Through the Elder Woods
by Katie Cook
DETAILS: Series: Nothing Special, Volume One Publisher: Ten Speed Graphic Publication Date: March 05, 2024 Format: Hardcover Length: 416 pg. Read Date: April 13, 2024
What’s Through the Elder Woods About?
Callie is sure she’s nothing special—and even more sure that everyone she goes to school with is convinced of that as well. Her dad runs a magical antique shop, but she lives with non-magical humans (and frequently he does, too)—so non-magical they don’t know it exists. But Callie can see ghosts—or spirits.
One day, she accidentally discovers she’s not alone, but a classmate, Declan, can see them, too. Relieved that he’s not just seeing things (Callie’s dad had already convinced her of that), the two become great friends. (you get the impression that Declan has wanted to be at least friends for as long as he’s been aware of her).
When Callie’s dad goes missing in the magical realm on her 17th birthday, the two of them take their first steps in this strange, magic-filled world to try to find him.
Plant-Based Ghosts?
If I had to single out one thing about this book/series that sets it apart from the rest and makes it worth a read regardless of other factors—the ghosts that Callie can see and interact with are the ghosts of plants. Trees, flowers, vegetables, and so on. If there are ghosts of people/elves/animals running around (and I don’t see why there wouldn’t be), we don’t see them in this book. Just plants. In particular, there’s the ghost of a radish (cruelly used as mere a garnish) who serves as a traveling companion/guide for Callie and Declan in the magical realm.
A great idea, executed in the cutest way possible.
My Favorite Kind of Love Triangle
Slightly-spoilery…but only slightly (and frankly, this is a selling point if you ask me…), skip if you want to go into this pristinely.
At some point—another guy* shows up on the scene to pursue Callie romantically. She just shuts him down—she’s not interested, at all. Also, there’s Declan…who she seems to be interested in.
* I had to return the book to the Library before I wrote this and I didn’t write down his name, and a couple of minutes of internet research didn’t get it for me, either.
The other guy tries, but is shut down (and almost seems to be pro forma about his attempts at a certain point) constantly.
So how is this my favorite kind of Triangle? It doesn’t exist. Callie isn’t even tempted by the other guy. Pure bliss for me.
A Word The Art
I just loved it. It’s bright, energetic, lively, and adorable. That last one may sound patronizing, but I can’t come up with a better word for all of the art. It just brought a smile to my face.
The radish ghost (all the ghosts, but let’s focus on it) is one of the cutest things I’ve seen in months. The little accent bits of art throughout the book featuring similar looking ghosts and non-story jokes are just as good.
I don’t know what else to say, but I loved the art.
So, what did I think about Through the Elder Woods?
I don’t have anything deep, meaningful, or particularly insightful to say here—nor do I have a lot to say (believe it or not).
I thought the story was fun. I less-than-threed the characters so much. The art made me smile—as did the book as a whole. The pages just melted away and I read more of it than I intended to (i.e., all of it) in an afternoon. It’s cute, it’s effortlessly charming, it’s sweet, and full of whimsy. ‘Nuff said.
Your results may vary, obviously, but this just made me happy. I’m definitely back for Volume Two later this year.
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