This is probably the first time I’ve reviewed a duology, but having read both books back-to-back, I mostly think of them as a single story with a shift in point-of-view midway through. One thing about this duology is that my experience swung widely between elements I loved and things I didn’t like. The story ranged from a lyrical folk tale full of sylvan magic and forest gods, to moments of frivolous Regency romance like something from an episode of Bridgerton. Henry Silver is a new landowner whose property includes the Greenhollow Wood, a large forest steeped in ancient power. One day when he finds himself caught in the rain, he takes shelter in a cabin deep within the wood where he meets Tobias Finch, the wood’s magical keeper and chosen guardian. Since Henry happens to be a folklorist, he is well acquainted with tales and mythology of the wild man of the wood. Though the story centres on Henry, it is mostly told from Tobias’s perspective. We are frequently reminded of these magical undercurrents to everything happening in Greenhollow. I enjoyed this combination in the first book, especially when a darker element shows up (and it’s not Henry’s mother!) to challenge the protagonists and steal not only their happiness, but possibly their lives. While the romance felt gentle and sweet, it contrasted nicely with the wild magic and dark, pagan aspects that seem to rise up from the natural world. After a kind of relaxing cozy start, the two men band together to fight against this more ancient evil that comes at them through the woods.

The second book/story is different in many ways, while also being a continuation. A couple of years have passed, and Tobias has become an ally and employee of Henry’s mother (who is like a folklorist grande dame) and she and Tobias hunt or wrangle magical creatures and monsters on a case-by-case basis. (I really wish that Tesh could have spun them off as a series on its own — Silver & Finch’s folkloric investigations — I would definitely pick that up.) The two men finally meet up again when Henry’s mother needs his help on a case. Circumstances lead them to the “drowned” part of this forest, where a whole other ancient and magical aspect is rising. One of the biggest changes in the second story is the shift in point-of-view from Tobias to Henry — and this was my biggest issue. In his time without Tobias, Henry became a sulky, brooding kind of wealthy man-child, idly dwelling in his manor. This leads the story to focus on his estranged relationship with Tobias, and I felt like there was too much of that kind of romantic introspection. Even while the case brings Henry out and gets him active and involved, we continue to get flashbacks of Henry and Tobias’s last days together. Scenes from the intervening two years have Henry start to devolve from his originally kind and attractive self to who he became. Henry’s petulance and whininess got on my nerves quickly, and I was a bit disappointed when there was less of the main story and adventure plot. Those parts were actually really good. Those scenes followed an imaginative and fresh narrative involving other magical realms and beings, in particular fairies. I loved those sections of the story, especially the moment right before they set off on their quest. Emily Tesh’s descriptions and storytelling just feel immersed in the kind of folklore that I really enjoy. There are some great scenes that feel fresh (like old legends are being playfully reinvented) and classic (like we’re tapping into a long tradition of the stories of old gods). Unfortunately, these kinds of scenes were too few.

In the end, I definitely thought the romance (even though it’s at the heart of the story) was pretty superfluous. I would have enjoyed the story more without it. Tesh’s writing can be beautiful and sumptuous, as well as light-hearted and romantic. More of the former, please. Regardless, I definitely want to check out more of her work (including her recent novel, The Incandescent, which had not interested me prior to this). I found the romantic stuff a bit tiresome, and I don’t think I got over how much Henry changed (or revealed his true self) by the second story. I really couldn’t see the attraction anymore, so that just made the romance feel even more unwelcome. Also, it stole some time and pages away from showing more of the magical woods. There could have been more otherworldly beings or fantasy creatures. There could have been more time spent exploring ancient legends. Many missed opportunities, but perhaps Tesh has or will pursue them in later works. Often novellas and shorter writing can be proving grounds for concepts that flourish even more in a longer narrative. Despite its flaws, this duology reminded me how much I love this kind of folktale retelling and fairytale-inspired story.

Silver in the Wood – 4 stars

Drowned Country – 3.5 stars

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