ALA Booklist (Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Winter's father is the guardian of the wood: he spends all day helping accidental time travelers through portals in the dark of the forest, returning them to their homes. The title of guardian is a mystical one, and none who bear it ever wander off the paths or get lost til Winter's dad does. Now the job of guardian passes to her, despite her reluctance. As she tries to learn why her father has disappeared, Winter finds new dangers in the woods, with dark creatures and hidden perils around every turn. When she encounters lost Englishman Henry, who's wandered away from the 1700s, Winter attempts to return him to his own time, only to find that he might know more than he should about her woods. Winter can be difficult to relate to, and the beginning is slow-paced due to the inclusion of a significant amount of backstory prequel could have helped establish the world more thoroughly. Still, the concept is intriguing, and this is a good buy for larger collections.

School Library Journal (Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Gr 9 Up-he wood is a dangerous setting where travelers from other places and times slip in through portals. After her father's disappearance, Winter becomes the guardian of the wood. She cannot move away or ignore the wood's ominous pull. There are rules that her father has drilled into her. Stay on the path. Leave the wood before dark. All travelers must return to their homes. The wood is changingdying. A British traveler from the 18th century convinces Winter that the wood can be saved, but evil forces are at work. Henry promises that he arrived to find his own parents, but he may have other motives. The wood becomes menacing, hungry, and watchful. The rules have altered, and unless Winter figures them out, everything will be in peril. Henry and Winter share flirtatious repartee and a sizzling chemistry, but the wood takes center stage as the main character and driving force of the plot. This interesting twist in storytelling makes this title a standout. VERDICT This provocative debut is a must-have for collections where fans of time travel are looking for their next fix.Pamela Thompson, Col. John O. Ensor Middle School, El Paso, TX

Voice of Youth Advocates (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Winter is not a “typical” teen. She is very smart but often skips school. She has few friends and is a secretive homebody. What her schoolmates do not realize is that she and her family, for generations, have been guardians of a mysterious plot of woods behind their house. This wood is one of several secret portals through which “travelers” mistakenly (usually) wander and get lost. Winter has inherited the task of learning several languages to converse with the wanderers and must know how to handle a weapon and recognize clothing styles going back hundreds of years to be able to gently return them. Lately, things are going badly. Her father is missing and she must unwillingly patrol the woods alone. The wood, once full of brightly colored leaves, is now turning black. At night, vicious creatures attempt to pull the guardians and travelers off the narrow trails and these creatures seem to be growing bolder. A determined and handsome young traveler from eighteenth-century England convinces her to allow him to stay; he knows something of her dad’s disappearance. As they discover the history of the wood, she must decide who to trust; her uncle, the guardian council, and even her mom seem to be keeping secrets. This well-written debut is sufficiently eerie and fast-paced. Readers will enjoy Winter’s confidence and cunning as she seeks the truth. Hand this to readers craving exciting and enjoyable twists on time travel.—Kevin Beach.