It's been awhile since I've had such undiluted delight in a YA fantasy book (a genre I read widely in the past, but have been somewhat avoiding in recent years). Agnieszka was born in a small valley on the edge of a dark and terrible Wood. The trees here are alive, and have malicious intent; humans from the valley are kidnapped, sometimes turned to murderous madness, sometimes feed into the forest itself. The only one keeping back the Wood is The Dragon, one of Polnya's most powerful wizards. His fellow sorcerers (The Falcon, The Willow, The Sword, The Owl and The Splendid) mainly keep to the capital city, forging weapons for the ongoing war against Rosya. Agnieszka is chosen by The Dragon as a combination of servant and deeply reluctant apprentice; until, that is, her best friend is taken by the Wood. Suddenly, Agnieszka understands the need to develop her own growing magical powers. But it may already be too late; the Wood is playing a deep game and Agnieska's hesitations may have already lost her everything- her best friend, her family, her valley home, and the survival of her very nation. This book lives up to the hype in the best way.