A Forest, Darkly (Sourdough Universe), by A.G. Slatter
The Book
Synopsis:
Deep in the forest lives Mehrab the witch, coping with loneliness in her own strange ways and quietly battling her demons. One evening, a young woman appears on her doorstep seeking shelter, pursued by godhounds who wish to destroy all those practising magic, and Mehrab's solitary existence is disrupted as she teaches the girl how to control her powers. Together they forge a cure for their isolation with heartbreaking consequences...
Meanwhile, in the local village, children begin to disappear, sometimes returning forever changed – or not returning at all. Sinister offerings appear on Mehrab's doorstep, and a dark power pursues her through the trees. As the villagers turn hostile and the godhounds close in, Mehrab finds herself at the centre of a struggle to save the soul of the forest, the life of an old love – and her own new-formed family.
A bewitching gothic tale; haunting, gripping and written with wit and heart, this is a book to both savour and devour.
My Review
A Forest, Darkly is a Gothic fantasy novel set in the Sourdough universe, written by A.G. Slatter, published by Titan Books. A multidimensional story that blends together horror and fantasy elements, which also reexamines and dissects age-associated roles, particularly in the female case, a self-contained plot that builds over how the past is haunting its characters.
Mehrab is a witch living in the woods outside of a village, a place where wise women and witches have been looked down on; however, she tends to those who ask for help, even if she's the last resource they will come to. She has found her balance in life, but when Fenna arrives with a woman seeking shelter, Rhea, both reluctantly agree to work together (and especially, helping Rhea to learn how to control her powers). At the same time, the strange disappearances of children from the village alarm the locals, and Mehrab starts sensing something evil stirring in the woods, and that has noticed the presence of a witch in the forest.
Part of why this novel is so enjoyable can be ascribed to the character of Mehrab; while Slatter starts from the classical figure of the witch, it is refreshing how she uses it as a way to break stereotypes, especially regarding ageism, and how a single woman can find her own place in the world; and in part, Rhea is also playing a role in breaking those insidious female stereotypes. In general, you could call this a story that serves as an ode to female strength with well-fleshed characters at the center.
As tends to happen with stories set in the Sourdough universe, you can expect multiple twists on classical fairytales, introduced subtly but which are recognisable once you open the eyes. In terms of pacing, we have a nice balance from the start, putting the emphasis on developing the characters at the center of the conflict while the plot still advances in the background.
A Forest, Darkly is another excellent novel, part of the rich universe created by A.G. Slatter; if you are looking for a Gothic fantasy with strong female leads, Slatter is the author you should pick. Can't wait to continue reading more stories in this universe!
The Author/s
A.G. Slatter
Angela Slatter (also writing as A.G. Slatter) is the author of All The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns, The Briar Book of the Dead and The Crimson Road (Titan Books). All are gothic fantasies set in the world of the Sourdough, Bitterwood and Tallow-Wife collections.
Angela has recently signed a seven-book deal with Titan, for three novels set in the world of All the Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns and The Briar Book of the Dead, and three contemporary folk horror novellas.
Her latest short story collection, The Wrong Girl and Other Tales, was published by Brain Jar Press in October 2023. The hardcover collected edition of her Hellboy Universe collaboration with Mike Mignola, Castle Full of Blackbirds, from Dark Horse Comics was published in July 2023.
Angela is also the author of the supernatural crime novels from Jo Fletcher Books/Hachette International: Vigil (2016), Corpselight (2017) and Restoration (2018), as well as ten other short story collections, including The Girl with No Hands and Other Tales, Sourdough and Other Stories, The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings, A Feast of Sorrows: Stories, and The Heart is a Mirror for Sinners and Other Stories. Vigil was longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award in 2018. All The Murmuring Bones was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards Book of the Year in 2021 and for the Shirley Jackson Awards in 2022. The Path of Thorns won the 2022 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel, as well as the Australian Shadows Award for Best Novel. The Bone Lantern won the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novella and has been shortlisted for the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novella.
Angela is represented by Meg Davis of the Ki Agency in London: meg@ki-agency.co.uk