Book Review: The Amber Owl by Juliet Marillier
Title: The Amber Owl by Juliet Marillier
Release Date: 25th February 2025
Publisher: New Dawn
RRP: $32.99
Rating: 5/5 stars
Synopsis:
Stasya lives in an isolated farming village on the edge of the mysterious Heartwood Forest with her unusual dog for company. Thought odd by the locals, she is tolerated for her rare gift with animals. Engaging with her fellow humans is difficult, with one exception: goatherd Lukas, who shares her love of storytelling.
The peace of Heartwood is shattered when a group of soldiers descends, under orders from the Ruler of the Northlands. Their mission: to hack a path through the forest and find the fabled treasure said to lie deep within. Under the gruelling decree, Stasya’s village falls into chaos. The task is clearly impossible. The forest is alive with bears and wolves, and the old tales speak of evil spirits, monsters and uncanny beings. Nobody has ever gone deep into Heartwood Forest and returned safe and well.
When Stasya raises her voice in protest she is removed from her beloved home and transported to court – a different world. Word of her special skills has reached the Ruler’s ears, and Lady Elisabeta has a job for her. But Stasya will not break her vow to protect the forest, even under the most appalling threat. Help comes from an unlikely quarter.
Secrets abound; dangers lie everywhere; and it is hard to tell friend from foe. As Stasya and her band of unlikely allies embark on a perilous mission, it becomes apparent that uncanny forces may indeed be involved. Maybe the old tales of the Hermit are true.
Book Review:
Thank you New Dawn Pub for sending over an ARC in exchange for an honest review! <3
Where do I even begin?! This was so incredible! Truly a beautifully crafted story from the heart. The pacing was perfect, the build-up and thoughtful development of the relationships between each character palpable, and the connection between nature + animals illustrated in Stasya woven into a fairytale-esque story was just stunning ✨
This is the kind of tale you never want to let go of, and I just know this is going to charm readers of all ages! The gentle prose against the lush forest backdrop (loosely based on the Baltic region) mixed with some magic and a fierce fight fought by a gentle girl between man and nature, you are not going to want to put this one down. I love the powerful message delivered in such a soft and enchanting manner and the important role that storytelling plays in our lives. The different POVs added so much layer and depth to the stories that I got attached to every one of them! You can absolutely tell that SO much heart and soul went into writing this book. The world-building and characters were done with so much care that you will be fully immersed with this heartachingly beautiful and emotional story of grief, friendship, and family 💫🤍
The first in a duology that has one of the best endings I’ve ever read. I simply cannot WAIT for the sequel! A new all-time favorite for sure! 🥹😭🫶🏼 I loved the book so much that I went out to get a signed final copy and bought another book by the author! I will definitely be reading more of her work 😍
