Spirit of the Wood was marketed as a book perfect for existing fans and perfect for new fans, and I must say this is spot on. I requested an ARC from DAW for this book and was granted it and I am forever thankful especially considering I got this series mixed up with another when I was requesting
it. If my memory serves me right I only know of this series, and have no experience with it, but this little novella has sparked an interest to go down the rabbit hole that is the Green Rider.

This novella gives just enough information about the overarching world and how the magic works that it piques your interest and just holds on. While the synopsis does talk about following a beloved character from the series Laren Mapstone, it actually follows Tavin, a character who is traveling with Mapstone. The story follows Tavin because Mapstone is actually injured and pretty much out the entire story, so this is really Tavin's story. That doesn't mean the story neglects Mapstone, while the focus is on Tavin their stories do tie in together and you do get to learn about Mapstone.

This major focus this story has is dealing with depression and self worth. Both Tavin and Mapstone are going through their own turmoil based on events in their lives and they get intertwined with one another through Tavin's magic. One of the things I really liked about Tavin magic is how it can be both beautiful and horrifying at the same time. On the surface it sounds like he can't do much with it but once he learns what he is really capable of with it, it can be used in a very terrifying manner. I do feel that Britain approached and tackled depression and self worth really well in this. I appreciated that there wasn't some instant healing and that it needed to be done slowly. There was no roll it off your shoulders kind of attitude, she also showed how one's depression affects others in how they respond to it. Tavin does have outbursts when dealing with Mapstones emotions and I think it's vital to show these kinds of responses to dealing with someone going through depression. Both sides were struggling in different ways and at times it did feel like Mapstone assumed her life was worse, and while Tavin did want to help it's only natural that he would eventually have an outburst, it is a difficult situation on both sides, it's the aftermath that is important, and Britain handled that really well too.

I also find it very satisfying how in 208 pages Britain managed to give so much depth and characterization to these characters. I have read some books recently that are more than 400 pages and the characters lacked so much, so too see how well fleshed out these ones were for a short story was so very satisfying. By the end of the story I loved Tavin and so the epilogue was a devastating to me, but I also really appreciated how the epilogue builds into the main story for the Green Rider.

If you have never read the Green Rider and don't know where to start this is a perfect place, I didn't feel like I was spoiled on anything, instead I was left curious and with a burning desire to read more in this world.

Thank you DAW for providing me with a copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.