A review by mixedreader
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana

adventurous emotional 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? No

4.75

Lore of the Wilds is a romantasy, outside of my normal genres, but I was initially attracted to its multicultural main character and academia/bookish leaning plot. And within pages, my guard went down and I was swept quickly into the story. 

Lore’s human village is caught in a magical trap, and vulnerable to Fae lords who can wield painful magic over them without a care. When a powerful Fae needs Lore’s encyclopedic knowledge to help clear a library and find a sacred book, they offer a deal with her that would save her village. Finding this sacred text may also provide the key to cultivating her own magic, which takes Lore on a deeper and more dangerous adventure.

The characterization, the heart of this book, is so good. Each character makes decisions from a place of community care and resolve, making it impossible not to cheer for them. Lore’s got the “heart of a healer” and is determined to call in her own destiny. I absolutely see this as a book with movie or series potential, as _____’s imagery was rich in detail without any sense of overwhelm. Every physical detail adds to the plot, particularly in Lore’s calling in and visualizations of the voices of the sacred book. ____ writes of this connection: “Well, I suppose that is just another way that the book is unique. It chose you, and so you have access to its Source.”

I’m glad to be chosen to share Lore of the Wilds with you today and urge you to check it out!