“He knew it the same way the woodsman knew it, because he knew trees: but he also knew it with the knowledge of the Wild Man of Greenhollow, who felt every slow green beat of the forest’s heart.”

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh is the perfect woodland dream, filled with fae, old magic, forest folk, and love and sacrifice. It’s another wonderful novella from Tor Dot Com, and if you’re in the mood for a quick yet fully-immersive fantasy, get your hands on this book.

This story is only 112 pages, which doesn’t seem fair. The characters are lovable, the setting is lush, and the book as a whole is so unlike anything I’ve read before in the most wonderful way.

Silver in the Wood follows Tobias, an old man who has been living in a cottage in the woods outside of Greenhollow Hall for a long, long time. He knows every tree, knows how to live among the animals, and helps keep the balance. That is, until young Henry Silver comes along.

Henry is studying local folklore, and is obsessed with the story of the Wild Man of Greenhollow. He wants to know more about this “wild man” and the forest, and the secrets kept within the trees. Little does he know, though, that he’s about to learn more than he perhaps ever wanted to.

It’s really hard for me to find words to describe this book, because it’s so damn perfect. You know when you go for a hike and take a moment to stare at how wonderful the scenery is, and it takes your breath away? That’s how I feel about this book.

That, and the one review I saw on Goodreads that describes it as “gay and fae” perfectly sum up Silver in the Wood, in my opinion. The m/m relationship is perfect, and I will tie myself to a tree to defend them (although the tree would probably get mad at me, but whatever).

The best part, though, is that the author and Tor Dot Com have announced that this is the first in a duology! The sequel, Drowned Country, is set to come out later in 2020.

So if you’ve already read Silver in the Wood, or are interested in it, get excited for more!