Parents' Guide to

The Darkest Part of the Forest

By Mary Eisenhart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Teen sibs battle magic foes in convoluted fantasy.

Book Holly Black Fantasy 2015
The Darkest Part of the Forest Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

Kjbartolotta
Kjbartolotta Adult
September 9, 2015
age 13+

Great teen characters and an engaging supernatural world.

What I enjoyed was the genuine teen voice offered in this book, unlike many YA authors Holly Black is up to date on what they are in to and it shows. The story involves lots of very credible supernatural monsters, and drips with spooky atmosphere. Very much a teen novel, with both violence and some erotic situations, though this never feels excessive and serves the story well. Expect all the typical YA tropes on display here, though handled better than usual.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

At first, the little town of Fairfold seems charming, rustic, and ordinary. Then you notice all the charms and magic signs scattered around the town and the fact that the locals never go out before stocking up on iron filings, filling their pockets with grave dirt, and otherwise trying to ward off the supernatural beings who live in the forest, with whom the town has an uneasy truce. Somehow connected to the Folk is the horned boy who sleeps in an enchanted glass coffin in THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST, who's been there longer than anyone can remember. Generations of teens have indulged in romantic fantasies about him and held drunken parties on his coffin. Among them are 16-year-old Hazel, who, for reasons she doesn't really understand, finds herself making out with every guy in town -- except for Jack, the one she actually likes, who's a changeling. Jack is also the BFF of her brother, Ben, who's gay and a talented musician. They all find themselves faced with the unexpected, from cryptic notes that appear in Hazel's locker to people turning up missing or spellbound, and one mystery leads to another. Soon the teens are simultaneously trying to wake the mysterious boy and grapple with the dark forces plaguing their town, struggling to make sense of their lives.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (10 ):

Genre fans will find this a fun read, though even they may get bogged down in the tortuously convoluted cosmology and wonder if the ending is enough of a payoff for all the turmoil leading up to it. Others may lose patience. Along the way, there are some interesting vignettes of small-town life -- and how even good people often behave badly when they're scared.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why teen romances involving supernatural characters are so popular. What's the appeal? How does The Darkest Part of the Forest compare with other stories you know?

  • Hazel and Ben have pretty much raised themselves because their parents are loving but utterly unreliable. Do you know any kids who've had to become the adults in their family because they can't count on their parents? How did it affect them?

  • Would you prefer to be "ordinary" or to have some spectacular talent? Why?

Book Details

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