A Dark Forgetting Summary, Characters and Themes

A Dark Forgetting by Kristen Ciccarelli is a haunting and atmospheric fantasy that blends folklore, memory, and music into a tale about identity and love. The story follows Emeline Lark, a rising folk singer whose performances awaken strange magic tied to her forgotten past.

When her beloved grandfather goes missing, she returns to her hometown of Edgewood, where ancient legends of the Wood King and tithes to the forest come to life. Her search draws her deep into a realm of enchanted cities, cursed creatures, and dangerous bargains—forcing her to confront not just the darkness in the woods, but the truth about her family and herself.

Summary

Emeline Lark, a young folk musician living in Montreal, has always been haunted by visions of her hometown’s forest whenever she sings. Moss creeps underfoot, beetles scuttle over her clothes, and the scent of earth surrounds her—signs that the magic of Edgewood still clings to her.

After a strange man watches her performance and her grandfather Ewan goes missing from his care home under mysterious circumstances, Emeline returns home. The townsfolk whisper that the Wood King has taken him as a tithe, an ancient custom where human lives are offered to the forest’s ruler.

Skeptical but desperate, she ventures into the woods, where she encounters monstrous shadow skins and a cold, beautiful stranger who saves her life before vanishing.

Determined to find her grandfather, Emeline accepts the help of Rooke, a raven-winged being called a shiftling. He leads her through a dangerous swamp, guarded by an ancient spirit that demands blood as passage.

When Emeline sacrifices her own blood to save Rooke, they earn entry to the Wood King’s realm—the ethereal King’s City, built of white stone and ivy. There, she demands her grandfather’s release from the Wood King, a chilling figure of water and thorns.

He agrees on one condition: Emeline must become his court minstrel and please him with her songs within a week, or both she and her grandfather will die.

Her first nights in the palace are filled with confusion and grief. Her grandfather no longer recognizes her, lost in his fading memories.

Guided by Rooke and a stoic man named Hawthorne Fell—the King’s tithe collector—Emeline learns that the King’s madness stems from a spreading corruption called the Stain, which is destroying both his forest and mind. To survive, Emeline must retrieve the enchanted music of the long-dead Song Mage.

Traveling with Hawthorne through the cursed lands, she meets Claw, a blind dragon who guards the Song Mage’s relics. To win the creature’s favor, she sings “Hallelujah,” a song that calms even beasts.

Her courage earns her the dragon’s respect and the music she needs, though not without warning—Claw claims Hawthorne will one day betray her. Back at court, Emeline’s fame grows after the tale of the dragon spreads, but she remains uneasy.

At a royal banquet, she meets her old friend Grace Abel, now living among the magical folk. Grace secretly shows her the crypt of the King’s past minstrels, filled with the skulls of those who failed.

She reveals the truth behind the curse: a witch’s vengeance twisted the forest, birthing shadow skins and the Stain. Grace insists that Emeline must flee, but Emeline refuses until her grandfather is safe.

Her defiance soon leads to disaster. During a court performance, Emeline alters one of the Song Mage’s compositions, enraging the King.

He condemns her to death, but Hawthorne intervenes, offering himself as collateral if she can retrieve the lost final piece of the Song Mage’s music. Emeline lies, claiming she knows where it is, and secures two days to find it—on the condition that her grandfather is freed.

Back in Edgewood, she struggles to find the missing song and learns shocking truths. Her mother, Rose Lark, once ventured into the King’s City and returned hollow, later vanishing after Emeline’s birth.

Old photographs and artifacts suggest Rose’s connection to the Song Mage and to the curse itself. In her grandfather’s belongings, Emeline discovers the lost sheet music—“Rose’s Waltz.” But before she can celebrate, a shadow skin attacks.

Using a blessed knife gifted by her allies, she destroys it and rushes back to the King’s City.

Emeline delivers the waltz just in time to save Hawthorne from execution. Their reunion reveals mutual affection born from danger and shared purpose.

Together, they investigate her mother’s past and uncover that the witch who cursed the woods—known as the Vile—is none other than Rose herself, transformed by rage and grief. When shadow skins invade the city, Hawthorne is captured, and Emeline risks everything to rescue him.

She learns that her mother was imprisoned by the Song Mage, her lover and Emeline’s father, and that her transformation into the Vile began as vengeance.

In the climactic confrontation, Emeline enters the Heartwood—the forest’s living core—alongside Grace. The Vile attacks, and Emeline realizes that to save both worlds, she must sacrifice her greatest gift.

She offers her singing voice and dreams to the Heartwood, becoming the new Song Mage and purifying the curse. Her song heals the woods, restores the lost souls, and returns her mother to her human form.

Before fading, Rose embraces her daughter and thanks her for remembering love when she could not.

Peace returns to Edgewood and the King’s City. Emeline, now voiceless, lives quietly between the two realms, her music living only in memory.

Yet one sorrow remains: Hawthorne has become trapped as a hawthorn tree, his soul bound to the forest. When a storm tears through the woods, the tree vanishes, and she finds him reborn—human again but stripped of memory.

She shelters him, waiting for recognition that never comes.

Over time, fragments of memory return to him in dreams. Their paths cross again, their love still buried beneath confusion and guilt.

Though drawn to each other, both fear reopening old wounds. Eventually, when fate brings them together at a royal ball, their argument rekindles passion, and a kiss unlocks pieces of the past.

Slowly, they rebuild what was lost, choosing to face the future together.

By the end, A Dark Forgetting becomes a story not of loss but remembrance—how memory, music, and love can mend what even curses have broken. Emeline’s silence becomes a form of harmony itself, echoing through the healed woods that once tried to claim her, now singing with life once more.

Characters

Emeline Lark

Emeline Lark is the protagonist of A Dark Forgetting, a young woman caught between her musical aspirations and the haunting pull of her family’s mysterious past. A folk singer by trade, Emeline harbors a deep connection to her hometown, Edgewood, though she left it behind to pursue her career.

Her love for music is both a gift and a burden, as it ties her to the magical and dangerous world of the forest that has claimed her grandfather. Her character is defined by her fierce determination and vulnerability.

Emeline is a protector at heart, willing to sacrifice her own dreams, including her music career, in the quest to save her grandfather and unravel the mysteries surrounding her family. Throughout the novel, she grows emotionally, struggling with guilt, fear, and the pain of being rejected by those she loves, especially her grandfather, who no longer recognizes her.

Emeline’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to navigate the delicate balance between her human identity and the power that comes with being the Song Mage, tasked with healing the curse that threatens both her world and the magical realm of the Wood King.

Hawthorne Fell

Hawthorne Fell is a complex figure who initially appears cold and enigmatic, though his true nature gradually emerges as the story progresses. A “shiftling” with a mysterious connection to the Wood King, Hawthorne’s role is pivotal in guiding Emeline through the dangerous world of the King’s City and the cursed forest.

He is a skilled warrior and, at times, a reluctant ally. While he maintains a stoic exterior, there are hints of his internal struggle, particularly with his past mistakes and the guilt he carries.

His relationship with Emeline is one of tension and underlying affection, marked by moments of tenderness, especially as they work together to navigate the cursed world. Hawthorne’s journey is one of redemption, as he confronts his past betrayals and his own fractured emotions.

He is driven by a desire to protect those he cares about, though his complicated feelings for Emeline keep him at a distance. By the end of the novel, his character arc reaches a poignant resolution as he reconciles with his past and embraces his feelings for Emeline, though their reunion is bittersweet and filled with unresolved longing.

Rooke

Rooke is a shiftling and one of the more intriguing characters in A Dark Forgetting, marked by his aloof demeanor and sharp intelligence. He is introduced as an enigmatic figure, initially helping Emeline navigate the treacherous forest and its supernatural dangers.

Though his loyalty remains in question for much of the story, Rooke’s complex relationship with Emeline reveals that he, too, is shaped by the curse that haunts the woods. His interactions with Emeline are often tinged with sarcasm, yet there is a palpable sense of protectiveness beneath his exterior.

As the story progresses, Rooke’s hidden vulnerabilities come to the surface, and his role as both a guide and a potential ally becomes clearer. His motivations are intertwined with the forest’s magic and the political machinations of the Wood King’s court, which positions him as a key player in the larger conflict.

His relationship with Emeline evolves from one of wary partnership to mutual respect, and while his ultimate fate is left uncertain, his character remains a testament to the blurred lines between ally and adversary in a world where loyalty is often dictated by the shifting powers of magic and the forest itself.

Ewan Lark

Ewan Lark, Emeline’s grandfather, plays a central role in the emotional core of A Dark Forgetting. Though his physical presence is limited due to his disappearance early in the novel, his influence looms large over the events that unfold.

Ewan is a man deeply connected to the folklore of Edgewood, having been one of the last to fully understand its magic. His condition, marked by dementia, complicates his relationship with Emeline, as he struggles to remember his granddaughter when she desperately seeks his help.

Despite his deteriorating mental state, Ewan’s deep love for Emeline is clear, and his connection to the land of Edgewood and the ancient lore is revealed to be crucial in understanding the forest’s curse. His character represents the cost of the magical world’s encroachment on the human realm, as his fate is tied to the Wood King’s curse.

Ewan’s eventual fate underscores the novel’s exploration of memory, loss, and the generational trauma that permeates Emeline’s family history.

Grace Abel

Grace Abel is a pivotal character who serves as both a friend and a warning to Emeline. A former resident of Edgewood, Grace initially appears as a guide, helping Emeline navigate the complexities of the King’s City and the dangers that lie within.

She shares a deep bond with Emeline, though their connection is marked by secrets and unspoken tension. Grace’s history is intertwined with the dark magic of the Wood King’s court, and she reveals crucial information about the Song Mage and the curse that has plagued the land.

Her relationship with Emeline is one of mentorship and emotional support, though their paths diverge as Grace becomes increasingly consumed by her desire to escape the curse. Grace’s ultimate sacrifice in the Heartwood reveals the depth of her character, driven by both love and a desperate wish to undo the damage caused by the curse.

Though her story ends tragically, Grace’s actions provide Emeline with the tools and insight necessary to confront the Vile and the forest’s dark legacy.

The Vile (Rose Lark)

The Vile, revealed to be Emeline’s mother, is one of the most complex and tragic figures in A Dark Forgetting. Once a vibrant woman named Rose, she was transformed into a monstrous entity due to the curse placed upon her by the Song Mage, Emeline’s father.

The Vile embodies the themes of lost love, betrayal, and the cyclical nature of suffering that defines the novel. Her relationship with Emeline is one of deep emotional conflict, as Rose’s memories have been stripped away, leaving her in a state of confusion and rage.

Despite her monstrous form, the Vile is not purely evil but rather a victim of the forest’s curse, making her eventual redemption through Emeline’s song a poignant moment in the novel. Her transformation from a fearsome, vengeful creature back into the mother Emeline once knew symbolizes the healing power of love and sacrifice.

The complex emotional layers of the Vile’s character deepen the story’s exploration of family, identity, and the impact of trauma.

Themes

The Power of Sacrifice and Tithing

In A Dark Forgetting, the theme of sacrifice is deeply ingrained within the book’s folklore and narrative. The concept of “tithing” plays a central role throughout the story, particularly in the connection between the human characters and the forest realm.

The Wood King, as a powerful and ancient entity, demands tithes from his people, and these sacrifices are portrayed as both a cultural ritual and a means of survival. This theme is explored through Emeline’s journey to rescue her grandfather, who has been taken as a tithe, and through her own decisions to offer sacrifices in exchange for the lives of others.

In particular, Emeline’s sacrifice of her voice—her music career, the very thing that defines her identity—is an ultimate act of selflessness, both for the greater good of the woods and to save her loved ones. The idea that sacrifices must be made for personal redemption is also illustrated in the transformations of characters like her mother, Rose, and the way the curse spreads in the forest, further emphasizing that healing and restoration often require a personal cost.

The sacrifices made by both Emeline and other key characters, such as the offerings to the Heartwood, are integral to reversing the destructive forces in the story. Through these acts, the narrative reveals the profound power and pain that come with tithing, positioning it as a crucial element for change, whether for personal growth, healing, or the salvation of the world around them.

Guilt, Memory, and the Burden of the Past

The theme of guilt and its effect on memory is vividly explored in A Dark Forgetting, particularly through Emeline’s inner turmoil and her complex relationship with her grandfather and mother. Throughout the story, Emeline is haunted by memories of her past, including her decision to leave her grandfather at Heath Manor, a choice that is laden with guilt.

This guilt manifests as a recurring theme in her confrontation with the shadow skin, a creature that feeds on her fear and sorrow. These dark memories are not just emotional burdens, but they also serve to shape her motivations and actions as she journeys to find her grandfather and redeem herself.

Her relationship with her mother, Rose, is similarly affected by lost memories and the trauma caused by past events. Rose’s transformation into the Vile and the eventual revelation that she and Emeline’s father were connected to the curse of the woods illustrates how the past can linger, distorting and consuming individuals.

Emeline’s quest to reconcile her memories with the present is also symbolized by the forest’s decay, representing how the unresolved guilt and repressed emotions have poisoned not only her life but the world around her. The act of remembering and confronting the past becomes a crucial part of the healing process in the narrative.

Emeline’s ultimate sacrifice of her voice—her music—becomes a symbolic gesture to transcend her guilt and free herself and her family from the weight of history.

The Corruption of Power and Madness

The theme of the corrupting influence of power and the descent into madness is intricately tied to the character of the Wood King and the deterioration of the forest realm. A Dark Forgetting uses the Wood King’s transformation from a majestic and revered figure to a tyrannical ruler to examine the ways in which absolute power warps individuals and their environments.

The King, once a protector of the forest, becomes consumed by the Stain—the curse that spreads through the land and through his mind. As the forest itself decays, so too does the King’s mental state, leading to irrational decisions, cruelty, and the eventual destruction of his own city.

This shift from benevolence to madness highlights how unchecked power can corrupt even the most well-intentioned leaders. In addition, the shifting dynamics of power between Emeline, the Wood King, and the various shiftlings further emphasize the dangers of becoming entangled in a web of manipulation and control.

Characters like Hawthorne, Rooke, and Sable each represent different aspects of this theme—some seeking redemption, others serving as agents of the King’s corrupted rule, while Emeline navigates the complex balance of retaining her autonomy in the face of overwhelming force. Ultimately, the story illustrates that power, when left unchecked, can lead to the complete disintegration of both the individual and the world around them.

The battle between preserving or relinquishing power is a driving force in Emeline’s journey as she decides what she is willing to sacrifice to restore balance.

The Healing and Destructive Power of Music

Music holds a symbolic and literal power in A Dark Forgetting, acting as a tool of both destruction and healing. As a folk singer, Emeline’s voice is not only a part of her identity but also a central weapon in the fight against the curse that plagues the forest.

The Song Mage’s enchanted sheet music, which is passed down as a relic of power, ties her to the ancient magical forces of the woods, and her ability to sing is directly linked to the survival of her grandfather and the ultimate fate of the kingdom. Emeline’s music is portrayed as something that can soothe, as seen in her interaction with the dragon Claw, but it also carries great risk.

The curse that is tied to the Song Mage’s legacy demonstrates how music can serve as both a means of empowerment and destruction. Her ultimate sacrifice—giving up her voice—symbolizes the selfless use of her talents for a greater cause, as she works to undo the curse and restore balance.

Music also serves as a means of connection throughout the story, drawing Emeline closer to the people she loves, such as Hawthorne, while also acting as a barrier between her and others. In the climax, her final act of singing to the Heartwood drives out the curse and heals the land, proving that music, when used with purpose, holds the power to create lasting change.

The contrast between the destructive and healing aspects of music throughout the narrative highlights its duality as both a gift and a burden, something that can either save or destroy depending on how it is wielded.

Love, Loss, and Redemption

The theme of love—its complexities, challenges, and potential for redemption—is explored through the evolving relationships in A Dark Forgetting. Emeline’s love for her grandfather, her yearning to save him from the clutches of the Wood King, drives the central plot of the novel, but her relationships with other characters, particularly Hawthorne, also illustrate the emotional depth of the story.

Their connection is fraught with misunderstandings, betrayals, and sacrifices, yet it remains a source of strength and vulnerability for both characters. Love in the novel is not portrayed as a simple force of attraction; rather, it is shown as something that must be earned, challenged, and sacrificed.

The relationship between Emeline and her mother, Rose, is perhaps the most complicated, as it is tainted by loss, transformation, and the haunting repercussions of past choices. Rose’s love for Emeline is complicated by the curse that has overtaken her, turning her into the Vile, and their eventual reunion is both painful and redemptive.

The final act of redemption in the novel—Emeline’s sacrifice of her voice and her ultimate decision to free her mother from the curse—embodies the transformative power of love. In the end, love is shown as a force that transcends pain, offering the potential for forgiveness and healing even in the most broken of relationships.

The novel presents love as a path to redemption, illustrating that true healing can only be achieved through selflessness, acceptance, and the willingness to confront past wounds.