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shmadsie's review against another edition
2.0
This was so, so, so repetitive. It felt like the chapters were just carbon copies of each other with only the subtlest of differences. I liked that we got Elan back but that's about all I can say that really stood out as something good.
bookly68's review against another edition
4.0
This was a perfect ending to a fantastic duology. I loved Lakesedge and I was excited to read this book! This is a very unusual, strange, dark, gothic, romantasy. I love that kind of story, and this duology hit the mark perfectly.
The characters are very different, touched by magic in different ways, touched by the Lord Under and his darkness. Rowen and Violeta (Leta) are such a powerful couple. Rowan has become monstrous from the Lord Under, and Violeta’s brother has also been changed by the Lord Under.
The end of Lakesedge ends has you wanting to read this book right away, so if you’re just diving in to this story be thankful that you don’t have to wait to see what happens. The world of the Lord Under is explored in this book, and the author did a wonderful job in bringing this world to life for us. I do wish there had been a few chapters in the Lord Under’s POV, but I still loved this story anyway. I think that this is going to stay with me for quite a while. Also, Forestfall is a great book to read in the fall. I’m glad I was able to read it when I did!
The characters are very different, touched by magic in different ways, touched by the Lord Under and his darkness. Rowen and Violeta (Leta) are such a powerful couple. Rowan has become monstrous from the Lord Under, and Violeta’s brother has also been changed by the Lord Under.
The end of Lakesedge ends has you wanting to read this book right away, so if you’re just diving in to this story be thankful that you don’t have to wait to see what happens. The world of the Lord Under is explored in this book, and the author did a wonderful job in bringing this world to life for us. I do wish there had been a few chapters in the Lord Under’s POV, but I still loved this story anyway. I think that this is going to stay with me for quite a while. Also, Forestfall is a great book to read in the fall. I’m glad I was able to read it when I did!
ashleymb94's review against another edition
2.75
Violetta was just a down bad horndog with a martyr complex and Rowan was just a sad boy with anxious attachment issues.
My main complaint about the first installment was the insta-love without there really being any depth to the romance, and lowe and behold Leta just feels that way towards every single character she interacts with, whether they deserve it or not.
The resolution was anticlimactic and convoluted and honestly didn’t make a lot of sense, and none of the side characters were given even an ounce of personality other than being queer.
Leta spends the first book wanting to protect her brother, then doesn’t think of him once while she’s in the underworld because she’s too busy missing a boy she met a couple months ago? Really?
The writing is quality but the story gave me nothing I’m so sorry.
My main complaint about the first installment was the insta-love without there really being any depth to the romance, and lowe and behold Leta just feels that way towards every single character she interacts with, whether they deserve it or not.
The resolution was anticlimactic and convoluted and honestly didn’t make a lot of sense, and none of the side characters were given even an ounce of personality other than being queer.
Leta spends the first book wanting to protect her brother, then doesn’t think of him once while she’s in the underworld because she’s too busy missing a boy she met a couple months ago? Really?
The writing is quality but the story gave me nothing I’m so sorry.
zeladry's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Publishing Group for the Advanced Readers Copy.
I went into this having just finished Lakesedge, which left off on a serious cliff hanger, so I was excited to get this early. The beginning chapters that took place from Violetta’s POV started off pretty strong and I loved her dynamic between her and the Lord Under. I found the Rowan chapters to be be slow and tedious (much like my thoughts on his potential as a romantic lead). I would have preferred quick glimpses into the world above instead of the long drawn out chapters where not much happened.
The power dynamic between Letta and the Lord Under started off heated and intense, very ancient magus bride. However for the life of me I can’t see why she was unhappy…. She had magic again, was basically a queen of the underworld, and had the hot god of the dead bending over backwards to please her….. and yet she would rather have no magic and the sad boring boy on the surface world…. Yes I’m biased towards gods of death… don’t kinkshame,
Without spoiling the end, the way Violeta resolved the problem in the underworld, wasn’t in anyway unique to her own powers, she spent a lot of effort getting some information she probably could have just asked for if she wasn’t busy being so stubborn. So that was a little frustrating.
The three new characters that were introduced were really cool! Liked them a lot. Also lots of fun world building in the under world.
The writing is good and what Clipstone is really good at is atmosphere. This certainly checked the fall atmosphere box.
I went into this having just finished Lakesedge, which left off on a serious cliff hanger, so I was excited to get this early. The beginning chapters that took place from Violetta’s POV started off pretty strong and I loved her dynamic between her and the Lord Under. I found the Rowan chapters to be be slow and tedious (much like my thoughts on his potential as a romantic lead). I would have preferred quick glimpses into the world above instead of the long drawn out chapters where not much happened.
The power dynamic between Letta and the Lord Under started off heated and intense, very ancient magus bride. However for the life of me I can’t see why she was unhappy…. She had magic again, was basically a queen of the underworld, and had the hot god of the dead bending over backwards to please her….. and yet she would rather have no magic and the sad boring boy on the surface world…. Yes I’m biased towards gods of death… don’t kinkshame,
Without spoiling the end, the way Violeta resolved the problem in the underworld, wasn’t in anyway unique to her own powers, she spent a lot of effort getting some information she probably could have just asked for if she wasn’t busy being so stubborn. So that was a little frustrating.
The three new characters that were introduced were really cool! Liked them a lot. Also lots of fun world building in the under world.
The writing is good and what Clipstone is really good at is atmosphere. This certainly checked the fall atmosphere box.
whatyoutolkienabout's review
5.0
As always I want to start by saying that I was given a copy of this to review. My review is honest and left voluntarily and avoids spoilers. #TitanBooks #Forestfall #LyndallClipstone #Lakesedge #Netgalley
Forestfall is the hauntingly beautiful sequel to Lakesedge. Following the lives of Violeta and Rowan as they try to pick up the pieces after the climax of Lakesedge. The curse had been broken but it took Violeta to sacrifice everything to ensure the Corruption did not return.
To escape her fate of death Leta makes a bargain with the Lord Under, one that sees her living by his side and while he claims to give her everything he promised something pulls Leta away. Discovering herself still bound to Rowan, Leta stops at nothing to try and reforge their connection but it is not just the Lord Under Leta will have to overcome to make her way back home but things are never easy, less so when there is the pull of a new, dark power.
Forestfall takes all that made Lakesedge stand out making it one of my favourite reads and Forestfall arguably doubles it. An atmospheric and mesmerising sequel, Clipstone takes us deeper into the enchanting darkness. It is lush and beautiful, with a deeper glimpse into the land of the Dead. I have to say I may have adored this just a touch more than Lakesedge. I loved that old characters returned but the inclusion of the new ones as well namely Lord Under’s sisters.
I adored the darkness in this book, it was dangerous but beautiful. Clipstone is a master at crafting a macabre world and bringing it to life. You are easily transported to the locations in your mind and the writing style flows in such a way that you cannot help but be hooked.
Another factor I loved was the dual point of views in the book of Leta and Rowan. To get a deeper insight into Rowan and his love for Leta was just perfection. Continuing touches of the maiden and monster trope I adored seeing this evolve in the second book. In short this duology is arguably one of my favourites. It has elements of the classic gothic tales, beautiful and haunting locations, and a love that can even conquer death.
Forestfall is the hauntingly beautiful sequel to Lakesedge. Following the lives of Violeta and Rowan as they try to pick up the pieces after the climax of Lakesedge. The curse had been broken but it took Violeta to sacrifice everything to ensure the Corruption did not return.
To escape her fate of death Leta makes a bargain with the Lord Under, one that sees her living by his side and while he claims to give her everything he promised something pulls Leta away. Discovering herself still bound to Rowan, Leta stops at nothing to try and reforge their connection but it is not just the Lord Under Leta will have to overcome to make her way back home but things are never easy, less so when there is the pull of a new, dark power.
Forestfall takes all that made Lakesedge stand out making it one of my favourite reads and Forestfall arguably doubles it. An atmospheric and mesmerising sequel, Clipstone takes us deeper into the enchanting darkness. It is lush and beautiful, with a deeper glimpse into the land of the Dead. I have to say I may have adored this just a touch more than Lakesedge. I loved that old characters returned but the inclusion of the new ones as well namely Lord Under’s sisters.
I adored the darkness in this book, it was dangerous but beautiful. Clipstone is a master at crafting a macabre world and bringing it to life. You are easily transported to the locations in your mind and the writing style flows in such a way that you cannot help but be hooked.
Another factor I loved was the dual point of views in the book of Leta and Rowan. To get a deeper insight into Rowan and his love for Leta was just perfection. Continuing touches of the maiden and monster trope I adored seeing this evolve in the second book. In short this duology is arguably one of my favourites. It has elements of the classic gothic tales, beautiful and haunting locations, and a love that can even conquer death.
loftyace's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
hviareadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the first book, didn't love the sequel. I feel like the love affair with Death is not necessary, and overall I think she should have just ended the series with the first book. It felt like Forestfall was a different genre almost.
That being said, I still really enjoyed the book. I stopped thinking of it as a sequel and that made me actually like the characters more. I also have to say the whole Fury line going with the sisters was great. I also always love the whole "your name gives people power over you" plot.
That being said, I still really enjoyed the book. I stopped thinking of it as a sequel and that made me actually like the characters more. I also have to say the whole Fury line going with the sisters was great. I also always love the whole "your name gives people power over you" plot.
wisteriamoon's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. This is a great duology and I'm so glad I finished it and so happy with the way it turned out! The writing was exquisite! I loved the Hades and Persephone/Orpheus and Eurydice vibes! (I will say, those are just vibes, the story is completely different but if you liked those two stories you might like this!) I loved the messages here; however, I will say... it got a little, um, spicier than I expected! Like, this one is heavy romance! So. Keep that in mind. For me, it was also pretty dark, so I will say that this is definitely for an older YA audience. Still, there's a place in my heart for this series and I love it, even if it's not quite in the hall of favorites!
amakoo87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
pumpernickle's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0