To the rakshasa who enslaved my sister: you just made the worst mistake you’ll ever make in your life.
Yes, I’m a hedge dragon. An abomination, or so they call my kind. I’m a loner, but I’m also loyal to my sister. Turns out, the rest of the family couldn’t care less. I’m the only one willing to go after her when she vanishes.
She’s being held in Owlanvine, a city in the desert. To reach her, I must travel through the Poisoned Forest, one of the darkest, deadliest places in Wildemoone. But the Lord of the Hunt and his Lady take pity on me and offer me help.
Now, together with a small band of allies who I swear are more trouble than they’re worth, I’m out to save my sister before she’s lost forever, and before the forest does all of us in.
This is a spinoff of the Wild Hunt Series. You do not need to read the Wild Hunt Series to read the Hedge Dragon Series.
NOTE: I SELDOM visit Goodreads and do very little here. Please see my website for more information on my work: https://galenorn.com
New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and is the author of over 80 books & numerous series, including the Wild Hunt Series, the Moonshadow Bay Series, the Fury Unbound Series, the Otherworld Series, the Bewitching Bedlam Series, and more. She wrote for trad publishers for 20 years until she went indie in 2016.
She’s also written nonfiction metaphysical books. She is the 2011 Career Achievement Award Winner in Urban Fantasy, given by RT Magazine. Yasmine has been in the Craft since 1980, is a shamanic witch and High Priestess. She describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland, WA, with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her web site at Galenorn.com. Sign up for her newsletter at: http://galenorn.com/newsletter/
NOTE: ALWAYS check the website and blog, and please sign up for her newsletter there to keep current with new and upcoming releases. Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter are NOT viable places to find out all this information.
This is a good start to this series. We have familiar old characters that welcome in the new and set them on their course. I really liked Storm, but was so glad that she ran into Kippa and Raven for so many reasons. The first because Kippa got her out trouble, but mostly because while they waiting out the snow storm they were able to give Storm a lot of knowledge that she needed to navigate the world she was going out in. By taking Storm with them to Herne and Ember's wedding, Storm was then put in touch with the next set of people who would help her out, by out fitting Storm and finding people she could trust to help her.
Once this new group was on their way they did good getting to their location. It allowed them to get to know each other and bond. Once at the city they quickly set to finding out what they needed and coming up with a plan. It helped that they found an ally. I was surprised that things went well to find Storm's sister and acquiring her. It was the aftermath that it all went to hell fast. It was easy to understand why Storm wanted retribution, but would have been better to not have exposed herself like that.
In the end it all ended ok and now Storm has a new job, one that will be fun for us to read about as she goes on new adventures.
An all new world is opened for us in this new spin-off series by one of my favorite authors and I find myself giddy with excitement to lose myself in the world of Storm and her new friends. The Hedge Drago Series begins with the story of Storm, a hybrid of the Dragons that we saw unleashed in the Wild Hunt series that were taking over Earth. Storm has lived a difficult life, but now that the gates to the Forgotten Kingdom have been opened, releasing the dragons, her life is about to become even more complicated. Yasmine begins the series with a bit of overlap for those of us that finished out the Wild Hunt series with the novella of Ember and Herne’s wedding. I was especially glad she did this because even with that background we’d have missed out on a lot if we jumped right into Storm story after the Wedding. Storm’s story really begins when she leaves her home on a rescue mission, searching for her sister that has been sold to slavers, but her inexperience with the other realms leads her down a very dangerous and incorrect path. Thankfully she runs into some familiar and friendly faces that offer her the assistance she needs in the form of some new friends that can help her and teach her all she needs to rescue her sister. With her new Allies she sets out through the dangerous new—but correct this time—terrain that will take her to her sister. But the dangers just keep mounting and even if she can rescue her sister can they all get back home safely afterward. Only time, and maybe with a little help from an unexpected ally and some divine intervention, will tell if they succeed. But it's safe to say that either way Storm’s simple life will never be the same again.
This story was definitely filled with a lot of the typical first-in-a-series issues, a lot of world building, character introduction and development, and setup for future storylines and the overall series, but despite that the story moves quickly and it was beyond enjoyable. Storm was a unique, facetious, witty, and intriguing character to watch as she moved through the world with a chip on her shoulder but the ability to trust when she spotted good people. There’s no doubting that she has lived a rough life, but she hasn’t hardened her heart to the plight of others, and it’s obvious she makes connections easily. It was great to meet her new team and watch them begin to develop a connection and bond that you can see will lead to many future interactions both good and bad. Of course, when we see her find lust (love?) for the first time as well, we have hope that a bright future is in store for her there despite the obstacles. Seeing many of our favorite characters from the Wild Hunt was wonderful and knowing that Storm and her team have that support as they go forward in their battles means they will hopefully be better equipped to handle what will be coming their way. I am dying for the next story in this story to say the least because there were so many questions left at the end of the story, though not really cliffhangers, that were there to set up the next story and lead us into the series. Yasmine for sure has another hit on her hands and should be immensely proud of her storm of success😉. Even if you haven’t read the Wild Hunt series, jump into the Hedge Dragons with both feet and I can promise you won’t regret a moment of the adventure you’ll get to enjoy with the rest of us.
The Poisoned Forest is the first installment in Yasmine Galenorn’s Hedge Dragon series, a spin-off of The Wild Hunt. It’s important for potential readers to know that it’s not necessary to have read The Wild Hunt before diving into this one. Certain events from the original series will be mentioned, and you’ll meet a few of the main characters, but you shouldn’t have trouble following the thread of the current story.
Storm is a hedge dragon, a sort of half-blood cast out by full-blooded dragons. She and her family live under the radar, a difficult existence ruled over by an angry and bitter mother. When one of her sisters is sold into slavery, Storm sets out on a dangerous and thrilling adventure to rescue her, forming alliances and discovering hidden strengths along the way.
The novel is on the shorter side, so I don’t want to say more about the actual plot for fear of spoilers. I can tell you that it’s fast-paced, full of everything I’ve come to expect from this author, making this a series I’m eager to read more of. It has a slightly different feel from the author’s other works, since the story doesn’t take place in our world. Instead, it’s set in a realm that is connected to ours, but the geography, politics, and inhabitants are completely different. As I read, I found myself wondering if Storm would eventually make her way to our world. Certain plot elements seem to support this theory, but there’s no way to know for sure until more installments are released.
The Poisoned Forest doesn’t contain romantic elements the way Ms. Galenorn’s books usually do. Knowing her work as I do, I’m guessing the romance will come later in the series. I even have a guess as to the identity of her love interest, and I can’t wait to see if I’m right.
All in all, this was a quick and enjoyable start to a new series. There’s so much potential for character growth here, something Ms. Galenorn excels at writing. Storm is a fascinating heroine I’m excited to learn more about, and the world she lives in is full of magic and mystery waiting to be uncovered.
THE POISONED FOREST is a wild ride from start to finish and one book that continues the Wild Hunt series in a new way with a new cast of characters that really had me intrigued right from the start. We met Storm in Antlered Crown (final book in the Wild Hunt series) and I was thrilled to find out more about this character and about the hedge dragons themselves. The author delves into the worlds around the Wild Hunt in more detail and I found it fascinating to find out more about these worlds/lands and all who live there. For me, THE POISONED FOREST is more than a spin-off of the Wild Hunt series but more of a continuation that explores other areas that series didn’t get into and the characters there we were introduced in this new book kept me intrigued as well as entertained till the very end.
Storm is a character that is very guarded and not to trusting due to her kind being hunted and more in the Forgotten World. I loved finding out more about her and the dragons as well as a few other characters that pop up as well. This author has a knack at creating wild and unique characters that keep you glued to the pages till the very end. The world building is wonderful, and I love that the author gave us a map of how these worlds are connected. It helped me keep track at where Storm and the gang moved along into as the story commenced and went onward. What amazes me is how Ms. Galenorn keeps it fresh and enjoyable in this spinoff. Sometimes I get disappointed if there is a sequel/spinoff but not wit this first book in the Hedge Dragon series. I like how this author is creating a new ‘Wild Hunt’ that will take on a different job(s) than as when Ember joined the group so many books ago. What pleases me is that I can recommend this book even if you haven’t read the Wild Hunt Series though I do highly recommend you read it first then this one as it all ties in eventually.
THE POISONED FOREST gets the new series off on a run and it’s a story that had me captivated till the very end. If you enjoy unique characters, a world that is so vast that the surprises just keep coming and story that twists and turns, then grab THE POISONED FOREST and settle in for one wild adventure. Now I can not wait for book two to get here.
This is an objective review and not an endorsement
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Poisoned Forest was a great first book in this new spin off series from The Wild Hunt series, with the main character, Storm, having appeared in the final book of that series. I was so excited to read her story as I really want to know how she ended up with Raven and Kipa in the first place.
In this book, Storm is on a mission to rescue her sister and finds herself in strange and dangerous lands, when luckily someone appears to save her just at the right moment. That was the very lucky break she needed and with the help of others, she manages to travel to other realms, experience new foods, meet new people and discover who she really is after spending many years being nothing more than a servant to her mother and hiding who she is at her core. Being a hedge dragon, part dragon, part lightning lord, gives her some amazing powers, but never before she has really used these and now is the time to learn how to do so!
I really liked Storm - she was a great character to read about - determined, head strong (sometimes to her detriment though), loyal, yet willing to share her insecurities and doubts. I loved how she started off alone, but by the end had a whole new family and life to enjoy! I can't wait to read more about her and what Storm and her new friends will get up to next and whether they will ever return to Owlanvine to carry out her revenge as she had hoped to do!
The side characters were great too and I hope to see more develop between Storm and Steagis. The reappearance of Herne and Amber, Kipa and Raven was fun too as I loved all these characters in the Wild Hunt series as well. I hope they make other appearances in the rest of this series as well.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author but this review is all my own honest one!
Great start to a new series.- Arc Review This was a great start looking at the lives of the Hedge Dragons in the world of the Wild Hunt. We got a new protagonist Storm, who is fighting to protect her sisters and herself, in a world where their very existence is an anathema.
The mixture of strength and naivety that she displays as a character is both expected by circumstance of her life and enjoyable. And with a healthy amount of dues ex machina, we are able to set her story along the way it needs to go.
Towards the end of the main series I felt some disappointment, the general despair their world was left with given the situations unfolding. And the fact that Angel was never given status beyond side character, while Raven was given her own book, and others would be returning in spin offs of their own. So I was wondering how this one would go. But it seems to be interesting in itself. And the world situation could continue in a fashion where it may end up resolved. And who knows, at some point we might get a queer leading lady, or even a poly one, or both, to shake things up.
All in all it was an interesting read. One that showed the falliability of an untried heroine, unsure in the ways of the world, but trust into the role of protector none the less. I'd encourage you to give it a read.
I really liked this book, another hit by Ms. Galenorn. In Poisoned Forest we find out about another type of dragon and how they have come to be. Story starts out with Storm out hunting and when she returns she finds out her mother has sold her sister to slavers. That is what starts out her adventure into a whole new world. Never having left her home, she is determined to get her sister back. Storm runs into some people that you will recognize from another series by Ms. Galenorn in her Wild Hunt series. They become some really important people in Storm's adventure. Having never had friends before, she earn many along the way to finding her sister Shellsong...I think many people will love this book because of the wonderful world building descriptions and amazing story line... This beginning to a new series will excite you to want to continue on with this series as it comes out and will make you want to read more of Yasmine Galenorn's books...
A Poisoned Forest is book number one in the Hedge Dragon Series. Storm arrives home from a hunt to find out that her mother has sold her sister Shellsong. Storm sets out on an adventure to find her sister only to realize she is way over her head. Being at the right place at the right time Storm receives help from some amazing allies and those allies enlist Tharin, Ayo, and Hajeet to help on her journey.
Will Storm find her sister or has her mother sent on a wild goose chase.
This series has characters from the Wild Hunt so you get to see some familiar faces. But you also get to see how different the realms are and how people live and are treated. The world's that are created are brilliant along with the characters.
I was given an advance reader copy as a gift from the author without obligation, I am providing an honest review.
Holy moly!!! I was honestly sad when the wild hunt series ended, but after reading this new book I realized it didn’t end, it just evolved!! Yes, there are new Characters to fall in love with (and you totally do!) and more exciting, dangerous adventures, set in vivid new lands but the feel is the same and old friends make exciting appearances! I finished this in one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down! I am extremely happy for this new series and can not wait for the next one! Storm is an easy character to love and want to fight along side, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her next! I was given an Advance Reader Copy as a gift from author without obligation. I am providing an honest review.
I was given an Advanced Reader Copy as a gift and without obligation. This is an honest review.
The first book in a new series from Yasmine Galenorn, and it's a must read. The main character is Storm, a hedge dragon. She's on a quest to find her sister and rescue her. Storm meets many new friends and characters from Ms. Galenorn's other series, which I happened to love. Storm also makes new friends to the readers of Ms. Galenorn's work, and they are some of my favorites so far. I cannot wait for the second book. I have to know what Storm and her new group of friends are gonna do. She's a fierce female who is headstrong and I see her adventures being thrilling. This is a great spin-off from the The Wild Hunt series.
In this new Hedge Dragon series, Storm is a Hedge Dragon who is on a mission to save her sister Shellsong. But from who? You need to read this book to find out!! I really enjoyed this book, it is a spin off series of the Wild Hunt Series which I loved!! This book has a more fantasy sword and sorcery feel to it, which I loved and was very interesting!! I read this book in almost one sitting alone, it was just amazing! I will so be reading more in this series!! I would highly recommend this book if you loved the Wild Hunt series!! I was given an advance reader copy as a gift from the author without obligation, I am providing an honest review.
This is the first in series and with that comes the challenges that all first in series have. Such world building. However with this book it wasn’t too much of that I imagine since this is an off shoot of another series of Yasmine’s. I loved this book and I loved learning more about the hedge dragons and all the other creatures encountered along the way on Storm’s quest to rescue her sister. I enjoyed meeting the new characters and getting to know others, such as Tharin, better. This was an exciting book to read and so hard to put down. I highly recommend it to anyone but especially those that are fans of any of Yasmine’s other series.
Once again, a thrilling tale! Reviewed in Australia on 22 February 2022 I was given an Advance Reader Copy as a gift from author without obligation. I am providing an honest review. Yasmine Galenorn has done it once again! Moving in a new direction with new characters, new view of a world rarely seen with established characters coming in and adding to a greater tapestry of words which dance fully and well across the page. I look forward to many more threads to be added to complete this new tapestry. Thank you once again!
Storm is a Hedge Dragon that has never left the Forbidden Forest. Now, she must leave to save her sister, Shellsong. On her trip she meets Kipa, Raven, Herne, and Ember who have decided to help Storm. They have found three people to help save Shellsong. They find her and save her and on the way through the portal the manager of the Waystation, that helped them must leave with them. Little did they all know that Lord Herne and Lady Ember had plans for them to become employees of the Wild Hunt.
I was given an Advance Reader Copy for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book. This is the first book of a new series. We meet Storm and her family in this book and they are dragons. Storm and her sisters live a sheltered life but when her sister gets sold into slavery, Storm decides to get her back. Storm must venture out into a strange new world, but she meets friends along the way that help her to learn about this new world. This book is full of fun, adventure and excitement. Does Storm save her sister? What can dragons do and what powers, if any, do they have? You can find out this and more if you read this book. Check it out!
Prepare for a journey in this new Hedge Dragon series. You'll meet Storm and her companions as they journey to rescue her sister. Who are her companions? Who has her sister? You'll need to read it to find out! This will be a great action packed series! I couldn't put this book down. Well developed and a great cast of new characters. Looking forward to many more books in this new series. I was given an advance reader copy as a gift from the author. This is an honest review.
I was given an advanced reader copy as a gift from the author without obligation, I am providing an honest review
Dragons… Hedge dragons. In this new series we meet Storm a Hedge-dragon on a mission to save her sister. Thrust into a whole new world she will make friends she searches not only for her sister but for her true selfie as well. I am excited to get to know Storm and watch her story unfold.
Her sister is in the hands of slavers, they are hedge dragons and her sister will be killed if she doesn't free her. Fortunately, she will meet people on her journey that will join her on her quest to rescue her sister. Shapeshifters, and gods are just some of the unique and fascinating characters in this fantastic, action packed read.
This book was an amazing read that grabbed me and kept me reading till the end no matter what I needed to do. IT moves along at a pace which makes for a relaxing and entertaining read. The characters, wow, they are amazing and you cannot help but love them. This book needs to be read, it has to be on your TBR list, no doubt about it.
I was given an Advance Reader Copy as a gift from author without obligation. I am providing an honest review.
What can I say about this other than I KNEW that Yasmine would deliver another 5 Star read! Storm has quickly become a new favorite character and I can not wait to read more of her story line. If you love ANY Yasmine Galenorn books, you will fall in love with this story as well!
I don't know how she keeps doing it, but this was an amazing start to a new series by Yasmine Galenorn. This is the start of a spin-off series , but you won't be lost if haven't read the wild hunt series. Loved Storm's character throughout the book on her adventure to save her sister Shellsong. I can't wait for more in this series.
A Storm is brewing and I do mean a literal storm. This is a tale of survival, of finding your way in a new unfamiliar world and finding out what it's like to have friends. It's also a learning curve as the newest member has to overcome her individualism and learn to work as a team.
Yasmine Galenorn is one of my favorite writers and I think I've read everything she put out in the past... 14 years or so. What I love most is the world building and the strong characters, and this book does not disappoint in delivering those.
This book continues developing the same universe as the Wild Hunt series, but focuses on the godly realm and the main characters are new. I loved re-visiting the old characters and I loved how she connected them, but new main character is very interesting. I'm very hesitant in naming the story as a coming-of-age story, since the main character is not that young, but it's definitely a big developmental step for her. She finally leaves her abusing mother and gets to see the world and have adventures. After saving her sister. There is some trauma involved, both in the past of the main character and in what happens to the sister, but it's not graphic and I don't think it might be triggering. It just adds to the character building.
Overall, great read, will definitely read the sequels.
I am super excited to be back with familiar characters, and meeting new ones in this spin off from the Wild Hunt. I really enjoyed this intro to the new series, and can’t wait to see where this adventure leads.
OMG, this is series is going to be soooo good. Book 1 sets you up for an awesome ride while being a wonderful book all on its own. Storm and her new band of friends are going to make an awesome team!!!
Another great book by Yasmine Galeno.rn. Storms dangerous beginning. Her trip through the Shred. Dark and dangerous. It was once a a forest, but is now far more.
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring.)
2.75
First time read the author's work?: No
Will you be reading more?: Possibly
Would you recommend?: Possibly
------------ How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author) 4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author). 3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series) or 3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them! - 2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.) 1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)