Magical Forest Reads for Nature Lovers
There’s something about standing in the heart of a forest, feeling the cool mist of a waterfall and the towering trees surrounding you, that feels almost… otherworldly. Recently, I found myself at Witty’s Lagoon on Vancouver Island, watching the water cascade down into a lush green sanctuary, and I thought: if I could bottle this feeling, I would. But maybe, just maybe, these books do just that.
If you're looking to be transported into a world where forests hold secrets, magic lingers in the air, and the wild speaks to those who listen, these five books are for you. Each one invites you into a story filled with enchanted woods, resilient heroines, and just the right touch of mystery and magic—all set against the backdrop of a world that feels as real as it is magical.
So, if you’re ready to step into the forest, turn the page and let these stories take you there.
1. "Uprooted" by Naomi Novik
Average Rating: 4.1 stars
- Synopsis: Agnieszka lives in a quiet village near a dark, enchanted forest that no one dares enter. Every ten years, the village's wizard, known as the Dragon, selects a girl to serve him in exchange for keeping the forest’s malevolent forces at bay. When Agnieszka is chosen, she’s plunged into a world of magic and danger, discovering her own hidden powers and connection to the forest.
- Why It Fits: This novel brings an immersive, eerie forest setting to life, blending fantasy, folklore, and a protagonist discovering her strength.
2. "The Bear and the Nightingale" by Katherine Arden
- Average Rating: 4.1 stars
- Synopsis: Set in the wilderness of medieval Russia, this novel follows Vasilisa, a young girl with the gift of seeing spirits who protect her home. As Christianity spreads and the old beliefs are pushed aside, dark forces emerge from the forest. Vasilisa must harness her abilities to protect her family from the encroaching darkness.
- Why It Fits: With its atmospheric forest setting and mystical undertones, this book is a journey into a world of folklore and magic rooted in nature.
3. "The Overstory" by Richard Powers
- Average Rating: 4.2 stars
- Synopsis: This novel follows several interwoven stories of people connected by their love and connection to trees. It’s a beautiful ode to nature and explores how deeply humans are tied to forests, with elements of magical realism as the trees seem to “speak” to those who listen. While not a traditional fantasy, it carries a profound sense of wonder and reverence for the forest.
- Why It Fits: For anyone who wants a deep, emotional connection to nature and forests, this book is a powerful and beautifully written experience.
4. "The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea" by Axie Oh
- Average Rating: 4.1 stars
- Synopsis: Set in a fantastical world inspired by Korean folklore, this novel follows Mina, who sacrifices herself to save her brother and finds herself in the Spirit Realm. She encounters mythical creatures and forests filled with spirits and magic as she navigates her new world and seeks to end a curse. While not explicitly set in a forest, it has a lush, magical setting and a strong connection to nature and mythology.
- Why It Fits: This book has a mystical forest-like vibe filled with spirits and magic, perfect for a reader wanting to be swept into a mythic, natural world.
5. "Into the Heartless Wood" by Joanna Ruth Meyer
- Average Rating: 4.1 stars
- Synopsis: Owen, the protagonist, lives at the edge of a deadly forest filled with tree sirens—creatures that lure humans to their doom. He’s drawn to the forest and one of its creatures, a siren girl who begins to question her role in the deadly woods. This dark fairytale explores the magic and danger of the forest as Owen and the siren girl try to navigate their forbidden connection.
- Why It Fits: This novel is atmospheric and haunting, capturing the allure and danger of an enchanted forest filled with mystery and magic.
6. Once Upon a River" by Diane Setterfield
- Average Rating: 4.1 stars
- Synopsis: Set along the banks of the Thames, this novel weaves a mysterious tale of a young girl who appears to come back to life after drowning in the river. The story has a timeless, fairy-tale quality and explores themes of nature, mysticism, and folklore, with a magical atmosphere that feels as dense and mysterious as a forest.
- Why It Fits: The book’s lush, lyrical prose and the river’s role as a central, mystical force give it a forest-like, enchanted quality.
7. "Wildwood" by Colin Meloy
- Average Rating: 4.0 stars
- Synopsis: Set in a magical forest just outside Portland, Oregon, this novel follows Prue, a young girl who ventures into the woods to rescue her brother and encounters magical creatures and adventures. The story is filled with rich descriptions of a mystical forest and captures the feel of an enchanted, otherworldly wilderness.
- Why It Fits: This book is perfect for readers wanting to explore a whimsical, magical forest filled with mystery, creatures, and adventure.
8. "The Luminaries" by Eleanor Catton
- Average Rating: 4.1 stars
- Synopsis: Though this story is set in 19th-century New Zealand during the gold rush, it carries a strong, mystical atmosphere with elements of astrology, destiny, and interconnected lives. The novel weaves together natural beauty and magic in a way that creates a forest-like, enigmatic vibe, inviting readers to explore hidden meanings and symbols.
- Why It Fits: The book’s atmospheric writing and themes of mysticism and interconnectedness evoke a magical, nature-inspired world.
9. "The Wild Girl" by Kate Forsyth
- Average Rating: 4.2 stars
- Synopsis: Set in Germany’s Black Forest during the early 19th century, this historical novel tells the story of Dortchen Wild, a young woman who grows up alongside the Brothers Grimm. Her life and her connection to the dark, mystical tales of the forest inspire her, especially in times of hardship.
- Why It Fits: With its setting in a legendary forest and connection to fairy tales, this novel is perfect for readers who love stories rooted in magic, mystery, and folklore.
"The Lost Queen" by Signe Pike
- Rating: 4.2 stars
- Synopsis: This historical fantasy novel is inspired by the real-life twin sister of the man who became the legend of Merlin. Set in ancient Scotland, the story follows Languoreth, a young woman destined to be a queen, as she grows up surrounded by mystical woods and ancient magic. As she navigates the political dangers of her time, she finds herself drawn to the forest's secrets and the ancient ways of her people.
- Why It Fits: The forest in this book is portrayed as a place of power, mystery, and spiritual connection, embodying the magical allure of nature while grounding the story in a real-world setting inspired by ancient history.
