If I wanted to find the perfect final novel for a fantasy trilogy, Heart of Wyrdwood would be it. I’ve been enthralled by the series from the start and Barker somehow brought all of the little pieces of his masterfully created world together into an explosive finish that left me in awe. Every character had a major part to play in the grand scheme of the world, every decision leading to one final moment that would define the future. Each book has felt like a walk on a forest path that isn’t always clear, and this truly was the final mile, where you can see the destination just on the horizon and are excited to get there. The battles are epic, the secrets of the world are jaw-dropping, and I find myself at the end trying to contain my excitement at writing enough good things to recommend this series to anyone who loves fantasy mixed with nature mixed with characters/pages/events that matter. It should go without saying, but I will be seeking out every other book written by RJ Barker and diving in. 

The Best Bits

A Few of My Favorite Things

Let’s Talk About An Ending

I was honestly shocked that nothing in this final book felt extra. The author didn’t struggle to fill the pages with unnecessary conversations or plotlines – it all felt like it had been planned from the start, with each piece being put together before our eyes until it suddenly made sense. When I read an epic series, I want to see things resolved, whether it’s for good or bad. I want to know that the 1500+ pages I’ve read were leading somewhere and the author wasn’t just stringing me along. Barker more than lives up to the task and I find myself thinking back on all of the little things I didn’t quite understand from the earlier books and how they fit into the puzzle. It’s a final book that gives you an ending and gives you a deeper appreciation for the prior books. 

A Rolling Stone of Narrators

When the second book in the series introduced seven narrators, I was hesitant. Most authors can handle two or three, but seven seemed unthinkable. I was sure this final book would be a confusing mishmash of stories, but somehow it all worked perfectly. You might think we don’t need to be in every corner of the world consistently until the end, and you would be wrong. I can’t stress enough how perfectly everything comes together and how much the characters complement each other. And the ending? Chef’s kiss. 

The Final Picture

This is a world I was excited to travel through with each page. It started small in a tiny village on the edge of things and ended in a world-spanning explosion of blood, darkness, and eventual healing light. Characters who were minor became major. Villains who were awful got their comeuppance. Monsters rose from the depths and every creature joined the battle for their world. Everything made sense in the end and my only frustration was that I wouldn’t be able to journey with these characters again. I couldn’t be happier with how the series ended.