A review by schomj
In the Forests of the Night, by Kersten Hamilton
4.0
It's not the fastest paced tale out there, but there are so many things I enjoyed about this book that spending the first two-thirds on the set-up was totally ok with me.
What I liked:
1) the humor
Was the first book this funny? I think I need to re-read it, because I laughed lot in this one.
2) the character relationships and the developing romance between Teagan and Finn
I loved how Teagan kept reminding Finn that just because she loves him, she's not giving up college or her dreams for him, and how Finn completely accepts and supports that decision. I also love how Teagan's father handles their relationship:
3) Choices and becoming
This is maybe just a personal thing, but I get annoyed with a lot of the predestination/fate stuff in PNR/UF because it so often seems like a cop out, an excuse not to try or compromise or commit to anything. Therefore, this theme that Ms. Hamilton develops, of making choices and becoming who you choose to be, for good or ill, just delighted me:
What I liked:
1) the humor
Was the first book this funny? I think I need to re-read it, because I laughed lot in this one.
"I'm a librarian," Mr. Wylltson said. "We practice believing six impossible things before breakfast."
"Like rabbits with pocket watches?"
"Like library funding will be available next year."
2) the character relationships and the developing romance between Teagan and Finn
I loved how Teagan kept reminding Finn that just because she loves him, she's not giving up college or her dreams for him, and how Finn completely accepts and supports that decision. I also love how Teagan's father handles their relationship:
"Tea," he said, taking his hand away. "I know you think you love Finn. And he thinks he loves you. But love is something that grows. You've really only known each other for a few weeks. He's a fine young man, and very serious about this. But walk together a little longer before you decide about something like marriage. A lifetime is a long time to be together."
"What if it's not?"
"Ah." Mr. Wylltson was quiet for a long moment. "You have to live each day as if you are creating the future, Tea. As if what you do will last."
3) Choices and becoming
This is maybe just a personal thing, but I get annoyed with a lot of the predestination/fate stuff in PNR/UF because it so often seems like a cop out, an excuse not to try or compromise or commit to anything. Therefore, this theme that Ms. Hamilton develops, of making choices and becoming who you choose to be, for good or ill, just delighted me:
Teagan admitted "I hate it. I hate what I've done. But I've started down that path, haven't I? It's in my blood."
"You've got choices, like any other creature," Finn said. "You can stumble down that road, pretending you can't help it. You can curl up and die of regret and sorrow for what you've done. Or you can get up and fight, even though the battle might be lost."
...
"There's no such thing as 'destiny,' Abigail. Just becoming. Choosing to become what you were created to be, or choosing to walk away from it."
...
"Even Choirboy says Thomas is a bad guy"....
"I've no doubt of it," Mamieo agreed. "But I should have considered not only what he's been, but what he's becoming, shouldn't I? And what part I have in that."