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Dauntless Path #4
Riha of the Woods
A relentless girl. A ruthless mage. A past that could destroy them both.
Forty years ago, Riha's people bowed their heads in submission to the crown of the plains in exchange for their lives. Four years ago, Riha lost her parents in a rockslide, and learned not to trust in the false promises of tomorrows. But when she discovers that the crown’s woodcutters have traveled deep into her woods, Riha realizes they could destroy one of her people’s last hidden treasures. False promises or not, that isn’t something she can stand by and watch.
When the queen assigns Lukai his first task as a full mage, sending him back to the lands his grandfather helped conquer, he promises himself he won't fail as everyone seems to expect. It's a simple enough mission: oversee the harvest of wood for the new royal palace… except the forest folk are known to be cunning and unreliable. When they start causing trouble, Lukai knows to respond with brutal efficiency. But when he takes a young woman hostage, promising her execution if her people don't cooperate, he finds himself hurtling toward a future he would do almost anything to avoid.
Riha of the Woods is being released on a chapter-a-month basis to the author's newsletter and Patreon subscribers, with a full release planned thereafter.
Forty years ago, Riha's people bowed their heads in submission to the crown of the plains in exchange for their lives. Four years ago, Riha lost her parents in a rockslide, and learned not to trust in the false promises of tomorrows. But when she discovers that the crown’s woodcutters have traveled deep into her woods, Riha realizes they could destroy one of her people’s last hidden treasures. False promises or not, that isn’t something she can stand by and watch.
When the queen assigns Lukai his first task as a full mage, sending him back to the lands his grandfather helped conquer, he promises himself he won't fail as everyone seems to expect. It's a simple enough mission: oversee the harvest of wood for the new royal palace… except the forest folk are known to be cunning and unreliable. When they start causing trouble, Lukai knows to respond with brutal efficiency. But when he takes a young woman hostage, promising her execution if her people don't cooperate, he finds himself hurtling toward a future he would do almost anything to avoid.
Riha of the Woods is being released on a chapter-a-month basis to the author's newsletter and Patreon subscribers, with a full release planned thereafter.
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About the author
Intisar Khanani
18 books2,503 followersIntisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. She currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and two young daughters. Prior to publishing her novels, Intisar worked as a public health consultant on projects relating to infant mortality and minority health, which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy.
Intisar is the author of the Dauntless Path books (beginning with Thorn) and The Sunbolt Chronicles.
To find out about new releases, giveaways, and so forth, subscribe to Intisar's monthly author newsletter.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I'm afraid I don't accept every single friend request I receive, unless we already know each other IRL, or it looks like we have tastes broadly in common. However, please feel free to follow and interact.
Intisar is the author of the Dauntless Path books (beginning with Thorn) and The Sunbolt Chronicles.
To find out about new releases, giveaways, and so forth, subscribe to Intisar's monthly author newsletter.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I'm afraid I don't accept every single friend request I receive, unless we already know each other IRL, or it looks like we have tastes broadly in common. However, please feel free to follow and interact.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 31, 2023
Not my favorite story by Khanani, however this is an unpolished version. She will be revising and editing in months to come and then publishing. This is a story she sent out chapter by chapter in her newsletters. Once complete, I will probably change my rating. 😊
September 13, 2023
This was a cool free novella for the author's newsletter subscribers, which I understand is going to be revised and then published.
I really liked the setting and environmental message - the towering forests and grim history of the land really came to life and you can tell a lot of thought went into this.
There were some things I feel needed a bit more fleshing out (which is always the way with novellas) for me to decide which stance it was taking. For example the main male character infantilises Riha from the first time he meets her, and kind of continues to do it throughout. Is this commentary on him as a coloniser, or is he just being a bit creepy? Especially since Riha was calling him handsome I was worried it was going to become a romance so I'm glad we didn't go all the way there but I still wasn't quite sure what to think about it.
I also didn't really like the ending where Riha finds out her womb has been damaged - I don't believe she ever expressed an interest in children or a family throughout the book, and since she's 18 and is still trying to work out what she's doing in life it felt a bit strange to me that the big emotional beat at the end was that she couldn't have children. I don't think it was meant this way, but it kind of felt like even after all that had happened in the story, her worth was still kind of attached to her womb.
There was definitely still a lot to love about this story - the warm family, the beautiful setting, and the commentary on colonialism - but I'm also excited to see how it turns out after revisions. Khanani always brings a lot of nuance and care to her work you don't see often in YA, and it's always a delight to read!
I really liked the setting and environmental message - the towering forests and grim history of the land really came to life and you can tell a lot of thought went into this.
There were some things I feel needed a bit more fleshing out (which is always the way with novellas) for me to decide which stance it was taking. For example the main male character infantilises Riha from the first time he meets her, and kind of continues to do it throughout. Is this commentary on him as a coloniser, or is he just being a bit creepy? Especially since Riha was calling him handsome I was worried it was going to become a romance so I'm glad we didn't go all the way there but I still wasn't quite sure what to think about it.
I also didn't really like the ending where Riha finds out her womb has been damaged - I don't believe she ever expressed an interest in children or a family throughout the book, and since she's 18 and is still trying to work out what she's doing in life it felt a bit strange to me that the big emotional beat at the end was that she couldn't have children. I don't think it was meant this way, but it kind of felt like even after all that had happened in the story, her worth was still kind of attached to her womb.
There was definitely still a lot to love about this story - the warm family, the beautiful setting, and the commentary on colonialism - but I'm also excited to see how it turns out after revisions. Khanani always brings a lot of nuance and care to her work you don't see often in YA, and it's always a delight to read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2023
I almost gave this a 3 stat because I couldn't stand Lukai. It took him being betrayed himself before he actually felt true guilt and wanted to change. But the seeds had been planted before the event.
Riha's goodness and bravery had been gnawing at Lukai's conscience. Her stories, wither he liked it or not taught him truths and showed him what her people valued. His character development took a while but it was there.
Riha on the other hand I loved from the get go! Her world was fascinating and though she was angry, she was always doing what was right. Absolutely loved her 😍
World building was fantastic in this. Though i didn't see the world of Thorn within it, I felt that magical wonder and found myself wishing to see Riha's woods and hee abandoned city! It sounded like an incredible sight 🤩
Riha's goodness and bravery had been gnawing at Lukai's conscience. Her stories, wither he liked it or not taught him truths and showed him what her people valued. His character development took a while but it was there.
Riha on the other hand I loved from the get go! Her world was fascinating and though she was angry, she was always doing what was right. Absolutely loved her 😍
World building was fantastic in this. Though i didn't see the world of Thorn within it, I felt that magical wonder and found myself wishing to see Riha's woods and hee abandoned city! It sounded like an incredible sight 🤩
October 30, 2023
Another character-forward novel about heritage, home, and fighting for what’s right. My only complaint is that I wish the story continued! Can’t wait to read what happens next, and can’t wait for this to be formally published.
May 22, 2025
Review??
September 26, 2023
This so made me want to reread this series again🥹🫶🏻
Rating: 4 stars
Rating: 4 stars
September 24, 2023
I love the Thorn series. She writes such great fantasy that is engaging and something I want to read and share with my daughters.
I couldn't figure out how this fit into the Thorn world but after book discovered it is a prequel by 400 years. And I read it on my phone in one day (I was at a XC meet and Gloria wanted to stay longer to see the other races so I put my chair in the shade and pulled up the newsletter that allowed me to read it early).
Good characters and setting. I would take away 1/2 star from the plot device of the main problem could be cleared up by a little communication, though I do see why they don't trust the other party to share that info but still...otherwise a fun, quick read.
I couldn't figure out how this fit into the Thorn world but after book discovered it is a prequel by 400 years. And I read it on my phone in one day (I was at a XC meet and Gloria wanted to stay longer to see the other races so I put my chair in the shade and pulled up the newsletter that allowed me to read it early).
Good characters and setting. I would take away 1/2 star from the plot device of the main problem could be cleared up by a little communication, though I do see why they don't trust the other party to share that info but still...otherwise a fun, quick read.
November 16, 2023
Another incredible story from Intisar Khanani! This story is referenced a few times in her other books and it was so great to read it through her newsletter.
Currently reading
February 24, 2023Been reading along.
Up through Chapter 14.
Up through Chapter 14.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews