The Hidden Way: Heartwood, Book 2

Heartwood #2

by Juliet Marillier, Emma Drysdale (Narrator)

Stasya and her companions have made a remarkable journey to find the true heir to the Rulership, believed dead as a child. Now they must bring Markus back to court for the Ruler's Grand Council, where he will stand up and reveal himself. Until then his survival must be kept secret, for not only is he himself at risk, but the Ruler's guards will be hunting for the fugitives. While Markus prepares himself for the great task ahead, the team heads away from Heartwood, accompanied by two of the Forest Folk. Olev and Eldur, with their uncanny gifts, can provide a level of security beyond the ability of human guards.

The journey holds many shipwreck, armed attack, monsters both human and uncanny. As they travel, the team learns just how much damage the Ruler's desperate quest for amber is inflicting on her people, and how much stronger they can be when they stand together.

All fear the final confrontation. In the end, could storytelling be the key?

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Audiobook, Fiction

Audible Audio

Published March 31, 2026

About the author

Juliet Marillier was born in Dunedin, New Zealand and grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy. Juliet was educated at the University of Otago, where she majored in music and languages, graduating BA and Bachelor of Music (Hons). Her lifelong interest in history, folklore and mythology has had a major influence on her writing.

Juliet is the author of twenty-one historical fantasy novels for adults and young adults, as well as a book of short fiction. Juliet's novels and short stories have won many awards.

Juliet lives in a 110 year old cottage in a riverside suburb of Perth, Western Australia. When not writing, she tends to her small pack of rescue dogs. She also has four adult children and eight grandchildren. Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.)

Reviews

[Patrycja]

3.5
Przyjemnie było wrócić do tego świata i tych bohaterów. Jednak jak na prozę Marillier zabrakło mi chyba tego czegoś, a samo zaskoczenie było jakieś takie nieco nijakie.

[Cups and Thoughts]

the audiobook was so so lovely!!! i’m a little sad we didn’t get to see aleks and stasya together much, but i loved that they went on their own ways and grew despite being apart! the ending was so unpredictable!!! the writing is beautiful as always :’) i’m going to miss this world and its characters! need more YA books from miss marillier. but for now i think i’ll jump back to her adult books cos i miss them 🫶🏼

[Naomi Chen]

Still a heartwarming story though I kind of feel the plot is too slow and ended up skimmed the middle part a lot. Quite enjoyed "the twist" on the back and some quotes from the conversation. I am glad that an INFP can be an interesting main heroine. Thought I am bit questioning the ending - and sad because Lukas does not appear at all anymore in the second book.

[Gwen]

I loved the first 3/4 of the book as much as I loved The Amber Owl. The ending felt a little too neat, and perhaps emotionally distant, which made it feel rushed. Maybe I just wasn’t ready to part with the characters yet!

I was left mulling over what my takeaway from The Hidden Way was:
- love can make one desperate?
- love can make one do terrible things?
- duty before love?
- self fulfillment before love?

I might be missing some of the *love somehow triumphs all* feelings from the Sevenwaters series (even when there’s tragedy, or duty) which was why this one felt a bit lacklustre to me. This just might not have been the right read for what I was hoping for.

What I did appreciate:
- the POV of the secondary characters
- exploring different realities of women and their livelihoods
- the magic from Flip and the Forest Folk

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kate Mckillinit]

It was no Blackthorne and Grimm but it was a delightful, feel-good read

[bri]

As always, Marillier never fails to create a gorgeous story with beautifully developed characters! While this isn’t my favorite series from Marillier, it was still SUCH an enjoyable experience listening to these audiobooks! There is just something so magical and delightful about these characters!

The Hidden Way continues directly after the events of The Amber Owl as everyone works towards the overarching mission. Stasya and Aleksis end up going separate paths for the vast majority of this book, and as much as I would have loved them together, I really appreciate that they weren’t. What I love about Marillier is that she always prioritizes character development rather than manipulating the plot to create romantic moments. They are beautiful as a pair, but that doesn’t stop them from being such compelling characters individually. And I love how they don’t give up their individual dreams to be with each other; they are able to balance and make it work. I love how they are such anchors to each other to constantly move forward, always worrying for the other on their journeys. It’s just beautiful and makes the romance even better for it! And when we got to the long awaited reunion, it just had me tearing up a little inside!

I just loved how everything came together as so many characters allied all for the same goal. And yet… the ending completely took me off guard and almost completely changed my perspective on the situation. Just wow… Overall, this duology was just such a wonderful experience!

[Susan]

Stasya and her companions have made a remarkable journey to find the true heir to the Rulership, believed dead as a child. Now they must bring Markus back to court for the Ruler's Grand Council, where he will stand up and reveal himself. Until then his survival must be kept secret, for not only is he himself at risk, but the Ruler's guards will be hunting for the fugitives. While Markus prepares himself for the great task ahead, the team heads away from Heartwood, accompanied by two of the Forest Folk. Olev and Eldur, with their uncanny gifts, can provide a level of security beyond the ability of human guards.

The journey holds many shipwreck, armed attack, monsters both human and uncanny. As they travel, the team learns just how much damage the Ruler's desperate quest for amber is inflicting on her people, and how much stronger they can be when they stand together.

A rather dull book saved by Juliet Marillier's beautiful writing. As with the first book there's fairly unrelenting misery and at around the middle point I found myself scanning just to get through more and more passages of story-telling, acrobatics and fear of betrayal. I'm still a huge Marillier fan but this series is not for me.

[Penny Geard]

3.5 stars. This is an absolutely lovely book (but I'm not sure I'm the target market for lovely books 😅)
As always, Marillier incorporates elements of storytelling into the plot. This time, the stories are used as a form of communication and a source of hope.

My main problem with this was that I 100% did not buy into the romance. It blindsided me in the first book that it was even the romantic pairing we were supposed to be rooting for. In this second book they barely spend any time together, when didn't help with me warming up to it.

[Victoria]

For a huge chunk of this I was having a great time. It was lovely to catch up with Stasya and Aleksis especially when the stakes are so high. Their journey was fascinating, and my heart was in my mouth for a lot of this. But the ending felt very rushed and abrupt and that knocked a few stars off for me. Ot just sort of.. ended with no fanfare which disappointed me

[Courtney Goodwin]

Loved the first half but I did find the middle / ending a bit of a struggle. It was just a bit too slow. I’ve never had this with a Juliet Marillier book before (she is top 5 authors for me).

[Laurena]

3.5 stars
Lovely writing

[Marina Tenbruggencate]

Super disappointed because I have loved Juliet Marillier and her books for a long time, but i guess this series just isn't for me. Read book one and tried to persist with Book two but I cant.

[Larissa]

Oh I'm so sad. I love Juliet but I did not enjoy this book.
There are many plot points that I dont understand. Like Stasya's mission, I feel like that didn't play play any part in the ending. And the romance, we are supposed to know that they are in love with each other already, but i don't really remember anything romantic happening on the first book. The way the story progresses is also very slow, what typically is not a problem in my opinion, but here I found it boring.
I wish Juliet would write a book with a ace character, maybe if the romance is not expected in the book somethings would be less predictable and overdone.

[Amy apple]

2.5
Marginally better than the first book, this picked right up from book one. There was a small recap at the start which I always appreciate.

I found the momentum started well but then pacing again started to slow to an anticlimactic finish that wrapped up waaaaaaay too neatly. A quiet finish where I wanted a bit more. It felt too easy and somewhat not really earned.

The writing was again whimsical and easy to read, but like the first book I just didn’t feel like I was the right audience and that it was written more for YA/middle graders.

[River]

I own all her works. Yet this book was very very slow to me. I listened to the audiobooks and liked the narrator,but the story was not for me. I mostly didn't know what was going on because I drift away when something doesn't hold my attention. I wanted Alexis and Stasya to have more romance as well. Give it a read if you like cozy feel good. The cover art work is gorgeous, I'd buy the books just for that. I carried on till the very end of the book out of my appreciation for the author. I reread all her other works, she is a wonderful writer.

[Brittany Gregson]

Not quite as good as Juliet Marillier’s other series/books, but still enjoyed it.

[Liz]

Solid continuation of the duology. I enjoyed getting to know some of the secondary characters a little more, such as Lia.
The ending felt a little too neat for the complexity of the story.

[Molly Zibens]

As always, Juliet Marillier writes a story full of hope, love, resilience, adventure and magic.

[Connie53]

Wat een geweldig einde van deze tweedelige serie. Het had van mij nog wel oneindig kunnen doorgaan. Het is zo'n heerlijke wereld om in zijn.
Heel complex, met veel personages, die soms dubbele rollen spelen. Met gevaren en misverstanden, soms wreed en volkomen onnodig en met veel verhalen, die omstandigheden moeten duiden op een subtiele manier, want dat is wat Stasya het best kan, verhalen vertellen.
Het is natuurlijk het verhaal van Stasya en Aleksis. In het eerste deel is Markus, de erfgenaam van de troon van The Northlands is gevonden en nu moeten ze hem veilig en undercover terug brengen naar de hoofdstad en Lady Elisabeta daarmee confronteren zodat hij zijn troon kan opeisen. Daarvoor ondernemen ze een reis langs de verschillende landen die op de geplande jaarvergadering bij elkaar zullen komen. Ze moeten de leiders daarvan overtuigen om aan hun kant te staan. Dat gaat met vallen en opstaan. Want er wordt ook tegenstand geboden door verschillende leiders, onder andere door Bisschop Petras, die er volkomen van overtuigd is dat de leiding bij de kerk zou moeten liggen en dus bij hem.
Veel meer wil ik niet zeggen, maar ik denk dat ik wel laat zien hoe geweldig ik dit boek vond.
Schitterend einde, dat ik echt niet had zien aankomen.

[Jennie]

After their remarkable journey in #1, Stasya and her companions need to establish Markus, the heir to the throne, in his rightful place. this requires the companions to regroup and go in different directions to get back to the capital in time for the annual Grand Council. Both Aleksis and his team and Staysa with her two friends and Flip, face dangerous and life threatening challenges as Markus is schooled in ruling a country.

Much hangs in the balance, with only minimal hope that they will survive the the final confrontation.
Actions during the journey, particularly those of Staysa, a key to how the drama plays out. This aspect is adequately explored but the ending is just a little too neat and tidy and comes to a conclusion to rapidly after such a long journey.

The multiple perspectives are strongly presented in the excellent audio performance.

[Feyre Fields]

I really enjoyed the quest of this book and how it picks up from the first book. The adventures for all the characters and how they became stronger as a group, leaning on each other and all the magic that they encountered. Juliet Marillier has breathed life into the old folk tales and incorporated them beautifully into her stories which is why she is one of my favourite authors with historic fantasy.
I did find the story was a bit slow to start but I understand that the characters were adjusting to their new surroundings. Without spoiling it, the climax was everything I hoped it would be, drama, lots of characters coming together and unexpected twists at the end. But I'm a little sad about the ending for some of the characters.
Overall, an excellent book, not my favourite she has ever written, but one I'll happily read again.

[Nina {ᴡᴏʀᴅs ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ}]

Actually 3.5 stars!

I enjoyed continuing the story from book 1. I enjoyed seeing Aleksis and Stasya and the team. I think Aleksis had the stronger narrative this time round, while Stasya's was more of a waiting game. Somehow I expected a bit more time with her, Karolis, and Olev travelling to get to the meeting place, but that changed quickly. The time with the Sisters of Dust was interesting, but unexpected, but I can see why it was important by the ending.

As for the ending, I can see why it looked a little too tidy. I do agree it seemed a little too rose coloured and easily resolved, but in the same breath, I am just glad for the happy ending and that Stasya was able to tell her story of what happened at Heartwood.

The relationship. I was intrigued by this, because I love a slow burn. But in book 1, where it's a slow burn built of their interactions, here, we see fondness growing in absence. I did like their reunion, even though it felt a little fast (big kiss even though the last time they met, they only went as far as a kiss on the hand...), and moves quickly into a more adult relationship. So, I'm a little undecided by how I feel about that, other than, I do like Aleksis and Stasya together.

In general, I would say this duology reads like a YA story, whimsical with a fairytale flair, but when it came to the romance, it is both a slow burn and absolutely implies a mature relationship.

[Debi]

Usually I give Juliet Marillier 5 star reviews. I love her fantasy novels, her characters and her worlds. After devouring “The Amber Owl” and loving it, I was somewhat disappointed with this one. It was a really slow burn. The action,when it came,was up to her high standards, but in between times I thought she was stretching it out. Repeated dialogue and recurring memories seemed to me to be ‘filling’. Still great characters and adventures, just nowhere near the calibre of Book 1.

[Lisa G]

4.5⭐️ It was nice (and also an adjustment) to have a normal FMC that has to work through her anxieties to get the job done, to overcome obstacles and to fight against injustice using - not a sword - but her own talents.

As always, beautifully written by this author.

[Pat]

A book I read slowly. Very thought provoking ending and romance.

[jayde virgo]

4.25⭐️