The World of Frozen Expands in Forest of Shadows

With the successful release of Frozen II, there’s no shortage of tie-in books and stories. I’ve grown up with junior novelizations and movie storybooks, but I’m especially impressed that Disney has branched out and started including spin-off stories and stand-alone books in their marketing. As an avid fanfiction reader (and writer), I’m always curious to explore the world outside the original movie and see my favorite characters in new situations. This is why I decided to buy Forest of Shadows, a middle-grade stand-alone novel set in the world of Frozen.

Disney Press

Taking place shortly before the second film, Forest of Shadows focuses mainly on Anna as she tries her hardest to be a good sister to Elsa. Right before Elsa leaves on a tour of the world—a tour she’ll take without her sister—a mysterious sickness starts to affect the crops and animals of Arendelle, and Anna sees an opportunity to step in and prove that she can be useful. But when Anna accidentally casts a spell that conjures a dangerous wolf, she realizes she needs the help of her sister and their friends to save the kingdom before it’s too late.

Kamilla Benko very carefully crafts a book that can stand on its own and also neatly fits into the overall timeline of the Frozen films. Don’t worry—there aren’t any Frozen II spoilers, but there are a few nods to both the first and second films that fans will easily pick up on. Benko also takes this opportunity to add diversity in the kingdom of Arendelle, including side characters of color and a lesbian couple, and it was exciting to see this in a story related to one of Disney’s biggest properties. Whether or not this means they’re seriously considering making Elsa the first LGBTQ+ princess (or queen, rather), little details like this tell me that Disney is at least willing to take more steps toward inclusion in the future.

Frozen II takes our heroes outside of Arendelle and into the unknown, and the same is true in Forest of Shadows. There’s a map on the inside of both the front and back covers, displaying the various locations visited over the course of the novel. There are a few familiar places, like Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and Elsa’s ice palace on the North Mountain, but the main focus is definitely on the mysterious new locations Anna and Elsa discover on their journey. With new adventures come new folklore and myths; Anna and Elsa are especially fond of the tales of Aren, the legendary man who created Arendelle by carving out the fjord that surrounds it with his magical sword. Benko draws on real Scandanavian and Icelandic folktales for other mystical beings featured, such as the huldrefolk, the hidden creatures that live in the mines far outside the kingdom and are said to cause mischief and trouble for humans. The origin of the wolf Anna conjures comes from her childhood nightmares and is referred to as a Nattmara, which is loosely based on the banshee-like werewolf women that caused their victims to have terrible nightmares.

My favorite aspect of this book was Anna’s personal arc and how well it sets up her emotional journey in the second film. Anna knows she’s goofy and not as graceful as her older sister, and she sees that as a bad thing. Because the book is told from her perspective, we get a deeper look into just how insecure she feels and how scared she is of never being good enough. Even her relationship with Kristoff tugs at the heartstrings, with Kristoff forgiving her for making mistakes and Anna wondering why she deserves it when she sees her failures as astronomical.  I’ve always loved Anna as a character, and I related to her self-deprecation a little too well, especially her need to have Elsa’s approval and affirmation that she’s important. Benko allows Anna to get upset and to make mistakes, but she also remembers to give her room to grow in her confidence and self-love. The message that sends is incredibly powerful, and I can only imagine how much it can help the book’s target audience if it affected me as much as it did.

Forest of Shadows is a creative addition to the world of Frozen and an engaging coming-of-age adventure. Fans of the movies will definitely love it, but I think it works as its own story, as well. Having basic knowledge of the films certainly helps in understanding the references, but as a story it feels complete and is able to stand on its own as a fantasy novel. If you’re eager for more content beyond the films or just love Anna as much as I do, make sure to give this one a read.

Forest of Shadows is available wherever books are sold.