Publisher: Page Street Kids
Publication Date: June 23, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Adventure Rating: 3 Stars
And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life.
Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood—an ancient forest possessed by souls—to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a soulguide can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for.
Danger lurks within the roots of Forest of Souls, an epic, unrelenting tale of destiny and sisterhood, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Susan Dennard.
*Thank you to the publisher for sending me an e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I LOVE me some Asian Fantasy, so I was really excited to read this one!
It started off with a really strong start. It started off with Sirscha getting back from a mission and talking with her mentor about being this really cool shadow assassin then meeting up with her best friend then you come to find out they ride drakes. So freaking cool. I was so invested from the beginning! Sirscha has a mysterious past, she’s has crazy fighting skills, and she’s sassy. I liked her.
However, the story just didn’t get really far after that. It felt like being on a roller coaster and anticipating the drop but it never comes. She had plenty of adventure but they were all short trips where nothing actually happened. Until the very end. Like the last 5% of the book. Then it ends on a cliffhanger. I liked that part but the majority of the book was a bit lackluster. The beginning and the end were intense but the whole middle was just not.
Things I liked. There is no romance in this book. And that’s totally fine! It stands completely on it’s own! However, I am totally shipping Sirscha and Theyen. Theyen was my favorite. He is mysterious and brooding and sassy. More of him please! I also really liked the magic system. It was very Avatar-y except add in shadow magic and soul magic. It was so cool!
I do want to read book 2. I think this series has a lot of promise so I am excited about that. I also liked the authors writing!
Storied Adventures 
Wonderful review! I’m sorry this didn’t quite work for you. I felt like there were definitely slow parts, and I see what you mean. I totally loved the freaky wood, though. That’s definitely my thing. Also, Theyen is an absolute treasure and I loved him. I really appreciated that there wasn’t any romance, but I wouldn’t be opposed to a Sircsha/Theyen pairing in the future, either. xD
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I did love the wood! That was so cool! And yes! I didn’t mind that there wasn’t any romance, the book was good without it! But not against it either. Haha!
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