Information Goodreads: Aria of the Beech ForestSeries: Aria of the Beech Forest #1-3Age Category: Middle GradeSource: LibraryPublished: 2021 Summary Deep in the forests of Ireland, a young witch lives alone, gathering herbs and fearing to venture outside her home. Then she discovers a white wolf in the snow. And soon she is opening up her … Continue reading Aria of the Beech Forest, Vols. 1-3 by Yugiri Aika
Information
Goodreads: Aria of the Beech Forest
Series: Aria of the Beech Forest #1-3
Age Category: Middle Grade
Source: Library
Published: 2021
Summary
Deep in the forests of Ireland, a young witch lives alone, gathering herbs and fearing to venture outside her home. Then she discovers a white wolf in the snow. And soon she is opening up her home and heart to even more friends. But does she have the courage to leave? And, should she?
Review
Aria of the Beech Forest is a cute slice-of-life manga with a hint of mystery. Though at times the storyline feels a bit unclear, and events sometimes seem to jump, I overall enjoyed the trilogy because of its themes of friendship. And, yes, because of the cuteness. I do not often read manga, but the cozy vibes in this one met me at a good time.
Though the story focuses quite a bit on Aria’s everyday life (with an unusual emphasis on what she’s cooking and eating), it has enough mystery to keep the plot moving along. Readers will soon wonder why a young girl is living alone in the woods, why she seems so afraid to leave, and why she is a witch who never seems to perform magic. Likewise, the white wolf she befriends has a shrouded past. Where did he come from? Why does he stay? These questions kept me turning pages even when I tired of the emphasis on recipes.
Though sometimes I worried that the plot would take a dark turn, the books remain pretty cozy throughout, with all the characters generally having good intentions. The real problem to be solved is Aria’s fear of the unknown. She has been taught that witches will be harmed outside the forest, yet it seems clear that she cannot remain by herself in a cabin. It’s sort of a coming-of-age story where Aria has to decide what she wants from life.
I was initially disappointed to realize that Aria of the Beech Forest does not take place in a fantasy world, but in our own. I loved the whimsical, cottagecore vibes, so felt a bit thrown when I realized that the book is set in the present day. With smartphones and Instagram and everything. However, these items do not play a huge role in the story, so I was able to adjust my expecations.
Pick this one up if you like enjoy whimsical witchy tales!
