Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gripping romantic fantasy is dark, lyrical, violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Owen Merrick, 17, goes INTO THE HEARTLESS WOOD, even knowing it's ruled by a powerful, dark witch, when he finds evidence that his baby sister has wandered into it. Owen's mother was lost to the wood a year ago, falling victim to the magical songs of the tree sirens, daughters of the dark witch who lure people in and steal their souls. When Owen does meet one of the tree sirens, she doesn't kill him and instead saves his and his sister's lives. Despite the dangers, Owen can't forget the tree siren and returns to the wood each night to meet with her. As Owen teaches Seren about the human world, their feelings for each other grow, until they become embroiled in the long struggle between the witch of the wood and the neighboring king who's trying to keep her ever-growing forest at bay. Owen tries desperately to keep his family together, and Seren tries to break free of her mother's clutches and become something other than a monster. Until their two worlds clash in ferocious battle with the fate of their world at stake.
Is It Any Good?
This is a beautifully written, epic romantic fantasy feels like a dark fairy tale wrapped up in an imaginative world that feels both familiar and completely original. Fantasy fans who can handle the violence are sure to find a lot to enjoy about Into the Heartless Wood. Author Joanna Ruth Meyer's prose is often lyrical, though sometimes a bit overwrought, and her talents for description and world building are especially strong. The story is gripping, and alternating between Owen and Seren as narrators gives added insight into each of their worlds as it keeps the pages turning. Teens especially will relate to the themes of trying to become something other than you were made to be, what it means to have a heart and a soul, and more.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Into the Heartless Wood. How much is too much? Does it matter if it's in the fantasy world or not?
Is Owen a positive role model? What are his character strengths and weaknesses? Did you like him?
Why are fantasies so popular? What do we love about them? What are some of your favorite fantasy books?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Page Street Publishing
- Publication date : January 12, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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