The first book of Follett’s “Century Trilogy” which takes place during the 1910s up to the mid-20s and it centers on many historical topics such as WW1, The Russian Empire, women’s rights, and the Treaty of Versailles. The cast of characters we follow come from many backgrounds such as a young coal miner, two Russian brothers, a German nobleman, a Russian princess and the wife of King George V. We follow the lives of the characters and see how they will change through the years involving social class, conflict, romance, drama, and war.

“FOG” is a very riveting and engaging historical novel that brings plenty of characters, some real-life names included, and history to see. While I did find many of them all well written, some can come off rather snobby but eventually come to be more interesting. Like any Follett novel, it slowly takes its time with the story and we see a lot of drama and emotion throughout. It basically leaves a bittersweet and slightly harsh feeling in the end, though grounded and moving.

Not a perfect Follett novel to me, but one that still shows he’s a fantastic historical writer.

A (95%/Outstanding)

This fantasy follow the story of Prue, a young girl with a love for birds whose story begins when her baby brother Mac is suddenly kidnapped by crows when taking him out in their hometown against their parents’ cautious wishes. She sneaks out at night and heads into the place she believes Mac was taken to: The Impassable Wilderness, a dark and mysterious forest near her hometown that’s said to be so large and dark that you’ll never find your way back out. Prue unexpectedly runs into her classmate Curtis, an avid drawer who gets picked on by his classmates, who accompanies her to find Mac despite her stern reluctance. They manage to find themselves into the Wilderness and there is the story takes a big turn when the two are separated by what they’ll encounter that involves talking animals, a beautiful governess and a fatal plot that involves Mac.

Being the first of a trilogy, “Wildwood” is a breathtaking fantasy that may be big but brings so much story and discovery to find. Prue’s story really does start right away after a handful of pages and it definitely never slows down even with the addition of Curtis later on with the two being the narrative backbones. While Prue does take a while to change her attitude while understanding given her dilemma, she grows to be a brave and determined hero, which also goes for Curtis as he becomes more braver and stronger than before. You’re in for so many twists and turns that keep it a gripper.

The book’s fantasy and lore truly grows to be shockingly familiar to C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia” as when our two enter Wildwood, we seem similar things to both such as taking animals, a cunning and cruel villainess and a plot to destroy their world. Being a huge fan of “Narnia”, fans of that series will surely enjoy this one for sure.

Not a perfect start, but an excellent first part that gives us so much to see and of course leaves us with a few loose ends for the next book. It still gives us a fitting conclusion that’ll warm you from all the adventuring.

A- (91%/Excellent)