The Forest Yet to Come by Sam Thompson

The final story in the Wolfstongue Saga.

The Forest is endless and filled with savage wolves. The human settlement stays safe inside its walls — but two children, Sally and Faolan, long to know what lies beyond.

One day a stranger arrives. His name is Reynard: trickster, storyteller, secret-keeper. He can show the children the way through the Forest, but the journey will be more dangerous than they imagine.

There are worse things in the world than wolves, and the fox has one final trick to play.

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The Forest Yet to Come is the third and final story in the Wolfstongue Saga, loosely inspired by medieval characters like Reynard the cunning fox and Isengrim the wolf. Unlike the first two books, which take place in contemporary Ireland, this one is set in a distant future in a place known only as "The Land." The Land is surrounded by a stockade, beyond which lies The Forest. No one ventures into The Forest, and no one comes out—except for two curious children and, later, Reynard the Trickster, who is ready to play his final game with the people.

As with the previous books, there are many things left unexplained, but the lyrical prose makes up for any ambiguity. The open-endedness of the story feels purposeful, as if the tale simply continues beyond what we can see. This feels fitting, given the overall atmosphere of the series—there’s a sense of mystery that lingers even after the last page.

The illustrations, both full-page and partial, beautifully complement the writing, adding depth to the story's dreamlike quality. While it’s possible to read this without having read the first two books, you would miss out on some of the more nuanced references and themes that tie the trilogy together.

Overall, I found The Forest Yet to Come to be a fitting conclusion to this enchanting saga. The entire trilogy is highly recommended for readers who appreciate atmospheric, dreamlike stories.

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For fans of this style, I recommend:

• Book: The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson – For its exploration of origins and the journey into one’s past.
• Movie: Labyrinth – For its whimsical world-building and the trickster figure of Jareth, which resonates with the tone of the series.

The Forest Yet to Come publishes on the 1st of October, 2024. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.