This was good story. Not great, but good. I struggled a bit and I know this is a classic case of, “it’s not you, it’s me,” since everyone I know that read it, loved it.

I was so intrigued by the cover and the description of this book however I just don’t think it’s for me. I do think it will be well loved by others.

I really enjoy books by Joanna.

They're not necessarily fast paced but the writing style is just magical - the characters are always excellently written and the story is like a warm hug.

This was a story for simple readers. The story was overly slow and very lyrical. I did enjoy the beginning but by the middle I was slogging through the story. I did finish it and the ending was pretty satisfying but I don't think that I would reread this one. I would also say if you are thinking of grabbing it to maybe try the library first.

I loved this book.
It has that fairy-tale atmosphere, loveable main characters with a beautiful relationship arc, and an engaging plot.
Every time I sat down to read, I ended up reading for much longer than expected because I was so absorbed in the story. I constantly told myself, “Oh, just one more chapter - I can’t stop there!” I had some late nights.
If you enjoy fairy tales and magic, you definitely need to read Into the Heartless Woods.
I’m eagerly awaiting Meyer’s next book!

Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer has a very intriguing synopsis, which is what drew me to request it. I was so excited to dive into this new novel. Unfortunately I was very underwhelmed. I was expecting to love this book as from the moment I started reading I was determined I'd love the writing as I have read from this author before and well, I did love the writing but the story just fell flat. The plot didn’t have any structure and felt all over the place. There was no real direction in where it was going and why things were actually happening. There was more telling rather than showing. This was also the same with the magic. The overall development was off
Full review to come on my YouTube channel

I already purchased this for myself. This is a beautiful story and the writing is pure magic. I love the cover as well. It is just plain out stunning. This book reminded me of Stardust but Neil Gaiman. Not because of the story but because of the atmosphere. I loved it!

Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review your titles.
I do appreciate it and continue to review books that I get the chance to read.
Thanks again!

Owen lives at the edge of the woods ruled by a witch with 8 tree siren daughters. One day trying to rescue his sister who has wandered into the wood he meets Seren, a tree siren who protects them instead of taking their lives. After this, we see Owen and Seren slowly fall into love and learn the truth of the fight between the king and the witch, and what it will take to end their war. The writing in this book is just gorgeous. I loved watching Owen and Seren struggle with their nature as well as the true nature of each other. Although it felt slow at the start of the story, once things started going wrong the pace was quick and I could not put the story down! Understanding the truth behind the war between the witch and the king, and seeing how hard Owen and Seren were fighting just for freedom and peace was heart wrenching and so, so beautiful. I absolutely loved this book.

This book was a fantastic read! It felt like reading a reversed Beauty and the Beast mixed with Romeo and Juliet. Into the Heartless Wood follows the story of Owen and a Tree Siren. Owen is torn in the life of people and duty, as he lives near the wood that had stolen his mother. He lives a life told to be in fear of the ever luring wood. Yet, he meets an unusual tree siren, Seren. Seren finds Owen fascinating as she learns more of the human world, the world beyond the wood. She finds herself unwanting to carry on the life that she once knew, to gain the one thing that would bring her closer to the boy that she has invested herself into, being human. The centuries old war rages around them between man and wood.
The writing style of Meyer is beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story from the point of view of both of the main characters. I did not expect the Shakespearian elements within this book, it made the story eloquent and more like a fable.

This book took me a while to get into, but once I did I was hooked. I really liked the book's atmosphere and setting. I loved the idea of the woods coming to life and teeming with magic that is used for both good and evil. There were quite a few emotional scenes that I loved as well. The characters were interesting and I admired the overall theme of choosing your fate in the face of so many obstacles. The pacing didn't really vibe with me; the beginning felt very slow and the ending wrapped up very quickly. Overall though this book was magical, dark, and emotional. Not everything clicked with my reading preferences but I liked the story a lot.

I am not really into fatasies so it took some time to completely get into the book but oce I was done with it... I asked a couple of my frids to read it. it was amazing. This book literaly made me fall in love with the gere. I ordere a couple of books after reading this oe.
A complete 5 Star for this title.

This was the first book I read by Joanna Ruth Meyer and I am pleased to say that I will definitely be reading her other works. Into the Heartless Wood was beautifully inventive and unique and captured my heart within the first few chapters. I loved watching this beautiful story unfold and I loved seeing the growth of the two main characters. One human, one monster, and both defined by their choices. The story is full of moments of what it’s like to be human and what it’s like to wish for a different life, a different future, all the while in the midst of battle.

I was really intrigued by the mysterious woods surrounding the kingdom. The woods lure men and women in, which leads to darkness and death. Except for the one time a boy is lured into the woods but his life is spared. Seren, a tree-siren, saves Owen from certain death, and this scene in the book is where the magic of the story truly takes off. The relationship between the two starts out as many: cautious but curious. But then it blossoms into something more, something that has the power to ultimately change the fate of one’s ending, especially as Seren longs to be human and leave her monstrous ways behind. Both of these characters were full of light and dark, and seeing them make certain choices and fight for one another was charming.

Meyer has written a book that is truly spectacular. The imagery she creates is so picturesque that it’s easy to imagine the scenery and world around this story. The world itself and the magic is mesmerizing and so atmospheric. The characters Meyer has crafted are captivating and flawed and full of compassion. And I loved the addition of an ancient war between the witch and the King. Both worlds are at war with each other and like many great war stories, only one is bound to win. Meyer’s writing was, overall, beautiful and extraordinary.

Into the Heartless Wood is a book full of heart and power and choices. It’s a story cloaked in magic and wishes and changing one’s future. This is a book I hope many people pick up. It’s easily a story that will bewitch many, but in a good way.

Into the Heartless Woods is a truly unique story. Like a fairytale it transports the reader directly into the world so while there is a ton of world building not all of it is necessarily explained - and it doesn't need to be. The author does so much with just her creation of atmosphere and style of writing that you understand the world these characters inhabit and their emotions. The book starts off slowly and draws you in until suddenly you cannot help but feel for Owen and Seren and their dreams and hopes, pain and fear. This is a story about what it means to be human. What it means to choose. About the power we have to make our own futures, about the ability to break free from the cycle of abuse. I went from liking this book to being truly moved (and a little devastated) by the end. A surprising and moving book that I highly recommend.
(Side note: until reading the acknowledgments I had NO idea this book was a gender-swapped version of Beauty and the Beast?? I guess I kind of see it, but I feel it also doesn't have to be. It's such a good story on its own.)

This was my first time reading Meyer and I have to say I’m now a fan.

Into the Heartless Wood was a very imaginative way to approach a retelling. Meyer has a lovely atmospheric and almost whimsically lyrical writing style.

I will say as a slight warning that the plot does go into some very dark places and can get a bit weird. This isn’t a story for the faint of heart.

Interesting premise. Likable/hated characters. Cool plot. I would recommend this story to others. Some spots I found that didn't hold my attention, but overall, I still liked it.

Into the Heartless Wood was everything I love in a good fantasy.
Owen Merrick lives on the edge of the Gwydden Wood, where for centuries tree sirens have lured men and women to their deaths to feed the heartless tree. Owen Merrick knows full well the toll of the heartless wood's ferocity when he lost his mother to the wood a year ago. Now, Owen takes care of his little sister and his father, but when he comes face to face with a tree siren who spares his life, Owen finds himself drawn into the wood as they get to know each other. The tree siren Seren finds herself equally drawn to Owen, fascinated by the boy who charts the stars, and finds herself wanting to be more than the monster her mother created her to be. But war and a shifting of the stars bring long-held secrets to life, and soon Owen and Seren find themselves on the precipice of a conflict that will affect the course of kingdoms both man-made and natural. But both Seren and Owen find that for their love to endure, a sacrifice of blood will have to be made, and they must soon figure out if it is a price they are willing to pay.
I adored everything about this book. Into the Heartless wood is one of those super unique fantasies that is lush and atmospheric. Meyer's writing style is absolutely spellbinding and it really lends itself to the story that she is telling. I loved the world-building and mythology of the tree sirens and the Soul Eater was really interesting to read. Owen is a wonderfully sweet main character, and I love how kind and cinnimon-rolly he was in contrast to the brutally complex Seren. This dynamic of a cinnamin roll boy falling for the monster girl is a dynamic I live for. The character development with these two is also really well-rounded as the two of them overcome their perceptions of themselves and their world into a place of redemption and acceptance. Into the Heartless Wood gripped me with its haunting and beautifully dark prose that is whimsical at the same time and I couldn't look away. Full of heart, this modern fairy-tale is one of forbidden love, family devotion, and a testament to the power of redemption when a person chooses that fate for themselves. Into the Heartless Wood is a stunningly perfect piece of fiction that reveals that love makes mortals of monsters, as well as making mortals into monsters.

I loved Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer so I was excited to read this one . I still love her writing style and voice. She is an atmospheric writer for sure, and I LOVE that. I didn't quite warm up to these characters like I had hoped but still I enjoyed Meyer's storytelling abilities and her writing style. And the cover is beautiful!

A story about forbidden love is always one of my favourites to read, and this certainly packs an emotional punch. Add in an atmospheric woodland landscape and myths and this became a wonderful read.

Owen lives on the edge of a wood, raised by his astronomer father and helping to look after his younger sister. Seren is a tree siren, made from vengence and anger, she steals the hearts of those who wander the woods. The two are never suppose to meet, let alone fall in love, but that's exactly what happens. And their love is full of tension, lost moments and beautiful escapes as the two discover what it is to love another, as well as discover more about themselves in the process. Yes, at times it feels very quick, but their love is never seen as an easy thing. Getting a small amount of dual perspective helps the reader see through both their eyes, allowing for a growing emotional connection to the pair that I otherwise would not have gotten. For Seren in particular, this meant I could start to see her as more human just as Owen comes to the same realisation.

As briefly touch in already, the writing and atmosphere really made this book for me. The woodland descriptions really set the fairy tale tone of this, with haunting trees and danger that lurkers around every corner. The prose also helps capture this feeling, as we are fully immersed in a magical environment straight out of a Grimm tale.

Atmospheric and magical, with a love that feels timeless. A great read.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Into The Heartless Wood

Author: Joanna Ruth Meyer

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 2/5

Recommended For...: fantasy lovers, retelling readers, ya readers

Publication Date: January 12, 2021

Genre: YA Retelling

Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNFed

Publisher: Page Street Kids

Pages: 368

Synopsis: The forest is a dangerous place, where siren song lures men and women to their deaths. For centuries, a witch has harvested souls to feed the heartless tree, using its power to grow her domain.

When Owen Merrick is lured into the witch’s wood, one of her tree-siren daughters, Seren, saves his life instead of ending it. Every night, he climbs over the garden wall to see her, and every night her longing to become human deepens. But a shift in the stars foretells a dangerous curse, and Seren’s quest to become human will lead them into an ancient war raging between the witch and the king who is trying to stop her.

Review: I DNFed at 16% in. While the story seemed pretty good, it was really confusing to read. The writing was kind of all over the place. The writing also feels so middle grade when it's adult and I feel like it's luring kids into reading stuff above what they might be comfortable doing. The character development and world building was also hit and miss.

Verdict: It was a weird book.