In the deep wilderness of ancestral land, the forest chooses its protectors. For generations, the Grove has kept its secrets—and its prisoners—hidden in roots of living amber. Aiyana, a humble herbalist, never expected the forest to call her. But when the Grove's hunger begins stealing lives from her people, she must journey into its heart with a band of warriors, risking not only her life but her spirit. Inside, they find a truth older than memory: the Grove's first protector still lives, twisted by centuries of duty and desire. To save the living and free the lost, Aiyana must face the forest's judgment—and decide what deserves to grow and what must be cut away. A sweeping tale of courage, ancestry, and the quiet power of purpose, Code of the Heartwood weaves Native Canadian traditions into a gripping fantasy-adventure that asks: What will you protect when everything is at risk?