Crystal just wants to be normal, without magic and the laws and secrets that come with it. However that is only a small problem for the socially awkward teen to the one that is yet to come. Halloween brings her world crashing down around her when she finds herself in a new world, where she is faced with the sins of her peoples past. A legend and prophecy foretold puts Crystal in grave danger. … in grave danger. With the handsome yet intriguing Levi by her side along with her crush Drake, Crystal embarks on a journey that no teen should have to face.
A fantasy romance story with betrayal and friendship, love and loss. A true coming of age tale.
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Dragon shifters, wolf shifters and witches oh my. With a cliffy
This is the first book by E. J. Bennett that I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this story.
Reasons I enjoyed this audio book:
Wonderful characters, Page-turner, Great world building, Unpredictable, Original, Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Action-packed, Twisted.
Bookshelves/tags:
adventure, cliffhanger, curse-cure, dragon, fantasy, nonhuman, read, series, werewolf, witch, young-adult.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Crystal was supposed to be part of an arranged marriage to Levi but had the hots for Drake, who’s a shifter, who’s also happens to be cousin to Levi. It’s a little twisted and tons of extras with, spider people, wolves, dragons and more. If you’re looking for a good paranormal, this is it.
Wicked Forest was one of the most creative stories I’ve read in quite sometime. EJ Bennett has a very active imagination, and a unique writing style which will set her apart from the mainstream. I truly enjoyed this story and the idea this author went with and I look forward to watching this authors career continue to unfold.
Wow, what a great beginning to an interesting series! The story takes the notion that witches screwed up badly and were exiled from Athens. There’s a lot of secrets and ulterior motives that revolves around Crystal, a socially awkward teen that would rather hang out in the forest, despite the warning about the family that owns it that has a lethal reputation. She is torn between two boys, but has no control over what she wants because of her cold-hearted coven leader that seeks to keep the magical bloodlines strong, using an arranged union with the lethal family. Unbeknownst to Crystal, there’s a prophecy that she sets in motion, creating a whirlwind of action, drama, and heartache as she learns more about herself. I must admit, I read this in two sittings because this story has me captivated, dragging along for this wonderful ride! I highly recommend this one, you won’t regret it!
Crystal, a young witch, is about to turn 18 years old. All she really wants is to live her own life, do her own thing and be herself. Her mother has other plans for her, and those plans include none of these things. From a young age, Crystal has been promised to another. For years, she and the other witches have been told – “Stay out of the Wicked Forest. It’s dangerous in there.” Of course, Crystal refused to listen and obey. Countless times she has ventured into the Wicked Forest, but now she has caught the attention of one who is determined to have her. When the demand comes to her family, they quickly acquiesce so as to save the others in the Coven from being hunted down. When Crystal is told she is livid, but her mother doesn’t care. Her mother believes that she is doing what is best for the whole, and she believes that this will be a small sacrifice on the part of her daughter. But everything changes come Halloween…at the party…and an encounter with a dangerous wolf. Now Crystal will discover past sins and a dangerous path that is set before her.
Wicked Forest by E.J. Bennett is the first book in her Hidden World series. This is also the first book that I have read by this author. Wicked Forest is an engaging and interesting coming of age tale. Crystal is a young teenager who doesn’t have any friends. It’s not because she’s too shy to make friends, but she has chosen to not make any. Her mother has encouraged this as she believes that humans are less than the witches. Crystal really doesn’t like much about her life. The only thing that seems to bring her joy is the attention that she begins to receive from her crush, Drake. The overall flow of the story is engaging and will keep the reader’s attention. Crystal’s mother is determined to achieve her goals no matter the cost. She is hard on Crystal, but there are times when I question what is really going on with her mother. There is an air of mystery and danger to this story, danger in this world and in the other world as well. So much hangs in the balance with the different characters.
The author tries to write Crystal has a “typical” teenager – rebellious, chafing at the rules, sneaking out, etc. I’m willing to give some leeway for some of Crystal’s behavior, but there are more than a few times of where I think that she takes things too far. The author indicates that others think of Crystal as spoiled and a brat, but that Crystal doesn’t view herself as such. Truth is that that is exactly what Crystal is quite often. She is petulant and bratty when she doesn’t get her way in certain situations. It can be quite annoying when she exudes this behavior.
This book has a promising storyline. There is romance, betrayal, magic, teenage angst and much more. Crystal has a lot of growing up to do, but I’m hopeful that as the next story progresses that she will mature and grow as a character. I’m curious and excited to see what will happen next with all the characters in this story as I sense a darker side to a couple of them. There are secrets throughout this story and I am eager to uncover them.
I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. Crystal’s attitude and brattiness grate on my nerves in the story. I also didn’t like the underage drinking that went on. I like where the author is going with this story and the magic and beauty of the other world. I’m eager to read more when the next book in this series comes out.
This was a great supernatural coming of age story with some romance and a whole lot of mystery. Crystal feels trapped in the family she was born into. She feels like her mother doesn’t care and her father just goes along with her mother. There are expectations on her that she doesn’t feel are fair. She is being forced into a marriage she doesn’t want. When she decides to trust the boy she has a crush on at school that’s when everything seems to blow up. She realizes that she is more powerful than she thought. And truths come out that hurt her and also show her that she is stronger than she thinks. I loved this story from start to finish. As I read/listened there were surprises hitting me left and right. I had no idea what was going to happen next! This story had great action and adventure. It also had a great message about choosing your own path. And really I didn’t know who to root for at times. I can’t wait to continue on in this series. This narrator really brought the characters to life and her voice was the voice of Crystal. I highly suggest this to supernatural and fantasy fans. You’ll become hooked like I am.
Great story of Alexis who doesn’t realize she isn’t human and destined to be the winter realms Queen