The Demon in the Wood

This was a short and sweet novella about the Darkling’s beginnings as a young boy in Ravka. I just adored this origin tale as he and his mother wandered the Grisha camps, unable to stay in any place for long, unable to reveal their identities for fear they would be hunted. Without giving too much away, it painted the Darkling (while not excusing his later actions) in a sympathetic light for what he endured as a child, and gave some reference for how he could easily have gone to the dark side and had a bit of a mad drive to protect the Grisha at the expense of the rest of the world. Heartbreaking and lovely.

Fear is a powerful ally, but feed it too often, make it too strong, and it will turn on you.

I personally have always loved the Darkling, literally since the moment he appeared in Shadow and Bone, so reading this short story about his life before was so great. It added a lot of depth to his character and backstory, and to Baghra's as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Can I just get a book about just him? A series? Is that too much to ask for?

That was it? I NEED more!!!



I am pleased that there is a short story about The Darkling's past and I hope there would be more. His life was tragic. Living in an era were Grisha were in hunted down, always in hiding , moving from one place to another . His mother was ambitious, beautiful and ruthless but in this book we get to see more how much she really loves him.

He closed his eyes. "I`m sorry."
She gave him the barest shake, forcing him to look at her. "I'm not. Do you understand me? I would burn a thousand villages, sacrifice a thousand lives to keep you safe. It would be us on that pyre if you hadn`t thought quickly."

In the end he was just a boy who wanted to enjoy life, to make friends and leave a mark on the world before he leaves it.

"Fear is a powerful ally, but feed it too often, make it too strong, and it will turn on you.”






The Darkling is another character that I just can't seem to hate in the YA reading world. How do you hate someone who just wants to feel loved? Can you blame someone for being lonely? It's not like he had any control over what kind of Grisha he would be.

GAHHH I JUST REALLY FEEL SO BAD FOR THE DARKLING!!! This really helps you understand the story and the "villian" better.

This is a good read for grisha fans and readers who are just planning to start this series.

★★★½☆

《The Grisha lived as shadows did, passing over the surface of the world, touching nothing, forced to change their shapes and hide in corners, driven by fear as shadows were driven by the sun. No safe place. No haven.
There will be, he promised in the darkness, new words written upon his heart. I will make one.》

Excuse you, I'm doing my best to don't love the Darkling anymore and you give me THESE FEELS?? DAYUUUUUUM!

4.5

The beginning threw me off a bit and I actually went back to read it once I finished the story. Other than that, this was great. The transformation from child to Darkling was timed perfectly, just when I found myself itching for it to happen. I loved the feeling of this book. It felt like a Grishaverse book and tsarpunk book which was great.

Eryk and his mother come to a Grisha village to shelter and hide. Not only from outsiders but they must hide who they are from the villagers too, because Eryk is special.

This is a brief window into Eryk and his mother's life as they struggle to survive in a cut-throat world where even the children can't be trusted, and a child's desire for a safe place to rest.

A compelling read, throwing you right into the deep end of Eryk's swirling emotions. As he navigates being a newcomer, being bullied and ultimately having to defend himself.

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