The Lord of the Wood

by E. M. Anderson

The Lord of the Wood is a queer, cozy fantasy that blends the gentle charm of TJ Klune with the unsettling atmosphere of T. Kingfisher. Clockmaker Arthur Throckmorton, living with his sister and her children, accepts a dangerous job to traverse the cursed Shiftleaf forest—an enchanted wood that claimed his father. In the forest he meets Ira, the enigmatic Lord of the Wood, a man‑stag who is slowly turning into a beast as his power wanes. As Arthur and Ira journey toward the heart of the dying forest, they confront monstrous birds, a spreading rot, and a curse that threatens to consume Ira completely. The novel weaves themes of adventure, self‑discovery, family loyalty, and a blossoming romance, delivering a lyrical quest that balances folk horror with heartfelt, LGBTQ+ love.