Guest Review: Waking Up the Sun by Laura Bailo

When Lander accepts a dare to go into the forest at night he thinks it’ll be easy. He just needs to walk in and then come out, right? But that’s easier said than done. It’s like the trees have a mind of their own, and they are stopping him from finding his way back. There were always stories of people getting lost forever in the forest, but Lander had never considered they might be true.

Yban has been in the forest a long time and he knows it like no other—but he comes with his own secrets. He disappears every day, and he won’t tell Lander where he goes. But during the dark hours Lander gets to know him and starts unwrapping the layers that surround him.

The fire that keeps them warm in the forest isn’t the only spark between them; will their growing relationship survive Lander’s determination to find the way out, or will Yban’s past mistakes keep them hidden in the forest forever?

Reviewer: Shee Reader

In this fantasy novella, Lander is a social outcast, or so it seems from the little we know of him before he ends up in the enchanted forest after dark.

Dared to go in to the forest by bullies, he embarks on a life changing adventure. Little did he know he would not be able to just walk out of the magical world, as the mystical and charmed forest has taken him captive. One night, Lander meets Yban who we learn has been trapped in the forest for many years, and Yban begins to help take care of Lander, and guide him in learning how to exist in the half light of the forest.

Lander and Yban’s connection is sweet and charming, and Lander’s anxiety is so tangible, I felt my own chest tightening as I read. Yban visits every night with Lander and they have little adventures until Lander dreams significant dreams. The voyage they begin together in finding their way out, and then onward in life together is both adorable and satisfying.

Lander’s family situation seems complex and the writing is sensitive and charming. There are so many currents and themes rolling through this story that I can imagine many more to form a series.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.