juliocesarsalad's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A perfectly fine book, but needs the hand of an editor. The book jumps around various points of view, and between the present and character memories without clear delineation of the various perspectives. There are some writing mistakes, less than ten in the whole book.
The book is fine, but the ending is clear hook for a sequel. However after reading reviews of the sequel I will not continue the series.
The book is fine, but the ending is clear hook for a sequel. However after reading reviews of the sequel I will not continue the series.
thefriendlyabyss's review
3.0
The Forest is a solid book from Justin Groot. The premise is one that will entice you and is worth checking out. Imagine a world where a massive forest existed instead of the oceans we know, where massive beasts and towering predators stalk the place. The idea is page turning.
The best part is that the book is easy to knockout. The writing is straightforward and moves quickly. Some of the pacing and character development is a little a rushed and shoddy, but overall its a decent story and well worth checking out if you're looking for a quick literary bite.
The best part is that the book is easy to knockout. The writing is straightforward and moves quickly. Some of the pacing and character development is a little a rushed and shoddy, but overall its a decent story and well worth checking out if you're looking for a quick literary bite.
jennyf's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
edwardgreen94's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nightmane's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting premise that sadly does not get explored enough. Overall, the writing is good but not without problems. There are filler sentences totally void of any function or meaning which is very sad in a book that is under 200 pages.
The characters are bland-ish and mostly stereotypes. The plot is not very elaborate but it works. This book is a short, quick read and there is nothing extremely terrible in it. Sadly, the implementation doesn't do justice to the idea.
The characters are bland-ish and mostly stereotypes. The plot is not very elaborate but it works. This book is a short, quick read and there is nothing extremely terrible in it. Sadly, the implementation doesn't do justice to the idea.
altruest's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome novel, the premise was extremely interesting and the characters fascinating. The book would have been perfect as a standalone novel, except for one small mystery that wasn't addressed. A sequel would be great, but even by itself the book has given me enough to think about to be completely satisfied.
1cat14's review
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.5
mezilla's review
5.0
Okay, this book is good. The description of life inside the forest is awesome, I kinda wish it were a graphic novel so I could see it myself as the rangers do.
catherinewcai's review
5.0
I had so much fun reading this. The tone of the book is the perfect, unexpected mix of dark and whimsical, and the dreamscape of The Forest involves some seriously delicious imagery. Like, The Forest has pretty much everything you might want in a sci-fi novel: literally lush descriptions, a plot jam-packed with action and overgrown monsters, lovable and often exaggerated (and diverse!! strong women!! PoC!!) characters, plus writing that exhibits such playfulness and downright irreverence at times that you get a pretty good sense of what a fun goofball the author must be at a party (or convention..?)
P.S. I have to rebut a few points in Dominic's review, because I disagree with them so completely. The review criticizes the writing for including descriptions like "horrifyingly gigantic" that sound like they came from "a 10-year-old," but I appreciate the freshness and humility of, for example, describing "orange goo" leaking out of an insect as exactly that.
This reviewer also said the references to Google, Yelp, etc. are "jarring." But I loved how that the mention of these super familiar fixtures contrasted against the totally alien world of The Forest. That had to be done intentionally, and I tip my hat to the cheekiness of it.
P.S. I have to rebut a few points in Dominic's review, because I disagree with them so completely. The review criticizes the writing for including descriptions like "horrifyingly gigantic" that sound like they came from "a 10-year-old," but I appreciate the freshness and humility of, for example, describing "orange goo" leaking out of an insect as exactly that.
This reviewer also said the references to Google, Yelp, etc. are "jarring." But I loved how that the mention of these super familiar fixtures contrasted against the totally alien world of The Forest. That had to be done intentionally, and I tip my hat to the cheekiness of it.
shh_reading85's review
2.0
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Visit me at: Shh I Am Reading for more reviews.
This story has such great potential but it unfortunately fell flat for me. It needs some refinement, such as world building and some major character development.
One would assume that the containment of these monstrous creatures would be the forefront. Animals migrate. As our fossils and current animal migrations, they go where food and water are. I cannot see these animals and insects being part of these forests where oceans once resided. The other issue is that these creatures see us humans as food, we're significantly smaller than them. We're dessert on a good day.
Some of the lack of world building would be the jarring references to modern day conveniences like Google and Tinder. One would think that these forests would mean that the history and legends, myths of that Earth would be far different. Humans explored constantly throughout history, I would think some of that forest was part of the history.
It's really too bad there was little work done on this because seriously, that's an awesome story idea! It makes you think of Jurassic Park and Predator but with giant, carnivorous bugs and animals. Eep!
I know I'd never be able to be a ranger. I faint at the sight of small centipedes now, I can't imagine them as two or three times the size of me. No thanks. Nuh uh.
Good on Justin for trying. I just hope a bit more effort is put into future novels.
This story has such great potential but it unfortunately fell flat for me. It needs some refinement, such as world building and some major character development.
One would assume that the containment of these monstrous creatures would be the forefront. Animals migrate. As our fossils and current animal migrations, they go where food and water are. I cannot see these animals and insects being part of these forests where oceans once resided. The other issue is that these creatures see us humans as food, we're significantly smaller than them. We're dessert on a good day.
Some of the lack of world building would be the jarring references to modern day conveniences like Google and Tinder. One would think that these forests would mean that the history and legends, myths of that Earth would be far different. Humans explored constantly throughout history, I would think some of that forest was part of the history.
It's really too bad there was little work done on this because seriously, that's an awesome story idea! It makes you think of Jurassic Park and Predator but with giant, carnivorous bugs and animals. Eep!
I know I'd never be able to be a ranger. I faint at the sight of small centipedes now, I can't imagine them as two or three times the size of me. No thanks. Nuh uh.
Good on Justin for trying. I just hope a bit more effort is put into future novels.