The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.
Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.
At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.
Until one day, he does…
As the world turns upside down, Hazel tries to remember her years pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?

Book Review:
Let me start by saying Holly Black is one of my most favorite authors. Ever. It all started with her Tithe series. If you are ever looking for a gritty tale of the fae, look no further. Then I fell in love with her Curse Workers series (though, admittidly, I need to read the final book in the series, which I own, I just don't want it to end!). Now I am adoring her stand alone books, such as The Darkest Part of the Forest and The Coldest Girl in Coldtown.

I was shocked when I found this book on goodreads to discover that my bookish friends reviews were split. It seems that people either love or hate this book. I absolutely adored it. This brought me back to the Tithe series, but with a little more polish. Hazel makes an amazing, flawed, beautiful narrator and main character. I enjoyed discovering her secrets right along side of her. I also enjoyed Jack's character immensely. He was a great counterpoint to Hazel. Ben helped to ground Hazel and give the reader a glimpse into Hazel's childhood and upbringing, which is a valuable part of the story. I loved the integration of fae into a modern day setting. Very refreshing. Overall, if you're looking for a story filled with mystery, action, secrets, and magic, look no further! I anxiously await Black's next book!

Cover Art Commentary:
To be honest, this isn't my favorite cover. I understand the natural feel to be akin to the faerie folk, but it just doesn't do it for me. I see them making a different cover for when the paperback comes out.

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