Customer Reviews

Into the Woods

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I was one of the lucky people who got to read this story before it came to print and it was a joy to do so.the story is a great fun read for anyone fast moving ride for the mind.

One of Highland Press' rising stars, R.R. Smythe writes an eerie morality tale. Set in turn-of-the-century Scotland four teens Callum, Erlidih, Finlay, and Skye must save their parents and the town from an unworldly attack. Strange, sentient trees creep from the closets to entwine sleepers in gnarled hardwood caskets. "Stand," "See," "Choose" and "Remember." Carved on the closet doors, those words are the only clues to the mystery. Will the four solve the riddle and wake the sleepers?

R.R. Smythe intertwines ancient lore with classic values to craft her story. Though written for young adults, Into the Woods has as much appeal for adult audiences as it does teens. You'll want to read it. Her book trailer is particularly compelling. [...]

Reviewed by: Laurel Bradley, Author of A Wish in Time

Wow! This is a creepy, eerie tale that sucks you in. Part myth, part fairytale, part horror story. Good read for YA and adults. Valuable lessons woven into this mystery.

Once you start, you won't be able to stop until you finish it.

Callum McClure lives with his mother and grandfather in Sareau, Scotland. The family tends the lighthouse and lives a quiet life until his mother falls ill and then all sorts of strange and scary things begin to happen. Roots from trees and vines come alive ensnaring and trapping their victims while they reside in a deep sleep. His mother has fallen victim to this phenomenon and she is not alone, other villagers are also ensnared in their woody tombs. It's up to Callum and his school mates to divine how to break the strange spell. They are not without clues. Four words are given Stand, See, Remember, and Choose. But will they figure out what these words mean before it's too late?

Highland Press launches its Young Adult line with a page turning read. Ms. Smythe has a wonderful imagination and demonstrates it with this spin chilling read. Her descriptive writing will put the reader alongside Callum and his friends. This is a read that will appeal to young adults. It's imaginative and will encourage kids to read--a very good thing. This is a story I have no trouble recommending.

Having liked this author's previous book "A Circle of Crows" A Circle of Crowsunder the Brynn Chapman name, I truly expected to appreciate another facet of her talent. She obviously adores fantasy, such as Lord of the Rings, J.K. Rowling and M. Night Shyamalan, yet she brings her own special talent into her tales. These writers have brought her to love the beauty of the tale and to write outside of the box, yet where Shyamalan stories often leave the reader unfulfilled -- a lot of promise only to end with a big let down--Smythe delivers.

The story is original, mesmerising with Callum having to face believing in things outside of the ordinary to save his mother and others. It's a wonderful dark original tale, imaginative, with strong characters, a solid premise and enough atmosphere to please people who loved The Village and for Harry fan's looking for another author to glom onto.

It's a great book for the whole family, marking the launch of this writer's YA facet with a grand style.

Highly recommended.

One look at the beautiful but eerie trees with eyes on the book cover tells you that you're in for quite a ride, and the author certainly doesn't disappoint! Callum McClure's mother is in a deep sleep, imprisoned on her bed by vines. She's dying and he doesn't know what to do to help, but he suspects some magic is in the air.

Ellsbeth McClure only appears to be asleep. Actually, she's in a nightmare, escaping from trees, sharks, all manner of spooking things that want to eat her. She's hurt, bleeding, and starving. If only she can hang on until Callum finds the answer to her plight.

Into the Woods is a fairytale, really, because it has a strong message wrapped in a riveting, wonderful story. If you like mystery, thrills, adventure, magic, and romance, you'll find it in this wonderful Young Adult novel. I highly recommend this book to readers of any age. You won't be sorry you bought it!

R.R.Smythe's young adult story, Into The Woods, reads like a fairy tale; familiar in so far as evil and good are portrayed, lessons are learned, yet new because the author has spun a wonderful new cautionary tale. The setting is Scotland, 1860. A known country, yet far enough back in time that one can easily imagine the events of the story taking place.

A strange sleep overtakes some of the towns people, followed by tree roots slowly enveloping the sleeping bodies as they slumber in their beds. Four friends face the horror of either their mother or father slowly slipping away, covered by roots and flowers. They feel powerless until they realize if they solve the puzzle presented, then their parents and other towns folk might awaken.

Although events takes place in 1860, the challenges teens faced then, as in school bullies, adults that don't understand them, will resonate with readers today. There are valuable lessons to be learned, or relearned as the case may be. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it highly to adults as well as any young adults of your acquaintance. I do hope there is a sequel, too!