#BookReview: Willa of the Wood (Willa, #1) by Robert Beatty @BeattyAuthor

Reviewed By: Jessica P. 

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Recommended Age: Juvenile 

Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy 

Goodreads | Amazon

About the Book:

Escape into the story of a brave and unusual girl brimming with the ancient powers of the forest. From Robert Beatty, the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling Serafina books, comes a thrilling new series filled with the history, mystery, and magic of the Great Smoky Mountains. Kirkus Reviews described WILLA OF THE WOOD as "A moving, atmospheric journey of hope."

Move without a sound. Steal without a trace.

Willa, a young night-spirit, is her clan's best thief. She creeps into the cabins of the day-folk under cover of darkness and takes what they won't miss. It's dangerous work--the day-folk kill whatever they don't understand--but Willa will do anything to win the approval of the padaran, the charismatic leader of the Faeran people.

When Willa's curiosity leaves her hurt and stranded in the day-folk world, she calls upon the old powers of her beloved grandmother, and the unbreakable bonds of her forest allies, to escape. Only then does she begin to discover the shocking truth: that not all of her day-folk enemies are the same, and that the foundations of her own Faeran society are crumbling. What do you do when you realize that the society you were born and raised in is rife with evil? Do you raise your voice? Do you stand up against it?

As forces of unfathomable destruction encroach on her forest home, Willa must decide who she truly is, facing deadly force with warmest compassion, sinister corruption with trusted alliance, and finding a home for her longing heart. 





About the Author: Robert Beatty is the author of the #1 New York Times best selling Serafina series published by Disney Hyperion, a spooky mystery-thriller about a brave and unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate.

Serafina and the Black Cloak was a #1 New York Times best seller, has been on the list for more than 59 weeks, and won the prestigious 2016 Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize. The second book in the series, Serafina and the Twisted Staff, became a #1 New York Times best seller in the first week of its launch and earned a “Starred Review” from Kirkus Reviews, which said, “Even better than its predecessor, a sequel that delivers nonstop thrills from beginning to end.” Enjoyed by both young readers and adults, the books are being taught in over a thousand classrooms nationwide. The third book in the Serafina series comes out in July 2017.

Robert Beatty lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters, who help create and refine his stories. He loves to explore Biltmore Estate and the darkened forest trails where his novels take place. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Robert was one of the early pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the chairman/CTO of Narrative Magazine. In 2007, he was named an Entrepreneur of the Year. When asked about the inspiration for his books, Robert said, "Serafina's journey grew out of my desire to write a story about an unusual and heroic young girl for my three daughters."

   

Noteworthy experiences while reading this book: If you didn't know this was written by a man you wouldn't know!  Its just that good! When we were at ALAAC18 and Anarece grabbed this from the Disney booth I didn't even know what she had grabbed. That is until we got back to hotel and we starting going through stuff. Then I looked at this and noticed the author. HEHE long story short this ended up in my stack vs. hers.  This ARC will live with my others in harmony!  I am happy to have this! 

Do I Recommend this book? Yes

Notes and Opinions: I don't know if I am the only one to think this. But it amazes me how well Beatty writes books about little girls (wow that sounds weird) But it is the truth, he does such a great job that you can tell he loves his daughters whom these are written for.  I fell in love with the world of Serafina and the Black Cloak and this one is set in the same world. You do not have to read those books to enjoy this one but there are some of the same characters so you would loose those conntections.  This was a great middle grade title that I couldn't stop reading. It really made me want to reread the first series as well.  Beatty has a way to make characters and worlds come alive as soon as you start the story and that is so true with this one. This is one story for the classroom for all ages. It has something for everyone and Willa will find herself in your heart as much as Serafina did!  

Go Into This One Knowing: Fun for all ages! 

 

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Posted in: 5 Stars, Adult, Childrens, Disney-Hyperion, Jessica P., Middle Grade, Review, Young Adult