Review: Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee

Title: Forest of Souls

Author: Lori M. Lee

Series: Shamanborn #1

Genre: Fantasy/Magic

Publisher: Page Street Kids

Publication Date: June 23rd, 2020

Edition: Kindle Edition, 400 pages

Source: Library

Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | BAM

Synopsis:

     Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she’s intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen’s next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo.

   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.

    I knew nothing about this book going into it beyond that I really loved the author's other books, and what I read of the synopsis. That's typically good enough for me, and this book did not disappoint. 

    I gotta say, that the characters were one of my favorite things about this book, Sirscha and Saengo have a fantastic friendship. They had a great connection long before the events that kick off the plot. I really loved seeing a plot that is based in friendship, I want more books like this. The side characters were also very well done, and I liked them too, but the main characters and their friendship took center stage for me. 

I wish Kendra, Sirscha's mentor, had been in the book more. She might have a bigger role in the sequel. 

    There was a lot going on in this book, but none of it felt like a waste of time. The side plots of everything all tied in together by the end of the book, and I am very excited to see where more of this heads.

    The magic system is something that I wish had been explored a little more. I had a hard time picturing some of it. And there wasn't a lot of character description, I would have liked more of that as well, and a map. I'm a very visual person, and sometimes need maps to visualize the world and distance especially when it involves characters traveling.

    The reveal with Ronin at the end wasn't really that surprising, but as it was hinted at through the book, I don't consider that a bad thing. That's just good foreshadowing. But the cliffhanger was more of a surprise and what makes me very excited to read the sequel. I requested the sequel from NetGalley, so here's to hoping that I get approved.