Between the two, The Theft of Sunlight and Into the Heartless Wood take on fairytales, humanity, and the complex web of sex trafficking.
Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer. Page Street Kids, 2021. 368 pages.
Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages 14-17
Recommended For: Ages 15 and up
Imagine a world where railways plunge through an enchanted forest. Imagine a forest where malevolent tree spirits lurk and hunt humans. Add a boy who lives at the edge of the forest and one tree spirit who longs for more, and you have all the ingredients for a reverse Beauty and the Beast with echoes of Little Mermaid. This haunting tale is skillfully told yet it is a dark story with fantasy violence, warfare, black magic, and profanity. Some of the profanity could be viewed as prayer, yet it is sadly repeated for shock value. We’ve loved Joanna Ruth Meyer’s previous three YA novels, so we hope this trend of profanity does not continue in her upcoming books.
Overall Rating: 4 (out of 5)
- Worldview/moral value: 4
- Artistic/literary value: 4
The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani. Harper Teen, 2021. 526 pages.
Reading Level: Young Adult
Recommended For: Ages 16 and up
In the same fantasy world as Thorn, the story continues told through the eyes of a newcomer to court. Rae first appeared in Khanani’s short story, The Bone Knife that was included at the end of Thorn —and it’s important enough for this story that you should read it first. If you’ve read it, you’ll remember she hails from a small village. The horse farm, her sisters, and a deep family secret are part of Rae’s world just as much as her clubbed foot defines her place in society, and her own sense of self-worth. In this fantasy land, children are disappearing mysteriously. When tragedy strikes close to home, Rae’s small world is rocked. Offered a position at the palace, she accepts, with the intent of discovering more about the disappearing children. Khanani takes on trafficking in a fantasy world, using real world research and examples to construct a trafficking web. This made for both a gripping and a horribly sad story with some violence and a hint of romance. The story ends with a promise of more adventures to come. Khanani’s fantasy and world-building is excellent, and we’re excited to see what comes next in her fantasy world.
Overall Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)
- Worldview/moral value: 4.5
- Artistic/literary value: 4.5
Read more about our ratings here.
Related Reading From Redeemed Reader
- *The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner —Speaking of complex fantasy worlds, don’t miss this one!
- Rapid Fire: YA Fantasy, July 2020 —A starred review apiece for Meyer and Khanani in this round-up
- Reading Diana Wynne Jones —An author who has influenced Meyer
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Hi! My 13 year old daughter just finished Echo North and loved it. I see on this page that I might need to be selective with Joanna Ruth Meyer. Which of her novels were loved by RR and would be appropriate for a 13 almost 14 year old girl? Thank you!
Hello Sharon, if she loved Echo North, then Meyer’s first two would also be good for her. I’d hesitate over the one mentioned on this page though since it’s darker. If she loved Echo North, she should definitely read Beauty by Robin Mckinley, too!
Love the Dauntless Path series by Intisar Khanani! I just did an arc read and review of the conclusion, A Darkness at the Door. It is a great read which tackles difficult and even controversial concepts. A solid Christian worldview would be important for a teen to be able to read “Darkness” and not be swayed into thinking that ethics should be swayed by situations. Khanani does not necessarily promote situational ethics; the protagonist agonizes over certain decisions, but she does excuse it a bit too easily for me given the YA market the books are targeting. I love how The Theft of Sunlight and A Darkness as the Door essentially form one storyline. The character development is superb, especially when the two books are read as one.