THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST by Holly Black. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2015.  336p.  ISBN 978-0316213073 hc. $18.00   Gr. 9-12   TN FIC

Hazel and Ben, siblings from Fairfold, have always lived with a healthy respect for the magical powers of the "folk" who live in the surrounding forest.  After all, there's a horned boy in a glass coffin in the forest, much like the fairy tale character, Snow White, who has fascinated the pair since childhood.  Hazel's biggest problem at the moment is that she has a reputation for kissing all the boys except the one she really likes, and Ben can't seem to find a suitable boyfriend.  Everyday worries are soon put aside when the school comes under attack by Sorrow, a horrible tree-like creature that puts anyone nearby under a spell of sadness.  At the same time, the horned boy is released from his enclosure in the forest and finds his way to Fairfold, meeting up with Ben, and putting the brother and sister team in the middle of a fairy war.  Secrets from the past are revealed in both mortal and fairy families as the adventure widens to include a vengeful fairy king and the magical creatures he controls.  Holly Black delivers another exciting teen fantasy full of romance, imagination, and adventure.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI