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The Forest Beyond the Earth
Under the watchful eye of the Mother Shrine, twelve-year-old Wisp ekes out a simple, but challenging life with Dad, foraging for food and losing herself in old books from the world that came before. She loves the Endless Forest ― except when the Tree Walkers come for her.
In ages past, the great rain of fire and ash destroyed the Earth, wiping out the ancients and everything they had made. Nature has reclaimed much since then, spreading out in a vast forest full of wonder and dread. Ever in fear of being taken away, she follows Dad’s rules without question while learning to survive off the land.
No longer a small child, she accompanies Dad on one of his treks, her first time more than a few steps away from the cabin. A day exploring with him is the happiest time of her life, but joy is short-lived.
A monster follows them home.
Safe in her Haven, she hides while Dad goes outside to confront the beast. She wakes alone the next morning, and waits. Alas, her hope of his return fades with the daylight. Desperate, she breaks his strictest rule and goes outside alone. Not far from the cabin, she discovers his rifle abandoned next to the monster’s strange footprints.
Afraid but determined, Wisp sets off on her own into the Endless Forest to find Dad ― before the Tree Walkers catch her.
In ages past, the great rain of fire and ash destroyed the Earth, wiping out the ancients and everything they had made. Nature has reclaimed much since then, spreading out in a vast forest full of wonder and dread. Ever in fear of being taken away, she follows Dad’s rules without question while learning to survive off the land.
No longer a small child, she accompanies Dad on one of his treks, her first time more than a few steps away from the cabin. A day exploring with him is the happiest time of her life, but joy is short-lived.
A monster follows them home.
Safe in her Haven, she hides while Dad goes outside to confront the beast. She wakes alone the next morning, and waits. Alas, her hope of his return fades with the daylight. Desperate, she breaks his strictest rule and goes outside alone. Not far from the cabin, she discovers his rifle abandoned next to the monster’s strange footprints.
Afraid but determined, Wisp sets off on her own into the Endless Forest to find Dad ― before the Tree Walkers catch her.
452 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2018
109 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Matthew S. Cox
192 books265 followersBorn in a little town known as South Amboy NJ in 1973, Matthew has been creating science fiction and fantasy worlds for most of his reasoning life. Somewhere between fifteen to eighteen of them spent developing the world in which Division Zero, Virtual Immortality, and The Awakened Series take place. He has several other projects in the works as well as a collaborative science fiction endeavor with author Tony Healey.
Hobbies and Interests:
Matthew is an avid gamer, a recovered WoW addict, Gamemaster for two custom systems (Chronicles of Eldrinaath [Fantasy] and Divergent Fates [Sci Fi], and a fan of anime, British humour (<- deliberate), and intellectual science fiction that questions the nature of reality, life, and what happens after it.
He is also fond of cats.
Hobbies and Interests:
Matthew is an avid gamer, a recovered WoW addict, Gamemaster for two custom systems (Chronicles of Eldrinaath [Fantasy] and Divergent Fates [Sci Fi], and a fan of anime, British humour (<- deliberate), and intellectual science fiction that questions the nature of reality, life, and what happens after it.
He is also fond of cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 15, 2018
The Forest Beyond the Earth by Matthew S. Cox is a book for all ages. It is probably a book for middle age kids but I loved it! I didn't feel talked down too and I thought about this book long after I finished it. There is so many things to think of once you know everything...
A girl named Wisp lives in the deep forest long after the world has been destroyed by bombs. Life is different and she fears many things like marauders and the Tree Walkers. One day they hear something outside of their small trailer, her dad goes out to check on the noise and doesn't come back. This leads Wisp on a mission to find her dad and for the first time, leaving the forest. This is so exciting, eye opening, and so full of twists and turns....wow!!! A must read, I would suggest everyone I know to read this great book. I am putting this in my favorites!
A girl named Wisp lives in the deep forest long after the world has been destroyed by bombs. Life is different and she fears many things like marauders and the Tree Walkers. One day they hear something outside of their small trailer, her dad goes out to check on the noise and doesn't come back. This leads Wisp on a mission to find her dad and for the first time, leaving the forest. This is so exciting, eye opening, and so full of twists and turns....wow!!! A must read, I would suggest everyone I know to read this great book. I am putting this in my favorites!
May 14, 2018
3.5 out of 5 stars!
I was on the promotional blog tour for this book!
This YA Post-Apocalyptic novel follows a young girl, who is kept hidden away from the outside world other than the surrounding lands nearest her Haven which are known as the Endless Forest. I personally love reading and writing about settings of forests and woods, it really builds something extra onto the reading atmosphere. Now that the young girl (called Wisp) is twelve, she can have some extra freedom. But when that does happen, a scary monster follows them both back to the Haven. When the sun rises, Wisp discovers that her Dad hasn’t returned. The only way to find him, is to break all of the rules and forget being safe. She has to venture out, and use her Dad’s rifle to defend herself against the so-called Tree Walkers, enemies that could kill her.
This was an adventurous story as Wisp has to make some difficult decisions throughout the novel, as she tries desperately to find her Dad. The ending of the novel was what shocked me the most as a reader, a plot twist that I didn’t see coming at all! It was a visual journey, with the visual settings my favourite part of the experience. There is no romance in this novel which also made the plotline really refreshing. A good standalone read for readers who like to go on a journey.
I was on the promotional blog tour for this book!
This YA Post-Apocalyptic novel follows a young girl, who is kept hidden away from the outside world other than the surrounding lands nearest her Haven which are known as the Endless Forest. I personally love reading and writing about settings of forests and woods, it really builds something extra onto the reading atmosphere. Now that the young girl (called Wisp) is twelve, she can have some extra freedom. But when that does happen, a scary monster follows them both back to the Haven. When the sun rises, Wisp discovers that her Dad hasn’t returned. The only way to find him, is to break all of the rules and forget being safe. She has to venture out, and use her Dad’s rifle to defend herself against the so-called Tree Walkers, enemies that could kill her.
This was an adventurous story as Wisp has to make some difficult decisions throughout the novel, as she tries desperately to find her Dad. The ending of the novel was what shocked me the most as a reader, a plot twist that I didn’t see coming at all! It was a visual journey, with the visual settings my favourite part of the experience. There is no romance in this novel which also made the plotline really refreshing. A good standalone read for readers who like to go on a journey.
May 18, 2018
Reviewed on behalf of httP://bookaddict.live,
This is a YA Post-Apocalyptic novel that follows a young girl called Wisp, who is kept hidden away from the outside world other than the surrounding lands nearest her Haven which are known as the Endless Forest. Now that Wisp is twelve, she can have some extra freedom. But when that does happen, and a scary monster follows them both back to the Haven. When the sun rises, Wisp discovers that her Dad hasn’t returned. The only way to find him, is to break all of the rules and forget being safe. She has to venture out, and use her Dad’s rifle to defend herself against the so-called Tree Walkers, enemies that could kill her.
This was an adventurous story as Wisp has to survive on her own, luckily the lessons her Dad taught her how to make some difficult decisions throughout the novel, as she tries desperately to find her Dad. The ending of the novel was what shocked me the most as a reader, a plot twist that I didn’t see coming at all. It was a visual journey, with the visual settings my favourite part of the experience. I loved the pictures at the top of the page lent themselves to the charm of the story. This is a written very well as the story unfolds from Wisp's understanding on what goes on around her. This is very easy to read as it is aimed at YA market, sometime the imagination is so interesting that even adults enjoy it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a YA Post-Apocalyptic novel that follows a young girl called Wisp, who is kept hidden away from the outside world other than the surrounding lands nearest her Haven which are known as the Endless Forest. Now that Wisp is twelve, she can have some extra freedom. But when that does happen, and a scary monster follows them both back to the Haven. When the sun rises, Wisp discovers that her Dad hasn’t returned. The only way to find him, is to break all of the rules and forget being safe. She has to venture out, and use her Dad’s rifle to defend herself against the so-called Tree Walkers, enemies that could kill her.
This was an adventurous story as Wisp has to survive on her own, luckily the lessons her Dad taught her how to make some difficult decisions throughout the novel, as she tries desperately to find her Dad. The ending of the novel was what shocked me the most as a reader, a plot twist that I didn’t see coming at all. It was a visual journey, with the visual settings my favourite part of the experience. I loved the pictures at the top of the page lent themselves to the charm of the story. This is a written very well as the story unfolds from Wisp's understanding on what goes on around her. This is very easy to read as it is aimed at YA market, sometime the imagination is so interesting that even adults enjoy it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2018
Review originally posted at my blog for Xpresso Book Tours: https://bookishpuffcorn.wordpress.com...
The Forest Beyond Earth by Matthew Cox is about a 12-year-old girl named Wisp’s adventure as she searches for her dad in the endless forest. The book is set in a post-apocalyptic Earth after a great war had ended many years ago.
I think the book is supposed to be set for middle-grades (though I put it on YA). It’s actually a great read for all ages! I honestly have never read anything like this before and this one really is worth it! Although I have doubts before I started it that maybe I wouldn’t like it but hey, the book really showed me I was wrong about it!
The book was mainly told in Wisp’s POV and her purity was really refreshing. She hadn’t known any other place besides their haven hidden inside the forest. Her dad is the only other person she’s seen before. I adore her in a way that I admire her. Wisp is a very loving child. She’s a reader and is always eager to learn new things. She’s also really strong and brave. I felt that I was looking out for her to while reading her adventures.
I just can’t stop reading how she navigated the woods and went to different places all by herself. She’s young but she matured early. I swear that her pureness really was showing in the whole book. There are references in our present days like we seem to be the ancient civilization that existed millennia ago.
The book was very well written and I think everyone would really enjoy this. I loved how the plot was made and how everything seems to be puzzle pieces that fit together. And when you thought everything was lost, you won’t really expect what happens next. The ending is really great though shocking. It’s quite satisfying actually but somehow disturbing in some way. Overall, I rate The Forest Beyond Earth by Matthew Cox, 4 out of 5 stars!
The Forest Beyond Earth by Matthew Cox is about a 12-year-old girl named Wisp’s adventure as she searches for her dad in the endless forest. The book is set in a post-apocalyptic Earth after a great war had ended many years ago.
I think the book is supposed to be set for middle-grades (though I put it on YA). It’s actually a great read for all ages! I honestly have never read anything like this before and this one really is worth it! Although I have doubts before I started it that maybe I wouldn’t like it but hey, the book really showed me I was wrong about it!
The book was mainly told in Wisp’s POV and her purity was really refreshing. She hadn’t known any other place besides their haven hidden inside the forest. Her dad is the only other person she’s seen before. I adore her in a way that I admire her. Wisp is a very loving child. She’s a reader and is always eager to learn new things. She’s also really strong and brave. I felt that I was looking out for her to while reading her adventures.
I just can’t stop reading how she navigated the woods and went to different places all by herself. She’s young but she matured early. I swear that her pureness really was showing in the whole book. There are references in our present days like we seem to be the ancient civilization that existed millennia ago.
The book was very well written and I think everyone would really enjoy this. I loved how the plot was made and how everything seems to be puzzle pieces that fit together. And when you thought everything was lost, you won’t really expect what happens next. The ending is really great though shocking. It’s quite satisfying actually but somehow disturbing in some way. Overall, I rate The Forest Beyond Earth by Matthew Cox, 4 out of 5 stars!
March 1, 2018
Twelve-year-old Wisp only knows what Dad has taught her, and he has given her books to read—from the time before the Fire Dragons devastated Planet Earth. He has showed her what plants she can and cannot eat (and what insects and how to cook them). He has schooled her in how to shoot a gun and how to stay safe from the horrible Tree Walkers.
Author Cox has imagined a world after this one—a world in which Wisp knows only what Dad has told her—and Cox builds her rather narrow life from there. So when Wisp has to go out into the broader world, one that contains more than only Wisp and Dad, the upper middle grade reader can anticipate trouble. Will this girl be able to cope in an environment both dangerous and caring? How will she react to a different set of circumstances than those she’s used to in the Endless Forest?
Any reader—even an adult one—will find the premise quite intriguing. Will Wisp be too trusting, and soon be duped? Or will she be too fearful and unable to connect with others? Will she have learned sufficient survival skills?
Cox has started with a blank slate here, creating a wild child who has read stories of the world before but has zero actual experience. He skillfully builds her mental processes in honest and interesting ways and shows the post-apocalyptic world to readers as if it were completely new. He shares a child’s vision of what’s happening in depth and with integrity so that his novel progresses as real life might in such a strange and stressful situation. We, his readers, can only cheer for Wisp and enjoy following her epic travels. Oh, yes, kids will like this story, too.
Author Cox has imagined a world after this one—a world in which Wisp knows only what Dad has told her—and Cox builds her rather narrow life from there. So when Wisp has to go out into the broader world, one that contains more than only Wisp and Dad, the upper middle grade reader can anticipate trouble. Will this girl be able to cope in an environment both dangerous and caring? How will she react to a different set of circumstances than those she’s used to in the Endless Forest?
Any reader—even an adult one—will find the premise quite intriguing. Will Wisp be too trusting, and soon be duped? Or will she be too fearful and unable to connect with others? Will she have learned sufficient survival skills?
Cox has started with a blank slate here, creating a wild child who has read stories of the world before but has zero actual experience. He skillfully builds her mental processes in honest and interesting ways and shows the post-apocalyptic world to readers as if it were completely new. He shares a child’s vision of what’s happening in depth and with integrity so that his novel progresses as real life might in such a strange and stressful situation. We, his readers, can only cheer for Wisp and enjoy following her epic travels. Oh, yes, kids will like this story, too.
February 25, 2018
Welcome to Wisp's world an apocalyptic world where she lives in the woods with a man she calls dad. She is not allowed to go anywhere without him . There are too many scary things out there that might get her . Until the day her dad goes missing and Wisp is sent on an epic journey to find her dad and bring him home . But there is more out there that she must over come and find out her true path in life.
This book took off right out of the gate . The characters are so well written and complex . The main character Wisp is at the beginning very naïve and not worldly at all. She has learned from her dad but she hasn't learned how it interact with other people. She grows up but is still stunted as she makes her way around . I liked Wisp very much you really want to just hug her and keep her safe . The scene with Zen and the people at the diner is such a fun read . I giggled she was so stunned at what she found and actually she fit in really well there . You need to read it to see how funny it actually is .
The author takes us on a journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. You sit there and wonder if the tree walkers are real and will they actually take her away . Trust me you will actually scream at your kindle telling Wisp to watch out and be careful . The story has some great twists and turns . Man when you think one way and bam the author takes us to a different place . I really loved this story, the author made me really want to care about the people . The different characters were vast and diverse . Not going to give it away but there is a twist at the end that will have you going WTH and wow . So if you want a really good apocalyptic story . Check it out
This book took off right out of the gate . The characters are so well written and complex . The main character Wisp is at the beginning very naïve and not worldly at all. She has learned from her dad but she hasn't learned how it interact with other people. She grows up but is still stunted as she makes her way around . I liked Wisp very much you really want to just hug her and keep her safe . The scene with Zen and the people at the diner is such a fun read . I giggled she was so stunned at what she found and actually she fit in really well there . You need to read it to see how funny it actually is .
The author takes us on a journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. You sit there and wonder if the tree walkers are real and will they actually take her away . Trust me you will actually scream at your kindle telling Wisp to watch out and be careful . The story has some great twists and turns . Man when you think one way and bam the author takes us to a different place . I really loved this story, the author made me really want to care about the people . The different characters were vast and diverse . Not going to give it away but there is a twist at the end that will have you going WTH and wow . So if you want a really good apocalyptic story . Check it out
March 7, 2018
Different point of view
I loved this book. It is such a different point of view than most I read. Of course I am happy to read any of Matthew's books! His writing is phenomenal ! This book is no different! I loved getting to see through Wisp's eyes! She is a curious but sheltered child that is finding her independence. Grab this book & buckle up
I loved this book. It is such a different point of view than most I read. Of course I am happy to read any of Matthew's books! His writing is phenomenal ! This book is no different! I loved getting to see through Wisp's eyes! She is a curious but sheltered child that is finding her independence. Grab this book & buckle up
May 14, 2018
Exceptionally well-written speculative fiction. That sounds awfully wordy, but words are this author's bread and butter and Cox uses them with expert efficiency with his post-apocalyptic adventure, The Forest Beyond the Earth.
Our perspective remains closely tied to Wisp, a pre-teen with one mission in mind as she braves the forest; find her father and bring him home. From the beginning, we are drawn into the world according to Wisp. She knows how to forage and listen to the forest. At night, she reads and hides from the terrifying Tree Walkers. Soon we are given disturbing clues that not all is as it seems. Why does her father keep her in a cage at night? Why isn't she allowed to forage with him? Without giving away too much plot, these disturbing moments build until the moment Wisp's world is turned upside down.
Without her father to protect and guide her, she must brave into an unknown world. And she is far more equipped than she realized. Soon Wisp encounters other humans, a few good, all struggling to survive in this dangerous land where resources are precious. Hints of what led to this dystopian world are revealed piece by piece as Wisp is driven beyond the forest and into the wasteland. Like any epic hero's quest, she encounters helpful friends, villains and a very eccentric old man. As she is exposed to wider perspectives, Wisp begins to internally question the life her father built for them.
While some imagery was disturbing and sad in equal measure, The Forest Beyond the Earth manages to inspire a message of hope. Cox weaves together both dark fantasy and horror with a deft hand. A terrifying world that one brave girl proves she's not only capable but a survivor in her own right. An all-encompassing, engrossing journey, I loved every minute of it.
Our perspective remains closely tied to Wisp, a pre-teen with one mission in mind as she braves the forest; find her father and bring him home. From the beginning, we are drawn into the world according to Wisp. She knows how to forage and listen to the forest. At night, she reads and hides from the terrifying Tree Walkers. Soon we are given disturbing clues that not all is as it seems. Why does her father keep her in a cage at night? Why isn't she allowed to forage with him? Without giving away too much plot, these disturbing moments build until the moment Wisp's world is turned upside down.
Without her father to protect and guide her, she must brave into an unknown world. And she is far more equipped than she realized. Soon Wisp encounters other humans, a few good, all struggling to survive in this dangerous land where resources are precious. Hints of what led to this dystopian world are revealed piece by piece as Wisp is driven beyond the forest and into the wasteland. Like any epic hero's quest, she encounters helpful friends, villains and a very eccentric old man. As she is exposed to wider perspectives, Wisp begins to internally question the life her father built for them.
While some imagery was disturbing and sad in equal measure, The Forest Beyond the Earth manages to inspire a message of hope. Cox weaves together both dark fantasy and horror with a deft hand. A terrifying world that one brave girl proves she's not only capable but a survivor in her own right. An all-encompassing, engrossing journey, I loved every minute of it.
May 25, 2018
Wow. I just finished this book a few minutes ago, and I wanted to write a review right away. This book is absolutely full of surprises. I definitely wasn’t expecting a twist this big to actually occur!
First things first. Even though this book has a twelve-year-old as a main character, this book is definitely not for middle graders. Wisp and her father have the body of Wisp’s dead mother in their house as a “shrine,” and they speak to the all the time. Wisp even describes touching her mother’s dried out hand, and looking into her body’s empty eye sockets. Even I got shivers while reading that, but Wisp and her dad think that this is normal and so they don’t think that it is creepy or weird at all. On the other hand, Wisp is still very innocent about other matters. She doesn’t even know the real difference between males and females before she goes out on her adventure to try and find her father. This story is definitely entertaining for both young adults and adults as it does not conform to just being a “children’s book” because Wisp is only twelve.
The world-building in this novel is absolutely incredible. When Wisp describes her Haven and the Tree Walkers that are trying to get her, even I felt like I was there with her. I cheered her on as she went on her adventure, discovering how other people in the dystopian society lived, and learning more about the world outside her home with her father. Wisp is not a weak little girl and she is determined to do everything in her power to find her father again.
The pacing of the plot was perfect as there were no dull moments in the entire story. I had no possible way to know about the twist that was coming before the end of the story when it actually happened. I won’t spoil anything, but that twist changed the entire story for me. I might have to re-read it now that I know the ending. There were also no editing errors even though I received an advanced copy AND was reading from computers the entire time. There weren’t even any formatting errors!
I wish that the novel had been a series, as this world has me addicted. All of the characters were so unique and had their own backstories. Even if we can’t see Wisp again, I want to learn more about the lives of the people she encountered on her journey, and learn more about how everyone has to live after the devastating war.
Overall, I was absolutely enticed by this novel. I wish I could just read it over and over again. Wisp was an inspiring main character, and the story was one of the best dystopian tales that I have ever read. This novel is definitely not one to miss.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new YA or adult dystopian novel.
I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
First things first. Even though this book has a twelve-year-old as a main character, this book is definitely not for middle graders. Wisp and her father have the body of Wisp’s dead mother in their house as a “shrine,” and they speak to the all the time. Wisp even describes touching her mother’s dried out hand, and looking into her body’s empty eye sockets. Even I got shivers while reading that, but Wisp and her dad think that this is normal and so they don’t think that it is creepy or weird at all. On the other hand, Wisp is still very innocent about other matters. She doesn’t even know the real difference between males and females before she goes out on her adventure to try and find her father. This story is definitely entertaining for both young adults and adults as it does not conform to just being a “children’s book” because Wisp is only twelve.
The world-building in this novel is absolutely incredible. When Wisp describes her Haven and the Tree Walkers that are trying to get her, even I felt like I was there with her. I cheered her on as she went on her adventure, discovering how other people in the dystopian society lived, and learning more about the world outside her home with her father. Wisp is not a weak little girl and she is determined to do everything in her power to find her father again.
The pacing of the plot was perfect as there were no dull moments in the entire story. I had no possible way to know about the twist that was coming before the end of the story when it actually happened. I won’t spoil anything, but that twist changed the entire story for me. I might have to re-read it now that I know the ending. There were also no editing errors even though I received an advanced copy AND was reading from computers the entire time. There weren’t even any formatting errors!
I wish that the novel had been a series, as this world has me addicted. All of the characters were so unique and had their own backstories. Even if we can’t see Wisp again, I want to learn more about the lives of the people she encountered on her journey, and learn more about how everyone has to live after the devastating war.
Overall, I was absolutely enticed by this novel. I wish I could just read it over and over again. Wisp was an inspiring main character, and the story was one of the best dystopian tales that I have ever read. This novel is definitely not one to miss.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new YA or adult dystopian novel.
I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
May 22, 2018
So, I will start out by saying that post-apocalyptic stories are not generally my cup of tea; however, The Forest Beyond the Earth was fascinating! It was so incredibly well-written and though I found it a bit slow to start, by the end, I could not put it down.
Wisp, a twelve year old girl, lives in an isolated cabin in the forest with her dad. I imagine the cabin as more of a shack, pieced together from a trailer, and other scraps of metal. One room of the cabin is a shrine to Mother, who had gone to The Other Place.
The story takes place in post-apocalyptic Colorado, after the fire dragons were angered and destroyed the earth. Wisp and her father exist on the occasional boar or deer, sometimes fish, but mostly bugs and greens gathered from the surrounding forest.
When Dad disappears after the appearance of a great buzzing bug, Wisp breaks all of his rules and ventures out away from the cabin to search for him, even though she has never been out of his sight. She faces her fears - Tree Walkers, marauders, even starvation, not to mention the possibility of getting lost in the forest - as she searches for her father.
Wisp is a brilliant character - brave, loyal, inquisitive, and most of all a survivor. Quitting is not in her vocabulary.
The scenery in this story is vivid and the author paints an incredible canvas with his words. I laughed at many of the words or phrases that Wisp and her father used. Many of the beliefs and ideals that Wisp grew up with seemed so far-fetched, yet at the same time not such a stretch for a time in which the world has been obliterated, and there is very little left of what the world used to be, and few, if any, who knew the world before.
The Forest Beyond the Earth was intriguing, engaging, and I couldn’t help but cheer for Wisp on her adventure!
If you like YA Fantasy, and even if you are not a fan of post-apocalyptic literature, I encourage you to read this incredible story!
Wisp, a twelve year old girl, lives in an isolated cabin in the forest with her dad. I imagine the cabin as more of a shack, pieced together from a trailer, and other scraps of metal. One room of the cabin is a shrine to Mother, who had gone to The Other Place.
The story takes place in post-apocalyptic Colorado, after the fire dragons were angered and destroyed the earth. Wisp and her father exist on the occasional boar or deer, sometimes fish, but mostly bugs and greens gathered from the surrounding forest.
When Dad disappears after the appearance of a great buzzing bug, Wisp breaks all of his rules and ventures out away from the cabin to search for him, even though she has never been out of his sight. She faces her fears - Tree Walkers, marauders, even starvation, not to mention the possibility of getting lost in the forest - as she searches for her father.
Wisp is a brilliant character - brave, loyal, inquisitive, and most of all a survivor. Quitting is not in her vocabulary.
The scenery in this story is vivid and the author paints an incredible canvas with his words. I laughed at many of the words or phrases that Wisp and her father used. Many of the beliefs and ideals that Wisp grew up with seemed so far-fetched, yet at the same time not such a stretch for a time in which the world has been obliterated, and there is very little left of what the world used to be, and few, if any, who knew the world before.
The Forest Beyond the Earth was intriguing, engaging, and I couldn’t help but cheer for Wisp on her adventure!
If you like YA Fantasy, and even if you are not a fan of post-apocalyptic literature, I encourage you to read this incredible story!
May 16, 2018
The Forest Beyond the Earth by Matthew S. Cox is a fascinating tale of one girl’s incredible journey when her whole world is suddenly taken from her. The story is set in the future, a hundred years or so after the inhabitants of earth have just about wiped themselves out. Wisp is a twelve-year-old girl who was raised by her loving father, alone in a cabin, isolated in the woods. He is the only person she has ever known for her entire life and one night he is suddenly gone. From there, we follow Wisp as she ventures out into a world that she knows almost nothing about. It’s a world gone mad in many ways, but she will not be intimidated. Wisp’s pure heart drives her onward to find her father, regardless of the cost.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that by about the second chapter of The Forest Beyond the Earth, I was hooked. Author Matthew S. Cox does such a fine job of telling the story from the point of view of his main character that I felt delightfully immersed in her world all the way to the last page. Her passion for those that she loves, her determination, and all her odd ways of looking at the world seemed completely real. I should also point out that the plot kept me guessing from start to finish and never became predictable. This is a well told, thought-provoking story from an author who knows how to take his reader into the head of his character. The Forest Beyond the Earth is truly a great book.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that by about the second chapter of The Forest Beyond the Earth, I was hooked. Author Matthew S. Cox does such a fine job of telling the story from the point of view of his main character that I felt delightfully immersed in her world all the way to the last page. Her passion for those that she loves, her determination, and all her odd ways of looking at the world seemed completely real. I should also point out that the plot kept me guessing from start to finish and never became predictable. This is a well told, thought-provoking story from an author who knows how to take his reader into the head of his character. The Forest Beyond the Earth is truly a great book.
March 4, 2018
In this dystopian/apocalyptic novel we follow the journey of a twelve-year old girl named Wisp who is looking for her father.
Wisp knows absolutely nothing on how to survive in the new world. She's seen and read books that her father provided to show her the planet before the Fire Dragons destroyed it, but she's never had to try to survive on her own.
Now Wisp is having to rely on her own judgement and instincts in a world she's never lived in. Will Wisp be able to survive in this new dangerous environment?
I was hesitant to read this book. It's definitely a one of a kind book and I was actually charmed and looking to see what else the author had written after reading this.
Wisp knows absolutely nothing on how to survive in the new world. She's seen and read books that her father provided to show her the planet before the Fire Dragons destroyed it, but she's never had to try to survive on her own.
Now Wisp is having to rely on her own judgement and instincts in a world she's never lived in. Will Wisp be able to survive in this new dangerous environment?
I was hesitant to read this book. It's definitely a one of a kind book and I was actually charmed and looking to see what else the author had written after reading this.
April 3, 2018
Matthew Cox has done it again. This is an indie author who keeps writing wonderful book after wonderful book. This story follows the journey of young Wisp, our heroine who fights her way through physical battles in the forest...facing off against monster humans to survive. On the other hand, Wisp fights through mental battles as well, just as we all do, searching for love and belonging. Matthew Cox delves into a world unlike any I've read before with such vividness and descriptive detail that you feel you are trekking through the forest along with Wisp.
February 25, 2018
This was such an exciting journey. Wisp is living in a post apocalyptic world. She's very sheltered, living with her dad. One day he goes missing and she goes looking for him. She learns that some things she's been told about the world are a lie and other things she learns help her grow up a bit.
This is her journey and it has a surprise ending so I don't want to give anything away.
This is her journey and it has a surprise ending so I don't want to give anything away.
March 27, 2018
Like most of Cox's work, Forest Beyond the Earth is a stark juxtaposition of an innocent child against the harsh and unforgiving backdrop of a dystopian future. An endearing journey to recover the only love she knows places her in the grip of the very enemies she's been warned about her whole life. Can a child save her father from post-nuclear mutants?
February 11, 2018
Excellent
This is a wonderful adventure story! The main character, Wisp is an innocent but brave child. She has lived an isolated, sheltered existence with her dad as her only companion. When something goes wrong and he disappear she must overcome her fears to try to find him. I love the story line and the surprise ending. I really didn't see that coming.
This is a wonderful adventure story! The main character, Wisp is an innocent but brave child. She has lived an isolated, sheltered existence with her dad as her only companion. When something goes wrong and he disappear she must overcome her fears to try to find him. I love the story line and the surprise ending. I really didn't see that coming.
July 25, 2018
A truly different tale
Wisp lives alone with her “dad” and something gruesome in the Endless Forest many years after WWIII.
Although only 12, Wisp proves herself and discovers the truth.
A really fun read
Wisp lives alone with her “dad” and something gruesome in the Endless Forest many years after WWIII.
Although only 12, Wisp proves herself and discovers the truth.
A really fun read
March 2, 2018
Wonderfully original yet haunting.
The possibilities of what humanity may become in the aftermath of our mistakes are limitless. Yet rarely do I find such and original perspective. The strength of one child is put to a seemingly impossible ordeal. Definitely worth the read.
The possibilities of what humanity may become in the aftermath of our mistakes are limitless. Yet rarely do I find such and original perspective. The strength of one child is put to a seemingly impossible ordeal. Definitely worth the read.
February 11, 2019
Surprising original plot
This my first read of the author, and it convened me to try some of his other work.
The plot in this story was fresh, and riveting.
This my first read of the author, and it convened me to try some of his other work.
The plot in this story was fresh, and riveting.
February 4, 2021
Refreshing novel all ages
Well written, realistic skill sets and edible proteins. Adorable young heroine believing in her father fortifies herself to travel a post Apocalyptic ravaged tundra to save him. The secrets that unravel and life that remains on earth creates a colorful set of strangers. The. Mom was written in a way you expected another book to wrap up loose ends,that was a bit disappointing as a funk.
Well written, realistic skill sets and edible proteins. Adorable young heroine believing in her father fortifies herself to travel a post Apocalyptic ravaged tundra to save him. The secrets that unravel and life that remains on earth creates a colorful set of strangers. The. Mom was written in a way you expected another book to wrap up loose ends,that was a bit disappointing as a funk.
September 28, 2018
Cox layers the concerns and perspectives of a girl with overt and implied facets of a post-apocalyptic world, creating a quest that offers an engaging experience to both readers of both young adult and more gritty fiction.
Many generations ago, wrathful monsters scorched the Earth and themselves along with it, destroying civilisation and nearly wiping out humanity. Twelve-year-old Wisp has lived in the forest with Dad for as long as she can remember, without seeing another living person. Life is hard, but—with her collection of old books, her father’s protection, and her mother watching over her from the other side—she is happy. Except when the Tree Walkers, seemingly sentient vegetation, come in search of children to take. However, when something does find their haven, it is Dad and not Wisp who is taken. With only his rifle and what signs Mother can provide, she sets off to rescue him.
Cox creates a plausible and detailed apocalypse and aftermath, then filters it through the perspective of a twelve-year-old near-hermit. This narrative voice creates a story that focuses as much on the cusp of adulthood as any other young adult novel but without the usual tropes of romance and peer rivalry.
This isolation also allows Cox to present the reader with both new details of the world and uncertain narration without having to either dumb down Wisp or have implausible exposition. Instead, Wisp’s point-of-view includes plenty of information that a reader can use to form theories, but little certainty on whether the spirituality that Wisp firmly believes in is real or merely confirmation bias. As such, readers who enjoy a more philosophical aspect to narratives will find plenty to engage them.
However, this book is not a thinly veiled allegory or introspective character piece; Cox makes equal use of both the dangerousness of a post-apocalyptic world and the directness to which the young can be prone, to drive the plot forward at a thrilling pace.
As with Cox’s other young adult books, the threats are pitched at a level suitable for most readers but are also surrounded by little details and character behaviours that will imply to readers with more experience that other threats lurk unmentioned. This combination of clearly stated and left-to-the-reader maintains the feel (and suitability) of a young adult narrative without making the wasteland seem implausibly pleasant to readers with a more gritty perspective.
Wisp is a solid protagonist for a quest across unknown lands. Her great naïvety both provides significant obstacles in all situations beyond the small clearing around Dad’s hut and allows her to take what readers might perceive as high risks without nervousness. This initial ignorance is counterbalanced by a plausible level of intelligence and wits for her age, preventing her from becoming tediously inept in the face of the new or blithely trusting.
The supporting cast are well-crafted, both as characterful people in their own right and as a child’s version of post-apocalyptic tropes.
Overall, I enjoyed this book greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking post-apocalyptic adventure that will resonate with young adults without being solely relevant to them.
I received a free copy from the author with a request for a fair review.
Many generations ago, wrathful monsters scorched the Earth and themselves along with it, destroying civilisation and nearly wiping out humanity. Twelve-year-old Wisp has lived in the forest with Dad for as long as she can remember, without seeing another living person. Life is hard, but—with her collection of old books, her father’s protection, and her mother watching over her from the other side—she is happy. Except when the Tree Walkers, seemingly sentient vegetation, come in search of children to take. However, when something does find their haven, it is Dad and not Wisp who is taken. With only his rifle and what signs Mother can provide, she sets off to rescue him.
Cox creates a plausible and detailed apocalypse and aftermath, then filters it through the perspective of a twelve-year-old near-hermit. This narrative voice creates a story that focuses as much on the cusp of adulthood as any other young adult novel but without the usual tropes of romance and peer rivalry.
This isolation also allows Cox to present the reader with both new details of the world and uncertain narration without having to either dumb down Wisp or have implausible exposition. Instead, Wisp’s point-of-view includes plenty of information that a reader can use to form theories, but little certainty on whether the spirituality that Wisp firmly believes in is real or merely confirmation bias. As such, readers who enjoy a more philosophical aspect to narratives will find plenty to engage them.
However, this book is not a thinly veiled allegory or introspective character piece; Cox makes equal use of both the dangerousness of a post-apocalyptic world and the directness to which the young can be prone, to drive the plot forward at a thrilling pace.
As with Cox’s other young adult books, the threats are pitched at a level suitable for most readers but are also surrounded by little details and character behaviours that will imply to readers with more experience that other threats lurk unmentioned. This combination of clearly stated and left-to-the-reader maintains the feel (and suitability) of a young adult narrative without making the wasteland seem implausibly pleasant to readers with a more gritty perspective.
Wisp is a solid protagonist for a quest across unknown lands. Her great naïvety both provides significant obstacles in all situations beyond the small clearing around Dad’s hut and allows her to take what readers might perceive as high risks without nervousness. This initial ignorance is counterbalanced by a plausible level of intelligence and wits for her age, preventing her from becoming tediously inept in the face of the new or blithely trusting.
The supporting cast are well-crafted, both as characterful people in their own right and as a child’s version of post-apocalyptic tropes.
Overall, I enjoyed this book greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking post-apocalyptic adventure that will resonate with young adults without being solely relevant to them.
I received a free copy from the author with a request for a fair review.
April 13, 2020
Interesting YATake On Post Apocalypse Survival
Cox does a nice job of rearranging P.A. Tropes into an intimate coming of age tale with very effective main character, a 12 year old girl named Wisp, who sets off on quest to find her kidnapped father. It's nothing you haven't seen before but rather charmingly told.
Cox does a nice job of rearranging P.A. Tropes into an intimate coming of age tale with very effective main character, a 12 year old girl named Wisp, who sets off on quest to find her kidnapped father. It's nothing you haven't seen before but rather charmingly told.
May 22, 2018
Twelve-year-old Wisp lives alone in the forest with Dad in a world that was destroyed by Fire Dragons. Dad has taught her that she can’t go out at night or the Tree Walkers will get her but what they will do to her once they have her Dad has never said. Even in the daytime she can never get more than a few steps from Dad. He has also taught her what food from the forest is safe to eat, how to shoot a gun. Wisp spends a lot of her time reading one of their many books about the Earth before the Fire Dragons.
One night they hear a noise outside of their home and Dad goes out to investigate while Wisp stays in her room hiding in her safe Haven. When Dad has not returned by the next morning Wisp must face her fears of the Tree Walkers and go beyond the forest to look for him. Her journey takes her into an unknown world where the Marauders will get her if she is not careful and do horrible things to her.
The Forest Beyond the Earth has been an epic journey one in which I have enjoyed immensely. It was like having two worlds in one the world in the endless forest and the world beyond the forest. It was also like having two stories in on kind of. I loved seeing the world through the eyes of child and getting Wisp perspective of the Tree Walkers and how she loved learning new things and she was a fast learner.
The Forest Beyond the Earth was a fast paced read that kept me turning the pages wanting to know where Wisp journey would take her if she would ever find Dad and how a little girl was going to survive out in an unknown world all by herself.
The Forest Beyond the Earth is a story for all ages to enjoy that are dystopian/science fictions fans one that I would highly recommend.
One night they hear a noise outside of their home and Dad goes out to investigate while Wisp stays in her room hiding in her safe Haven. When Dad has not returned by the next morning Wisp must face her fears of the Tree Walkers and go beyond the forest to look for him. Her journey takes her into an unknown world where the Marauders will get her if she is not careful and do horrible things to her.
The Forest Beyond the Earth has been an epic journey one in which I have enjoyed immensely. It was like having two worlds in one the world in the endless forest and the world beyond the forest. It was also like having two stories in on kind of. I loved seeing the world through the eyes of child and getting Wisp perspective of the Tree Walkers and how she loved learning new things and she was a fast learner.
The Forest Beyond the Earth was a fast paced read that kept me turning the pages wanting to know where Wisp journey would take her if she would ever find Dad and how a little girl was going to survive out in an unknown world all by herself.
The Forest Beyond the Earth is a story for all ages to enjoy that are dystopian/science fictions fans one that I would highly recommend.
May 9, 2020
It is moments like this that I wish I had the skills of a writer so I could write a proper review?
Well here goes: I simply loved it! The author and his control of words is outstanding. He wove this story concerning a 12 y/o girl who is taught the skills of survival in a post-apocalyptic world by her "father." And when trouble finds them, she must use those skills, among others, to survive and prevail or die.
This story offered a well versed narrative and the descriptive allows the reader to "see" the world.
Well here goes: I simply loved it! The author and his control of words is outstanding. He wove this story concerning a 12 y/o girl who is taught the skills of survival in a post-apocalyptic world by her "father." And when trouble finds them, she must use those skills, among others, to survive and prevail or die.
This story offered a well versed narrative and the descriptive allows the reader to "see" the world.
December 8, 2020
Amazing
Just when I think Mathew s cox can't get any better I find another amazing book of his and the forest beyond the earth is no exception I love wisp as a main character and since the book is through her eyes you learn bits and pieces of the world just like she does I love the post apocalyptic world told in the book I could definitely see the world like this long after the apocalypse also the plot twist at the end shocked me but in a good way the ending was absolutely perfect overall the forest beyond the earth is definitely in my top 5 books ever
Highly recommended
Just when I think Mathew s cox can't get any better I find another amazing book of his and the forest beyond the earth is no exception I love wisp as a main character and since the book is through her eyes you learn bits and pieces of the world just like she does I love the post apocalyptic world told in the book I could definitely see the world like this long after the apocalypse also the plot twist at the end shocked me but in a good way the ending was absolutely perfect overall the forest beyond the earth is definitely in my top 5 books ever
Highly recommended
February 11, 2021
Great story! The post apocalyptic world is richly fleshed out. The way it described through a nieve child's eye makes it better. Trying to figure out what Wisp is seeing make you want to reach out and hug her. When I was done with this book I had to get one another of Mr. Cox's books as this is the second book by him I have read and they have both been winners.
January 15, 2020
More then pleasantly SURPRISED!
Wasn't sure if I would like this story but am so glad I gave it a chance. It's a new favorite for sure and I will read it again many times in the years to come. Its heart breaking, surprising and fast paced. Wisp is such a great character you can't help but love and feel for this little girl who is so strong.
Wasn't sure if I would like this story but am so glad I gave it a chance. It's a new favorite for sure and I will read it again many times in the years to come. Its heart breaking, surprising and fast paced. Wisp is such a great character you can't help but love and feel for this little girl who is so strong.
July 14, 2019
Grand Read!
Couldn't stop reading! Wanted this book to last FOREVER,yet every tyme I put it down,was drawn to it like a magnet! There are other stories and directions this book could go in so I hope we'll be hearing more .
Couldn't stop reading! Wanted this book to last FOREVER,yet every tyme I put it down,was drawn to it like a magnet! There are other stories and directions this book could go in so I hope we'll be hearing more .
April 30, 2018
From Haven To Cage In The Forest Neverending
This is a stand alone novel. I can't wait to read more books by this author!
Wisp has lived with Dad for as long as she can remember. It has only been them and the Mother Shrine for her whole life. When Dad is not around (or it is night) she is locked safely in her Haven to keep her from all harm. Now that she is older, Dad sometimes takes her places with him... To explore or scavenge or forage or hunt. She has never even SEEN another person until just before Dad disappears. Why was the Marauder there? What did he want? Where has Dad gone!? When will he come back?? How will she get OUT of her Haven to go find Dad? What has happened to him? Surely he never would have left her alone this long without water or food! Dad loves her! And Dad is GONE... Wisp must FIND Dad and bring him home safe! She can't live without Dad! But first she MUST escape her Haven. Will she be able to find Dad? Or will she have to spend the rest of her life alone?
Poignant and filled with desperation, the post apocalyptic coming of age story is both filled with whimsy and adventure with a large smattering of dread. Wisp is priceless and funny, especially the unique way she sees the world, as sheltered as she has been. Her indomitable will and unbreakable spirit make her an unlikely heroine you can't help but root for. I hope there are continuing adventures for her!
*** This book is suitable for middlegrade through adult readers who enjoy unconventional stories set in a post apocalyptic world filled with adventure and action as well as a good dose of humor to make the horror of it all palatable :)
This is a stand alone novel. I can't wait to read more books by this author!
Wisp has lived with Dad for as long as she can remember. It has only been them and the Mother Shrine for her whole life. When Dad is not around (or it is night) she is locked safely in her Haven to keep her from all harm. Now that she is older, Dad sometimes takes her places with him... To explore or scavenge or forage or hunt. She has never even SEEN another person until just before Dad disappears. Why was the Marauder there? What did he want? Where has Dad gone!? When will he come back?? How will she get OUT of her Haven to go find Dad? What has happened to him? Surely he never would have left her alone this long without water or food! Dad loves her! And Dad is GONE... Wisp must FIND Dad and bring him home safe! She can't live without Dad! But first she MUST escape her Haven. Will she be able to find Dad? Or will she have to spend the rest of her life alone?
Poignant and filled with desperation, the post apocalyptic coming of age story is both filled with whimsy and adventure with a large smattering of dread. Wisp is priceless and funny, especially the unique way she sees the world, as sheltered as she has been. Her indomitable will and unbreakable spirit make her an unlikely heroine you can't help but root for. I hope there are continuing adventures for her!
*** This book is suitable for middlegrade through adult readers who enjoy unconventional stories set in a post apocalyptic world filled with adventure and action as well as a good dose of humor to make the horror of it all palatable :)
October 10, 2025
Wisp lives hidden in a forest with her father in a Post-Apocalyptic world. He keeps her safe from the "tree walkers" and teaches her survival skills. One day he disappears. Wisp is determined to find him and return him to the shrine with Mother. What an adventure as Wisp finds herself in the unknown- her ingenuity and strength make her a compelling heroine. Although a young-adult book I enjoyed it except for the recuring references to bodily functions (although it did make for a funny scene later in the book). The theme of love and protection plays a large part in this fantastic, imaginative book that I highly recommend.
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