Woodwalker

Creatures of Light, Book 1

By: Emily B. Martin

Narrated by: Erin Rieman

“What on earth would I gain from that?” I asked him. “Risk my own neck by violating my banishment just to leave you? The sentence placed on me if I return is execution. If I’m entering the mountains again, I’d damn well better get something out of it.”

Exiled from the Silverwood and the people she loves, Mae has few illusions about ever returning to her home. But when she comes across three out-of-place strangers in her wanderings, she finds herself contemplating the unthinkable: risking death to help a deposed queen regain her throne.

And if anyone can help Mona Alastaire of Lumen Lake, it is a former Woodwalker - a ranger whose very being is intimately tied to the woods they are sworn to protect. Mae was once one of the best, and despite the potential of every tree limb to become the gibbet she’s hung from, she not only feels a duty to aide Mona and her brothers, but also to walk beneath her beloved trees once more.

A grand quest in the tradition of great epic fantasies, filled with adventure and the sharp wit - and tongue - of a unique hero, Woodwalker is the perfect novel to start your own journey into the realm of magical fiction.

©2016 Emily B. Martin (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

I love this underrated story.

I first read this novel in 2020. Just this month I listened to one of the sequels, Floodpath. I love his fantasy realm and so when Woodwalker was on sale for $5.99, I got it. It's too bad that Ashes to Fire and Creatures of Light aren't available on Audible.

I remembered more details that I anticipated and the ones I forgot came back to me immediately.

I liked Erin Rieman's performance for the women, especially for Queen Mona. She did struggle with the voices for the men, but that didn't ruin the story for me.

The world building and pacing is very well done. It was easy to get into the world and understand the politics, religions, customs, and history.

Emily B. Martin uses her knowledge as a park ranger well. I am not an outdoors person, but as I stepped into this world I wanted to become a Woodwalker. It was very magical, even though there is no magic/spell casting in the world. It was a very exciting adventure story.

5 out of 5 Fireflies.

I would recommend this book to anyone.

Emily B Martin knows how to capture and hold the reader’s attention. Her characters are believable and complex. I loved it and I can’t wait to listen to the next book!

Loved this book!

It was a great fiction story. The narrator has a soothing voice and did a really good job telling the story. Highly recommend this book!!

Finally on Audible!

I love this book! I'm so glad they finally put it on Audible. The characters are strong and complex, and the world is rich. I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series. I really hope the rest of the series is put on audible soon too, because the other two books are just as fantastic.

I thought the narrator did well. If you read books before you listen to them, the characters always sound different in someone else's hands, but I thought the narrator did a reasonably good job. My only sticking point was the mispronuciation of several bird names, but this may not matter much to others.

Great fantasy book! Read or listen to it!

Edit: June 2, 2022
Audible, please put the other two books ("Ashes to Fire" and " Creatures of Light") in the series up! I'm getting antsy waiting for them! ;)