Everyone knows not to enter the Puszcza, the strange, deep wood where magic and wolves lurk. Only Woodcutters, armed with red caps to keep them from giving into the forest’s enticing call, dare enter the woods. And a Woodcutter is just what Magia wants to be when she grows up, even if she is a girl.
But Magia soon learns that there are dark forces at play in the woods, manipulating wolves, pigs, and little girls alike into stories they’d rather not be a part of. Can Magia foil the witch and save her family?
I totally adored The Wolf Hour, a retelling of several fairy tales, like “The Three Little Pigs” and “Little Red Riding Hood,” that takes on a life of its own in the talented hands of author Sara Lewis Holmes. The magic in this book is enchanting and well thought out, weaving together well-known stories in new and exciting ways.
Holmes’s story follows not just Magia but also Martin, a young wolf whose family has been unwillingly drawn into the witch’s wicked plots, and the three “little” pigs, who are willing to go to some rather unsavory lengths to try to save their own mother. The world conjured is a cold Eastern European forest that sparkles with deep snow – dangerous, dark, and very beautiful.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I’m definitely keeping my eyes open for more! It reminded me a bit of Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, but aimed at younger readers.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
