What do you think?
Rate this book
Darkwood Chronicles #3.5
Heart of the Forest
Prince Kentry of Raine knows that if only he can capture the magical White Hart, the creature will grant his heart’s desire. Entering the depths of the Darkwood, he chases his quarry down … only to become lost in a mystical forest, where he must fight for his life at the side of a moon-haired maiden who may hold the answer to his dreams.
41 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2021
About the author
Anthea Sharp
124 books1,333 followersGrowing up, Anthea Sharp spent her summers raiding the library shelves and reading, especially fantasy. She now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she writes, plays the fiddle, hangs out in virtual worlds, and spends time with her small-but-good family. Contact her at antheasharp@hotmail.com, follow her on twitter, find her on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AntheaSharp), and visit her website.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 17, 2022
Boy loves girl, girl gets engaged to his brother, boy sets out on a quest to capture a magical creature that can grant one's deepest heart's desire to make the girl his. And it goes wrong, as you'd expect, because what Kent captures in the forest isn't a White Hart, but an elf called Fanya.
This was so so so good. The world building was amazing and the love story was believable and adorable. I looooooved the scenes where Fanya treated Kent's injury.
I'm curious to see how this ties into the main series, if at all, or if it's just providing some history/world building.
This was so so so good. The world building was amazing and the love story was believable and adorable. I looooooved the scenes where Fanya treated Kent's injury.
I'm curious to see how this ties into the main series, if at all, or if it's just providing some history/world building.
May 22, 2023
Not bad at all, short but good.
Happy Reading 📚📗📖📚📙📕📒📚📗📚📔📖📙📓📚📖📗📙📕📖
Happy Reading 📚📗📖📚📙📕📒📚📗📚📔📖📙📓📚📖📗📙📕📖
October 28, 2021
A man goes bounding through the woods chasing a white stag and ends up in the fae forest only to run into a beautiful woman. They will travel through some dangers to reach safety and figure out a way to get him home. Unless of coarse he finds a reason to stay.
This is a short story set after the Darkwood Chronicles series. You do not have to have read that series to enjoy the story in this as events from the prior series are only touched on. This is a good intro to the authors story telling and her worldbuilding.
This is a short story set after the Darkwood Chronicles series. You do not have to have read that series to enjoy the story in this as events from the prior series are only touched on. This is a good intro to the authors story telling and her worldbuilding.
November 7, 2022
4,5 stars - English Ebook
March 21, 2023
Cute little short story
Read
March 18, 2021Surprise Darkwood treat! I'm doing final edits now on this shorter tale that will be out next month, as a teaser for the world of White as Frost - plus there will be an audio version with fabulous narrator Amy Landon. Stay tuned for details...
April 28, 2021
I first read Heart of the Forest when it appeared as part of the Once Upon A Wish anthology. To be frank, Anthea Sharp is one of my favorite fantasy authors so her name as a contributor was one of the factors that led me to get the collection. Fir those new to this author, this short novella is a great introduction to her wonderfully rich story-telling and the enchanted forest setting of her Darkwood novels. If you like fairy tales, Dark Elves, magic and adventure, with superb plots and perfectly crafted characters then this author, and Heart of the Forest (The Darkwood Chronicles Book 4) is for you - though fair warning that afterwards you’ll probably find yourself going to book 1 if the series and reading it though. Highly recommended any way you go about it.
Merged review:
I first read Heart of the Forest when it appeared as part of the Once Upon A Wish anthology. To be frank, Anthea Sharp is one of my favorite fantasy authors so her name as a contributor was one of the factors that led me to get the collection. Fir those new to this author, this short novella is a great introduction to her wonderfully rich story-telling and the enchanted forest setting of her Darkwood novels. If you like fairy tales, Dark Elves, magic and adventure, with superb plots and perfectly crafted characters then this author, and Heart of the Forest (The Darkwood Chronicles Book 4) is for you - though fair warning that afterwards you’ll probably find yourself going to book 1 if the series and reading it though. Highly recommended any way you go about it.
Merged review:
I first read Heart of the Forest when it appeared as part of the Once Upon A Wish anthology. To be frank, Anthea Sharp is one of my favorite fantasy authors so her name as a contributor was one of the factors that led me to get the collection. Fir those new to this author, this short novella is a great introduction to her wonderfully rich story-telling and the enchanted forest setting of her Darkwood novels. If you like fairy tales, Dark Elves, magic and adventure, with superb plots and perfectly crafted characters then this author, and Heart of the Forest (The Darkwood Chronicles Book 4) is for you - though fair warning that afterwards you’ll probably find yourself going to book 1 if the series and reading it though. Highly recommended any way you go about it.
March 24, 2023
A lovely short fairy story.
May 4, 2021
A lot packed into a short story!
This does NOT disappoint! I don't normally like short stories, because the end before they seem to get started. But not this. It was a complete story that was magnificent!
This does NOT disappoint! I don't normally like short stories, because the end before they seem to get started. But not this. It was a complete story that was magnificent!
July 23, 2022
When Prince Kentry’s girlfriend is betrothed to his older brother, the heir to the kingdom, he’s convinced he loves her more than his brother, and that she loves him more, and that he needs to capture the fabled White Heart to earn himself a wish to make her his once again. So, he ventures into the Darkwood forest to capture the White Heart. But while chasing the White Heart and crossing into the Elven Realm, an elf lady crosses his path and he assumes she’s the White Heart. Lady Fanyaleth knows the human prince is trapped in the Elven world, with its odd two moons and no sun, and is wounded, and needs her to survive and get home.
I do love the Darkwood world and all of the faery realms written about by Anthea Sharp. She has such lyrical descriptions, bringing to life the fantastic imagery of the imaginative faery world. And I love the mythology and folktales brought in, like the White Hart. Though the focus in this, really isn’t the White Hart, which only crosses paths with our characters for a brief moment. I was a little disappointed that the story is predictable and there’s not much to it. There’s companionship between the two and his determination to make his wish. But it’s really not a romance. The two main characters were rather cardboard without much depth to them, so I didn’t really take to them, though I did love their journey through the world with its eternal night and two moons as they encountered fantasy creatures, and wove magic, and the faery courts.
I do love the Darkwood world and all of the faery realms written about by Anthea Sharp. She has such lyrical descriptions, bringing to life the fantastic imagery of the imaginative faery world. And I love the mythology and folktales brought in, like the White Hart. Though the focus in this, really isn’t the White Hart, which only crosses paths with our characters for a brief moment. I was a little disappointed that the story is predictable and there’s not much to it. There’s companionship between the two and his determination to make his wish. But it’s really not a romance. The two main characters were rather cardboard without much depth to them, so I didn’t really take to them, though I did love their journey through the world with its eternal night and two moons as they encountered fantasy creatures, and wove magic, and the faery courts.
August 9, 2026
"Heart of the Forest" is a 5* story in my own heart, but my brain says 3*, so I made a compromise.
It's a fun short romantic adventure that will likely keep you engaged from beginning to end. The prose is well-crafted, both protagonists are likeable, the banter is fun, the plot is fresh, and after coming across myriad modern stories that present lust and toxicity as romance, this wholesome relationship was a breath of fresh air to me. Don't get me wrong, the protagonists showed clear physical attraction for each other, but their relationship wasn't based on them wanting to jump each other's bones. They cared for each other. They were vulnerable and gentle with one another.
Unfortunately, although this Disney-esque romance released happy chemicals inside my brain, it felt quite underdeveloped. The romance, not my brain. I think the short story needed at least 20 more pages to help me feel the protagonists growing closer to each other, but ideally it would be twice as long. Not just because I want more of them, but because, toward the end, one of the protagonists ends up making a radical decision that will change their life forever, and it just didn't feel earned. The relationship didn't get enough room to develop properly.
But that doesn't change how much I enjoyed the story. I'll definitely give "The Darkwood Trilogy" a read.
It's a fun short romantic adventure that will likely keep you engaged from beginning to end. The prose is well-crafted, both protagonists are likeable, the banter is fun, the plot is fresh, and after coming across myriad modern stories that present lust and toxicity as romance, this wholesome relationship was a breath of fresh air to me. Don't get me wrong, the protagonists showed clear physical attraction for each other, but their relationship wasn't based on them wanting to jump each other's bones. They cared for each other. They were vulnerable and gentle with one another.
Unfortunately, although this Disney-esque romance released happy chemicals inside my brain, it felt quite underdeveloped. The romance, not my brain. I think the short story needed at least 20 more pages to help me feel the protagonists growing closer to each other, but ideally it would be twice as long. Not just because I want more of them, but because, toward the end, one of the protagonists ends up making a radical decision that will change their life forever, and it just didn't feel earned. The relationship didn't get enough room to develop properly.
But that doesn't change how much I enjoyed the story. I'll definitely give "The Darkwood Trilogy" a read.
November 15, 2021
I just love tales about the darkwood/erynvorn, and a love between a mortal and a fae, and the descriptions of the erynvorn are really breathtakingly magical, with it's two moons and no sun to mention. This is the tale of Prince Kentry who sought to capture the white hart in order to be granted his heart's desire. His beloved Maired, had accepted to marry his older brother and become queen in due time but he wanted her for himself even though Ian loved her. However whilst travelling the darkwood and chasing the glowing white hart he crossed over into the fae realm, and came across a fae maiden who he mistook for the Hart. Fanya went along with his mistake and as both were injured they travelled to the nightshade court to seek a healer but it seems that fate had a different plan for their future and they both had not really known their true hearts' desire. The white heart had granted them their wish in the end. And I just love a happy ending and as this is just a prequel I look forward to reading the Darkwood trilogy.
February 18, 2022
The problem with short stories is balancing the different parts equally (introduction, build up to the finale, the conclusion). I loved the introduction and enjoyed how the story was unfurling. I was excited to learn more about Fanya, but suddenly it was the end and I couldn't help but giggle uncomfortably. Quick, sudden, undying love makes me uncomfortable with how unrealistic it is. Especially with how the book started regarding another woman. It just cheapens it for me. There's just this fine line for short pieces and this one started on one side 100% and made a mad dash to the other side in the span of a paragraph. I do own the next book, which is full length, so I am intrigued to see how the pace is set with 300+ pages instead of 41.
November 27, 2021
This is a short, sweet romance where a human and a dark elf unexpectedly find love. A broken heart leads Kent to undertake a fateful quest to capture the White Hart to force him to grant his heart's desire. Instead, he captures Fanya, who he thinks is the White Hart in human form, but he is wounded when she shoots him with an arrow. As they trek to Nightshade Court for him to be healed, she is poisoned by a drake. Supporting and encouraging each other, they make their way to Nightshade Court to be healed. There, Kent learns what his true heart's desire really is and Fanya discovers what the Fates intended for her.
February 18, 2023
3,75/5
#FaRoFeb2023
Ciekawe opowiadanie, pewnie w innych okolicznościach pokusilabym się o przeczytanie całej trylogii. Jednak nie tym razem
Traktuje to jako miłe opowiadanie o Fae, czyli ostatnio dość częsta tematyka jak dla mnie. Samo opowiadanie jest fajne, ma całkiem zgrabna fabule, przestawia pełna historie głównych bohaterów. Ładnie zbudowany świat, dość klasycznie, minus za motywacje bohatera, ale w końcu czego można się spodziewać po mężczyźnie, który chce upolować magicznego jelenia.
Krótkie, miłe i to na tyle.
#FaRoFeb2023
Ciekawe opowiadanie, pewnie w innych okolicznościach pokusilabym się o przeczytanie całej trylogii. Jednak nie tym razem
Traktuje to jako miłe opowiadanie o Fae, czyli ostatnio dość częsta tematyka jak dla mnie. Samo opowiadanie jest fajne, ma całkiem zgrabna fabule, przestawia pełna historie głównych bohaterów. Ładnie zbudowany świat, dość klasycznie, minus za motywacje bohatera, ale w końcu czego można się spodziewać po mężczyźnie, który chce upolować magicznego jelenia.
Krótkie, miłe i to na tyle.
April 13, 2024
I wish it was a full-length novel and had more depth and the characters were more developed, but It was way too short!
I really liked the beginning of the book like the introduction and enjoyed how the story was unfolding. I was excited to learn more about the characters, but suddenly the story went so fast and didn't build up the characters!
I DON'T LIKE Quick, sudden, undying love, it just makes me uncomfortable bc it feels sooo unrealistic, and the book starts with him wanting another woman in the first place, like wut! It just feels cheap! it doesn't do it for me.
I really liked the beginning of the book like the introduction and enjoyed how the story was unfolding. I was excited to learn more about the characters, but suddenly the story went so fast and didn't build up the characters!
I DON'T LIKE Quick, sudden, undying love, it just makes me uncomfortable bc it feels sooo unrealistic, and the book starts with him wanting another woman in the first place, like wut! It just feels cheap! it doesn't do it for me.
Read
March 18, 2022Heart of the Forest (The Dark wood Chronicles Book 4)
I would recommend this book to anyone with a fertile enough imagination to appreciate the beauty of the world of The Darkwood . Heart of the Forest was a wonderful distraction from my day and captured and held my attention from front to end . The world and people were practically alive right in front of me to see with my own eyes.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a fertile enough imagination to appreciate the beauty of the world of The Darkwood . Heart of the Forest was a wonderful distraction from my day and captured and held my attention from front to end . The world and people were practically alive right in front of me to see with my own eyes.
November 19, 2024
I love the way that Anthea Sharp really makes her writing feel like old fables and fairy tales. The main characters were sweet together and I enjoyed watching them team up for survival. The course of their relationship felt realistic and not rushed for a short story. I'll be checking out this author in the future once my TBR list is shorter!
Read as part of the Of Storms and Stardust anthology collection
Read as part of the Of Storms and Stardust anthology collection
October 14, 2021
The DarkWood
The world has new forest!
Anthea has so easily created a world with her own magic!
The prophecy has Elfhame thriving as never before!
The human world will accept the elves as they come into our world!
This is an awesome story that just keeps getting better with each page!
I LOVE YOUR WORLD ANTHEA!
The world has new forest!
Anthea has so easily created a world with her own magic!
The prophecy has Elfhame thriving as never before!
The human world will accept the elves as they come into our world!
This is an awesome story that just keeps getting better with each page!
I LOVE YOUR WORLD ANTHEA!
December 27, 2021
A very enjoyable read as the prince crosses over. Who knew what lurked in Darkwood? It was his future, but not the future he was chasing when he entered. The seed has been planted, and now it will grow and be nurtured. The author has painted beautiful images that allow us to really see the world in the Darkwood.
February 7, 2022
Cute fairy tale-like story
I've read other stories by this author and I do like her writing style. I grabbed this to see if I wanted to read the Darkwood Trilogy. And yes. Yes, I do.
It reads like a fairy tale that shows the journey of how they came to trust each other and maybe fall in love.
I've read other stories by this author and I do like her writing style. I grabbed this to see if I wanted to read the Darkwood Trilogy. And yes. Yes, I do.
It reads like a fairy tale that shows the journey of how they came to trust each other and maybe fall in love.
March 29, 2023
Short but Purposeful
This is exactly what a prequel novella should be. There's a decent sort of closure. I didn't find any technical mistakes. The story flowed well, and the pacing was well-done. I'm intrigued by these characters and their world and would be quite happy to read more of the stories set therein. Well done, indeed!
This is exactly what a prequel novella should be. There's a decent sort of closure. I didn't find any technical mistakes. The story flowed well, and the pacing was well-done. I'm intrigued by these characters and their world and would be quite happy to read more of the stories set therein. Well done, indeed!
May 26, 2023
It wasn't bad. It's just a novella. I think it has loads of potential, but overall, it kinda felt like it was a rosebud just waiting to bloom, you know? I wish it was a full-length novel and had more depth and characterization. That said, I think this author shows promise, and I'd gladly pick up one of her full-length books if I can ever get my hands on one.
August 11, 2026
It was 3 books, so there are of course parts of it that I like better than other parts, but I really like this series and wasn't ready for it to end. I'm fact I immediately started looking to see if there was more to this world, because there has to be, right? I definitely need more of this world...
May 23, 2021
Short and sweet.
None of the beloved characters from the first of this series, but certainly a continuation. Human Prince following what he believes to be a magical answer to his desire meets a Dark Elf Princess in the equivalent of the humans Dark Woods.
None of the beloved characters from the first of this series, but certainly a continuation. Human Prince following what he believes to be a magical answer to his desire meets a Dark Elf Princess in the equivalent of the humans Dark Woods.
September 7, 2021
Anthea's stories
I am so amazed at how much I loved reading Anthea's books. I haven't read books in so long and to find a collection I truly like is amazing. Thank you for being such an interesting writer.
I am so amazed at how much I loved reading Anthea's books. I haven't read books in so long and to find a collection I truly like is amazing. Thank you for being such an interesting writer.
January 20, 2022
Fickle
Kent is fickle at best. He is in love with his brothers fiance. Rather than coping with the loss he goes on a merry Chase for a mythical creature. While he does find a mythical creature, it's not the one he hunted.
Kent is fickle at best. He is in love with his brothers fiance. Rather than coping with the loss he goes on a merry Chase for a mythical creature. While he does find a mythical creature, it's not the one he hunted.
February 23, 2022
I can never get enough from this author. Her stories are wonderful. They always capture my attention. This one didn't disappoint. I was drawn right into the story. Great characters & the narrator was fabulous. I can't wait for more.
April 5, 2022
3.5. idk what I just read but it was p cute. The ending especially. With only 40 pages, you really can't grow the deeper relationship between the two MCs to create the feels, so I understand that. If you want a quick fairytale this one is worth looking into.
April 26, 2022
Heart of the Forest by Anthea Sharp is a mild prequel to her Darkwood series, opening with Prince Kentry Larnoch of Raine chasing The White Stag through the Darkwood, and taking about an hour and a half.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews