GOLDFIELD FOREST

In Black’s fantasy novel, a family tries to save supernatural beings from an evil warlock.

In the late 18th century, August Alexander is an archaeologist on an expedition in the Amazon when he saves an elf named Elabella from quicksand. She tells August that he is a “guardian,” a descendant of “past protectors” of the forest and the fairy folk who reside there. In 2023, after finding August’s journal, archaeologist Maria goes with colleagues Marco and Chase to follow in August’s footsteps in the hopes of locating a lost civilization. While on her journey, Maria has her father Ross babysit her 10-year-old daughter Ashley. Ross is a treasure hunter and is quick to take the young Ashley under his wing while trekking through the nearby forest: “Over the years, he’d found relics, talismans, coins and jewelry, all gifts from the supernatural entities who lived in Goldfield Forest.” After digging up a marble lion figurine, Ross tells Ashley that their family can speak with animals and magical beings. He introduces her to some fairies, and they soon learn that the figurine is actually Lena, a lion who is trapped in the object by Bagrim, an evil warlock who is bent on destroying the Amazon as it is “the last sanctuary for many creatures, especially the large ones.” Black’s story is filled to the brim with supernatural elements, including goblins, trolls, fairies, dogmen, and tales of a 45-foot snake. There is intricate worldbuilding in the sections detailing the Amazon’s residents (as seen when the dragon Malacai explains how dragons once had an alliance with the lions). While the narrative is a little too fast-paced to give the vast number of magical elements sufficient breathing room, Black’s prose is accessible and descriptive: Bagrim’s goblin goon Wormley’s “pock-marked nose twitched and saliva flew from his slimy green teeth.” Overall, a charming and fantastical story.

Engaging and enchanting fantasy.