The Secrets of the Forest
A hidden world.
A family buried in secrets.
A past that refuses to stay forgotten.
The Secrets of the Forest Duology follows Syria Anderson as a mysterious book pulls her into a truth far bigger than she ever imagined.
With family, friendship, love, and magic tangled together, Syria must uncover the secrets of her past—and find the courage to face a world that was always a part of her.
Book One
A Light in the Shadows
Sixteen-year-old Syria has always sensed there’s more to her family’s story. Her mother’s supposed death in a car crash never made sense—especially when there isn’t a single photograph of her. It’s as if she never existed.
Everything changes when Syria discovers a strange book hidden in her grandmother’s house. Soon, unexplainable events begin to unfold, blurring the line between reality and the impossible. As she searches for the truth, she meets a mysterious boy who challenges everything she thought she knew about herself. But as the book’s secrets pull her deeper into danger, Syria must decide how much she’s willing to risk—her safety, her heart, or the truth that refuses to stay buried.
Special thanks to the incredibly talented artist who brought the world of A Light in the Shadows to life. You turned my imagination into something I could finally see. https://www.instagram.com/maya_hanisich_c
Syria Anderson
Syria is a sixteen-year-old ballet student who overthinks everything and fiercely loves her family. Curious, loyal, and stronger than she realizes, she finds herself pulled into a mystery that challenges everything she thought she knew about her past—and herself.
Dylan Anderson
Syria’s eighteen-year-old brother—protective, quick-witted, and always ready with a joke when things get complicated. Beneath his easygoing attitude, he’s fiercely loyal to the people he loves and far braver than he lets on.
Alexander Green
A confident, sarcastic, and effortlessly charming guy with a rebellious streak hiding beneath his polished Upper East Side life. Fiercely loyal and more thoughtful than he lets on, Alex will break the rules without hesitation to protect the people he loves.
Matilda Mackenzie
A bold, sharp-witted, and unapologetically herself, with pink-streaked hair and a talent for saying exactly what’s on her mind. Beneath her fearless attitude, she’s fiercely loyal, curious, and always ready to jump into the unknown—especially when someone she cares about is in trouble.
Dazzle
She is no ordinary black cat. Mysterious, clever, and full of attitude, she has a habit of appearing exactly when she’s needed most. With a glowing white star on her chest and more secrets than she’s willing to reveal, Dazzle may know far more about Syria’s past than anyone realizes.
Every story begins in the imagination, but it takes an artist to make others see it. Thank you for bringing the characters of A Light in the Shadows to life, giving them a face, a personality, and a little magic of their own.
Dazzle deserves a special thanks. She turned out exactly as I always imagined her: mysterious, magical, and full of attitude.
Book II
A Heart Between Worlds
The truth has been uncovered, but the journey is far from over. Syria finds herself facing a world filled with magic, danger, and secrets still waiting to be revealed. With the people she loves beside her, she must navigate new challenges, unexpected alliances, and difficult choices while discovering where she truly belongs.
