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This book truly surprised me. I wasn't sure what I was expecting from this narrative, but found family, end-of-an-era, kidnapping of children and several near-death experiences wasn't it. Willa is part of a dying breed of Faeren (night spirits) called a Wood Witch. She can camouflage into her surroundings, speak the old language of the forest, and encourage flora to bend to her will. Her way of life is changing in the year 1900, as day folk (indigenous people and white people) are encroaching on their land (great smoky mountains). Her people are encouraged by the leader to speak english and learn the ways of the day-folk to evolve and survive- thereby forgetting the old magic ways. Willa meets a homesteader named Nathaniel, and they strike up an uneasy (at first) friendship where they teach each other their ways. The narrative then turns on its head as it becomes a rescue mission and uncovering of the truth of her people.
I really enjoyed tagging along with Willa on her adventures and the way she lived and thrived in the forest and with the animals. Her way of life and magic were described just enough, without going too far in depth and losing the reader. The writing style was clear and concise, with just enough metaphor and not so much that it wandered into purple prose territory.
This was a wonderful, magical historical fiction/fantasy and I look forward to reading any other books in this series about Willa and her family.