Reviews of Forest Song: Finding Home

Forest Song: Finding Home by Vila SpiderHawk -

Book Review by Dawn "Belladonna" Thomas

I was excited to begin this book after reading Ms. SpiderHawk’s book Hidden Passages: Tales of to Honor the Crones. I was definitely not disappointed. The story begins with a young girl, Judy, living with her family in Germany. Her family builds a wrought iron fence to attempt to contain her. Judy hears the song of the forest and constantly tries to break through and run for the woods. She realizes at a young age that she doesn’t fit in with “city life.” When Judy finally makes it to the woods, it changes her whole world. She sees and hears things differently than what she is used to. The lessons that she learns are essential to all of us. Those she meets in the woods become more of a family than she ever had with her biological family. Judy learns about relationships, magic, and ways to honor nature and Goddesses.

I found myself rereading sections because the messages in the story are so profound. I can see myself becoming more involved. I felt very strong about this message: “But rituals are important. Without them it’s easy to forget who you are. And if you lose yourself you can’t help other people.”

Ms SpiderHawk is a talented storyteller and I believe I will be rereading this story again and again. I am sure that I would enjoy any book that she wrote and I am already looking forward to her next book.

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Forest Song: Finding Home is an enchanting tale which captivates the mind and soothes the soul

With words as magical as the realms she so skillfully describes, Vila Spiderhawk's charming voice shines through the pages of "Forest Song: Finding Home".

Spellbinding bits of wisdom are delightfully threaded through the fibers of a most enchanting story, in which harsh reality and blissful fantasy dance gracefully together.

The reader can't help identifying with at least one of the wonderful characters in the story, especially Judy, the young and courageous little girl who, under the watchful eye of her teacher Matka Lasu, is gradually initiated into the mysteries of womanhood, birth and death; through Judy's eyes, one feels the connection with all expressions of life and glimpses at the greater concept of being part of a whole.

In the end, as Judy finds herself reflected into the very thing she feared in the beginning, she discovers that embracing one's fears is the road that will lead to one's true power.

"Forest Song: Finding Home" is a book I will not soon forget, and I certainly believe that it is a must-read for all who seek greater enlightenment, or even for those who just need a good story to brighten their day.

— Sandra Carrington-Smith, Author of "The Book of Obeah" and "Housekeeping For The Soul" http://www.bookofobeah.com

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Forest Song – Finding Home by Vila Spiderhawk © Vanilla Heart Publishing ISBN 978-0-9814739-8-7

399 pages $15.99 (U.S.)

This is the second book I have read by this author. The first was Hidden Passages, which was a collection of short stories. This one is a full length novel, which allows for greater character development.

This book is a treat. It has so many facets it is dazzling. It is a fascinating story of a young girl’s encounters with life. It is a novel set in the recent past. It teaches basic magical concepts and beliefs. On top of all that it is an enjoyable book which is fun to read.

It is, I suspect (and hope) the prelude to a series of books which will allow us to experience Judy’s journey from a gawky pre-teen running away from an over-controlling family through her years to the start of her life as woman, and on to her crone-hood. There is much to tell if this book is any indication.

Ms. SpiderHawk knows how to tell a story. It will appeal to a wide range of readers, ranging in age from young adult through senior citizen; from those looking for a fun story to members of the Pagan community looking for a way to pass along some basic knowledge in a painless way.

I cannot recommend this author’s work strongly enough. Vanilla Heart Publishing is also becoming a favorite publisher.

— Michael Gleason

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