realistic sibling bond, and I especially loved the way the story tackles otherness in the forms of autism, queerness, and disability.
The Lord of the Wood is due to be published July 21, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
July 26, 2026
having always had a soft spot for adult-fairytales and craving smth cozy-ish (since i don't like plainly that and this promised to have horror vibes which i'm all here for always) i was intrigued by this one and it started real good but unfortunately it did fall a bit flat in the end mainly cuz of the editing/pacing issues imo cuz the story just kept going all over the place and random things kept happening without any coherence even sometimes and/or strange boring/repetive parts where nothing was happening at all kept popping up and it made it feel way longer than it actually was. also there was BARELY any horror in this are you kidding me?! still MCs were great ig but it'd have def benefited from more consistency/ fixed flow of the story (don't want to affect rating in a bad way so 3.5 rounding up for now since i've read it all even tho sometimes considered dnfing esp in the middle)
July 31, 2026
I really enjoyed how evenly divided the story was between Arthur's point of view and Charlotte's. It gave both of them a chance to shine individually as characters and gave them both a chance to dive into their romance stories without getting that creepy voyeuristic point of view some authors do. Most of this story took place in our forest (which really needed a cool name) which was nice and creepy. This story remained creepy and fairylike but I don't know if I would necessarily describe it as horror. It was more like a faerie forest to me, but it did have a lot of spooky and creepy elements so I suppose horror is the best descriptor. Overall I had a really fun time on this adventure with these characters and I'd definitely recommend it to anybody who wants a family centered story with some great romance as well.
August 24, 2026
A beautiful glimpse into healthy masculinity.
I could not describe this book as particularly plot heavy, however, the characters were lovely. Arthur is such a damsel, I just wanted to wrap him up in cotton wool. He’s so pure and kind hearted even despite the cruel indifference of his townsfolk. Ira was also multilayered and full of gruff charm - although we don’t learn much of the lore behind the Lord of the Wood, his soft heart and rough edges were extremely charming.
I could have done without the Charlotte / Elspeth arc - I would have preferred more time spent on the main couple, but it wasn’t awful - these characters just didn’t grip me in the same way. A standout minor character was Caelix - who doesn’t love a sentient plant who acts like a puppy?
Overall, I found this book very heartwarming with feel good energy.
I could not describe this book as particularly plot heavy, however, the characters were lovely. Arthur is such a damsel, I just wanted to wrap him up in cotton wool. He’s so pure and kind hearted even despite the cruel indifference of his townsfolk. Ira was also multilayered and full of gruff charm - although we don’t learn much of the lore behind the Lord of the Wood, his soft heart and rough edges were extremely charming.
I could have done without the Charlotte / Elspeth arc - I would have preferred more time spent on the main couple, but it wasn’t awful - these characters just didn’t grip me in the same way. A standout minor character was Caelix - who doesn’t love a sentient plant who acts like a puppy?
Overall, I found this book very heartwarming with feel good energy.
August 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!
The Lord of the Wood is a cozy adventure fantasy with queer, middle-aged main characters, sentient plants, neurodiversity, and disability rep. It is whimsical and softly romantic and the enchanted forest setting is beautifully done. The pacing was consistent and the dual protagonist’s with dual POV’s made for an engaging read. Something else I loved was the creative chapter titles (reminiscent of Percy Jackson). I think if you enjoyed Where the Dark Stands Still for the setting and characters and House in the Cerulean Sea (for middle aged queer stories and not the racist tones) or if you’re a fan of studio ghibli cozy adventures, you will love this book.
5 ⭐️
The Lord of the Wood is a cozy adventure fantasy with queer, middle-aged main characters, sentient plants, neurodiversity, and disability rep. It is whimsical and softly romantic and the enchanted forest setting is beautifully done. The pacing was consistent and the dual protagonist’s with dual POV’s made for an engaging read. Something else I loved was the creative chapter titles (reminiscent of Percy Jackson). I think if you enjoyed Where the Dark Stands Still for the setting and characters and House in the Cerulean Sea (for middle aged queer stories and not the racist tones) or if you’re a fan of studio ghibli cozy adventures, you will love this book.
5 ⭐️
July 20, 2026
I think the official comp — the cozy of T.J. Klune meets the horror of T. Kingfisher — does this book a disservice. It's actually structured like a romance, though one set in a homicidal magical forest. The primary plotline involves siblings Arthur and Charlotte working through their internalized homophobia and ableism so that they'll allow themselves to be loved. It's a relatable and sympathetic endeavor. But there are absolutely no cozy vibes and none of the quirky humor that Klune and Kingfisher utilize to balance dark topics. Although the writing was good, because the book was so totally not what I expected, it was a near complete miss for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for providing an advance copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for providing an advance copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2026
Accidentally stayed up all night reading this one 😩 no regrets it was a great read.
A cozy queer romantasy with a little horror mixed in. Biggest surprise for me, there are two main romances, one M/M and one sapphic, plus a really lovely found-family thread running through the whole thing. Completely had me hooked.
It’s warm, strange, emotional, and has a lot going on without ever feeling too heavy. 10/10 would read again!
A cozy queer romantasy with a little horror mixed in. Biggest surprise for me, there are two main romances, one M/M and one sapphic, plus a really lovely found-family thread running through the whole thing. Completely had me hooked.
It’s warm, strange, emotional, and has a lot going on without ever feeling too heavy. 10/10 would read again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!
I enjoyed the world building in the book very much, and I saw it as a “what if Maurice fell in love with the beast instead of Belle?” There were a lot of beauty and the beast inspirations, especially with the main characters interest in clocks and our main lead being seen as a monster. It was a very enjoyable read and certainly cozy. It had the guaranteed happy ending feel that we all need sometimes. I truly enjoyed the late bloomer coming of age tale, I am one myself and it is great to find a character I can relate to in that way.
I enjoyed the world building in the book very much, and I saw it as a “what if Maurice fell in love with the beast instead of Belle?” There were a lot of beauty and the beast inspirations, especially with the main characters interest in clocks and our main lead being seen as a monster. It was a very enjoyable read and certainly cozy. It had the guaranteed happy ending feel that we all need sometimes. I truly enjoyed the late bloomer coming of age tale, I am one myself and it is great to find a character I can relate to in that way.
July 26, 2026
Picked this book up from my library's new purchases. In The Lord of the Wood, clockmaker Arthur has lived his whole life in a tiny seaside village with his sister. When a wealthy client hires him to retrieve a new clock, he reluctantly accepts—even though it means crossing the cursed forest, haunted by the mysterious Lord of the Wood...
The Lord of the Wood is firmly in the cozy fantasy space. The style approaches but never quite reaches the twee level of TJ Klune, the comp in the cover copy. Even though the setting is a homophobia included fantasy setting, the edges are always blunted, and you feel confident that everything will turn out fine. Just as Arthur has constrained his life to a small sphere, the worldbuilding is relatively limited: there's the isolated fishing village Arthur grew up in, the barely glimpsed larger town, and the magical woods, which are infected with a strange, uncurable pathogen that kills humans within days. The inevitable romance with the horned Lord of the Wood and quest to heal the forest unfolds without many surprises. Overall, The Lord of the Wood is a familiar story, albeit improved by the addition of a queer, forty-something autistic lead, and I'm sure it will have an eager audience. However, the story was a touch too sweet and affirming for my taste.
The Lord of the Wood is firmly in the cozy fantasy space. The style approaches but never quite reaches the twee level of TJ Klune, the comp in the cover copy. Even though the setting is a homophobia included fantasy setting, the edges are always blunted, and you feel confident that everything will turn out fine. Just as Arthur has constrained his life to a small sphere, the worldbuilding is relatively limited: there's the isolated fishing village Arthur grew up in, the barely glimpsed larger town, and the magical woods, which are infected with a strange, uncurable pathogen that kills humans within days. The inevitable romance with the horned Lord of the Wood and quest to heal the forest unfolds without many surprises. Overall, The Lord of the Wood is a familiar story, albeit improved by the addition of a queer, forty-something autistic lead, and I'm sure it will have an eager audience. However, the story was a touch too sweet and affirming for my taste.
August 4, 2026
Lord of the Woods by E.M. Anderson was everything I wanted: ATMOSPHERIC, eerie, and strangely COZY. The kind of horror that wraps around you after a long day and makes you want to sink into its world and simply CHERISH the experience.
Read
August 7, 2026Entire review @JoyfullyJay.com
The Lord of the Wood is a sweet, cozy fantasy/horror that blends humor; examinations of grief, isolation, self-discovery, and industrialization; Disney’s Beauty and the Beast vibes; and (to me) light horror. Arthur and Ira are questing to save Shiftleaf, while Arthur's sister, Charlotte seeks to cure the fatal wood sickness and help the infuriating stranger, Elsbeth.
It’s slowly paced and more about the relationships than the harrowing scenes and mythical creatures. Arthur’s looks, demeanor, and “unmanly” constitution make him an object of abuse and disdain. . . he lives an unchanging life of dreams, but Ira doesn’t have that luxury.
Not only does he no longer control the wood, he no longer controls himself. As Shiftleaf corrupts, Ira’s power over it and his ability to take human form degrades. . He’s forced to watch his world die and wait for his cruel fate alone. . . For all his resigned gruffness, Ira is afraid, longs for connection, and feels as out of place as Arthur does; he too has stagnated because of fear of change and failure. . .
Charlotte is detrimentally self-sufficient. As the village is one of sneering individualists rather than a close-knit community, she carries unwarranted stigma from family tragedies and Arthur’s perceived freakishness. She works tirelessly without complaint, despite her immense pain, to avoid more nastiness. . .
The Lord of the Wood is charming overall, but it doesn’t always balance its prose and many elements and the pace could be tighter. . . Also, the buy-in for a character like Arthur entering a forest where everyone disappears or dies was higher than expected. I then had to go along with two more eyebrow raisers. . .
The Lord of the Wood is a sweet, cozy fantasy/horror that blends humor; examinations of grief, isolation, self-discovery, and industrialization; Disney’s Beauty and the Beast vibes; and (to me) light horror. Arthur and Ira are questing to save Shiftleaf, while Arthur's sister, Charlotte seeks to cure the fatal wood sickness and help the infuriating stranger, Elsbeth.
It’s slowly paced and more about the relationships than the harrowing scenes and mythical creatures. Arthur’s looks, demeanor, and “unmanly” constitution make him an object of abuse and disdain. . . he lives an unchanging life of dreams, but Ira doesn’t have that luxury.
Not only does he no longer control the wood, he no longer controls himself. As Shiftleaf corrupts, Ira’s power over it and his ability to take human form degrades. . He’s forced to watch his world die and wait for his cruel fate alone. . . For all his resigned gruffness, Ira is afraid, longs for connection, and feels as out of place as Arthur does; he too has stagnated because of fear of change and failure. . .
Charlotte is detrimentally self-sufficient. As the village is one of sneering individualists rather than a close-knit community, she carries unwarranted stigma from family tragedies and Arthur’s perceived freakishness. She works tirelessly without complaint, despite her immense pain, to avoid more nastiness. . .
The Lord of the Wood is charming overall, but it doesn’t always balance its prose and many elements and the pace could be tighter. . . Also, the buy-in for a character like Arthur entering a forest where everyone disappears or dies was higher than expected. I then had to go along with two more eyebrow raisers. . .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews