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.

This was my first Sheila Masterson book but it won’t be my last.

This book was a Little Red Riding Hood retelling but it was so uniquely done. I loved the Magic system. This is a story about a girl named Rowan who has never been able to decide anything for herself. When she becomes the new Maiden she’s introduced to the Wolf, aka the god of death, named Conor who has lived centuries in the woods. The beginning did remind me a lot of FBAA however as the story progresses the similarities end. There are so many mysteries and twists and turns in this story and I couldn’t put it down. There is also a good deal of spice. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

That narration wonderfully done.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sheila Masterson and Dreamscape media for this ALC

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of Song of the Dark Wood by Sheila Masterson in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the unique magic system, as well as the dark, gothic vibes of this romantasy standalone. This re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood was a fresh take on the tale. Rowan's interaction with Conor was one of the most interesting parts of this story. I also really enjoyed Rowan's demon friend who was very funny. It is challenging to deliver world building and a complete fulfilling story in a romantasy standalone, which Sheila has done a great job of.

The narrator did a good job and overall I enjoyed this ALC.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ALC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’m a big fan of retellings, and this one really hit all the right notes. The setting exudes that perfect gothic atmosphere, which added so much to the story’s mood. The characters were well-developed, and I especially enjoyed the side characters – they brought so much depth and personality to the narrative. Cade (I hope I’m spelling this right, as I listened to the audio) was a standout for me, and I loved watching his character arc unfold. Aoife was another fantastic addition to the cast. The narrators did an incredible job bringing the story to life – I honestly couldn’t stop listening!

✨𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
🎧: Song of the Dark Wood (Fable Song Book 1)
🎙️: Aoife McMahon, Dermot Magennis

Rowan Cleary’s service as the Red Maiden has commenced. Keep the Wolf happy, obey the Elders, keep the village safe. But the blight grows and new danger and uncertainty brews, especially in Rowan’s heart. See my full book review on Amazon and Goodreads.

Tropes to expect:
👀 FMC sees ghosts
💀 Grumpy God of Death MMC
🐺 Dark Red Riding Hood x Hades & Persephone
🔥 Feminine Rage: the fairy tale
🌳 Haunted Forest
🎶 Music based magic
🌶️: Moderate

Song of the Dark Wood is a standalone gothic fantasy romance blending Red Riding Hood x Hades and Persephone vibes.

The narrators channel Rowan’s ferocity and feminine rage and Conor’s simmering power, warring emotions, and darkness. I loved witnessing the dangerous game of seduction and their complex relationship unfold. Will they both remain bound to their duties and ancient bargains?

Song of the Dark Wood is a gripping dark fantasy brimming with unique magic, wicked banter, and a glorious slow burn.

So thankful to the author, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the ALC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review

Rich with dark, gothic elements and a unique magic system made for a thrilling read/listen. It was emotional and romantic with unforgettable characters. Think Little Red Riding Hood meets gothic fantasy and the mix made for an emotional and romantic read. This is a standalone spicy, fantasy book so if you're looking for a standalone this is a great choice! Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an Audiobook of Song of the Dark Wood.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 ⭐️s rounded up to 4

Song of the Dark Wood is an atmospheric story following our FMC, Rowan, as she goes through becoming the new Red Maiden. She was promised to the Wolf at a young age and taught how to please the Wolf while she ushers souls through the dark wood to the Wolf’s Keep (Conor - God of Death) thanks to a deal made long ago requiring the Wolf to keep their village safe from monsters beyond the woods.

But Rowan doesn’t want to continue to sacrifice maidens to the Wolf and comes up with an idea for a new deal…. secrets are uncovered and betrayals are revealed. We get to see Rowan rise into her own strength and it is oh so satisfying!

It’s a story of vengeance and rising against higher powers that want control over the oppressed, over those they deem weaker than themselves.

I enjoyed this take on Little Red Riding Hood and thought the voice actors did a phenomenal job!

I was at first struck at how this was similar to the book For the Wolf, but that just may be that story retellings are bound to share similarities. The narrator of the audiobook didn't differentiate between voices as much as I would have liked so I'd prefer to read this book in a different way. If you are a fan of story re-tellings and Red Riding Hood, this could be worth a read!

Ok so from the beginning, I’ll give it a 4 outta 5! I was hooked on the unique world Sheila built, although at the start it reminded me a lot of “From blood and ash” with the secluded/celibate/white clothing/red haired/feisty-yet-listens/old aristocrat wants her super bad/fated maiden trope. It went away after a while, probably once we got the point where we were actually going to see the Wolf. Towards the end I definitely was looking forward to her female rage but I was a little disappointed….. speaking of the end I was so confused???? Like what happened? Exactly why did the village turn into chaos? And when were they ever taking in refugees?…. Plus what was the deal with the dreams that the Wolf was having? The climax was a little rushed and messy but I could struggle through it. The voices were awesome though, and did I catch that Tempe voice actor for Rowan had the same name as her “little sister” (average audiobook listener name spelling experience)? That was pretty cool. Definitely looking forward to anything else coming from this author!!!

This book was an enchanting and immersive read! The storytelling pulled me in, weaving a rich, atmospheric tale that felt almost magical. The world-building was beautifully done, and every page felt like a journey through the dark and mysterious woods. A captivating and unforgettable experience!

This was a reread of a book I already loved and not only did the audiobook make me relive the story, it even made it better! The narrators were really incredible, Aoife McMahon is the PERFECT Rowan and Dermot Magennis definitely reflected the yearning factor of the Wolf so well. The accents just gave the story a new life, both Aoife's and Dermot's accents were so easily understandable but so exciting to listen to.

I am usually bad at listening to audiobooks and get disctracted very easily but I could not put this one down. I was planning to listen to a few chapters at a time and finish it in a couple of days but once I started, I kept finding reasons to continue listening and devoured it in a day. Thanks so much for the ALC!

I absolutely devoured this story (see what I did there? 😉) But seriously, I had to force myself to turn the audiobook off last night in order to get other things done and actually sleep. I wanted to just listen until I finished.
The narrators - Aoife McMahon and Dermit Magennis - are fantastic! I of course love their voices and their accents, but they also do such a fantastic job with the story. Aoife is so good at projecting emotions with her tones and volume. Dermit has the perfect voice for a dark and broody god and manages to inflect the insecure or manic-y moments too. Wonderful casting!
The story itself was captivating. I love their voices red riding hood retelling and the fact that there’s even a direct nod to the origin tale during one of the conversations. The added facet of Hades x Persephone took this up a notch and has me hooked.
I love Rowan and all her feminine rage. She’s stubborn, and blunt, but also sensitive and deeply loyal to those she care about. Her and Wolf are a very fun combination together and I love when Charlie is around to stir things up.
I am really excited for this to be a series of interconnected standalones because
1. I love those in general.
2. I have questions even though Rowan and Wolf’s story was resolved.
I want to know where the missing red cloak is hidden and what her story might be. I also would love to get more of Cade as well as Sarai in the coming books.

Thank you for the advanced Listener Copy! The narrators did such an amazing job bringing this world to life.

I loved Song of the Dark Wood. It is a fantasy romance standalone, perfect for the fall season. With some hints of Red Riding Hood, this book follows Rowan, a red maiden raised to serve the God of Death aka the Wolf. Rowan is rebellious and questioning and is frustrated with feeling out of control with her life and her choices.

I love seeing how Sheila develops the characters and how they grow throughout the book. The Wolf, Conor, is not as evil as he's perceived, and Rowan isn't as innocent as she's perceived. We also get some really fun side characters including a few friends for Rowan, both human and demon... yes, one of her best friends is a demon, and he's hilarious. Conor even has a friend or two in the Dark Woods.

There's something so nice about a standalone. While I'm sad the story is over, I love the feeling of everything being complete. I loved this journey and can't wait to revisit it year after year.

ALC REVIEW:

The accentssssssssss. Oh my god. These voice actors NAILED THE HECK out of it.

My original review below rings entirely true, but the audio brought the entire thing to life. Full circle.

Sheila I’m so proud. Thank you for allowing me an ALC!

If you were a fan of The Lost God series, then this stand alone is for you! Sheila’s writing is so poetic and Song of the Dark Wood carried the same tone.

I love a FMC who starts off as a people pleaser because of traditions and duty, but turns into a BADASS woman that takes no crap when she finds empowerment and inner strength. I also love a broody MMC who does everything to push away the one person he can’t stay away from.

Put the two together and I’m gonna enjoy the hell out the story!

SOTDW is a gothic Red Riding Hood retelling that also gives off Beauty and the Beast vibes. There’s a singing maiden whose song brings a spooky forest to life. She also sees ghosts. So there’s that. There are even vampires, demons, and so many spirits! Oh and the big bad wolf… who feeds off said spirits.

I enjoyed the story from start to finish, even though I was so behind on ARC reading. Thank you Sheila for giving us Conor and Rowan! Oh and the illustrations!!!!!! Screaming. They’re gorgeous.

Song of the Dark Wood is a dark and atmospheric retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, infused with Beauty and the Beast and Hades & Persephone vibes. Sheila Masterson delivers an enchanting yet eerie tale that blends gothic fantasy, divine bargains, and slow-burning romance.

Rowan, the next Red Maiden, has been raised to fulfill an ancient bargain with the Wolf, a god of death who rules the Dark Wood. But when she steps into her destined role, she begins to question the power structures around her, leading to a tale of autonomy, sacrifice, and forbidden desire. The story’s feminist themes—particularly its critique of purity culture and oppressive traditions—add depth to its fairytale foundation.

Masterson's prose is lyrical and immersive, and the world-building is rich with lore, though at times it feels slightly overstuffed. The romance is a slow burn with intense chemistry, but certain tropes (such as the age-old immortal/mortal dynamic) might not appeal to all readers. Some plot threads could have been more developed, and the pacing stumbles in places, especially toward the climax.

The audiobook narration by Aoife McMahon and Dermot Magennis is stellar, bringing Rowan and the Wolf to life with emotion and tension. If you enjoy dark fairytales with gothic aesthetics, morally gray love interests, and high-stakes bargains, this book is well worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC. All opinions are my own.