ARC REVIEW: Woodlands by Aryn Eleven Shaw

• MAIN THEMES:

  • Found Family

  • Righting Past Wrongs

  • SPICY

  • Rebuilding

  • Identity & Destiny

Huge thank you to Aryn Eleven Shaw and Whimsy Words PR for allowing me to be an ARC reader for Woodlands!!

I read book one, Human Reborn, as a part of an online book club, The Bound Society, and immediately fell in love with the characters (especially Golem). The only thing stopping me from making Human Reborn 5 stars was that it didn't make me cry... well, Woodlands did! I was crying within the first two chapters... I was laughing out loud... I was angry... I felt all the feels.

The growth in not only the main characters, but even some of the side ones was beautiful - it was amazing to see how a random group of people that King Zander placed together for his own purposes have become a chosen family for one another. I appreciate how every character plays an important role, even if they don't get many "scenes." Everything and everyone is written with a purpose, even if you don't see it right away.

The love story between Keane and Alexis continues to deepen even further throughout this book as they tackle major issues such as segregation, racism, and bigotry together. They are working to change hundreds (if not thousands) of years of tradition that causes harm to many in the Kingdom of Disce. There were times when I thought "that seemed way too easy to accomplish," only for a major twist to happen. I was worried things would be too easy for them, but Aryn definitely made sure to throw in plot twists when they were needed the most.

I give this book 4.5/5 - I loved how it handled real world issues (injustice, racism, classism) in a fantastical setting. The plot twists and character development was on point. My only critique this time? Still some gratuitous spice. Don't get me wrong, Ms. Shaw KNOWS how to write a spicy scene (the table and mirror scenes will forever be 2 of my favorites), but there were times when I was thinking, "NOT NOW, YOU GUYS!! HOOKING UP RIGHT AFTER YOU TAKE A PRISONER IS NOT THE MOVE!" Thankfully, Des was always there to be the voice of reason...

Book 2 does end on way too steep of a cliffhanger... I'll be having stress dreams until book 3 comes out.

Woodlands (Book 2 in the Kingdom of Disce series) releases August 8, 2026 - BE ON THE LOOKOUT and grab your copy!

Read if you like: A Court of Thornes and Roses, Throne of Glass, and Risen From Ash.

Trigger Warnings:

• War Violence

• Death & Murder

• Racism & Bigotry

• Poverty & Classism

• Abuse of Power

• Explicit Sexual Content

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BLURB FROM THE AUTHOR:

A COURT THAT HOLDS SECRETS

Everything Alexis thought she knew of Disce's Woodlands Court is now being put to the test. Rumors of mistreatment and disparity against the humans living there can no longer be ignored. After learning that her parents led a rebellion against the Discerni in her home village of Etter, Alexis is determined to confront those rumors and see the truth for herself. Navigating the politics of Woodlands should be easy, especially when the man she loves, the future King of Disce, is an avid supporter of humankind. But their travel across borders only leads to new secrets and plots, conspiracies that not only involve the future of Disce but the whole of the Old World.

AN OLD WORLD ON THE BRINK OF CHANGE

The Ancients are awakening.

Hirovale is plotting.

And Alexis is still the Human Reborn...

The first of her kind to wield magic since the Great Rift, Alexis finds herself battling with what it means to be both human and mystical. Her desire to protect humanity remains her biggest priority, but as Hirovale's prophecy spreads throughout the Four Kingdoms, she soon learns that not everyone shares that same belief. Fate is weaving a path that aims for the restoration of magic to all, and the people of the Old World now have to choose which side of destiny they want to be on.

SERIES:

The Kingdom of Disce

- Human Reborn - Book One

- Woodlands - Book Two