Book 2 of the Juniper Sawfeather Trilogy
Juniper Sawfeather seems to have a talent for finding mythological creatures. Or maybe the creatures are finding her.
The mermaids she saved from the oil spill are long gone. There’s no evidence of them, and she’s been branded as a liar and a fake in the media and at school. Her environmental activist parents have moved on to a protest to save Old Growth trees from being chopped down. June isn’t particularly concerned with this cause, but that changes when she falls asleep at the base of a giant tree and wakes to find herself 40 feet in the air on one of its branches!
From this point on she becomes obsessed with the tree, and it appears the tree is becoming obsessed with her too. Soon, she is trapped 170 feet above the ground, and the magical spirit that resides in the tree isn’t interested in letting her go free or allowing anyone else to save her. Is the tree spirit good or evil? Will Juniper’s feet ever touch the ground again?
ISBN: 978-1-68046-206-7
Read the first chapter free at the Fire and Ice YA Books website.
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Whisper of the Woods won a 2017 New Apple Book Award for Young Adult Fantasy
New to Juniper Sawfeather? Let me introduce you. Juniper is the teen daughter of environmental activists. She's a smart, headstrong, and determined young woman who is somehow able to connect with the mythical creatures of her American Indian heritage.
Start her journey with book 1, Cry of the Sea today. Or pick up the new boxset of all three books for only $6.99!
Try the prequel story "Beneath the Wildflowers" in the FREE anthology Kick Ass Girls of Fire and Ice YA Books. Learn more about how this activist family celebrates the holidays in "Christmas Among the Evergreens" a short story set between books 1 and 2 in the anthology Winter Wonder.
And just so you know, Book 3, Echo of the Cliffs, begins at the moment Whisper of the Woods ends. So, make sure you pick up that book to find out what happens next!
Start her journey with book 1, Cry of the Sea today. Or pick up the new boxset of all three books for only $6.99!
Try the prequel story "Beneath the Wildflowers" in the FREE anthology Kick Ass Girls of Fire and Ice YA Books. Learn more about how this activist family celebrates the holidays in "Christmas Among the Evergreens" a short story set between books 1 and 2 in the anthology Winter Wonder.
And just so you know, Book 3, Echo of the Cliffs, begins at the moment Whisper of the Woods ends. So, make sure you pick up that book to find out what happens next!
REVIEWS of Whisper of the Woods
"Driver does a great job of bringing across such a wonderful visual of the story that the reader becomes part of the story. I felt I was up in the tree with Juniper and also on the ground with her family. I cringed when the tree was hurt. I got cold when Juniper was cold. I wanted to know if she was ever going to be let down or if the tree would take her forever. This is a fantastic young adult series that everyone will enjoy. I can't wait to see if Juniper succeeds on her next quest."
Marla Hanover, Fifth Daughter Reviews
From the first book, Cry of the Sea, I loved Juniper's character. I especially loved that not only was the protagonist a strong female teen, but she was Native American as well; two things that aren't always easy to find in YA. Her pride and fiery character had me hooked to the story, and her struggles, not only as a teen, but a teen of high-profile parents who were often under fire for their activist ways. Whisper of the Woods keeps the mystery, intrigue and action rolling with a surprise ending that I didn't see coming (but LOVED)!
Multicultural Children's Book Day review
"A paranormal/mythological fantasy with a half American Indian protagonist, it was up my alley in multiple ways. Firstly, I appreciated seeing another addition to the realm of books with mixed race main characters. Secondly, of course, you know we love us some spec fic around here.
I also am happy every time I get to read a good quality indie book. Published by Fire and Ice (an imprint of Melange Books), this was a solidly well-written fantasy with a unique premise.. I appreciated the environmental themes (again, topical!) and thought they were incorporated into the plot well, without being heavy-handed.
I am not particularly qualified to address how the depiction of American Indian culture was handled, but as far as I can tell, the author did appropriate outreach and research to address issues of ethnicity, and most importantly, all the characters of color (American Indian or otherwise—there was also "my" sort of Indian in there, too! Heh) were fully fleshed-out individuals. There weren't any "magical Indian" stereotypes to be found—which is the kind of thing I worry about in a fantasy that has mythological elements. Here, the Other isn't exoticized; rather, it's a story about real people with real concerns…and a girl who is just a bit magical, and can see the magic in the world and in her own culture(s)." Finding Wonderland
"A beautiful, yet sometimes eerie story involving a mythical tree spirit... The novel is very suspenseful... I recommend this novel to all Young Adult fiction and fantasy fans."
Lavender Inspiration
"It was a great read and was rich in metaphor. The tree was a perfect reflection of growth and crossing the threshold into adulthood. As June grew as a character, she found herself higher in the tree, until eventually, near its apex, she was at the peak of her womanhood – as beautiful and vast as it is uncertain and unpredictable. As a teen novel, the tree was also a perfect representation of the way every teen feels isolated from the world, and even from themselves, and appeals to the adolescent view they are equal parts hero and damsel in distress, while appealing to the view that the world revolves around them." Adrian McCauley Blog reviews
"The second book in the Juniper Sawfeather trilogy is just as good as the first, if slightly different in tone... Most writers have no idea how to pull off native inspired stuff, and they tend to rely too heavily on insulting mysticism. But this book is very delicate on its treatment of the subject matter. All of the characters are rounded people, and those characters who live on the reserve (or come from it, in the case of Juniper’s father) have varied motivations that reflect real world concerns. Should they cut the giant trees to make money that the reservation needs, or should they preserve this heritage? Once again, D.G Driver has shown that she can take complicated issues and write them well in a YA novel.
"For a book that mostly happens in one location (stuck at the top of a tree) and in the span of a few days, Whisper of the Woods has a lot of action going on and allows us to dig just a little deeper into the minds of the characters.
"All in all, it is a refreshing book, and one that I will recommend to the teenagers in my life."
Marie Does Book Reviews blog
"I absolutely loved this book. The story is well thought out and written well. I love the characters in it especially Juniper. It is one of the novels that I felt I was living through the book. I felt every emotion." Samantha Grayson reviews
"The story behind the tree is laced with Native American legends. Combining with the legends, Driver gives us a story that is entertaining and thought provoking. Driver takes a risk in writing a story
that is about environmental awareness. She does a great job with it by mixing it with the entertaining storyline." - Avid Amy Reviews
"I really enjoyed going on this journey with Juniper and learning more about the legend of the great tree, and it’s tie into the mermaids in Cry of the Sea, especially when I found out at the end that it was based around (I’m sure with creative licenses used at will) a true Indian legend. I was intrigued by the tree’s pull on Juniper from the beginning, how she became obsessed with it and knowing as much information about old trees as she possibly could... This book is clean and very YA appropriate, and I love that there are great messages of caring for the earth, and animals and others woven into to the foundation of this series." AnitaLoves2Read
"Driver’s sequel to Cry of the Sea provides even more about Juniper Sawfeather’s Native American heritage while it brings environmental activism to the forefront. Conflict between brothers, romance, and mysticism all play a part as Juniper finishes her senior year. This book is more than a sequel, it can stand alone or move toward an engaging series." Monday Morning Indie
"I will say Driver is crazy talented and her passion for June's world is apparent. Her writing does keep you intrigued. For anyone who has an interest in environmentalism, and all things mystical this book is for you!" - That Fangirl Author
"I LOVE how this story ties in with Cry Of The Sea. It takes the mermaid premise to a whole new plane. Including the Native American myth was perfect. It took the whole series to a whole new place. I am super excited to see where it goes." - Allie's Opinions
"As book two of the Juniper Sawfeather Novel series, this book does a great job of being able to stand on its own. Any reference to occurrences and happenings from the first book in the series, titled Cry of the Sea, is described in gentle reminders without a rehashing of book one. In Whisper of the Woods, Juniper finds herself struggling with issues of romance, family differences of opinion, and fighting for what she really believes in..." Lisa's Kid Book Reviews
"Driver does a great job of bringing across such a wonderful visual of the story that the reader becomes part of the story. I felt I was up in the tree with Juniper and also on the ground with her family. I cringed when the tree was hurt. I got cold when Juniper was cold. I wanted to know if she was ever going to be let down or if the tree would take her forever. This is a fantastic young adult series that everyone will enjoy. I can't wait to see if Juniper succeeds on her next quest."
Marla Hanover, Fifth Daughter Reviews
From the first book, Cry of the Sea, I loved Juniper's character. I especially loved that not only was the protagonist a strong female teen, but she was Native American as well; two things that aren't always easy to find in YA. Her pride and fiery character had me hooked to the story, and her struggles, not only as a teen, but a teen of high-profile parents who were often under fire for their activist ways. Whisper of the Woods keeps the mystery, intrigue and action rolling with a surprise ending that I didn't see coming (but LOVED)!
Multicultural Children's Book Day review
"A paranormal/mythological fantasy with a half American Indian protagonist, it was up my alley in multiple ways. Firstly, I appreciated seeing another addition to the realm of books with mixed race main characters. Secondly, of course, you know we love us some spec fic around here.
I also am happy every time I get to read a good quality indie book. Published by Fire and Ice (an imprint of Melange Books), this was a solidly well-written fantasy with a unique premise.. I appreciated the environmental themes (again, topical!) and thought they were incorporated into the plot well, without being heavy-handed.
I am not particularly qualified to address how the depiction of American Indian culture was handled, but as far as I can tell, the author did appropriate outreach and research to address issues of ethnicity, and most importantly, all the characters of color (American Indian or otherwise—there was also "my" sort of Indian in there, too! Heh) were fully fleshed-out individuals. There weren't any "magical Indian" stereotypes to be found—which is the kind of thing I worry about in a fantasy that has mythological elements. Here, the Other isn't exoticized; rather, it's a story about real people with real concerns…and a girl who is just a bit magical, and can see the magic in the world and in her own culture(s)." Finding Wonderland
"A beautiful, yet sometimes eerie story involving a mythical tree spirit... The novel is very suspenseful... I recommend this novel to all Young Adult fiction and fantasy fans."
Lavender Inspiration
"It was a great read and was rich in metaphor. The tree was a perfect reflection of growth and crossing the threshold into adulthood. As June grew as a character, she found herself higher in the tree, until eventually, near its apex, she was at the peak of her womanhood – as beautiful and vast as it is uncertain and unpredictable. As a teen novel, the tree was also a perfect representation of the way every teen feels isolated from the world, and even from themselves, and appeals to the adolescent view they are equal parts hero and damsel in distress, while appealing to the view that the world revolves around them." Adrian McCauley Blog reviews
"The second book in the Juniper Sawfeather trilogy is just as good as the first, if slightly different in tone... Most writers have no idea how to pull off native inspired stuff, and they tend to rely too heavily on insulting mysticism. But this book is very delicate on its treatment of the subject matter. All of the characters are rounded people, and those characters who live on the reserve (or come from it, in the case of Juniper’s father) have varied motivations that reflect real world concerns. Should they cut the giant trees to make money that the reservation needs, or should they preserve this heritage? Once again, D.G Driver has shown that she can take complicated issues and write them well in a YA novel.
"For a book that mostly happens in one location (stuck at the top of a tree) and in the span of a few days, Whisper of the Woods has a lot of action going on and allows us to dig just a little deeper into the minds of the characters.
"All in all, it is a refreshing book, and one that I will recommend to the teenagers in my life."
Marie Does Book Reviews blog
"I absolutely loved this book. The story is well thought out and written well. I love the characters in it especially Juniper. It is one of the novels that I felt I was living through the book. I felt every emotion." Samantha Grayson reviews
"The story behind the tree is laced with Native American legends. Combining with the legends, Driver gives us a story that is entertaining and thought provoking. Driver takes a risk in writing a story
that is about environmental awareness. She does a great job with it by mixing it with the entertaining storyline." - Avid Amy Reviews
"I really enjoyed going on this journey with Juniper and learning more about the legend of the great tree, and it’s tie into the mermaids in Cry of the Sea, especially when I found out at the end that it was based around (I’m sure with creative licenses used at will) a true Indian legend. I was intrigued by the tree’s pull on Juniper from the beginning, how she became obsessed with it and knowing as much information about old trees as she possibly could... This book is clean and very YA appropriate, and I love that there are great messages of caring for the earth, and animals and others woven into to the foundation of this series." AnitaLoves2Read
"Driver’s sequel to Cry of the Sea provides even more about Juniper Sawfeather’s Native American heritage while it brings environmental activism to the forefront. Conflict between brothers, romance, and mysticism all play a part as Juniper finishes her senior year. This book is more than a sequel, it can stand alone or move toward an engaging series." Monday Morning Indie
"I will say Driver is crazy talented and her passion for June's world is apparent. Her writing does keep you intrigued. For anyone who has an interest in environmentalism, and all things mystical this book is for you!" - That Fangirl Author
"I LOVE how this story ties in with Cry Of The Sea. It takes the mermaid premise to a whole new plane. Including the Native American myth was perfect. It took the whole series to a whole new place. I am super excited to see where it goes." - Allie's Opinions
"As book two of the Juniper Sawfeather Novel series, this book does a great job of being able to stand on its own. Any reference to occurrences and happenings from the first book in the series, titled Cry of the Sea, is described in gentle reminders without a rehashing of book one. In Whisper of the Woods, Juniper finds herself struggling with issues of romance, family differences of opinion, and fighting for what she really believes in..." Lisa's Kid Book Reviews
AN EXCERPT FROM WHISPER OF THE WOODS
I put my hands back on the tree. A tickling sensation started against my palms, almost like dogs nuzzling their noses into them. I pulled my right hand back and looked at it. Nothing was in my hand; nothing was on the tree. I put my hand against the tree again, in a slightly different spot. The tickling sensation began again, along with a nudging. The bark of the tree swelled beneath my hands until my fingers were wrapped around knobs that seemed to have been pushed out of the tree to perfectly fill the size of my palms.
I stepped on a root and then reached higher to see if there would be another one. Again, I experienced the same sensation of the flat, rough bark suddenly growing into a perfect handhold. I grabbed it. I couldn’t see any more of them above me.
With my weight on my right foot, I lifted my left and scraped at the trunk, trying to find a nodule sticking out far enough to put weight on, but my boot didn’t catch on anything. I reached up higher with my hand, and another knob formed into my palm. Impulsively, I tore the boot off my left foot and tossed it to the ground, followed by my thick sock. I skimmed around the trunk with my bare foot again, and almost instantly my skin found something sticking out of the tree wide enough for my foot and strong enough to hold my weight. I rose two feet off the ground.
Now, with my weight on my left foot, I hurriedly rid myself of my right boot and sock. I reached up again with my left hand this time. Where there had been nothing, I found yet another handhold. My right foot found a spot to land, too. I continued upward. Each bump that grew out of the tree for me was perfectly positioned and precisely the right size for my hands and feet.
When I was thirteen, my dad took me to a gym a few times to have me learn rock climbing. He was preparing me for a trip we might take to Utah where poachers were killing Bald Eagles and the chicks were being left in the nests to die. He wanted us to be prepared to climb to save them if necessary. We never wound up taking that trip. Mom took the company to court, and the operation stopped. When I trained with Dad I’d worn a harness, and there were gym mats at the base in case I fell. This was the first time I’d climbed for real. Nothing was protecting me as I rose higher and higher on this tree, yet I felt certain I wasn’t going to fall. The tree was allowing me to climb up, helping me climb up. The tree wanted me up inside its branches.
In a matter of moments, I passed the branch I’d been found on two weeks ago. I kept going. As long as the tree provided me the hand and footholds, I saw no reason to stop. I didn’t bother looking down. I was too amazed by what was happening – the magical ladder the tree provided. I rose higher and higher until my muscles began to sting, and my shoulders pinched from the workout.
When I felt like I couldn’t climb anymore, the mysterious knobs ceased to form. I felt around above my head, but the tree had stopped providing them, as if it knew I couldn’t go any further. Carefully, holding on to other branches above me, I managed to put a leg over the thick branch beside me and straddled it while leaning my back against the sturdy trunk. Only now did I notice how hard I was breathing and that sweat trickled down from my hairline even though the temperature was still so brisk. I finally dared to glance down. From where I sat I could barely see the ground. Lower branches full of thick sprays of needles blocked most of the view. If I had to guess, I was a good hundred feet up. Probably more.
Fear seized me. My back went rigid, and my arms gripped the trunk behind me. I squeezed the branch with my thighs as tightly as I could. What had I been thinking? I was going to fall. I was going to die. I looked down carefully, hoping to see all the hand and footholds on the trunk that would help me get back down. There wasn’t a sign of them. They had been phantoms.
“I’m trapped.”
No sooner had I spoken those words, than I heard a soft whisper in response: Yes.
I put my hands back on the tree. A tickling sensation started against my palms, almost like dogs nuzzling their noses into them. I pulled my right hand back and looked at it. Nothing was in my hand; nothing was on the tree. I put my hand against the tree again, in a slightly different spot. The tickling sensation began again, along with a nudging. The bark of the tree swelled beneath my hands until my fingers were wrapped around knobs that seemed to have been pushed out of the tree to perfectly fill the size of my palms.
I stepped on a root and then reached higher to see if there would be another one. Again, I experienced the same sensation of the flat, rough bark suddenly growing into a perfect handhold. I grabbed it. I couldn’t see any more of them above me.
With my weight on my right foot, I lifted my left and scraped at the trunk, trying to find a nodule sticking out far enough to put weight on, but my boot didn’t catch on anything. I reached up higher with my hand, and another knob formed into my palm. Impulsively, I tore the boot off my left foot and tossed it to the ground, followed by my thick sock. I skimmed around the trunk with my bare foot again, and almost instantly my skin found something sticking out of the tree wide enough for my foot and strong enough to hold my weight. I rose two feet off the ground.
Now, with my weight on my left foot, I hurriedly rid myself of my right boot and sock. I reached up again with my left hand this time. Where there had been nothing, I found yet another handhold. My right foot found a spot to land, too. I continued upward. Each bump that grew out of the tree for me was perfectly positioned and precisely the right size for my hands and feet.
When I was thirteen, my dad took me to a gym a few times to have me learn rock climbing. He was preparing me for a trip we might take to Utah where poachers were killing Bald Eagles and the chicks were being left in the nests to die. He wanted us to be prepared to climb to save them if necessary. We never wound up taking that trip. Mom took the company to court, and the operation stopped. When I trained with Dad I’d worn a harness, and there were gym mats at the base in case I fell. This was the first time I’d climbed for real. Nothing was protecting me as I rose higher and higher on this tree, yet I felt certain I wasn’t going to fall. The tree was allowing me to climb up, helping me climb up. The tree wanted me up inside its branches.
In a matter of moments, I passed the branch I’d been found on two weeks ago. I kept going. As long as the tree provided me the hand and footholds, I saw no reason to stop. I didn’t bother looking down. I was too amazed by what was happening – the magical ladder the tree provided. I rose higher and higher until my muscles began to sting, and my shoulders pinched from the workout.
When I felt like I couldn’t climb anymore, the mysterious knobs ceased to form. I felt around above my head, but the tree had stopped providing them, as if it knew I couldn’t go any further. Carefully, holding on to other branches above me, I managed to put a leg over the thick branch beside me and straddled it while leaning my back against the sturdy trunk. Only now did I notice how hard I was breathing and that sweat trickled down from my hairline even though the temperature was still so brisk. I finally dared to glance down. From where I sat I could barely see the ground. Lower branches full of thick sprays of needles blocked most of the view. If I had to guess, I was a good hundred feet up. Probably more.
Fear seized me. My back went rigid, and my arms gripped the trunk behind me. I squeezed the branch with my thighs as tightly as I could. What had I been thinking? I was going to fall. I was going to die. I looked down carefully, hoping to see all the hand and footholds on the trunk that would help me get back down. There wasn’t a sign of them. They had been phantoms.
“I’m trapped.”
No sooner had I spoken those words, than I heard a soft whisper in response: Yes.
Is Juniper really trapped? How will she ever get down? Want to find out?
ebook:
Kindle
Nook
Smashwords
Kobo
Print:
Lulu
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
If you'd like a signed print copy, you can order one from Parnassus Books, a Nashville independent bookseller. Just put SIGNED in the order comments. If you put PERSONALIZED, they will have me come by the store and sign it specifically to you!
ebook:
Kindle
Nook
Smashwords
Kobo
Print:
Lulu
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
If you'd like a signed print copy, you can order one from Parnassus Books, a Nashville independent bookseller. Just put SIGNED in the order comments. If you put PERSONALIZED, they will have me come by the store and sign it specifically to you!
And there's more!
Here are some fun guest blog posts I've done about Whisper of the Woods you might enjoy!
A guest post that came out soon after Whisper was released. It contains a recipe for granola trail mix. http://ninamansfield.com/blog1/2015/12/30/book-bites-whisper-of-the-woods/
A guest post I did about how I wrote the entire Juniper Sawfeather trilogy. It explains why I left the mermaids behind to go to the forest. https://descendantofposeidonreads.wordpress.com/2017/11/19/finding-the-threads-to-tie-a-series-together-by-d-g-driver/
Here are some fun guest blog posts I've done about Whisper of the Woods you might enjoy!
A guest post that came out soon after Whisper was released. It contains a recipe for granola trail mix. http://ninamansfield.com/blog1/2015/12/30/book-bites-whisper-of-the-woods/
A guest post I did about how I wrote the entire Juniper Sawfeather trilogy. It explains why I left the mermaids behind to go to the forest. https://descendantofposeidonreads.wordpress.com/2017/11/19/finding-the-threads-to-tie-a-series-together-by-d-g-driver/