Reviews

Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee

courtsport3000's review

5.0

Special thanks to Page Street Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Forest of Souls completely blew me away! I found the premise interesting from the synopsis, but I never expected to be drawn in so fully. I was hooked from the first few pages and the pace never let up. This book was consistently strong from start to finish with not even a hint of lag anywhere in the middle. I can’t recommend this title highly enough.

The characters are diverse, complex, and interesting. The world-building is lush and vivid but without overbearing amounts of detail. I also really enjoyed that this world clearly has deep, deep lore but Lee chooses to pepper it in here and there which prevents the history lessons from becoming overwhelming or difficult to remember. You get a sentence or two to provide context, but then she saves the rest for later. This method enticed my curiosity and helped draw me even further into the story, which is very clever on the author’s part.

The magic system is fascinating. It includes enough familiar elements that it is easy to grasp right from the beginning of the story but also features several unique bits that make it feel new, fresh, and unique to Lee’s story – another clever move by the author to generate reader interest while minimizing the amount of work the reader has to do in order to understand and follow the story.

This book was amazing. I tore through it at an alarming pace and could never get enough. I’m very eager for the sequel and plan to immediately seek out other works by Lee to hold me over in the meantime. A billion out of a billion stars.

stateofiction's review against another edition

it's not you, it's me. I firstly, was misunderstood about the plot. my bad. so as I read and readjusted my expectations, I realized I just didn't care and didn't want to be reading it. sure I could push through, but for what? sucks because this is signed and personalized, but maybe one day I'll come back

myfavoritefiction's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

bookheart_dreams's review

4.0

3.75

luna_rondo's review

4.0

Can't wait for the sequel!

iphigeniad's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

aquariusashley's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

juliterario's review

2.0

Admito que le di una chance a este libro sólo por su portada. Se veía interesante, como un libro de fantasía diverso distinto a lo usual, por lo que me aventuré en esta lectura sin esperar demasiado. Lamento decir que desde los capítulos iniciales me sentí decepcionada. Estuvo bien pero... no lo recomiendo :(

Forest of Souls posee un mundo y un sistema de magia de lo más originales, aunque un tanto contradictorio. Este libro está siendo difundido como "fantasía asiática", por lo que esperaba una historia que representara dicha cultura y presentara un mundo acorde. Pero esto no es fantasía asiática, y la autora misma lo ha dicho. Forest of Souls es más un libro de "personas asiáticas en la fantasía". Es una combinación de los clichés occidentales de la fantasía que hemos visto mil veces en la literatura, pero esta vez protagonizado por personas asiáticas. Sí, el libro tiene algunas influencias culturales correspondientes y el sistema de magia está bastante inspirado en el shamanismo, pero eso es todo. En lo personal, no me pareció muy entretenido y creo que si hubiera tenido mayores influencias asiáticas, me habría gustado. No es que esto esté mal, solo que mis gustos personales no lo disfrutaron. Defiendo la "literatura asiática" y los libros de "personas asiáticas en las historias de siempre", y quiero difundir ambas categorías. En cuando a lo que más disfruto leer, sin embargo, es encuentra la primera categoría.

La novela de Lee se trata de intentar pertenecer cuando todo el mundo parece querer que no pertenezcas. Es sobre lealtades impulsadas por inseguridades y sobre descubrir nuestro valor personal frente a las adversidades. Es sobre espionaje, amistades femeninas incondicionales, y más. Es fantasía oscura, con un mundo creativo y único y moralejas hermosas. Lamentablemente, no llegó a mí en lo personal y me aburrió muchísimo. Siento que podría haberme encantado pero... no sé... solo no funcionó para mí. Una pena, lo sé :(

willowmae's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Very good, love the ending can’t wait for the next book

nique's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

i enjoyed the plot! it’s so interesting, and it had me gripping my tab because i wanted more!! 

Sircha’s a bad ass and i’m excited to learn more about her. and what more she can do. i hope her decisions on this book has good effects on the sequel. i want more of the secondary characters, as well. and i don’t want more losses. 😢

rip Phaut. you will be missed.