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A review by annekawithane
The Angel of Torin Woods by Claire Kohler
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thank you Claire Kohler for providing me with a digital arc. Below is my honest opinion!
Angel of Torin Wood is a short novella following Vincent and Bethany as they hunt for a creature with hauntingly beautiful voice in the woods. It’s perfect for those who want an easy introduction to some Scottish folklore and to the author’s series, Betwixt the Sea and Shore.
As a reader who hasn’t read the published predecessors (technically set after this), Kohler cohesively sets up the story so that it stands on its own. There are hints of what lies ahead that do pique my interest in the rest of the series. I enjoy the magical creatures from Scottish folklore that are introduced and how we see them from the point of view of one of the few villagers who believes in them. The footnotes were a nice touch for those not familiar with certain words.
The largest conflict I had was I wished we got to see the time our main characters spent in the fairy realm. The story built up nicely up to them entering (52%) then skipped to them leaving months later. I was told what happen, that characters grew, relationships were formed, but without seeing it, I found it hard to believe in these changes given the length of the novella and especially since they were visually aged up to their 20s while there and then returned to their childhood youth. And with their ages, I was confused on certain aspects. We were told some of Vincent’s conflict with his family, but I found it odd that his whole family blames him for his older brother’s accident (not explained) when he was only 7. I also don’t know how I feel about the age difference between Vincent, 15, and Bethany who is stated to be several years younger (another review said she was 12). I didn’t put the two together while reading. These questions could be answered in the full length novels, but I haven’t read those yet!
Overall, it was an entertaining prequel novella.
Angel of Torin Wood is a short novella following Vincent and Bethany as they hunt for a creature with hauntingly beautiful voice in the woods. It’s perfect for those who want an easy introduction to some Scottish folklore and to the author’s series, Betwixt the Sea and Shore.
As a reader who hasn’t read the published predecessors (technically set after this), Kohler cohesively sets up the story so that it stands on its own. There are hints of what lies ahead that do pique my interest in the rest of the series. I enjoy the magical creatures from Scottish folklore that are introduced and how we see them from the point of view of one of the few villagers who believes in them. The footnotes were a nice touch for those not familiar with certain words.
The largest conflict I had was I wished we got to see the time our main characters spent in the fairy realm. The story built up nicely up to them entering (52%) then skipped to them leaving months later. I was told what happen, that characters grew, relationships were formed, but without seeing it, I found it hard to believe in these changes given the length of the novella and especially since they were visually aged up to their 20s while there and then returned to their childhood youth. And with their ages, I was confused on certain aspects. We were told some of Vincent’s conflict with his family, but I found it odd that his whole family blames him for his older brother’s accident (not explained) when he was only 7. I also don’t know how I feel about the age difference between Vincent, 15, and Bethany who is stated to be several years younger (another review said she was 12). I didn’t put the two together while reading. These questions could be answered in the full length novels, but I haven’t read those yet!
Overall, it was an entertaining prequel novella.