Asterwood, Jacquelyn Stolos
Asterwood, Jacquelyn Stolos
List: $20.00 | Sale: $14.00
Club: $10.00

Asterwood

Author: Jacquelyn Stolos

Narrator: Delanie Nicole Gill

Unabridged: 7 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/30/2025


Synopsis

Family secrets, friendship, and magic burst from the seams of this thrilling fantasy adventure that follows a ten-year-old girl as she discovers a new world behind her home in desperate need of her help and within it, her own troubling family legacy.

Madelyn has always been satisfied with her life of cozy meals, great books, and adventures with her father in the woods behind their farmhouse.

But when a mysterious child appears and invites her down a forbidden trail and into a new world, Madelyn realizes that there’s far more to life than she ever allowed herself to realize.

This new world, Asterwood, is wider, wilder, and more magical than she could ever imagine. And somehow, it’s people know who she is—and desperately need her help.

Accompanied by new friends—one ​who can speak the language of the trees and one with a mind as sharp as her daggers—and her calico cat, Dots, Madelyn embarks on an epic quest across a strange and sprawling forest world whose secrets  just might help her save her own.​

About The Author

Jacquelyn Stolos grew up in Derry, New Hampshire. She loves tromping through the forest and reading good books. Asterwood is her first novel for children. She holds an MFA in fiction from NYU, where she was a Writers in the Public School Fellow. Her short fiction has appeared in Joyland and No Tokens. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Louis on January 17, 2026

Asterwood by Jacquelyn Stolos is a coming-of-age portal fantasy with mystery, magic, & heart! Its major themes of friendship, family & the balance of maintaining innocence & stepping into responsibility make it a great read for all ages. In the story, Madelyn Delios discovers a hidden forest, Asterwo......more

Goodreads review by Skye on December 30, 2025

ARC REVIEW!!! This was not at all what I expected. The beginning was really slow, and at the middle it got better, then the end was very interesting. I feel that this book is geared toward an older audience, not just because of the choice of words but because there are some heavy topics in it. I would......more

Goodreads review by Matt on November 13, 2025

A little more casually accepted adult-on-child cannibalism than expected…. There was a rushed the-magic-was-inside-us-all-along resolution that was almost immediately ignored by the most destructive members of their society. This is probably the most valuable and realistic lesson a middle grader can......more

Goodreads review by Mar 🧡🤍🩷 on November 28, 2025

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc. I was very excited about this book, but unfortunately, it left a bad feeling in my chest when I finished it, hence the three stars. What I liked about the book: - The cover is first on this list because it’s gorgeous and I like the title. - I loved that one of the imp......more

Goodreads review by Andrea on September 04, 2025

Madelyn is a 10 year old girl who has a great life with her dad. They read books together, have discussions together and take long hikes together. However, she is lonely and longs for friends and sleepovers as well as knowing who her mom is. This story starts off lighthearted and mysterious with ano......more


Quotes

"A dark and creative fantasy that explores themes of love, betrayal, and the environment." —Kirkus Reviews

"A meandering narrative focused on family, home, and natural harmony proves heartening." —Publishers Weekly

"Underneath its ethereal cover, Stolos’ debut children’s novel is unapologetic in its darkness and imaginative in its lighter moments." —Booklist