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. 😢
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. 😢
Spoiler
rip Phaut. you will be missed.Spoiler
kalie_universe_pristineprose's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
nicolemhill's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a minute since a series starter actually made me really hungry for the next book. This one did. Maybe that's because the magic of wielding elements hit me perfectly as I watch Avatar: The Last Airbender. Or maybe it's because Lee is as skilled at crafting characters as she is at building a world.
Other notables and things I found refreshing: women in control without it being A Thing; no love triangles; solid bond of female friendship; main character who could fight but also has decent decision-making skills; haunted woods; action without being overstuffed; Magic Orphan™️.
Other notables and things I found refreshing: women in control without it being A Thing; no love triangles; solid bond of female friendship; main character who could fight but also has decent decision-making skills; haunted woods; action without being overstuffed; Magic Orphan™️.
bopip's review against another edition
4.0
This is a story of a little part of an ENORMOUS worldbuilding. You can have an idea of the world thanks to the glossary, but then you will have bits of information little by little.
Also, there is no romance. ¡¡YAY!! The plot is so fast-paced that there is no room for romance. Sirscha has to go to one point to another without almost resting (or thinking). It kept me hooked and, though I have some theories about it, really wanted to know what would happen.
spiringempress's review against another edition
3.0
"They are innumerable, a forest of souls so ancient that their original forms, whoever they might have been once, have long since withered. They are shapeless beings now, warped by the magic that binds them here, by the decay of long years their own nurtured wrath."
Captivated by the gorgeous cover, I decided to read Forest of Souls and discover what the haunting girl on the cover is all about. The story follows Sirscha Ashwyn, an orphan abandoned by her family, who has grown up in the Royal Army. Determined to become the next Queen's Shadow, a spy employed by the ruling monarch of Evewyn, Sirscha is willing to do anything to prove herself to her master, Kendara, and become her apprentice. When her chances of earning the apprenticeship are threatened, Sirscha disregards her military orders and seeks out an opportunity to prove herself to Kendara. However, this only ends in misfortune as her best friend, Saengo, dies and awakens Sirscha's dormant powers.
This causes a chain reaction as Sirscha discovers that she is a shaman and not just any shaman, but a soulguide, the first in living memory. As a result, Sirscha is summoned to the court of the Spider King, who has kept the peace between the three realms for centuries through control of the Dead Woods. This is an ancient forest that is possessed by souls and creates a barrier between the human kingdom, Evewyn, the shaman ruled Nuvalyn Empire, and Kazahyn, which is inhabited by shadowblessed clans. The Spider King gives Sirscha a task, she must use her powers to cull the Dead Woods and broker peace between the three kingdoms before it is too late.
Action-packed and filled with multiple twists,Forest of Souls focuses more on delivering lots of exciting fights, daring rescues, and subterfuge rather than world-building or developing a character arc for Sirscha. At the start, Lee spent a lot of time fleshing out Sirscha's background in the Royal Army, how she was treated as an outcast, as well as, how the chance to become Kendara's apprentice would finally prove that she was meant for something greater. It also introduced Sirscha's relationship with Saengo and how the two became fast friends despite their different upbringings and social positions. While this felt like the beginning of Sirscha's arc, it eventually fell to the wayside in favor of advancing the plot through action instead of focusing on Sirscha actually learning her shaman powers.
Additionally, this focus on the different action plot points also means that the world-building is bare minimum. For example, Lee fails to flesh out the three kingdoms beyond the conflict that exists between them. Instead, this tension between Evewyn, Nuvalyn, and Kazahyn is never fully explained and choices, such as the Evewyn kingdom banning shamans, feels disjointed and simply exist to advance Sirscha to her next plot point. As a side note, the shadowblessed and their powers are never fully articulated but one possessing the ability to create gateways comes along at the right moment to transport Sirscha across a long distance. It just feels convenient and does not create a realistic world.
Captivated by the gorgeous cover, I decided to read Forest of Souls and discover what the haunting girl on the cover is all about. The story follows Sirscha Ashwyn, an orphan abandoned by her family, who has grown up in the Royal Army. Determined to become the next Queen's Shadow, a spy employed by the ruling monarch of Evewyn, Sirscha is willing to do anything to prove herself to her master, Kendara, and become her apprentice. When her chances of earning the apprenticeship are threatened, Sirscha disregards her military orders and seeks out an opportunity to prove herself to Kendara. However, this only ends in misfortune as her best friend, Saengo, dies and awakens Sirscha's dormant powers.
This causes a chain reaction as Sirscha discovers that she is a shaman and not just any shaman, but a soulguide, the first in living memory. As a result, Sirscha is summoned to the court of the Spider King, who has kept the peace between the three realms for centuries through control of the Dead Woods. This is an ancient forest that is possessed by souls and creates a barrier between the human kingdom, Evewyn, the shaman ruled Nuvalyn Empire, and Kazahyn, which is inhabited by shadowblessed clans. The Spider King gives Sirscha a task, she must use her powers to cull the Dead Woods and broker peace between the three kingdoms before it is too late.
Action-packed and filled with multiple twists,Forest of Souls focuses more on delivering lots of exciting fights, daring rescues, and subterfuge rather than world-building or developing a character arc for Sirscha. At the start, Lee spent a lot of time fleshing out Sirscha's background in the Royal Army, how she was treated as an outcast, as well as, how the chance to become Kendara's apprentice would finally prove that she was meant for something greater. It also introduced Sirscha's relationship with Saengo and how the two became fast friends despite their different upbringings and social positions. While this felt like the beginning of Sirscha's arc, it eventually fell to the wayside in favor of advancing the plot through action instead of focusing on Sirscha actually learning her shaman powers.
Additionally, this focus on the different action plot points also means that the world-building is bare minimum. For example, Lee fails to flesh out the three kingdoms beyond the conflict that exists between them. Instead, this tension between Evewyn, Nuvalyn, and Kazahyn is never fully explained and choices, such as the Evewyn kingdom banning shamans, feels disjointed and simply exist to advance Sirscha to her next plot point. As a side note, the shadowblessed and their powers are never fully articulated but one possessing the ability to create gateways comes along at the right moment to transport Sirscha across a long distance. It just feels convenient and does not create a realistic world.
rosiekorzie's review against another edition
3.0
Awesome ending, not my usual style of book but kept me intrigued and that cliffhanger was really well done.