The Untold Forest

by Elisa Menz

From indie author Elisa Menz comes this captivating and inspiring tale of courage, magic, and the power behind emotions.

The Untold Forest is the enchanting story of Maeve and her journey into the depths of a forbidden world.

The Forest is dangerous. Humans should not enter. A mysterious land where wild beasts, spirits, and gods dwell, not a place for a young woman. But when Maeve—a lord’s daughter, is kidnapped by a hunter of the wild, they force her into a world for which she is not prepared.

As her path leads her deeper into the woods, a life of magic, danger, and beauty unveils. Her presence in the Forest stirs conflict, although her guardian is determined to keep her safe and by his side. She soon discovers her wardens are not the ones to fear. The shadow of death lurks from the mountains, spreading like a disease. A force so destructive, it might ravage all life in the Forest. When their search for answers leads them to shattering truths, Maeve finds herself the key to preventing bloodshed.

Now she must choose to wait safely behind the lines or step up to protect those she loves.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2021

About the author

Elisa Menz is a self-taught writer and a fantasy literature fan. Born in Bolivia, she grew up surrounded by mythical creatures and supernatural folklore, through local writers and storytellers. Inspired by those tales, she started writing her own stories at a young age.

Now living in Chile, she works full time as a writer, while dawdling in video game programming, comic design, and alternative sources of storytelling. A member of the Chilean Tolkien Society and an avid reader of fantasy classics, her work is heavily influenced by authors like David Eddings, Raymond E. Feist, and Robin Hobb.

Her stories are full of witty, sweet, and hilarious characters, always with a pinch of magic.

Reviews

[Joe Luegers · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILER FREE REVIEW: The Untold Forest successfully avoids the various pitfalls of high fantasy while still containing most of the things that make it a great, long-lasting genre. My biggest surprise was how easy it was to read. I’ve read some admittedly great fantasy books that demand a level of concentration akin to studying for a geography exam. In The Untold Forest, my eyes skated effortlessly over the words and story without constantly having to reference an ever growing, complex list of magical rules and characters. I would finish each chapter and think Okay, one more! without my usual fantasy-fatigue. The cosmology is introduced gradually and naturally comes up in the story. The characters are interesting and surprising; the main character, Maeve, is uniquely powerful not because of her capacity for destruction but for her compassion. One aspect of Menz’s writing that makes me slightly jealous is how her words disappear and turn into story as you read them: storyteller telepathy is what I call it.

Halfway through the book I was surprised to find some beautiful sketches of the three main characters, and it makes me wish that more books had occasional black and white illustrations. I’m excited to see what Elisa Menz writes next, and if The Path returns her to the world she’s created in The Untold Forest

-Joe Luegers, author of the YA sci-fi/fantasy novel The Bridge, The Mindbridge Trilogy Book I

[Raphaela ofstarsandnightmares · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF @70%. This book started so good, that I inhaled the first half and didn’t want to stop reading. But already a short time later, I was thinking about DNFing: the pace slowed down and the writing style became a little too pathetic and info-laden. Normally, I don’t care for the “it’s rather explaining than showing” complaint, but I often felt overwhelmed and sometimes even confused.

Why three stars, when I didn’t even finish?
• As I said, I loved the first half.
• The characters were very cute and Maeve was a sweet character, but not naive at all and I love a complex (female) MC.
• I’m normally not a huge fan of several POVs but I liked it in this book.
• Plus, the world building was very very beautiful.

[Rebeca Menz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way the characters are described, the strength and fragility of the main character, the twists of the story are totally unexpected 🤯
and they had me jumping with excitement. Totally happy from start to finish 🤩

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most captivating stories I have read, a fantasy book that will definitely fall in the “favorites” category. “The Untold Forest”, delivered by the talented Elisa Menz, meets every demand in terms of excellent writing.
My thoughts:
Fantasy books are all the rage nowadays and it seems that almost everyone has written a book belonging to that genre. What do I want in a fantasy book? As a reader of this genre, I want stories that are inspiring, stories that are magical and heroic at the same time.
Elisa Menz has created an enchanting story, with elements of adventure, magic, and romance, destined to keep the reader entertained until the very end. Within the pages of this book, you get to accompany Maeve, a young girl on a journey like no other, into the depths of a forbidden world. Her destiny will take an unexpected turn, as she is kidnapped by a hunter of the wild. From that day, Maeve will start a new chapter of her life, one which will surprise her in more than one way.
I do not want to spoil the story for you, so I am not going to give too many details away. As you will enter the Untold Forest yourself, you will find a richly constructed universe, filled with magic and adventure. The heroine of the story will discover that conflict disturbs the peace of the forest but she will not be alone in her adventure. Someone will act as her guardian, doing everything in his power to keep her safe.
What did I like about the book?
 The world of the Untold Forest – the author has described it exquisitely, so that while reading, it became very easy to step into the story
 Great characters – they all related to Maeve in some way but they also had their own personal journey, which added to the delight of the reading
 The ingenious way in which the author included difficult emotions into the story; her characters experienced grief and anger, which made them more relatable
 The narrative was not predictable and told from multiple POVs; the writing was never boring and it flowed naturally, despite the intricacies of the story
 Touch of romance – it was the cherry on top, and it was lovely to see flawed characters who questioned their feelings before giving into love; I liked that it did not overshadow the story
 Beautiful sketches of the main characters – a great addition, I wish more books would have them
Verdict:
This is the kind of story that you can disappear into, very well-written, with wonderful characters. I would definitely love to see a sequel, perhaps with Maeve exploring more of the Untold Forest.

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Untold Forest by Elisa Menz is an intensely emotional, captivating, enchanting, and mind-blowingly brilliant piece of work. Elisa has managed to create a riveting fantasy world the reader cannot help but get lost in.

The Untold Forest revolves around Maeve and her journey into a forbidden and mysterious world where danger and unexpected challenges lurk at every turn. As Maeve ventures further into the depths of the forest, she gains an understanding of the power one’s emotions hold. Told in the third person point of view this book gives the reader everything they want and more. The Untold Forest is an exceptionally well-written book with detailed descriptions and an intriguing plot that leaves you craving more. The character development for these uniquely different and awe-inspiring characters is phenomenal. You will come to love every single one of these characters and your emotions will be thoroughly wrecked at the end of this novel.

I could not put this book down and this review does not do this book justice. I HIGHLY recommend this book because The Untold Forest is truly incredible! I urge you to grab a copy! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! Hands down this book deserves more than 5 stars and has easily become my favorite read of 2021 and I do not say this lightly because this book will leave you with a SERIOUS book hangover.

Rating: 10/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jennifer Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Thank you to the author for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review***

The Untold Forest by Elisa Menz is absolutely breathtaking (to say the least). I am a huge fan of high fantasy novels and this one really swept me up from page 1 and I honestly couldn’t put it down.

You journey along with Maeve through a world that is perilous and you have to watch your corners. This world is vast and entricately detailed by the author. You watch Maeve learn about emotions and a lot of other things along the way.

This book is truly magical and touches on all fantasy lovers’ dreams. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give away much of the story because this is one that you will most definitely want to pick up!!

[Angela Bauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review!!! I had the great pleasure of reading The Untold Forest by Elisa Menz

The Untold Forest is a gripping tale of a hidden magical world. Within the first couple of chapters I was hooked, I couldn't wait for Hakken's and Maeve's worlds to collide.

I love the writing style of this book, it follows many characters, each giving their own unique perspective on the unfolding events. The author paints a fantastical picture, it felt as though I was exploring the forest myself. I had a hard time putting this book down.

[Venom01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Untold forest is a beautiful piece of writing with a . foray into the fantasy genre. Eliza Menz is the creator of world's. Her descriptions will leave you feeling like you know the characters and you will laugh and cry along with them. I cant recommend this book highly enough. THANK YOU for your amazing talent.

[Christopher Stanfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of high fantasy, this was exactly the kind of story I enjoy. The world building captured my interest right from the first few pages. I was well and truly hooked the moment I saw the "wandering hill". There's something magical about a book that is able to pull you in with those kind of fantastical details, even more so when its grounded by characters that keep you turning the page. There were so many moments that surprised me as the story unfolded, moments that I won't go into here because, let's face it, I'm not one to spoil the fun. But needless to say, this is a world I'm eager to venture into again.

I look forward to seeing where the next adventures lie, assuming of course that the author has such plans.

[Steve R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this story! Positive and uplifting The Untold Forest is an epic journey of beauty and discovery and the main characters are so full of pathos and empathy you can't help but care about them like your own family. This story wrapped around me like a cozy blanket on a cool night, I didn't want it to end but I loved the resolution! Highly recommended.

[Gabriella Giacomini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down!! The Untold Forest is truly amazing

It's a heartwarming, captivating, easy and enchanting story.

I hope there are more books so we can keep exploring and learning more about this incredible new world and captivating characters

[Anca Antoci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting story, whimsical writing and wholesome characters.

I loved reading The Untold Forest! The story is enchanting, the characters are delightful and multi layered and the plot twists are surprising. I loved the strong female lead, but her strength didn't rely on violence. It was refreshing to enjoy a character whose strength came from kindness in the face of adversity. Although naive at times, Maeve is a captivating character and her resilience is inspiring.
The storyline is intriguing and unpredictable, which makes the plot twists even mire surprising.
I absolutely adored the sketches of the characters hidden between the pages 😍

[Alan Leuthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very rarely do I read "epic fantasy", but I felt that this book was worth a shot, and I wanted to see what all the high rating reviews were about. Now I understand.

The book captivates from the opening line, talking of a land that intrigues the reader and sets up a story that feels both old and newly imagined by one heck of a story-teller.

The multiple POV gave me a better sense of the true intentions of the small cast of characters. I'm a sucker for a well-written character, and I would have to say that Maeve stands out the most, a young woman who gains strength throughout the book and just captures the reader's heart. You feel yourself rooting for her as she ventures through the intricately detailed universe Ms. Menz was skilled enough to create.

From plot to characters to writing style to a universe that was both well-detailed but also allowed the reader to play around with it, this book has everything an epic fantasy should have. Honestly, Tolkien would be proud.

[Rodrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining story with a female protagonist who stands out from the classic stereotypes.

Reading this book, at times, I felt myself playing a video game, where the protagonist was constantly discovering new worlds, meeting new people, and facing new challenges. If "Legend of the Zelda" had a child with "The Lord of the Rings", I imagine something similar to "The Untold Forest" would be born. A dynamic but profound story that captivates you from the very first moment.

I totally recommend this book. I really enjoyed reading it; it left me wanting more stories from this new world.

[Jeffrey Sandberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

-The Untold Forest-
Goodreads doesnt let me, I want to give this book at least 3.5, maybe 3.75/5

A fantasy/fairy story involving a human girl who is taken to another realm of "half-breeds"(a predominant race), fey creatures and ancient beings known simply as the Forest for its magnitude.
For the one thing, the novel is written from frequent shifts of character of third person viewpoint, but the author seems exceptionally skilled at this way of presentation. There are simplicities to the writing, it feels in some ways lackadaisical at certain points of the book. The story really takes off about 2 thirds of the way through the book as events leading to a great battle unfold.

There is tragedy from the beginning involving the main character and others. The story is filled with exuberant voices and tone, although at first they seem like paper, most of the characters develop a strong fullness. Maeve, the MC, has strength in a feminine way, but most tropes are avoided. Some of the scenes involving the more insistently exotic characters are hilarious, especially a snakelike creature(a naga) with a harem. There is an exuberance, humor, and also rare crudity to many parts of the book. In some ways the writers voice bleeds through the writing in childish or distracting ways sometimes, lending to opposition for the suspension of disbelief. There is a sense throughout the book of an amateurish handling of the world within. I think this is due to a more shallow world-building than say if you were reading something like Tolkien or Robert Jordan.

Be warned that this is also a romance. It made me hesitant as that developed but the writer is charming and endearing in her approach and most of it will likely grow on you.
The thematic fantastic elements of magic and spiritual creatures escalates with a very briefly displayed but interesting character, a goddess from which the pivotal conflict in the story come from.
Again I will say there are hilarious characters as well as fascinating ones

It was a good fantasy with great moments, especially for a first novel

[Debbie McQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story surorised me and was so much different than I anticipated. It has mysterious forest with really creative and unique characters, creatures, plantlife, and well-thought out lore.
The story centers around Maeve, a human woman who finds herself whisked away to the forest after losing everything she knew.
The forest holds magic which can connect to the inate magic within someone. I really love what Maeve discovers about herself- it's not your typical power and she's not your typical heroine. But she is and her greatest weapon is her kindness.
I also really loved the final battle and the concept behind it as their enemies were not really their enemies, but that's all I can say without spoiling it. Go check out this fun, unique, and sweet book for an Alice in Wonderland meets LOTR adventure

[David Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I previously read 'Easy Guide To Escape Hell' by this author and enjoyed it immensely before diving into this book, her first.

And I'm really glad I did. I already knew Menz had talent, but 'The Untold Forest' tells me Menz also has wonderful range.

'The Untold Forest' is a endearing and lyrically written tale of courage and magic, with a strong emotional core. Whimsical and lush, 'The Untold Forest' also boasts depth in its detailed world and morally-centred cast of characters.

Elisa Menz has quickly become a must-read author in my book.

[C.A.Chalklen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully crafted world from an author with great promise. A must read.