Book Info
Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Publishing Date: October 15, 2024
Synopsis
A spellbinding and lyrical Jewish Narnia for a new age, with lavish illustrations that bring the fairy tale magic to life. After her mother passes away and her father retreats into his grief, 11-year-old Anne Applebaum is afraid the only happy endings she’ll ever have are in The World to Come, a collection of fairy tales about the flying forest of Bei Ilai. In its pages, children outsmart demons, girls train as knights, and songs come to life. But even these stories can’t stop Anne from feeling alone. So when a raven tells her that she has a long-lost twin brother named Rainer, she sets out to find him. Anne soon learns that Bei Ilai is a real place—and she must step through the door into this magical realm to seek her brother. But the dangers in the flying forest are just as real as its beauty. To overcome the challenges and monsters she faces, Anne must lean into the magic contained within her and her Jewish faith—especially when she discovers Rainer is locked away by a being more frightening than any dragon. Because the most terrifying villain of all is one who used to be a hero.
Content Warning: Child abuse, kidnapping, death of a parent, grief
Book Links
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207567761
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316539481
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tale-of-the-flying-forest-r-m-romero/1144796289
IndieBound: https://bookshop.org/p/books/tale-of-the-flying-forest-r-m-romero/21112601
About the Author
R. M. Romero (she/they) is a Jewish Latina and international bestselling author of fairy tales for children and adults. She lives in Miami Beach with her cat, Robin Goodfellow, and spends her summers helping to maintain Jewish cemeteries in Europe. Her work has been named an Indie Next Pick, a Jewish National Book Award Finalist, a two time Sydney Taylor Notable Book, a Carnegie Award nominee, a Best YA Book by Kirkus and SLJ, and received multiple starred reviews.
Author Links
Website: https://www.rmromero.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rmromeroauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15996026
Why Should You Read It?
The Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero is an absolute masterpiece—a spellbinding, lyrical Jewish Narnia for a new age. From the moment I began reading, I was captivated by the richly woven world of Bei Ilai, brought to life by lavish illustrations that perfectly complement the story’s enchanting, fairy-tale magic.
The protagonist, 11-year-old Anne Applebaum, is a character I deeply connected with, especially as she navigates her grief and loss. After her mother’s death and her father’s retreat into sorrow, Anne’s journey through the flying forest to find her twin brother, Rainer, echoes so much of what we all long for—connection, identity, and a sense of belonging. For me, being Jewish, this novel resonated on an even deeper level. The way Anne leans into her faith and draws upon the rich traditions of Judaism to face the dangers in Bei Ilai felt profound and deeply affirming. It’s rare to find such authentic Jewish representation in fantasy, and Romero handled it with grace, sensitivity, and power.
The magical realism of the flying forest, the daring adventures of children outsmarting demons, and girls training as knights—all these elements made this book a joy to read. But it’s the underlying themes of faith, family, and self-discovery that truly elevate The Tale of the Flying Forest into something unforgettable.
I couldn’t put the book down, and I couldn’t help but wish there were more books like this—ones that celebrate Jewish heritage and stories with such vibrancy and heart. This novel is not just for Jewish readers but for anyone who loves immersive fantasy, complex characters, and stories that stay with you long after the last page.
Pingback: Book Tour: Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero | Boys' Mom Reads!
Lovely review, I enjoyed reading it and I also thought that the themes of family, self-discovery, and bravery were very well done! 🙂
I am glad you loved it too!