Song of the Dark Wood follows the newest Red Maiden, Rowan, as she begins her time shuttling souls from her world through the Dark Wood and tending to the Wolf. Inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, this is a dark fantasy romance with corrupt elders and dueling gods.

This was a really interesting concept, but I really struggled with how frequently sexual assault and the threats of rape infused the character arcs throughout. I understood that this was designed as criticism of the power associated with organized religion, and I am definitely on that train. All that being said, it made it tough for me to get into the story and especially the love story side when the FMC was being consistently threatened with assault if she didn't follow through on her duties to the Wolf.

This is a dual narration audiobook - and while I thought the male narrator did a good job, I struggled with the female narrator and felt her narration in intimate scenes just lacked the right tone and almost felt too chipper rather than more seductive.

Thanks very much to NetGalley and to Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy.

Ick!

I kept reading the book thinking this would get better but it's all about a corrupt religion taking young girls from their families and grooming them to be sexy virgins and sacrificing them to a death god. Would not recommend!

The narrators were good, but story was gross!

This is, perhaps, the best Little Red Riding Hood retelling I have ever read.

For fans of:
- After the Forest
- From Blood and Ash

Rowan is one of the cursed chosen. Groomed from childhood, it is her duty to serve the death god - known as "the Wolf" - in order to help protect the delicate balance between life and death. Her life is suffocating, stifling. She is imprisoned by her duty and complete inability to control anything in her life.

This book includes:
- sacrificial virgins
- Little Red Riding Hood retelling
- dark woods
- invisible bffs
- ferrying the soul of departed
- the God of Death
- conversations on coercion
- forced proximity

I really enjoyed this book. Rowan is stifled in her life, but she is still strong willed and has a strong sense of justice that I can relate to. I enjoyed the clashing of good and evil, and the drama with Finn. The plot was a bit predictable, but I am okay with that because I felt that it was well written. I suppose my only complaint then is that I wish we had a little more time to watch the relationship develop between Rowan and [redacted]. All in all, I recommend this book and felt that the audiobook was well produced and added a bit of razzle dazzle to the story.

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Sheila Masterson and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted across my socials under the username @tinynightingales, check out my GoodReads profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863
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The narrator did a good job bringing life to the characters, and the story itself was interesting in its own way. I did not get to a point where there was any spice so I cannot comment on that.

I ended up DNFing the book because I just wasn’t vibing with the story, as a mood reader sometimes the book is just not what you’re in the mood for.

I would recommend the story though from the part that I did read, there was pretty decent world building and the characters were pretty interesting.

Spellbound and Intriguing
I fell in love with this book the moment I saw its beautiful cover. The description drew me in, and the story did not disappoint. What I thought would be a spin on Little Red Riding Hood turned out to be a magical tale of female rage, power, and sacrifice—or love, if you're feeling romantic. I received the audiobook from Dreamscape Media through NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
"Nothing was more threatening to a man than a woman who wanted nothing to do with him."

While it had some Beauty and the Beast elements that I adored, this book is very much its own thing. I was captivated by the magic system, the eerie woods, the sacrificial maidens, and the Wolf. I didn’t expect gods and demons to play a role, which was a nice surprise.

The story unfolds in Ballybrine, where a bargain between two gods has condemned the town’s girls to a life of servitude, ferrying souls of the dead into the Wolf’s lair. Every five years, a girl is born with magic in her veins, destined to live without family or a name until it’s her turn to serve. The town is content to let one girl bear their punishment—until we meet Rowan, a maiden with the will of fire.
"Rowan was a stranger to temperance. She only knew how to burn. Her life was a constant struggle to remain composed while she knew herself to be incendiary."

I liked Rowan. She starts off weak and naive, but watching her grow into a force to be reckoned with was immensely satisfying. Connor, the Wolf, is a tortured soul—tired of being the villain but bound by his nature to darkness. Their romance had its moments. While it didn’t completely blow me away, I appreciated the way it balanced power and vulnerability, making their connection feel believable.

The climax was everything. Rowan becomes a total BAMF, finally claiming what was rightfully hers through her own power. I was rooting for her the whole time, and she ate!

That said, there were a few things I wish had been handled better. Cade, the demon friend, had the potential to be an incredible side character, but I was disappointed at how underdeveloped his role was. There was also mention of a missing maiden, which I thought would lead to a big reveal—maybe even a villain arc—but it was left there hanging. The story drags a little around the halfway mark, where the romance gets stuck in a repetitive will-they-won’t-they loop. I was tempted to skim a few pages, but once the pace picks up again, it doesn’t let go until the satisfying ending.

Overall, Song of the Dark Wood is an excellent tale of small-town magic, sinister woods, and the viciousness of a woman slighted. If you can, get the audiobook—the narrator’s accent makes you feel like you're living in Ballybrine, with the Dark Wood just beyond your doorstep.

I feel like I'm picking at things here but these things gave me icks and I just could not enjoy the book.

As for the narrator I could not get pass the Irish accent for the FMC. I would have been fine if it was the same for the other characters but it was only her and others had no accents even though they are from the same village. It just didn't make sense.

The fact that wolf calls her las. Nope, thank you. Instant turn off. Oh and the fact that he would be attracted to each of the maidens that were sent to him was also a deal breaker. For me it didn't make sense and diminished the attraction between the characters even though it was barely there to begin with.

I love this book so much! The audio is amazing and so are the Irish accents.

This dark Red Riding Hood meets Hades/Persephone retelling will have you hooked from the first chapter. The musical intruige and feminine rage were added bonuses.

Song of the dark wood is a little red riding hood retelling and I was getting one dark window vibes.

Did this hook me?….. at some points yes mainly the first portion then after it seemed to lose my interest a bit.
Could be because I had the arc for the audio book, the narrator wasn’t great to the point where it annoyed me a little. I do think this would have been better if I had physically read this or a different narrator.

I did feel the FMC was meant to be angry and ragey but I didn’t really get that feel. She could have been such a great character but I think she got lost 50% the way through.

As for the romance it was very forced and rushed it didn’t feel right.
But the plot was there the characters was there it just needed tweaking.

I gave 3 stars because it was ok. Maybe a different narrator and I would of liked it and felt completely different about it

Thank netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have read this book previously and loved it! But listening to it was a completely new experience! It is such a beautiful story, and these narrators brought it to life in so many ways! I can't say enough good things about this audiobook! 🩷

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy of the audiobook.

First, narration on the audiobook was great. It is a Dual POV book with dual narration. The cover is gorgeous and reminds me so much of the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland.

I wasn’t sure if I would get into a dark Romantasy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, but I enjoyed this! 🐺Sometimes my gripe with fantasy is that the world building is so complex that I get bored, but I felt like this book had good pacing for the world building and romance. I was fully engaged in this storyline the entire time.

What you will find in this book:

🐺Dark Romantasy /Retelling
🐺World with many gods/human sacrifice to gods
🐺Political corruption and ongoing forest blight to be resolved
🐺Rowan the “Little Red Riding Hood” FMC
🐺Conor “the Wolf” MMC (also god of death)
🐺Open door & spicy 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️

Rowan was sold as a child to be a red maiden, a sacrifice to the Wolf, but when her time actually comes she is unsure what this really means for her. She is prepared by the towns people and sent into the dark wood, but she has a secret magic and a demon by her side to help her.
The Wolf is the his of death and made a deal with the Mother to keep a balance between life and death. This bargain means the red maidens will be sent to him for him to devour. However, he is cautious of this balance and is surprised by the new maiden and how different she is.
A retelling of little red riding hood melded with mythology.

While the romance and the tropes were pretty predictable, I enjoyed the story over all. The mix of fairy tale and myth was done in a nice way and I enjoyed the characters.

The narrators did a great job. The pacing and accents were perfect. The only complaint I had was the voice for the Mother was a little too revealing to what was going to happen in the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook ARC!

3.75 stars!

Song of the Dark Wood was a fun Red Riding Hood meets Hades/Persephone mashup! I really appreciated the growth of the main character, Rowan, and her self-discovery throughout the story. The writing was engaging and I enjoyed listening the whole way through. The story didn't fall short at the end like many books I've read lately, nor did it feel rushed.

The narrators, Aoife McMahon and Dermot Magennis did a great job with the variety of voices, making it clear who was speaking while not being distracting. Their accents also made the story come alive!

Song of the Dark Woods has an intriguing plot and a strong start, sadly it lost my attention at the midway point.

Readers follow Rowan Cleary , chosen at youth to be raised as a maiden that will serve the Wolf, keeper of the dead world. It's a dangerous and important role, one that another maiden has never survived. As Rowan learns the inner working of The Wolf and his dominion she quickly learns not all is what it seems and she embarks on a plan to seduce the wolf and change the future.

While I found myself engaged fairly quickly with Rowans story and task, I also found that the character dynamics, once we enter the bones of the story fell a bit flat. The Characters felt underdeveloped and the story itself became predictable and drawn out. I felt like I had read it before in a more successful package.

I did really enjoy the narration of this story. The narrator brought the characters to life and kept me engaged throughout.

A dark and atmospheric Red Riding Hood reimagining where the Wolf is death himself, and Red is bound to him as a Ferrier of the dead. This gothic romantasy blends fairytale magic with themes of patriarchal and spiritual control, creating a story as thought-provoking as it is enchanting.

Rowan Cleary has spent her life preparing to guide souls from the living realm to the afterlife, serving as the next Red Maiden in a ritual that has claimed the lives of all who came before her. When a deadly blight spreads through the Dark Wood and the current Maiden is murdered, Rowan sees a rare chance to change her fate. But making a bargain with death is never simple, and the more she learns about the Wolf, the more dangerous—and tempting—he becomes.

The audiobook is a standout, featuring dual narration that perfectly captures the depth and emotion of the story. The Irish accents add an immersive layer, making this an absolute treat for audio lovers.

The world-building is rich, though the pacing is slow in the beginning. Once the story gains momentum, it weaves a gripping tale of tension, mystery, and romance. The chemistry between Rowan and Conner is undeniable, but the story itself holds strong, balancing the romance with high stakes and a well-crafted plot.

Verdict: A gothic, seductive fairytale with real bite.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy.

Song of the Dark Wood by Sheila Masterson is such a fantastic dark gothic romantasy that spins together Little Red Riding Hood with Hades and Persephone vibes and I was there for the ride! Sheila’s writing style is both beautiful and stunning, and she puts a lot of attention, love, and passion into her characters. There was never a dull moment and all the characters are very well fleshed out (even the ones you’re not supposed to like). I was completely hooked from the first chapter and knew this book was going to be excellent and it did not disappoint!

The story of Rowan and Conor is absolutely fantastic, not just centering on the romance part of the story but also diving into areas of feminine rage, social expectations, and one’s free will. All of these themes are present and exceptionally portrayed by Aoife McMahon and Dermot Magennis in the audiobook, they convey the fierce passion and conviction this book deserves.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing the eALC.

I really enjoyed this standalone fantasy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. It felt a little reminiscent of From Blood and Ash.

Would definitely recommend to romantasy lovers who also love Irish folklore.

The audiobook was narrated well and the voices were distinct enough between characters.

This was my second journey through the Dark Wood and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. I feel Rowan’s Coming of Rage story in my bones, and hearing it read by Aoife McMahon and Dermot Magennis was a phenomenal experience. Hearing Conor actually say things like “Good lass” and “I hate kissing you”? Perfection.

Aoife did a wonderful job of portraying both Rowan’s hard edges and soft, gooey center. Rowan is a fierce, vulnerable character and I loved hearing her brought to life.

Song of the Dark Woods
By Shelia Masterson
Narrated by Aoife McMahon; Dermot Magennis

4 ⭐️

Parts of this book was easily 5 ⭐️ for me. I loved the Irish dark fairytale vibes. I love a story set in a dreaded, feared (dare I say somewhat sentient) woods. I enjoyed the death vs life aspect and the demons vs reaper story beings. I also felt confused by Rowan at times. She’s so perceptive when she’s with some people. When she’s with others, she’s blinded by her upbringing’s programming. She is treasured for being feisty but accepts several key circumstances as the cards she was dealt. I think I got too far into my thoughts about the character vs simply enjoying a story I got swept up in. Overall, this has great dark fairytale, deep woods vibes. The narration of the audiobook was great to listen to. This is an easy recommendation from me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sheila Masterson, and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook ARC.

I love when an audiobook reread gives you a whole new appreciation for a book, and this one is no exception. The narrators did such a beautiful job taking the magical tale that Sheila weaves and bringing these characters to life. Rowan and Conor are so wonderfully written and Aoife McMahon and Dermot Magennis absolutely convey that fierce passion and conviction throughout their performances. I honestly can’t imagine them sounding any other way!

Song of the Dark Wood is loosely based on Little Red Riding Hood with a Hades & Persephone twist. I loved the parallels between religious indoctrination and blind faith, along with themes of breaking outdated patriarchal standards, and the power of love, forgiveness, and consent.

"Song of the Dark Wood" is yet another remarkable story from Sheila Masterson that truly captivates. The depth of the protagonist's character invites readers to reflect on profound questions about their own lives. Why must she be the one to sacrifice herself to resolve others' struggles? This theme resonates deeply and encourages us to ponder similar dilemmas in our own experiences. The narrators do an outstanding job of bringing this story to life, and the emotional journey that Rowan undergoes is both beautifully poignant and heartbreaking. I highly recommend that everyone take the time to read and listen to this exceptional tale.