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Beyond the Border Forest: Into the Prawdziwy Las
Two kings rule the woods-the Oak King in Summer and the Holly King in Winter-and no mortal may enter their realm without permission.
But when Rowan Gwózdek's older sister goes missing, Rowan must search the forest for her, risking the kings' wrath. She enlists the help of her sister's hunting rival Keziah, a trans (and very handsome) hunter with a mysterious connection to the Oak King. He offers to lead her through the forest to find a magical wish granter called the Bear Maiden.
Together, Rowan and Keziah face mossmen, a wood dragon, and other fearsome creatures who serve the Oak King. To make matters worse, Rowan stumbles upon the Holly King, the Oak King's nemesis, and becomes tangled in the conflict between the two kings. To get her sister back, Rowan will have to join in the battle, even if it means she can never return home.
Together, Rowan and Keziah face mossmen, a wood dragon, and other fearsome creatures who serve the Oak King. To make matters worse, Rowan stumbles upon the Holly King, the Oak King's nemesis, and becomes tangled in the conflict between the two kings. To get her sister back, Rowan will have to join in the battle, even if it means she can never return home.
- GenresFantasy
340 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2025
1 person is currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Molly Haniszewski
2 books13 followersMolly Haniszewski has been telling stories since they were a child. After having a child of their own, they decided to actually try and make one of those stories into a finished book. After that, they found they couldn’t stop. They have also had works of poetry and creative nonfiction published in a variety of magazines and literary journals. When they aren’t writing, they are baking far too many pastries, camping in the Montana mountains with their family, foraging for berries and tea ingredients, and helping their kiddo find slugs in the backyard.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 17, 2025
If you are a fairytale lover or are missing the wonderstruck, cozy eerie feeling of Uprooted by Naomi Novik, read this book!
BTBF is a fairytale fantasy in all the best ways. There's forest magic centered around the four seasons, an evil king and a tortured one, escapades in a magical wood, fantastical creatures and beings from a wood dragon to a bear maiden to sentient moss, all centered around the simple, heartfelt story of a girl trying to find her lost sister and rescue her friend.
Our protagonist, Rowan, is incredibly lifelike. We see the complicated family dynamic that she and her sister Celine grew up with (so relatable if you grew up with a conservative family and have now left). Keziah is a hottt love interest (and I say this as a lesbian 🤣), a caring, loyal, driven trans man whose own story is so interesting and well fleshed-out. Basically, all the characters are very well written, and I was invested in all of their arcs. That aside, the plot is also strong: leaning cozy in pace, but there's still plenty of danger and questing that drives the story along and made me want to keep reading just one more chapter every time.
I have been searching for a book that gave me the chills, wonderland forest vibes, and quest plot of Hunted by Meagan Spooner for so long. This scratched that itch! The last thing I'll say is there better be a sequel in the works 😅 Thank you so much to the author and publisher for giving me an eARC.
BTBF is a fairytale fantasy in all the best ways. There's forest magic centered around the four seasons, an evil king and a tortured one, escapades in a magical wood, fantastical creatures and beings from a wood dragon to a bear maiden to sentient moss, all centered around the simple, heartfelt story of a girl trying to find her lost sister and rescue her friend.
Our protagonist, Rowan, is incredibly lifelike. We see the complicated family dynamic that she and her sister Celine grew up with (so relatable if you grew up with a conservative family and have now left). Keziah is a hottt love interest (and I say this as a lesbian 🤣), a caring, loyal, driven trans man whose own story is so interesting and well fleshed-out. Basically, all the characters are very well written, and I was invested in all of their arcs. That aside, the plot is also strong: leaning cozy in pace, but there's still plenty of danger and questing that drives the story along and made me want to keep reading just one more chapter every time.
I have been searching for a book that gave me the chills, wonderland forest vibes, and quest plot of Hunted by Meagan Spooner for so long. This scratched that itch! The last thing I'll say is there better be a sequel in the works 😅 Thank you so much to the author and publisher for giving me an eARC.
September 3, 2025
Full review to come soon, but my early thoughts:
The vibes reminded me a lot of The Bear and the Nightingale, but honestly, I enjoyed this MUCH more. The relationships and complex dynamics held so much weight for me. And I especially loved the tender, slow-blooming romance with teasing banter that I couldn’t help but adore. This is enchanting storytelling. It is lush, emotional, and brimming with fascinating folklore. For a debut, it’s remarkably confident, and it left me wanting so much more from this world. If you’re craving a darkly magical fairytale with heart, this one is a must-read.
Add it to your TBRs now! It will be a perfect fall read.
Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and R&R Booktours for the opportunity to read this amazing book! This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
The vibes reminded me a lot of The Bear and the Nightingale, but honestly, I enjoyed this MUCH more. The relationships and complex dynamics held so much weight for me. And I especially loved the tender, slow-blooming romance with teasing banter that I couldn’t help but adore. This is enchanting storytelling. It is lush, emotional, and brimming with fascinating folklore. For a debut, it’s remarkably confident, and it left me wanting so much more from this world. If you’re craving a darkly magical fairytale with heart, this one is a must-read.
Add it to your TBRs now! It will be a perfect fall read.
Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and R&R Booktours for the opportunity to read this amazing book! This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
October 5, 2025
I read this knowing I would love it, but I didn't expect to love it THIS much. This wasn't technically my introduction to Molly's work. Through my job as a publisher, I was able to read and acquire another novel from her. It's all I've been thinking about since I read it, so I knew I had to pick up her debut for more.
Wow. They are not a one trick pony. This is truly one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. The writing is incredible and the plot was so well woven. I'm just...in awe and so desperate for more people to read this. It's such a well crafted book.
I don't know how I'll last until book two comes out. I need more of this.
Wow. They are not a one trick pony. This is truly one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. The writing is incredible and the plot was so well woven. I'm just...in awe and so desperate for more people to read this. It's such a well crafted book.
I don't know how I'll last until book two comes out. I need more of this.
July 27, 2025
Beyond the Border Forest, Into the Prawdziwy Las, swept me completely off my feet. I went a little feral back when Uprooted by Naomi Novik first fell into my hands but finding a book that hit those vibes for me was difficult. Needless to say, I’m feral now.
This review will be tailored with the intension of giving readers a glimpse without spoiling the book. This is a retelling of some classic fairytales, in a way, but it is also original and rich in lore and worldbuilding.
Beyond the Border Forest leans into fantasy adventure, but there is also a lovely, immersive coziness to the narrative that invites the reader in. Don’t get me wrong, there is danger, there is peril, but damn if the fresh baked pastries and smoking meats won’t make your mouth water.
The story runs some commentary on some of the unsavory aspects of our own world, but it is always with a delicate touch and fits so well with the worldbuilding and lore.
The characters shine. Each has their own unique voice, goals, and struggles. I am especially impressed that I felt such a bond with the protagonist, Rowan. Normally, I tend to be drawn to more masc leaning characters (and I love the handsome woodsman, do not get me wrong), but Rowan has such a strong voice and internal compass as a character, even when she is growing and struggling. I got invested in her story from Chapter one and stayed invested all the way through.
The worldbuilding feels deep but handled with a light touch. This book is for the fantasy lovers. Along the mysterious paths in the woods, you’ll meet mossmen, beasts made of trees, unusual monsters and critters, and of course, the aforementioned handsome huntsman.
Look. I often need some goading to cheer for the central love story/romance plot in books…but y’all, I ship these two so hard. They have great chemistry and a foundation of mutual respect and consideration rather than toxicity and/or miscommunication.
I grew up in the forest and still live in a cabin there, so this book hits so close to home. It is a delight to read, exciting and comforting at once. This book functions as a satisfying standalone but so help me, I’m craving at least another book. I don’t know if the Molly Haniszewski has more planned, but I SURE HOPE SO.
This review will be tailored with the intension of giving readers a glimpse without spoiling the book. This is a retelling of some classic fairytales, in a way, but it is also original and rich in lore and worldbuilding.
Beyond the Border Forest leans into fantasy adventure, but there is also a lovely, immersive coziness to the narrative that invites the reader in. Don’t get me wrong, there is danger, there is peril, but damn if the fresh baked pastries and smoking meats won’t make your mouth water.
The story runs some commentary on some of the unsavory aspects of our own world, but it is always with a delicate touch and fits so well with the worldbuilding and lore.
The characters shine. Each has their own unique voice, goals, and struggles. I am especially impressed that I felt such a bond with the protagonist, Rowan. Normally, I tend to be drawn to more masc leaning characters (and I love the handsome woodsman, do not get me wrong), but Rowan has such a strong voice and internal compass as a character, even when she is growing and struggling. I got invested in her story from Chapter one and stayed invested all the way through.
The worldbuilding feels deep but handled with a light touch. This book is for the fantasy lovers. Along the mysterious paths in the woods, you’ll meet mossmen, beasts made of trees, unusual monsters and critters, and of course, the aforementioned handsome huntsman.
Look. I often need some goading to cheer for the central love story/romance plot in books…but y’all, I ship these two so hard. They have great chemistry and a foundation of mutual respect and consideration rather than toxicity and/or miscommunication.
I grew up in the forest and still live in a cabin there, so this book hits so close to home. It is a delight to read, exciting and comforting at once. This book functions as a satisfying standalone but so help me, I’m craving at least another book. I don’t know if the Molly Haniszewski has more planned, but I SURE HOPE SO.
August 18, 2025
I loved Beyond the Border Forest! It's such a fun read with interesting creatures and magic and is a fantastic debut from Molly Haniszewski!
The folklore in it has The Bear and The Nightingale vibes mixed with its own unique magic. The magic of the seasons between Oak and Holly I found so interesting, particularly how they split their seasons and just how different they were from eachother in both their powers and their personalities.
I am also always a complete sucker for anything that has nature based magic, and it is so well done here.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the fun creatures Rowan and Keziah encounter throughout it, from the mossman, to snowbelly, to the wood dragon, they were all so interesting and different.
Rowan felt so real. She's not perfect and she has doubts that I very much identified with, but she was also kind and helpful, and great at baking and embroidery, which made her a well rounded character. Keziah is sarcastic and witty but has a big heart and a strong sense of loyalty. You really can't help but fall in love with them both.
So if you love books with interesting folklore and nature based magic, you need to pick this up when it's released on September 30th!
The folklore in it has The Bear and The Nightingale vibes mixed with its own unique magic. The magic of the seasons between Oak and Holly I found so interesting, particularly how they split their seasons and just how different they were from eachother in both their powers and their personalities.
I am also always a complete sucker for anything that has nature based magic, and it is so well done here.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the fun creatures Rowan and Keziah encounter throughout it, from the mossman, to snowbelly, to the wood dragon, they were all so interesting and different.
Rowan felt so real. She's not perfect and she has doubts that I very much identified with, but she was also kind and helpful, and great at baking and embroidery, which made her a well rounded character. Keziah is sarcastic and witty but has a big heart and a strong sense of loyalty. You really can't help but fall in love with them both.
So if you love books with interesting folklore and nature based magic, you need to pick this up when it's released on September 30th!
August 27, 2025
Have you ever read a book that feels like magic is infused into the very pages of the book? That's this book for me. It felt full of possibilities, of magic, of hope. The fact that this is a debut is frankly insane because it is just so good! I love the folklore woven into this book (Oak and Holly) and the creatures we meet along the way. We get a fmc who enjoys what some may consider the "softer" hobbies like sewing or baking etc. but isn't written as weak for it. She is still a badass and willing to fight for her loved ones.
Not only does this book feel like magic, but it felt like you could feel the appreciation and love for nature woven into the book. I could visualize things really well and there was just such a love mushrooms, florals, etc. baked into the book. Side note: this book made me HUNGRY. The way food was described in the beginning made me feel like a kid in a bakery eyeing all the treats in the case.
If you liked The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden or Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik you'll probably like this. If you like the Labyrinth with David Bowie, you'll probably like this book. This book is best read in the Fall or Winter.
Not only does this book feel like magic, but it felt like you could feel the appreciation and love for nature woven into the book. I could visualize things really well and there was just such a love mushrooms, florals, etc. baked into the book. Side note: this book made me HUNGRY. The way food was described in the beginning made me feel like a kid in a bakery eyeing all the treats in the case.
If you liked The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden or Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik you'll probably like this. If you like the Labyrinth with David Bowie, you'll probably like this book. This book is best read in the Fall or Winter.
September 30, 2025
I really, really loved this beautiful debut! It’s so cozy and full of nature and interesting creatures. There’s so many amazing characters, and I enjoyed how the plot progressed.
I tend to love retellings, and although I didn’t know the story this book is based on, I loved the fairytale vibes. The imagery, the nature, the creatures, the food (which made me hungry)... everything was so fun and interesting!
I loved all the characters, especially Rowan. I appreciated how hard she worked to find her sister and bring her back. She obviously cared about her sister and the rest of her family, and despite wanting things they wouldn’t allow for her, she loved and wanted the best for them. Keziah was also really interesting! He’s definitely a mystery, but still so charming.
This book is told in both first and third person, depending on the narrator. I really enjoyed this! Having different narrators added to the mystery but also helped the reader learn more than the characters. It was a lot of fun to see the characters figure out things we already knew. I loved putting together the puzzle pieces of the mystery as little facts were seamlessly dropped throughout the book.
I thought the ending of the book wrapped up the original conflicts of the book, but there’s obviously so much more to be done. So of course, I cannot wait for the sequel!!
Before I end this, let me also mention, reader, that I… am in the acknowledgements!!! It’s really SUCH an honor, and I’m so so grateful! Thank you so much, Molly! 🥹
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC!! All opinions are my own.
I tend to love retellings, and although I didn’t know the story this book is based on, I loved the fairytale vibes. The imagery, the nature, the creatures, the food (which made me hungry)... everything was so fun and interesting!
I loved all the characters, especially Rowan. I appreciated how hard she worked to find her sister and bring her back. She obviously cared about her sister and the rest of her family, and despite wanting things they wouldn’t allow for her, she loved and wanted the best for them. Keziah was also really interesting! He’s definitely a mystery, but still so charming.
This book is told in both first and third person, depending on the narrator. I really enjoyed this! Having different narrators added to the mystery but also helped the reader learn more than the characters. It was a lot of fun to see the characters figure out things we already knew. I loved putting together the puzzle pieces of the mystery as little facts were seamlessly dropped throughout the book.
I thought the ending of the book wrapped up the original conflicts of the book, but there’s obviously so much more to be done. So of course, I cannot wait for the sequel!!
Before I end this, let me also mention, reader, that I… am in the acknowledgements!!! It’s really SUCH an honor, and I’m so so grateful! Thank you so much, Molly! 🥹
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC!! All opinions are my own.
October 14, 2025
I knew I was going to love this book because it’s set in a magical forest and had badass queer characters and tree magic. And it was written by a friend. But dude, Molly you knocked it out of the park! This was phenomenal!
Our main characters Rowan and Keziah feel like real people. They’re multifaceted, and have wants and dreams that both define them and that they’re willing to postpone to make their world a better place. I loved all the of magical forest creatures! A mossman! Sphagnum is so cool! And Narra just about broke my heart. Such cool world building, deeply infused in folklore, and also completely fresh.
There is a passage where Rowan describes Autumn that put all of my feeling into words: “The leaves are beautiful in Autumn, and everything smells heavenly… All the best food, and you can dress up warmly and stay cozy inside, or go out and find chestnuts and hazelnuts at last… Pears! It’s the only time of year we have pears. And apples are finally ripe, and plums and blackberries. “ As an Autumn lover, I now am a full on Rowan stan!
And who doesn’t like a badass female character who is still feminine. Who loves baking and embroidery and taking care of her family. What an important character for people to get to see.
Highly, highly recommend this book. Make sure to bring a snack when you start it! Molly’s descriptions of food will have your mouth watering!
Our main characters Rowan and Keziah feel like real people. They’re multifaceted, and have wants and dreams that both define them and that they’re willing to postpone to make their world a better place. I loved all the of magical forest creatures! A mossman! Sphagnum is so cool! And Narra just about broke my heart. Such cool world building, deeply infused in folklore, and also completely fresh.
There is a passage where Rowan describes Autumn that put all of my feeling into words: “The leaves are beautiful in Autumn, and everything smells heavenly… All the best food, and you can dress up warmly and stay cozy inside, or go out and find chestnuts and hazelnuts at last… Pears! It’s the only time of year we have pears. And apples are finally ripe, and plums and blackberries. “ As an Autumn lover, I now am a full on Rowan stan!
And who doesn’t like a badass female character who is still feminine. Who loves baking and embroidery and taking care of her family. What an important character for people to get to see.
Highly, highly recommend this book. Make sure to bring a snack when you start it! Molly’s descriptions of food will have your mouth watering!
September 2, 2025
ARC provided by R&R Book Tours, Quills and Cosmos Press, and the author. All thoughts are my own.
Beyond the Border Forest is exactly the kind of story that sneaks up on you with its quiet magic and ends up lodging itself in your heart. It draws inspiration from familiar fairy tale elements, but rather than feeling like a retelling, it stands confidently on its own with a world that feels mythic and timeless.
This is the kind of fantasy that understands the power of restraint. The world-building is there, but it’s never overwhelming. Instead, it gives you just enough to stay grounded while letting the plot and characters take center stage. I especially loved the nature-based magic that pulses throughout the story, it felt organic and atmospheric without being overexplained.
Rowan is a character I liked right away, but by the end of the book, I absolutely adored her. Her determination and heart anchor the story, and watching her grow felt incredibly satisfying. Keziah, her reluctant and delightfully snarky companion, was a perfect foil—clever, charming, and with a mysterious edge that kept me intrigued. Their dynamic was one of my favorite aspects of the book, full of banter and quiet emotional depth.
Though the story centers around finding Rowan’s sister, what it really gives us is an adventure. It’s the kind of quest that reminds me why I love fantasy in the first place: strange magic, ancient conflicts, eerie creatures, and unexpected friendships. The journey through the forest felt like a character in its own right, both beautiful and dangerous.
Beyond the Border Forest walks that line between adventurous and cozy in a way that made it an ideal fall read. It’s atmospheric, character-driven, and laced with just enough magic and mystery to keep the pages turning. I’m so glad this one was part of my ARC stack—it set the perfect tone for my autumn reading season.
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September 3, 2025
There’s something about early fall—the way the shadows stretch just a little longer, the way the air invites you to investigate what’s hidden beneath the leaves that just longs for a book to match it!
If you’ve ever looked at a book cover and whispered, please let the story live up to this magic—this is the one that does.
Beyond the Border Forest is a gorgeously restrained, emotionally rich fairy tale retelling that doesn’t just echo Snow White and Rose Red—it reimagines it with a quiet power that feels both timeless and tender. And no, this isn’t the apple-eating princess with seven dwarves. This is the darker, wilder Grimm tale—the one with tangled woods, seasonal magic, and characters so vivid I swear I heard their footsteps in my dreams.
This story unfolds in prose that’s deceptively brief but deeply immersive. Haniszewski’s writing doesn’t rely on genre spectacle—it builds a world you inhabit without realizing, until you’re already changed by it. The seasonal split between Oak and Holly blurs the line between folk and fairy tale, and the result is something hauntingly authentic.
I can’t believe this is a debut. The language is tight and lyrical, the romance tender and earned, and the world building so lush I didn’t want to leave. Rowan and Keziah felt real—not just characters, but companions. This is a book I went to bed reading and woke up wanting to fall back into.
It’s cozy fantasy with teeth. Queer fairy tale with heart. And storytelling that reminds you why you fell in love with magic in the first place.
Beyond the Boarder Forest - Into the Prawdziwy Las has earned a permanent spot on my Fairy Tale Shelf!
If you’ve ever looked at a book cover and whispered, please let the story live up to this magic—this is the one that does.
Beyond the Border Forest is a gorgeously restrained, emotionally rich fairy tale retelling that doesn’t just echo Snow White and Rose Red—it reimagines it with a quiet power that feels both timeless and tender. And no, this isn’t the apple-eating princess with seven dwarves. This is the darker, wilder Grimm tale—the one with tangled woods, seasonal magic, and characters so vivid I swear I heard their footsteps in my dreams.
This story unfolds in prose that’s deceptively brief but deeply immersive. Haniszewski’s writing doesn’t rely on genre spectacle—it builds a world you inhabit without realizing, until you’re already changed by it. The seasonal split between Oak and Holly blurs the line between folk and fairy tale, and the result is something hauntingly authentic.
I can’t believe this is a debut. The language is tight and lyrical, the romance tender and earned, and the world building so lush I didn’t want to leave. Rowan and Keziah felt real—not just characters, but companions. This is a book I went to bed reading and woke up wanting to fall back into.
It’s cozy fantasy with teeth. Queer fairy tale with heart. And storytelling that reminds you why you fell in love with magic in the first place.
Beyond the Boarder Forest - Into the Prawdziwy Las has earned a permanent spot on my Fairy Tale Shelf!
October 25, 2025
Absolutely stunning book. I've just finished and turned immediately to rate BTBF five stars while still in the spell of this gorgeous, richly crafted world.
I went in knowing a little, knowing I'd enjoy the read, that I would be appropriately appalled by the villain...all those things held true, but so much more deeply than any initial impression could have suggested. Drawing from fairtales, this story feels familiar in the best ways, and subverts some expectations so nicely. There's no hesitation about calling out prejudice and the impact bigotry has on people living their truths, and this book builds upon that foundation to a story that works because the characters inhabiting this world are so real in their trauma responses, raw reactions, and even the way even the loveliest walnut bread eventually becomes too much of a good thing.
I read this book in two sittings and would happily read through again in one sitting. BTBF takes the reader for an immersive ride that doesn't respect clocks. I love that.
This book ended in just the right place, yes, but I kept trying to turn more pages because this book may have ended but I'm not done with it yet.
I went in knowing a little, knowing I'd enjoy the read, that I would be appropriately appalled by the villain...all those things held true, but so much more deeply than any initial impression could have suggested. Drawing from fairtales, this story feels familiar in the best ways, and subverts some expectations so nicely. There's no hesitation about calling out prejudice and the impact bigotry has on people living their truths, and this book builds upon that foundation to a story that works because the characters inhabiting this world are so real in their trauma responses, raw reactions, and even the way even the loveliest walnut bread eventually becomes too much of a good thing.
I read this book in two sittings and would happily read through again in one sitting. BTBF takes the reader for an immersive ride that doesn't respect clocks. I love that.
This book ended in just the right place, yes, but I kept trying to turn more pages because this book may have ended but I'm not done with it yet.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews