Oh my goodness. This book. I have tears in my eyes just writing this review, which is strange, as books very rarely move me to tears. I loved it. It was amazing. And so refreshingly different from anything I’ve ever read before. I’m going to have to seek out Barr’s other novels ASAP!

This book just made me so happy. I loved Arty almost instantly. Who wouldn’t? She’s kind, and sweet and clever and just wholly good. A triumph, considering how hard it is to write a ‘perfect’ character, without risking said character being unbelievable. People are flawed. You have to write flawed characters in order to write realistic characters. I believed this piece of writing advice until I read this book.

A masterpiece of a YA novel.

I had read one of Emily Barr’s books before but I have to say that whilst it was enjoyable I wasn’t sure if the author’s style was entirely for me, however I was instantly attracted to the cover of this book and when I read the blurb I decided that I really needed to give this book a shot.

I was definitely pleasantly surprised, although it is not what I would call a thriller as the blurb labels it, it is more of an exploration of Arty coming to terms with the outside world whilst trying to deal with the end of the life she has always known. I really liked that the book was mostly set in India, that there was the contrast between the seclusion of the forest and the bustle and chaos of Mumbai and I think that it would have been difficult to capture that same atmosphere in a different setting.

This book is the kind of book that will be spoiled with too much information, so I won’t say too much about the plot, but it is written in a dual timeline, and this really does add some tension and a little bit of mystery to the story. There is a variation in tone between the two timelines and it is quite nice to have the distinction it breaks up each part of the story well and does keep you invested in the story. There are a few unexpected things that happen that shake up the story a little and there are things that come up that all tie back in together in a very clever way, which was enjoyable.

Arty was a great character, I loved the ethos of the clearing and how they all worked together to build a life away from the modern world, and it was really interesting to hear her experience of this. Her optimism in the face of so much uncertainty was refreshing, as was her loyalty to her family, she was naive but in a very natural way for this kind of situation and she was the kind of character that I easily found myself rooting for.

The only thing that maybe caused a bit of a pause for me was when Arty finds herself out of the woods, she is in a lot of situation where she was almost too lucky all of the time, I kept thinking that something bad was going to happen or someone was going to take advantage of her, but it was fairly smooth sailing. I just felt that she would have had a little bit more trouble than she did but then I wonder if I’m just being overly cynical.

The Girl Who Came Out Of The Woods is an interesting book with an element of mystery but at its heart is an emotional story of loss and survival with a bright spark of a main character.

I loved this book. I honestly didn't see the twist coming, and I swear my eyebrows disappeared over the top of my head when I got there. How I missed it, I don't know, but I think I was caught up with the impossibility of Arty and her discovery of life in the big, wild, world. The sheer implausibility of how she found her life didn't spoil the book for me at all, and I think, if I were a teen reading this I would have loved the idea that all things can be done if you just set your mind to it. Recommended

I love stories that are unique to the subject- this is hard to find these days!
The Girl Who Came Out of the Woods follows Artemis- a girl born in the woods from a small tribe that wanted to shun civilisation and create their own Utopia away from the modern world.
When sickness devastates the camp, Arty must leave the only home she's ever known and take the plunge into the unknown.
This was a refreshingly different story to what I’ve come across before and I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a different sort of book this Summer.

This is the third Emily Barr YA title I’ve read and I’ve been gripped by them all - but I found this one especially compelling. I spotted the twist quite early but that didn’t matter and I loved the way this book looked at family and the idea of protection and safety - as well as many other themes. I knew nothing about the title and it took me a while to engage but then I couldn’t put it down. The author is so good at putting her protagonists in great jeopardy. I suspect that I’ll continue to think about the characters in this book long after I’ve posted this review.

Arty has always lived in The Clearing, in the middle the forest, far from the reach of the outside world. Here in The Clearing we are all gods and goddesses, we have all that we need, and we are safe. The Clearing and its few inhabitants are all Arty has ever known, but how long can it all last? Surely Arty will have to venture outside one day?

This book is a difficult one to review without giving too much away; it's one of those stories best entered blind so I won't say anymore on the plot. Nor will I get in to the characters, as that too would ruin it, except to say that I loved a fair few of them - Arty, Cherry and Zeus are all so adorable in their own ways and I really felt for them. What I will say is this is an interesting story, or two stories running concurrently in fact, with a great twist that I didn't see coming. Throughout I was desperate to find out what was happening in the other half of the story, the tension is well built and the jumps from one narrative to the other keep you hooked. I also really liked the way Barr dropped a red herring in from time to time to keep readers on their toes; several times over I was taken in and then realised I was mistaken about where the story was going. I love a book that surprises me like that.

Overall, this is a great little read that I'd definitely recommend to anyone who wants to let their mind wander. As the saying goes, 'Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.'.

I don't know that I read the blurb for this before I started reading it, so it came as a surprise that this is a story about a girl who grew up in a small matriarchal commune in India. It's a peaceful existence and Arty is a happy 16 year old - she lives with ten other people (3 of which are children) in a forest clearing besieged by monkeys that they've named after characters from Friends. Small bits of mainstream culture sneak into their lives like this in ways that Arty doesn't recognise but the reader might, and it makes it all the more interesting as to how the adults decided to start this cut off group that relies on nature.

The plot picks up a little when something bad happens and Arty has to leave the community.

The writing kept changing between first and third person and it was a little disconcerting, even if there was a reason for it. I also massively cringed at Arty just blindly doing what she wants and getting herself in to bad situations because she didn't know any better but didn't trust anyone enough to help guide her through.

The research into Indian culture and Mumbai was evident, if a little shallow and touristy but that was fine because Arty basically was a tourist, being as she grew up surrounded by a incredibly mixed group of different cultures and not specifically Indian culture.

Around 75% was a massive twist that really made this book impossible to put down. Genuinely the best twist I've read in a book for a while.

This story by Emily Barr is definitely one to go into without really knowing too much.
Initially I found the split in narrative quite disconcerting. We focus on sixteen year old Arty who is forced out of her commune when illness affects many of the group. She is thrown into a world of which she has no experience and her story as she navigates what so many of us take for granted was interesting. Alongside this is a curious story told from the perspective of someone locked in a basement.
As the story progressed I confess to getting quite carried away trying to plot how the two would be linked. It did become evident where it was heading, but not before I’d imagined things far worse than we were faced with.
I enjoyed the story, though the reaction of characters to Arty’s innocence did, on occasion, make me frustrated. That irritation aside, this was quite enchanting while not being afraid to touch on some rather unpleasant things.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read it in exchange for my honest review.

This is an enjoyable YA novel that follows Arty after her life in the woods is turned upside down after a disaster. Every thing and everyone she knows is changed forever. Seeing how Arty responds to everyday (to us) experiences like movies and social media is really interesting. A great read.

Following The One Memory of Flora Banks and The Truth and Lies of Ella Black, Emily Barr is back with The Girl Who Came Out of the Woods and another tale about a girl on the cusp of womanhood who finds herself out on her own in an extraordionary situation.

I loved Flora Banks, but was sadly less fond of Ella Black, so went into this book with a slight sense of trepidation. I'm very happy to report that, while I didn't think it was as briliant as Flora, in her latest book Barr gives us another truly sympathetic heroine. Arty is a young women who, in the most dire of circumstances, digs deep and proves resourceful in looking after herself and the pursuit of her goals.

I apologise if this review seems wishy-washy, but the less you know about the plot of The Girl Who Came Out of the Woods, the better your experience of it will be. However, without spoiling anything, I can mention the use of a dual timeline throughout the book, with mysterious chapters popping up at regular intervals to disrupt the main plot. At times these secondary chapters feel frustratingly obtuse, but they eventually set up a nice reveal to prepare the ground for the final twist which ties up all loose ends in a satisfying bow.

The Indian setting is wonderfully colourful and vibrant, providing a lively backdrop for the majority of Arty's journey.

My one criticism is that of a sad, cynical adult: to me is seemed Arty was perhaps too fortunate in the people she meets when she strikes out on her own. Almost everyone wants to help her and is benevolent in their aims. You could either find this unrealistic or life-affirming, depending on your world view. I did wonder if it was entirely likely, especially given Arty's sheltered upbringing and lack of experience of the wider world. On the other hand, the title of the book does suggest that there is something of the fairy tale about this story, and perhaps that's the best spirit in which to approach questions of how fortunate Arty is in the people she meets on her journey.

Overall: If you enjoyed Flora Banks but perhaps weren't so keen on Ella Black, I'd encourage you to read The Girl Who Came out of the Woods, both for its loveable heroine and the vibrancy of its Indian setting.

I absolutely loved The One Memory of Flora Banks so I was thrilled to be approved for this book, and even more thrilled to discover it is just as enjoyably twisty as her previous book.

I'm an Emily Barr fan like many others and I was delighted to be given the opportunity to read her latest novel "The Girl Who Came Out of the Woods". This was a fabulous read and although this one was quite different to her other books, I certainly wasn't disappointed!

The author executed a fascinating premise really wonderfully for me. I was fully engaged the whole time and felt a great emotional connection to the characters. The creativity of this story was also apparent in its structure, as it was told from two perspectives - the 'then' and 'now'. I loved this split of perspectives and chapters because it helped to keep my interest. I was very curious to see how the two different threads would be linked and I did not expect what eventually came to light at all, This great story was so well written by Emily Barr and it flowed beautifully.

The characters were all very different, each with alternative intentions. Emily Barr has cleverly written the novel in a way that made me doubt everyone and I was convinced that those who I thought were good, actually were anything but.

I loved the delightful plot twists and the fabulously fulfilling ending. Overall, this book was very light and easy to read, but also touched on some sensitive topics. Emily Barr has written a fantastic book and I think this is a book not to be missed.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Penguin Random House UK via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I thought this had a really interesting concept when I read the synopsis on Netgalley so I immediately put in a request and was lucky enough to be approved. I have a weird fascination with cults and similar kinds of groups who live seperate from the rest of society so I was interested to see how this story would play out.

There are two distinct sections to the books, one part takes place in the present and follows Arty as she leaves her commune and enters into the 'real world' and her attempts to contact family on the outside. The second sections are interwoven with the main narrative and we get glimpses of someone being held prisoner in a basement and their attempts to escape. These parts, whilst short, really did have me on tenterhooks as I was constantly theorising on how someone ended up in the basement and who was it that was keeping them captive and why. There were times when it got a little confusing and I did end up wondering how it was going to link up with the main story and in the end it didn't really add much to the plot other then setting up the 'big twist'.

The main character Arty was intelligent and inquisitive, she's very headstrong and intuitive for someone who has spent her entire life living in the woods. It did actually make me quite anxious reading about her trying to find her way around Mumbai cause I was so scared that someone was going to take advantage of her. She was an interesting character and I did enjoy reading about her journey and about her discovering how the modern world works.

The couple of problems I had about this book centered around the fact that this was marketed as a thriller and I just didn't get that feeling from the book. This felt more like a coming-of-age story and it was a good one but I was disappointed that I didn't get the thriller I was hoping for. I guess the parts of the book set within the basement were supposed to be the thrilling part but the big twist at the end didn't fulfill my hopes for how the plot was going to go. I also wasn't a big fan of the ending, I thought one of the characters being reintroduced wasn't necessary or believable and it definitely lessened my positive feelings about the book slightly.

Overall, I think this book had really strong writing and a main character that you root for but the twist at the end was disappointing and didn't fit with the book being marketed as a thriller in my opinion. I wanted something darker but got an ending that was tied up in a neat little bow instead.

I absolutely loved the idea within this book. I know that I for one sometimes would like nothing more than a haven away from the world! However, this book shows that the modern world has a habit of catching up with you no matter how isolated you believe yourself to be.

Told from the perspective of 16 year old Artemis, a girl both intelligent but naive and her struggles as her whole life is turned completely upside down. The chapters a interwoven beautifully with an intense account that leaves you guessing and on the edge of your seat! Barr is brilliant at keeping her audience gripped and only drip feeding hints until the very end!

A very intriguing premise for a novel. Told from the perspectives of Arty, a teenager who lives in a secluded matriarchal community and a mysterious figure who is being held captive at an unknown point in time. Arty is forced by circumstances to leave her idyllic community and seek her way in the world. I absolutely loved the way the author describes the way that Arty sees and deals with the outside world and it makes the reader think about things that we take for granted such as using phones and social networking. She meets some interesting people on her journey and both her plot and the mystery of the person in captivity keeps the reader gripped. I read this on Pigeonhole and it kept everyone guessing right up until the end. Highly recommended YA, this is not a genre I read often but it is the type of book anyone would enjoy.

This is such an incredible book. Completely not what I had expected. is an incredible book. I read it in the span of two days, often unwilling to to put it down even for a moment. The characterisation was well written, all the characters fit into the story and do something that furthers the plot. Arty is definitely my favourite character. Her story is inspiring and at times heartbreakingly sad, sometimes funny and other times it keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting to shield her from the crazy world of this book. The author manages to create one of the most realistic characters I have ever read about. Arty is unrealistically human and bears true struggles that I think a lot of people may relate to.

There's an underlying message about the heroic strength of women- this is represented by Arty herself, and the women who raised her including her own mother, her grandmother, and all the women we get to meet.

Truly a beautiful, enjoyable read that I will be sharing to everyone that I meet.

4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK Children’s Penguin for an advanced reader's copy of 'The Girl Who Came Out of the Woods' by Emily Barr

Arty grows up in a small community in a Indian forest free from interference from "the world" until one day she has to leave with her younger brother to find help.

I wanted to give up this book, only a few pages in, I still wanted to give it up at 10 and 15% through. However, I am so glad I didn't. I found it difficult at first to get to grips with the two narratives, the second narrative being so short each time just led t me bewildered. However the author has used that brevity to great effect and brought two timelines together seamlessly. The writing at times seemed a little naive but overall it worked. and fits with the genre of Young Adult which is I suspect its rightful home.

The characterisation was very well done both of Arty and of the people she meets as she leaves the forest. The author has captured the spirit of her re-emergence into society and how she deals with the modern times

I absolutely loved this book. What a talent Emily Barr has for creating flawed but endearing and fascinating characters. I was right behind Arty all the way through her amazing physical and emotional journey. The parallel story line in the different timeline created a great atmosphere of suspense. All in all an absolute triumph.

This is an unusual tale of a young girl named Artemis who has grown up in a tiny matriarchal commune in the woods of India, not far from Mumbai. All Arty has ever known is her small family group who all have the names of Gods and Goddesses, and who have shunned the real world in order to go back to basics. Having been brought up this way, in a sheltered community where just once a year at Kotta they get Kingfisher beer and Dairy Milk, Arty is wonderfully naïve. However, when a tragic situation occurs, Arty is forced out of the woods to try and get help, and once the secret of her life is out, it’s out. She’s all over social media as the girl who came out of the woods. Events spiral quickly, and Arty sets out to find a woman called Tania, who used to be part of the commune, and who is in contact with Arty’s Mum’s family, back home in Britain.

With such a sheltered upbringing, it’s not surprising that Arty comes into contact with the world outside the woods and doesn’t like what she finds. She trusts everyone at first, then suddenly realises that not everyone is what they claim to be. However she’s smart, determined and resourceful, so can she evade capture from the authorities even with her face plastered all over Facebook and Twitter?

This is a thought-provoking book. It makes you think about how in many ways people are defined by their upbringing, and how difficult it can be to step outside your reality, and face a new one.

I would like to thank the publishers, the author, Netgalley and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this book for free; this is my honest and unbiased review.

3.5/5

I haven’t read any of Emily Barr’s books before now, but I did find her writing style easy. The storyline moved along fairly quickly, but I did find that the way in which Arty adjusted so quickly to the outside world when she had to leave the shelter of her small isolated community, was rather unbelievable. Overall, the reveal of who was in the cellar was a surprise, which is always good and there was a nice satisfying ending, but I think it is a YA book and I might be a little old to find it really was my ‘thing’.