Parents' Guide to

The Hazel Wood, Book 1

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Captivating tale of teen thrust into the world of folklore.

Book Melissa Albert Fantasy 2018
The Hazel Wood, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 6 parent reviews

Chrystal R.
Chrystal R. Adult
November 26, 2022
age 16+
Overall, the story line is chaotic and the ending is lackluster. The story was all over the place without having a drive forward. The swearing was a bit over the top, as if wanting to seem "edgy." Characters were a bit two-dimensional. The ending was just "meh." I guess I was just disappointed that it was not a better story.

This title has:

Too much swearing
VetrenReader
VetrenReader Adult
September 9, 2020
age 18+

Look elsewhere for a protagonist to like.

Gave this book a try due to reviews bt to be honest. Never have I read a less likable protagonist. No redeemable qualities at all. I ended up hoping the Hinderlands would eat the lot of them and be done with it. Or just kick Alice out and go home. Just a horrible person Alice is.
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

As THE HAZEL WOOD begins, 16-year-old Alice has spent life on the move with her mother, Ella, trying to stay one step ahead of deadly streaks of bad luck. When Alice learns that her reclusive grandmother, cult author Althea Proserpine, has died, she's doubly traumatized by the disappearance of Ella. Desperate for advice, she teams up with Ellery Finch, the super-rich superfan of Althea's lone book, Tales of the Hinterland. Together, they head toward Alice's ancestral home, a place filled with often-deadly magic.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6):
Kids say (10):

Fairy tales and folklore drive the plots of many modern novels, but it takes a special kind of magic to create such a witty, suspenseful, and insightful novel as this one. With The Hazel Wood, debut novelist Melissa Albert weaves a literary spell over her readers, using the elements of fairy tales to tell a gripping tale of the supernatural. Alice is an acerbic and prickly protagonist, but you can't help but root for her as she attempts to unravel the secrets of her birthright. Smart, funny, and emotionally compelling, The Hazel Wood is a magical debut.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The Hazel Wood uses the elements of myth and folklore to tell its modern-day story. Why have fairy tales endured across the centuries? How are they used in popular culture?

  • What role does violence play in The Hazel Wood? When and why are characters forced to use it? What are the real-life consequences of such actions?

  • Why is storytelling important? What kinds of stories are passed down from generation to generation and why?

Book Details

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