The Darkest Part of the Forest

In the town of Fairfold, humans live alongside dangerous fae folk, following strict rules to avoid lethal enchantments. At the center of the woods, a boy with horns and ears as sharp as knives sleeps in a glass coffin that cannot be broken. Siblings Hazel and Ben Evans have spent their childhoods obsessing over him, imagining themselves as knights and musicians destined to wake the prince. When the glass finally shatters and the boy disappears, a monstrous creature begins hunting the townspeople, forcing Hazel to confront a bargain she made with the Alder King.

Readers who enjoy folklore-heavy urban fantasy and atmospheric world-building will appreciate the focus on the treacherous nature of faerie bargains. It appeals to those looking for non-traditional gender roles and queer romance set against a backdrop of woods where magic has physical consequences. The narrative provides a look at how childhood fantasies translate into adult responsibilities, leaving the reader with a concrete understanding of the sacrifice required to protect a community from supernatural threats.