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The Woodcutter
A note from the editor:
'The Woodcutter was first submitted to me as 'Cloverfield Fan Fiction,' and though I'm a fan of that series, I saw this as a standalone series in and of itself - and a unique one at that.
It's part Fantasy, part Thriller, part Fairy Tale - and above all else a complete page turner.
Jonathan Maas, along with his collaborators - Nigerian-American filmmakers Olumide Odebunmi and Tolu Awosika - have delivered an absolutely riveting tale.
The Woodcutter's titular character reminds me a bit of Idris Elba, and also of Liam Neeson from Taken - and just like the movie Taken, this tale begins immediately and keeps going all the way to the end.
In the first chapter, the Woodcutter hears a woman's scream from the forest. He goes to investigate it and finds a woman all right, but her tale changes everything.
She's says that some dangerous men are after her - and though his own two children are still deep in the forest, the men arrive before he can leave to rescue them.
And that's when the tale really begins.
In short, this tale was so good we decided to have an early stealth release - Kindle only, still with a temp cover - but the tale is all there, and if you pick it up - like me, you won't be able to put it down.'
- J. Shaw, Editor, Cynical Optimist Press
For fans of Dark Fantasy, Environmental Fiction and The Cloverfield Series
'The Woodcutter was first submitted to me as 'Cloverfield Fan Fiction,' and though I'm a fan of that series, I saw this as a standalone series in and of itself - and a unique one at that.
It's part Fantasy, part Thriller, part Fairy Tale - and above all else a complete page turner.
Jonathan Maas, along with his collaborators - Nigerian-American filmmakers Olumide Odebunmi and Tolu Awosika - have delivered an absolutely riveting tale.
The Woodcutter's titular character reminds me a bit of Idris Elba, and also of Liam Neeson from Taken - and just like the movie Taken, this tale begins immediately and keeps going all the way to the end.
In the first chapter, the Woodcutter hears a woman's scream from the forest. He goes to investigate it and finds a woman all right, but her tale changes everything.
She's says that some dangerous men are after her - and though his own two children are still deep in the forest, the men arrive before he can leave to rescue them.
And that's when the tale really begins.
In short, this tale was so good we decided to have an early stealth release - Kindle only, still with a temp cover - but the tale is all there, and if you pick it up - like me, you won't be able to put it down.'
- J. Shaw, Editor, Cynical Optimist Press
For fans of Dark Fantasy, Environmental Fiction and The Cloverfield Series
- GenresFantasyFairy TalesHorror
392 pages, Paperback
Published July 19, 2020
210 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Maas
31 books368 followersJon Maas was born in New Haven, Connecticut and grew up in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from Stanford University with degrees in Biology and History, he's earned a living as a Musician, Peace Corps Volunteer, Standup Comedian, TV Producer and Web Designer.
He has published ten books, and has more on the way.
He has also directed the movie 'Spanners' starring Shawn Christian and Eric Roberts, and wrote its sequel book - 'Spanners: The Fountain of Youth.'
He writes on his bus commute to and from work, and has a soft spot in his heart for all types of Public Transportation.
He has published ten books, and has more on the way.
He has also directed the movie 'Spanners' starring Shawn Christian and Eric Roberts, and wrote its sequel book - 'Spanners: The Fountain of Youth.'
He writes on his bus commute to and from work, and has a soft spot in his heart for all types of Public Transportation.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 30, 2022
When someone tells me I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, I tell them I always judge a book by its cover. The cover image for THE WOODCUTTER reminded me of another book I'd recently read and loved. Based on THE WOODCUTTER cover art, I found a remarkable read.
THE WOODCUTTER is a work of speculative fiction that combines science fiction, with fantasy, with fairy tale, with morality tale elements. It is also a book that to name the characters would cause some to think it is a simple retelling of an old fairy tale when it is so much more.
The writing is sometimes down to earth and sometimes psychedelic; however, it is continuously moving the story forward and making the reader think. It is a story of faith but no religion; a story of science not zealotry; and it is an unapologetic tale of ecology. The main characters teach us the value of education used in service of the land, the need for conflict to bring about resolution, and the need to accept and understand the strengths and weaknesses of one's children.
THE WOODCUTTER is a book to read and savor.
THE WOODCUTTER is a work of speculative fiction that combines science fiction, with fantasy, with fairy tale, with morality tale elements. It is also a book that to name the characters would cause some to think it is a simple retelling of an old fairy tale when it is so much more.
The writing is sometimes down to earth and sometimes psychedelic; however, it is continuously moving the story forward and making the reader think. It is a story of faith but no religion; a story of science not zealotry; and it is an unapologetic tale of ecology. The main characters teach us the value of education used in service of the land, the need for conflict to bring about resolution, and the need to accept and understand the strengths and weaknesses of one's children.
THE WOODCUTTER is a book to read and savor.
October 18, 2022
This book has everything: action, adventure, magic and so much more. A story about a parallel universe with good and evil happening in both. It touches on global warming and saving the planet and gets a bit like a school lesson in that part. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time, fast paced and hard to put down. It does not have a closure or an ending that explains what's about to happen. However I feel this is what life is, you just never know what is going to happen next.
July 17, 2022
Definitely interesting
Interesting storyline. Wasn't sure if this was a new take on Hansel and Gretel but either way it was a good story.
Interesting storyline. Wasn't sure if this was a new take on Hansel and Gretel but either way it was a good story.
April 1, 2021
I found this a unique and hard-to-put-down book which centers on a father searching for his children who have vanished into an apparent parallel universe. This new world does have people with extraordinary people like witches, but mostly folks just like us - some more helpful than others. Forces of magic are present, but those of ecology are also a subtext. I enjoyed this story and raced through to the end.
March 3, 2025
Randomly downloaded this book for free from Amazon. Interesting spin on Hansel and Gretel. Philosophical at times but still childish.
June 26, 2023
Every so often I will stumble across a body of work from an author that leaves me increasingly satisfied after each story. And every time I hold a book written by Maas in my hands, I know I’m in for a fantastic experience.
Within the first few pages of the The Woodcutter, I could already feel the tension building in my shoulders. After hearing screams from the woods surrounding his home, and helping what he thinks is a woman in distress, The Woodcutter is faced with a tough and confusing task. One that involves leaving behind every thing he knows and trusts, in order to find his children. He’s swiftly ushered through an alien world with its own set of unique and complex rules. A world completely foreign to him, yet the skies from home look down on him at night.
Over the course of this fantastic journey, I visited locales that are so inviting, and intoxicating that I might never want to leave. I felt a yawning void that separated a family. A void so dark and deep that even death trembles in its awe and splendor. I met a kaleidoscope of characters that posed real life questions and offer beautiful solutions, if only they were real. There’s a theme with this book, and my all time favorite book by Mass, Flare, in which real life problems, like world hunger and consumer waste are addressed so poetically and with such imagination that they FEEL like real life solutions for humanity.
Maas has again managed to deftly craft a fantasy novel that packs gut punches with each page. This is now my 6th book by an author that continues to inspire me and drive my imagination through the roof. Jonathan Maas is a fantastic story teller. That’s the honest truth.
Within the first few pages of the The Woodcutter, I could already feel the tension building in my shoulders. After hearing screams from the woods surrounding his home, and helping what he thinks is a woman in distress, The Woodcutter is faced with a tough and confusing task. One that involves leaving behind every thing he knows and trusts, in order to find his children. He’s swiftly ushered through an alien world with its own set of unique and complex rules. A world completely foreign to him, yet the skies from home look down on him at night.
Over the course of this fantastic journey, I visited locales that are so inviting, and intoxicating that I might never want to leave. I felt a yawning void that separated a family. A void so dark and deep that even death trembles in its awe and splendor. I met a kaleidoscope of characters that posed real life questions and offer beautiful solutions, if only they were real. There’s a theme with this book, and my all time favorite book by Mass, Flare, in which real life problems, like world hunger and consumer waste are addressed so poetically and with such imagination that they FEEL like real life solutions for humanity.
Maas has again managed to deftly craft a fantasy novel that packs gut punches with each page. This is now my 6th book by an author that continues to inspire me and drive my imagination through the roof. Jonathan Maas is a fantastic story teller. That’s the honest truth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2021
Weird and wacky but not tacky!
What a weird and wacky journey this book was. I was expecting a simple straight forward fantasy and fell head first into a story full of thought provoking theories amongst others!
The story is told from the POV of the woodcutter father and the children chapter by chapter.
It felt like a prequel to a series. As most of the 'action' happened in the last few chapters, it felt like this massive build up to a explosive story arc, but just leans off a cliff like a struggling RV desperately clinging to the side for survival.
Fantasy with a health dollop of fairytale themes. It's not the best book I've read this year but I wouldn't call it the worst.
What a weird and wacky journey this book was. I was expecting a simple straight forward fantasy and fell head first into a story full of thought provoking theories amongst others!
The story is told from the POV of the woodcutter father and the children chapter by chapter.
It felt like a prequel to a series. As most of the 'action' happened in the last few chapters, it felt like this massive build up to a explosive story arc, but just leans off a cliff like a struggling RV desperately clinging to the side for survival.
Fantasy with a health dollop of fairytale themes. It's not the best book I've read this year but I wouldn't call it the worst.
March 3, 2021
Good Read
Different and thought provoking. A witch you have a hard time making up your mind if she is evil or not. Twist you don't see coming. A modern day Grimm's fairy tale you can't put down.
Different and thought provoking. A witch you have a hard time making up your mind if she is evil or not. Twist you don't see coming. A modern day Grimm's fairy tale you can't put down.
October 23, 2020
A Philosophical Take
I really give this novel 3.5 stars. It is well written and an interesting take on the story. I did not find it to be Dark but more twisted.
I really give this novel 3.5 stars. It is well written and an interesting take on the story. I did not find it to be Dark but more twisted.
December 2, 2020
Strange
Lots of food for thought in this book, but on a religious level, I must reject it. Would love to discuss it with the author... especially the ending.
Lots of food for thought in this book, but on a religious level, I must reject it. Would love to discuss it with the author... especially the ending.
October 12, 2023
This book left me in awe. It’s packed to the brim with history, science, fantasy, beauty, humanity… I could go on and on. About 3/4 of the way through, I realized it reminded me of Siddhartha for the sheer joy of acquiring knowledge and wisdom through experiences. These experiences, though, happen in an alternate universe, so they are completely similar while at the same time, being completely different. The author masterfully shows the ugliest side of humanity while balancing it out with the most beautiful side as well.
The four main characters were all uniquely fascinating. The writing and editing were excellent. This book was a joy to read. I’m finding this author’s books tend to linger in my brain for quite a while. Count me as a new fan of anything Jonathan Maas decides to write.
The four main characters were all uniquely fascinating. The writing and editing were excellent. This book was a joy to read. I’m finding this author’s books tend to linger in my brain for quite a while. Count me as a new fan of anything Jonathan Maas decides to write.
June 6, 2020
This book is the escape that I need in these times. This is a dark fantasy yet still hopeful. It's mythic and imaginative, showing a unique journey into a different world divided by a frightening chasm. Within this world there are dangers, wonders, and temptations with no escape. The Woodcutter meets a mysterious woman who seems to need his help, but he learns he needs her to find his two children who have vanished. He seems to have raised them right for his children are more than capable of dealing with the strange new adventure they find themselves in. My rating is 5 stars because I love the blend of fairy tale, themes presented, and characters who believe in themselves to move forward despite what's presented to them. This does end in what I think of as a cliff hanger but than again 'happily ever after' is the biggest lie in the world - they just have a new problem.
July 7, 2024
Interesting Premise
This book is interesting and well plotted, but it seems to me that it doesn't have a heart or a soul. At first I thought it was just an environmental rant and I'm still not sure that it isn't. It's hard to tell because Mass is so focused on being mysterious that we really don't know anything about the characters or the worlds. Even the descriptions of the landscape features are, for the most part, generalizations. I also found the ending to be exceedingly unsatisfactory. I doubt that I will read anything else by this author.
This book is interesting and well plotted, but it seems to me that it doesn't have a heart or a soul. At first I thought it was just an environmental rant and I'm still not sure that it isn't. It's hard to tell because Mass is so focused on being mysterious that we really don't know anything about the characters or the worlds. Even the descriptions of the landscape features are, for the most part, generalizations. I also found the ending to be exceedingly unsatisfactory. I doubt that I will read anything else by this author.
October 12, 2020
This is not the type of book I would normally read. Picked it out on a whim. At first I was not impressed but I continued reading. By the time i was 1\4 way thur, I liked it. It's a little weird, very sci-fi. I will be looking for his other books.
September 19, 2023
I read this book not knowing what to expect. The storyline of the parallel countries was interesting, though somewhat muddled. The characters were varied and their lives unique. The quest to save the purity of our planet was thoughtfully done and made sense, and the situations fun to follow.
September 22, 2020
Weird
This book was not my style at all. It never made any stamps from the beginning to the end I would not recommend this book to anyone
This book was not my style at all. It never made any stamps from the beginning to the end I would not recommend this book to anyone
July 16, 2022
not in to science fiction
Fantasy is exactly what it projects. It is not real or even close. It does not stimulate the mind. It’s not that the story is bad I just can’t get into it.
Fantasy is exactly what it projects. It is not real or even close. It does not stimulate the mind. It’s not that the story is bad I just can’t get into it.
February 28, 2023
Mystery
Was really into this story. It was a very different story line, but it ended to soon.
I was very disappointed that it ended the way it did! It really left me hanging.
Was really into this story. It was a very different story line, but it ended to soon.
I was very disappointed that it ended the way it did! It really left me hanging.
February 18, 2024
What a strange book. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be at all. Not my cup of tea. I was bored quite early on. Did not finish.
February 19, 2023
My first review for the year is given to Jonathan Maas for The Woodcutter. He asked me to review this in November and I really didn't get around to reading it until later in the month, despite being stunned by the cover (which BTW is fantastic), but when I did get to reading, OMG! It reached that place we book lovers call, "unputdownable." There is a current trend in literature that I believe began in the 80s, where fairy tales would be re-imagined, and then told in new ways with varying success. This is not quite that, but better in a number of ways. There's a woodcutter who is a father searching for his lost adolescent/young adult children. He has taught them woodcraft and survival skills, so they are not totally defenseless. The father has to enlist the assistance of a witch in order to find his children that have somehow traveled to parallel worlds. There are numerous twists and turns which preclude me from writing too much about the plot, but they do involve such themes as cultural relativism, ecological concerns, and the necessity of understanding your milieu. This is definitely a modern fairy tale with thrills that are not easily resolved in the end, but caused me to continue to think about consequences even after I reached the final pages. This is a high recommend. Clearly, I loved it.
September 30, 2020
Propaganda in the guise of a novel. No thanks.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews