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The Songs of Loralan #1
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees
War leaves neither man nor magic untouched.
Tristan knows this truth all too well. The twenty-year war against the magic of the Ancient Races has stolen his family, his home, and his past. He clings to the only things left to him; a scar from a wound meant to kill him, a mysterious silver ring, and the name of the place where he was snatched from death. Stationed in Fort Lorate the past five years - the only years of his life he can remember – he has done nothing but wait for the day he can pursue the fragments of his life that must be somewhere on the kingdom’s battlegrounds.
Secrets buried deep in Lorate’s roots unravel when an elven woman named Aspen infiltrates its walls, and Tristan's life is shattered in mere moments. Despite being on opposite sides of the bloody, bitter war, Tristan asks for her aid when his duties clash with his conscience.
Trying to prevent Lorate from becoming a threat to her homeland and battling a private war within herself, Aspen has every reason to gut Tristan where he stands and be done with the matter. But she doesn’t, to her eternal dismay.
Together, Tristan and Aspen embark on a journey of memories, curses, monsters, and storms. Forces both mortal and magical combine against them, and their only hope of success is to rebel against the hatred woven by war and come together as one.
For ever and always. For evergreens and aspen trees.
Tristan knows this truth all too well. The twenty-year war against the magic of the Ancient Races has stolen his family, his home, and his past. He clings to the only things left to him; a scar from a wound meant to kill him, a mysterious silver ring, and the name of the place where he was snatched from death. Stationed in Fort Lorate the past five years - the only years of his life he can remember – he has done nothing but wait for the day he can pursue the fragments of his life that must be somewhere on the kingdom’s battlegrounds.
Secrets buried deep in Lorate’s roots unravel when an elven woman named Aspen infiltrates its walls, and Tristan's life is shattered in mere moments. Despite being on opposite sides of the bloody, bitter war, Tristan asks for her aid when his duties clash with his conscience.
Trying to prevent Lorate from becoming a threat to her homeland and battling a private war within herself, Aspen has every reason to gut Tristan where he stands and be done with the matter. But she doesn’t, to her eternal dismay.
Together, Tristan and Aspen embark on a journey of memories, curses, monsters, and storms. Forces both mortal and magical combine against them, and their only hope of success is to rebel against the hatred woven by war and come together as one.
For ever and always. For evergreens and aspen trees.
- GenresFantasy
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2022
36 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 21, 2023
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees by A.L. Lorensen is a dry promising debut, which has a lot of strengths.
While it is a bit too predictable for my taste at times, and I found some little bit of the world building grating (especially around the elves), there was more than enough to counter balance these things.
We have strong, female characters with their own agency and voice.
There's a really strong scene about, kind of, fighting your inner demons, and I loved how it was written.
A world that really lets you sink right in, with plenty of magic, creatures and different races. I really miss some of those quote epic feeling worlds lately!
The tone and voice wasn't perfect all the time, but overall very catchy and easily kept me hooked all the way through.
And yet another favourite of mine - more than one strong friendship / bond, which is something I always love in my fantasy!
So, as I said at the start, a super promising book, which already has me intrigued about the sequel!
While it is a bit too predictable for my taste at times, and I found some little bit of the world building grating (especially around the elves), there was more than enough to counter balance these things.
We have strong, female characters with their own agency and voice.
There's a really strong scene about, kind of, fighting your inner demons, and I loved how it was written.
A world that really lets you sink right in, with plenty of magic, creatures and different races. I really miss some of those quote epic feeling worlds lately!
The tone and voice wasn't perfect all the time, but overall very catchy and easily kept me hooked all the way through.
And yet another favourite of mine - more than one strong friendship / bond, which is something I always love in my fantasy!
So, as I said at the start, a super promising book, which already has me intrigued about the sequel!
August 4, 2022
I absolutely loved this book! It’s my favourite read so far this year! I wish I was better at writing reviews because this book deserves the best review, but here you go. The story is engaging and the characters are beautiful. They are all well developed and each have their own personality. The bad guy is pure evil, but another antagonist is just a guy who’s made some bad choices. If you look only at his love for his wife and daughter you’d think he was a good guy, but his priorities are messed up and he does some terrible things. He’s believable though and you can really see how he got where he is. The main character, Tristan, lost his memory and is a soldier at a fort under the command of the man who saved him. He just wants to recover his memories and learn who he is. Styrax is Tristan’s best friend and he’s a bit of a mystery. He’s witty and clever but also wise beyond his years. Aspen and Ash are Ancient Ones, on the opposite side of the war. They are searching for a way to save their people and end the war. All the characters stole my heart, but Styrax and Aspen are my favourites for their respective humour and snark. I love how Tristan and Aspen become friends over time despite odds being against them and I’m waiting for the romance between them to bloom! I didn’t want to put this book down because I had to find out what would happen (especially in certain parts) and the characters really stole my heart. The author did a brilliant job of setting up tension making me so invested in the story! The prose is lyrical and lovely as well which made it a joy to read. I felt I was right there in the world of Loralan seeing beautiful sights and terrifying monsters. I really can’t wait for the next book in the series because I want to find out what will happen!
July 13, 2024
This was a buddy-read with my husband, and we both enjoyed it a lot! I cared about the characters, the world-building was intriguing, and the hope of Tristan’s memory returning kept me anxiously reading. One thing I didn’t love is the fact that Aspen was supposed to be this mysterious, super-skilled general and warrior, and then ended up being a damsel in distress for what I felt was a large percentage of the book. 🙃 I was excited to read about a powerful female character, but she was grumpy and/or fatally wounded for so much of the book that I kinda forgot her “General Shadowalker” persona. However, I am hopeful that we’ll get to see more girl-bossing in the next book, and I’m sooooo excited to see Aspen and Tristan’s relationship blossom going off of the end of this first book. It’s not an entirely unique story, but is a promising beginning and we are excited to read the next one!! 🤗
June 27, 2024
This was a very interesting book with a compelling story about Tristan who has lost his memories and Aspen who connects with him. Although they are on opposite sides of the war they work together. Very enjoyable and will probably continue the series
June 25, 2022
Who are you? Spy. Assassin. Murderer. Enemy. Monster. He didn’t know. He didn’t know!
Tristan’s life started five years ago, or at least, his memories did. Anything before that was a blank slate except for short glimpses in his nightmares. He is desperate to find his memories, and the only information he has is that he was found at the Dragon Scales. Nothing is as it seems however, his saviour may have other motives, his best friend is not who he appears to be, and then there are the voices in his head… Aspen is a general in the rebellion’s army; she lost her best friend, the prince, five years ago at the Dragon Scales, but with no body ever found, the rebellion clings to hope. With every sighting of someone that looks like the prince, she is sent to see if it is him. But it never is, and she is tired of false hope…
I’m Styrax Glanson. Travelling sage. Resident water enthusiast. Collector of lost souls.” He raised an eyebrow. “And you are?”
This is the author’s debut novel, and I really enjoyed the story. For me, this story falls into the sword and sorcery fantasy category; I see it is marked as romance on Amazon, but there was really very little romance in it (just a hint that there will be in the future and it is not a bad thing). The characters are relatable, and I enjoyed the playful banter between Tristen and Aspen; it is precisely what you would expect from best friends. I felt sorry for the young sorcerer but no sympathy for the general who was a little obsessed… So, it felt like a real world, with magic, with people that you would like and leaving us patiently (…) waiting for the next instalment.
June 27, 2022
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees had me captivated from the very first page, where we're introduced to the world in a short epigram. Immediately, the most distinctive feature of this book becomes clear: Lorenson is a positively masterful writer, and her ability to create a world is clear at once. Her world is fully imagined and richly immersive, and it's easy for a reader to get lost in.
I loved all the characters. Aspen was probably my favorite--her self-sacrificing toughness is both admirable and worrying. And her growth into friendship with Tristan is really beautiful. The emotional stakes of this story felt sky-high to me. This book is just gorgeous, but for me the biggest strength is the power of the writing. Lorenson's style is remarkably lyrical and poetic, without ever getting bogged down in details. It's a pleasure to read on the level of sentence and story alike.
This debut (it touched my heart to see that Lorenson, like myself with my own first book, began this book when she was eleven!) reads with the confidence and polish of a much more experienced writer. Keep your eyes peeled for it when it officially publishes soon!
I loved all the characters. Aspen was probably my favorite--her self-sacrificing toughness is both admirable and worrying. And her growth into friendship with Tristan is really beautiful. The emotional stakes of this story felt sky-high to me. This book is just gorgeous, but for me the biggest strength is the power of the writing. Lorenson's style is remarkably lyrical and poetic, without ever getting bogged down in details. It's a pleasure to read on the level of sentence and story alike.
This debut (it touched my heart to see that Lorenson, like myself with my own first book, began this book when she was eleven!) reads with the confidence and polish of a much more experienced writer. Keep your eyes peeled for it when it officially publishes soon!
August 6, 2023
We start by seeing the end of a battle that causes the rest of the events in the book to occur. Our narrator at this point appears to be a third party and arrived after the destruction. They are able to save a gravely wounded man and then witness them be removed from the battlefield but are not sure by who or why. We can tell we stay with this man who has lost his memory and so we don’t have all the pieces quite yet. Somewhere else, in the Golden Grove one of the generals for the elf refugees just arrived back from another mission. She is immediately sent back out to gather information about an upcoming invasion along with being instructed to search for someone. These two collide by accident and it causes a cascade of events. Now on the run with two additional members in their party, they travel to a place called the Dragon Scales. Each has their own hopes and motives for going with danger following their trail.
Our man with amnesia can’t remember a thing about his past including his name. Now living with the name Tristan, he has been voluntold to be a soldier at the fort for 5 years. Tristan knows he needs to leave to search for his identity, the only clues he has to himself is a ring he wears all the time and a place called the Dragon Scales. An additional talisman was given to him by Sedick in an attempt to help regain his memories. While in town one day he stumbles across someone who his soul knows but his head doesn’t. This spurs him into needing to leave sooner but that is soon dashed by orders that the fort will be advancing on the Golden Grove. While preparing for the next day, events unfold that force Tristan to leave with his best friend Styrax and go in search of his identity and what has happened to him.
Aspen is a general who takes risks and comes back with her mission complete and men usually intact. Scorned for being a half fae she doesn’t even get a day of rest once back from her last mission. While being told to investigate a possible invasion by a fort she is informed that there has been a sighting of someone important and she needs to investigate. Someone who is important to the cause. Someone she watched die 5 years ago. Someone she clearly holds dear and is losing hope that they may have somehow survived because someone told her they would help him. While looking for information at the fort, she stumbles across Tristan and ends up taking him to the Dragon Scales. She is going for her own reasons and resents taking him in the first place but her cousin Ash helps to convince her he needs to come with them.
We get told from a reader's perspective who Tristan is about halfway through along with a few other revelations. I liked how things are more connected than what appears on the surface. There were a few times I wanted to shake Tristan for things that were both his fault and not his fault. I had a love hate for the chapters that weren’t about Tristan or Aspen. I loved them because we got to see events from other perspectives and see some behind the scene things. I hated them because I wanted more of Tristan and Aspen’s journey. When we get to the conclusion it will be very satisfying with all the layers that are present. The character who we thought may have been safe but something was off takes a spiral down into madness, it was intriguing watching that descent. The obvious antagonists are classic villains you love to hate, power hungry and not a care for how they treat others. I have now preordered the next book and am impatiently waiting to see if this will be a duology cause I need my conclusion.
Our man with amnesia can’t remember a thing about his past including his name. Now living with the name Tristan, he has been voluntold to be a soldier at the fort for 5 years. Tristan knows he needs to leave to search for his identity, the only clues he has to himself is a ring he wears all the time and a place called the Dragon Scales. An additional talisman was given to him by Sedick in an attempt to help regain his memories. While in town one day he stumbles across someone who his soul knows but his head doesn’t. This spurs him into needing to leave sooner but that is soon dashed by orders that the fort will be advancing on the Golden Grove. While preparing for the next day, events unfold that force Tristan to leave with his best friend Styrax and go in search of his identity and what has happened to him.
Aspen is a general who takes risks and comes back with her mission complete and men usually intact. Scorned for being a half fae she doesn’t even get a day of rest once back from her last mission. While being told to investigate a possible invasion by a fort she is informed that there has been a sighting of someone important and she needs to investigate. Someone who is important to the cause. Someone she watched die 5 years ago. Someone she clearly holds dear and is losing hope that they may have somehow survived because someone told her they would help him. While looking for information at the fort, she stumbles across Tristan and ends up taking him to the Dragon Scales. She is going for her own reasons and resents taking him in the first place but her cousin Ash helps to convince her he needs to come with them.
We get told from a reader's perspective who Tristan is about halfway through along with a few other revelations. I liked how things are more connected than what appears on the surface. There were a few times I wanted to shake Tristan for things that were both his fault and not his fault. I had a love hate for the chapters that weren’t about Tristan or Aspen. I loved them because we got to see events from other perspectives and see some behind the scene things. I hated them because I wanted more of Tristan and Aspen’s journey. When we get to the conclusion it will be very satisfying with all the layers that are present. The character who we thought may have been safe but something was off takes a spiral down into madness, it was intriguing watching that descent. The obvious antagonists are classic villains you love to hate, power hungry and not a care for how they treat others. I have now preordered the next book and am impatiently waiting to see if this will be a duology cause I need my conclusion.
September 15, 2023
This book. THIS BOOK. This is, by far, one of my top reads for 2023. I really didn’t know what to fully expect going into it, and was honestly reluctant to read it (palms forehead), but I am beyond glad that I finally picked it up. There are not enough words to describe the amazing-ness of this book.
Tristan is a soldier with no memories. One day he wakes up in a manor, surrounded by people he has no knowledge of, in a place he cannot recall. He’s frustrated and scared, obviously, but feels comfortable in his surroundings. A general, Laird, and his wife, took Tristain in and gave him access to healing magic in order to help restore his memories. Much to Tristain’s chagrin, after five years he still is no closer to recovering his lost memories. Each time he thinks he remembers something of his past, nightmare monsters debilitate him and make it impossible to recall. However, one fateful day at the market brings him into contact with an elf, who feels undoubtedly like home. Driven by his connection, Tristan decides to follow her and seek answers for his muddled past. Aspen is an elf–well a half-elf, and is a notorious general for the elven army in their fight against the humans trying to exterminate the Ancient Races. Five years ago, Aspen lost her best friend and lover in the war, and she has been a broken shell ever since. Fueled by unending grief and a deep need to protect her people, Aspen heads to Lorate to scope out troop movement and hopefully undercover plots to move against the rebellion. While in Lorate, Aspen is given news that her best friend may actually be alive. Aspen does not want to reopen that wound, knowing that another false lead will cause her irreparable pain. However, a fate encounter at the market has Aspen face-to-face with her worst fear and greatest hope. Teaming up with Tristan could bring her nothing but heartache, but could also be the key she needs for both her survival and that of the rebellion’s.
I loved the start of this story–where you are given the background immediately, but from the perspective of someone who is a non-player in the rest of the story, so important details like names are left out. This lets the reader slowly piece together information as the story progresses to get the full picture. I also liked that there are a lot of unanswered questions regarding the non-players from the prologue. Do I have my hunches as to who these people are? Absolutely. But I like that I’m kept guessing and not given the information within the first book.
The prose, character development, and world building was absolutely top-notch. The writing made me laugh and cry in equal measures (the meaning of “for Evergreens and Aspen trees”...are you trying to end me?!). Everytime I came back to this book, I felt like I was sucked into an alternate world alongside Aspen and Tristan. I loved that there were both macro and micro problems within the world and that sometimes a solution for the micro problem would exacerbate the situation with a macro problem–there are no right answers or correct ways of doing things, and I enjoyed that every action had visible consequences attached. I loved Aspen’s broody and standoffish nature, and particularly enjoyed that she didn’t soften at random times. She was allowed to be prickly, which enhanced her characterization. I’m excited to see how each of the characters develop and the role of the memory eaters!
Tristan is a soldier with no memories. One day he wakes up in a manor, surrounded by people he has no knowledge of, in a place he cannot recall. He’s frustrated and scared, obviously, but feels comfortable in his surroundings. A general, Laird, and his wife, took Tristain in and gave him access to healing magic in order to help restore his memories. Much to Tristain’s chagrin, after five years he still is no closer to recovering his lost memories. Each time he thinks he remembers something of his past, nightmare monsters debilitate him and make it impossible to recall. However, one fateful day at the market brings him into contact with an elf, who feels undoubtedly like home. Driven by his connection, Tristan decides to follow her and seek answers for his muddled past. Aspen is an elf–well a half-elf, and is a notorious general for the elven army in their fight against the humans trying to exterminate the Ancient Races. Five years ago, Aspen lost her best friend and lover in the war, and she has been a broken shell ever since. Fueled by unending grief and a deep need to protect her people, Aspen heads to Lorate to scope out troop movement and hopefully undercover plots to move against the rebellion. While in Lorate, Aspen is given news that her best friend may actually be alive. Aspen does not want to reopen that wound, knowing that another false lead will cause her irreparable pain. However, a fate encounter at the market has Aspen face-to-face with her worst fear and greatest hope. Teaming up with Tristan could bring her nothing but heartache, but could also be the key she needs for both her survival and that of the rebellion’s.
I loved the start of this story–where you are given the background immediately, but from the perspective of someone who is a non-player in the rest of the story, so important details like names are left out. This lets the reader slowly piece together information as the story progresses to get the full picture. I also liked that there are a lot of unanswered questions regarding the non-players from the prologue. Do I have my hunches as to who these people are? Absolutely. But I like that I’m kept guessing and not given the information within the first book.
The prose, character development, and world building was absolutely top-notch. The writing made me laugh and cry in equal measures (the meaning of “for Evergreens and Aspen trees”...are you trying to end me?!). Everytime I came back to this book, I felt like I was sucked into an alternate world alongside Aspen and Tristan. I loved that there were both macro and micro problems within the world and that sometimes a solution for the micro problem would exacerbate the situation with a macro problem–there are no right answers or correct ways of doing things, and I enjoyed that every action had visible consequences attached. I loved Aspen’s broody and standoffish nature, and particularly enjoyed that she didn’t soften at random times. She was allowed to be prickly, which enhanced her characterization. I’m excited to see how each of the characters develop and the role of the memory eaters!
January 7, 2023
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees is the type of novel that grabs hold of your heart, mind, and soul, reels you in and leaves you 110% breathless and in complete awe! I really don’t know what I was expecting when I picked up this book. Mostly I was just looking for something that fell into the New Adventures category. But what I discovered within those magnificent pages was a story filled with love, trust, loyalty, friendship, family, and hope—and just enough heartache and betrayal to propel the story onward and keep you guessing until the very end.
Tristan has spent the last five years desperate to discover the memories he lost at the wrong end of a battle mace that nearly took his life. But he can’t bring himself to leave the adoptive family that had saved and taken him in. So he spends his day playing soldier, although he doesn’t feel much like one, and his nights battling the monsters that stalk his dreams, all the while praying to someday find his true self again. Aspen, half elf/half human, renowned general for the rebellion, has had her heart broken too many times by those claiming to be her lost and presumed dead best friend. The best friend that just happens to be the last prince and the last hope for the rebellion to take back their thrown, that she herself witness being killed by a battle mace to the head, but his body was never found on the battlefield. Tristan and Aspen’s lives take a serendipitous turn and collide with one another.
Could Aspen be the answer to Triston’s lost memories?
Could Tristan really be the friend Aspen has mourned for all these years?
You will just have to devour this Amazing story and discover the answers for yourself! (No Joke! Go read it!)
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees was such an AMAZING NOVEL! I would never! ever! in my wildest dreams have guessed that it was a debut novel if I hadn’t been told so. The story was extremely complex, compelling, riveting, and ABSOLUTELY Beautiful! The world building was so well done and thought out. And don’t get me started on the characters. The dispair, hope, frustrations, and camaraderie both Tristan and Aspen experienced throughout the story I could feel in my soul. They were written just perfectly. I am amazed that a person as young as Lorensen was able to write with such conviction, detail, emotional range and descriptions. Honestly, everything about this book was Top Notch. And I’m just sitting here in sadness realizing how long I’ll have to wait for book #2?!?!? OMG! What am I going to do until then?!?!?!
My favorite character…I really can’t pick just one…but I think I’ll talk about the one that I decided I Completely Adored from the very first conversation he appeared in, Styrax. He was an amazing friend, intriguing character, and the moral and wise guide that Tristan needed in the 5 years he was “lost”. He would do anything to protect Tristan and I just adored him from that very first page he graced with his presence.
So, if you are looking for a story filled with so much heart, love, loyalty, and most importantly Hope, then look no further. Lorensen’s story has Definitely cemented itself among my favorite books. If you are only going to read 1 New Adventure this month then you aren’t going to find another one as Captivating as For Evergreens and Aspen Trees. It is just THAT GOOD!
Tristan has spent the last five years desperate to discover the memories he lost at the wrong end of a battle mace that nearly took his life. But he can’t bring himself to leave the adoptive family that had saved and taken him in. So he spends his day playing soldier, although he doesn’t feel much like one, and his nights battling the monsters that stalk his dreams, all the while praying to someday find his true self again. Aspen, half elf/half human, renowned general for the rebellion, has had her heart broken too many times by those claiming to be her lost and presumed dead best friend. The best friend that just happens to be the last prince and the last hope for the rebellion to take back their thrown, that she herself witness being killed by a battle mace to the head, but his body was never found on the battlefield. Tristan and Aspen’s lives take a serendipitous turn and collide with one another.
Could Aspen be the answer to Triston’s lost memories?
Could Tristan really be the friend Aspen has mourned for all these years?
You will just have to devour this Amazing story and discover the answers for yourself! (No Joke! Go read it!)
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees was such an AMAZING NOVEL! I would never! ever! in my wildest dreams have guessed that it was a debut novel if I hadn’t been told so. The story was extremely complex, compelling, riveting, and ABSOLUTELY Beautiful! The world building was so well done and thought out. And don’t get me started on the characters. The dispair, hope, frustrations, and camaraderie both Tristan and Aspen experienced throughout the story I could feel in my soul. They were written just perfectly. I am amazed that a person as young as Lorensen was able to write with such conviction, detail, emotional range and descriptions. Honestly, everything about this book was Top Notch. And I’m just sitting here in sadness realizing how long I’ll have to wait for book #2?!?!? OMG! What am I going to do until then?!?!?!
My favorite character…I really can’t pick just one…but I think I’ll talk about the one that I decided I Completely Adored from the very first conversation he appeared in, Styrax. He was an amazing friend, intriguing character, and the moral and wise guide that Tristan needed in the 5 years he was “lost”. He would do anything to protect Tristan and I just adored him from that very first page he graced with his presence.
So, if you are looking for a story filled with so much heart, love, loyalty, and most importantly Hope, then look no further. Lorensen’s story has Definitely cemented itself among my favorite books. If you are only going to read 1 New Adventure this month then you aren’t going to find another one as Captivating as For Evergreens and Aspen Trees. It is just THAT GOOD!
September 11, 2023
To me, the makings of a great book is the prose. When the prose is so colourful and vibrantly vivid, I'm hooked and this book got me right there in that perfect spot, from the very first sentence in the prologue! And what a powerful prologue! So I must start this review by saying this: I'm an idiot! Why? Well, I have had this in my TBR for over a year, a full year of brilliance languishing, a year of meaning to read this book, a year lost where even a flaying wouldn't make my idiocy any better! And an even bigger idiot because I started it late at night! OMG! I wasn't sure whether I should cry that I started it so late or bash my head against the wall for my delayed reading. All I can say is It's so freaking good, I kissed sleep goodbye.
I am at a loss of where to start, what to say. How can I possibly describe the magnificence of this book??? The plot? Unprecedentedly brilliant! The pace? Incredibly well paced? The worldbuiding? Omg, OUT OF THIS WORLD! Literally... The winningly bewitching storyline has more layers than an onion, more tightly wound than the tightest ball of wool, more presence than a Monet. The author's magical pen and mind has taken me further than I've ever been, a journey I don't want to end, introduced me to characters I relish, I feel, I love, I hate and I want more of it all!
The complexity of these characters is divine! I absolutely adore how flawed they are, how the good do bad things for presumably good reasons, how I vacillate deciding who is good and who is bad. I initially wasn't sure what to make of Laire and Vinea, I kinda liked them, I mean they did offer kindness and a home to Tristin BUT with so much going on behind their facade, well, that sure kept me on my toes! Who I did immediately love was Linue, what a precocious sweetheart! The secretes, oh the secrets they are all keeping buried! As some of them come to the fore, I find myself eager to delve into their very minds to rip them all out, I have this burning desire to uncover, discover, all the hidden.
When one says "I couldn't put down it down" you get a sense of how awesome a read it might be but I can emphatically say, with utter conviction, this book commands your attention, this book wraps itself in you, through you, around you, all encompassing, all engrossing. Compelling? You have absolutely no idea until you find yourself so immersed in this book, so engrossed, all else disappears, only this need to read on remains. The outside world vanishes once you've touched the very first word, only allowing the haze around you to crystalise at the very last word in this book. Book headache? Nah, book migraine! And the only remedy for this ailment would be the next book!
I am at a loss of where to start, what to say. How can I possibly describe the magnificence of this book??? The plot? Unprecedentedly brilliant! The pace? Incredibly well paced? The worldbuiding? Omg, OUT OF THIS WORLD! Literally... The winningly bewitching storyline has more layers than an onion, more tightly wound than the tightest ball of wool, more presence than a Monet. The author's magical pen and mind has taken me further than I've ever been, a journey I don't want to end, introduced me to characters I relish, I feel, I love, I hate and I want more of it all!
The complexity of these characters is divine! I absolutely adore how flawed they are, how the good do bad things for presumably good reasons, how I vacillate deciding who is good and who is bad. I initially wasn't sure what to make of Laire and Vinea, I kinda liked them, I mean they did offer kindness and a home to Tristin BUT with so much going on behind their facade, well, that sure kept me on my toes! Who I did immediately love was Linue, what a precocious sweetheart! The secretes, oh the secrets they are all keeping buried! As some of them come to the fore, I find myself eager to delve into their very minds to rip them all out, I have this burning desire to uncover, discover, all the hidden.
When one says "I couldn't put down it down" you get a sense of how awesome a read it might be but I can emphatically say, with utter conviction, this book commands your attention, this book wraps itself in you, through you, around you, all encompassing, all engrossing. Compelling? You have absolutely no idea until you find yourself so immersed in this book, so engrossed, all else disappears, only this need to read on remains. The outside world vanishes once you've touched the very first word, only allowing the haze around you to crystalise at the very last word in this book. Book headache? Nah, book migraine! And the only remedy for this ailment would be the next book!
August 11, 2023
Wow! This book is amazing. The twists and turns were completely unexpected and I found the characters absolutely compelling. Even the villains whose points of view I often gloss over were absolutely fascinating!
Tristan, oh where to begin. His story is absolutely heartbreaking and the more I read and the further I got with the wonderfully tantalizing hints and possibilities, the worse it got. I rarely get emotional when reading, but Lorensen definitely sent me for a loop with the ending. It was truly cathartic but also so, so powerful.
The themes in For Evergreens and Aspen Trees are really powerful ones and, as someone who's never fitted in wherever I go, they truly resonated. Tristan suffers from amnesia after damage to the head taken in battle, so the main focus is on memory and finding oneself. The crew of fabulous characters who join his cause (mostly by accident) were also wonderful and added the dimension of found family and "re-found" family, if you will. None of them belong, so it's a wonderful rag-tag group of misfits all trying to make the best of a terrible hand dealt.
The pacing was also really well done. Amnesia stories have a tendency to be super slow paced, but this one isn't. It started off gently enough, but got pretty intense really quickly and simply didn't let up. It's a great thing I started this on the eve of my summer vacation (and the weather happens to be awful). There was absolutely no reason for me to delay and I simply devoured this book as fast as I possibly could. And it didn't disappoint.
On the whole, as I read it, it was a good book, but wow did that ending blow it all out of the water! (and there's a pun in there if you take a moment to read this fantastic book, which has some very interesting naiads and a battle and all in the midst of rapids and evil soul-sucking plants - and I'm hoping more will be revealed about the lore of all of that in the next book because darn was I kept wanting on that point). But puns aside... this book's ending is absolutely ASTOUNDING! It took something I liked and transmuted it into absolute love! And now I'm obsessed. So, with bated breath, I await the next book which I see will be released in October. Yay! That's not so far away.
Tristan, oh where to begin. His story is absolutely heartbreaking and the more I read and the further I got with the wonderfully tantalizing hints and possibilities, the worse it got. I rarely get emotional when reading, but Lorensen definitely sent me for a loop with the ending. It was truly cathartic but also so, so powerful.
The themes in For Evergreens and Aspen Trees are really powerful ones and, as someone who's never fitted in wherever I go, they truly resonated. Tristan suffers from amnesia after damage to the head taken in battle, so the main focus is on memory and finding oneself. The crew of fabulous characters who join his cause (mostly by accident) were also wonderful and added the dimension of found family and "re-found" family, if you will. None of them belong, so it's a wonderful rag-tag group of misfits all trying to make the best of a terrible hand dealt.
The pacing was also really well done. Amnesia stories have a tendency to be super slow paced, but this one isn't. It started off gently enough, but got pretty intense really quickly and simply didn't let up. It's a great thing I started this on the eve of my summer vacation (and the weather happens to be awful). There was absolutely no reason for me to delay and I simply devoured this book as fast as I possibly could. And it didn't disappoint.
On the whole, as I read it, it was a good book, but wow did that ending blow it all out of the water! (and there's a pun in there if you take a moment to read this fantastic book, which has some very interesting naiads and a battle and all in the midst of rapids and evil soul-sucking plants - and I'm hoping more will be revealed about the lore of all of that in the next book because darn was I kept wanting on that point). But puns aside... this book's ending is absolutely ASTOUNDING! It took something I liked and transmuted it into absolute love! And now I'm obsessed. So, with bated breath, I await the next book which I see will be released in October. Yay! That's not so far away.
Want to read
February 16, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
A bard picks her way through a bloody battlefield, listening for the sound of anyone who can be saved.
This has a dark tone, with lots of blood and mangled bodies, but it isn’t just brutalism. A dying woman begs our bard to save a young man before her.
Our bard must obey. She cannot work her gifts on those who do not ask it of her. This aspect of her character is teased more than explored, but it is engaging and creates a sense of wonder about this opening.
This, and other mysterious details make the story feel like an old school sword and sorcery to me. There is an amulet, the protective power of which is supplied by the dying woman on the battlefield. It quiets as she passes.
There is a sudden gathering mist coalescing in a dangerous will - a presence - a man with a sword of bone our bard viewpoint character knows (the sword, that is).
We’re rooted in our prologue MCs experience of these things, but we get no explanation of them, of her, or of the battle, but there is a sense to it all that, tho strange, makes it seem real.
There is also, at times, more of a sense to the prose than an easily accessible meaning. There is a style of feel about some of the prose rather than explicit, grounded details.
These are not criticisms, tho, just observations. Something is happening here. Slowly, we’re introduced to the world through what happens first and foremost.
The pov MC shifts in ch1 to the young man who our bard saved. All will be well, a voice has assured our bard, but it’s hard to see how it will be given the young man’s circumstances. That’s a neat trick. I want to know what happens next. I’m in.
A bard picks her way through a bloody battlefield, listening for the sound of anyone who can be saved.
This has a dark tone, with lots of blood and mangled bodies, but it isn’t just brutalism. A dying woman begs our bard to save a young man before her.
Our bard must obey. She cannot work her gifts on those who do not ask it of her. This aspect of her character is teased more than explored, but it is engaging and creates a sense of wonder about this opening.
This, and other mysterious details make the story feel like an old school sword and sorcery to me. There is an amulet, the protective power of which is supplied by the dying woman on the battlefield. It quiets as she passes.
There is a sudden gathering mist coalescing in a dangerous will - a presence - a man with a sword of bone our bard viewpoint character knows (the sword, that is).
We’re rooted in our prologue MCs experience of these things, but we get no explanation of them, of her, or of the battle, but there is a sense to it all that, tho strange, makes it seem real.
There is also, at times, more of a sense to the prose than an easily accessible meaning. There is a style of feel about some of the prose rather than explicit, grounded details.
These are not criticisms, tho, just observations. Something is happening here. Slowly, we’re introduced to the world through what happens first and foremost.
The pov MC shifts in ch1 to the young man who our bard saved. All will be well, a voice has assured our bard, but it’s hard to see how it will be given the young man’s circumstances. That’s a neat trick. I want to know what happens next. I’m in.
September 5, 2023
Triggers child abuse/death, terror, racism, and violence.
The bard scans the battlefield and listens for any sign of life. Waiting for someone to reach out to her. She hears three hearts throbbing through the earth, two weak and the other seething.
The bard finds her alone on the battlefield crying Help him, please, help him. He can't die. I promised him. The back of her tunic is flooding with blood but she begs the bard to help him first. The bard touches her forehead and leaves her to find the other. She finds him drenched in his own blood from a mace wound that crushed half of his skull. As she goes to heal him she finds the talisman he wears around his neck to help protect him. A golden flame incases her as she puts her hands on his wounds and begins the healing process. The seething man is getting nearer so she must flee but her patient will live. As the man looks for signs of life the bard catches the flash of a bone-white blade that she hasn't seen in centuries. The sword-wielder finds the young man and carries him from the battlefield and the bard resents her inability to intervene.
This is the story of the three who left that battlefield. Tristan the young man who can't remember his past, Ash a leader in the Prince's Rebellion, and the General who took Tristan from the battlefield.
This is a fantastic debut novel that will bring out all your feelings love, hate, hope, and fear, you will laugh and you will cry and you will want more. Great job!!
The bard scans the battlefield and listens for any sign of life. Waiting for someone to reach out to her. She hears three hearts throbbing through the earth, two weak and the other seething.
The bard finds her alone on the battlefield crying Help him, please, help him. He can't die. I promised him. The back of her tunic is flooding with blood but she begs the bard to help him first. The bard touches her forehead and leaves her to find the other. She finds him drenched in his own blood from a mace wound that crushed half of his skull. As she goes to heal him she finds the talisman he wears around his neck to help protect him. A golden flame incases her as she puts her hands on his wounds and begins the healing process. The seething man is getting nearer so she must flee but her patient will live. As the man looks for signs of life the bard catches the flash of a bone-white blade that she hasn't seen in centuries. The sword-wielder finds the young man and carries him from the battlefield and the bard resents her inability to intervene.
This is the story of the three who left that battlefield. Tristan the young man who can't remember his past, Ash a leader in the Prince's Rebellion, and the General who took Tristan from the battlefield.
This is a fantastic debut novel that will bring out all your feelings love, hate, hope, and fear, you will laugh and you will cry and you will want more. Great job!!
September 21, 2023
#ifasummerchallenge23 #coldfish
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees by A.L Lorensen
*September Feature Read*
If this book isn't already on your TBR after all the reviews I've been seeing, THIS one is your sign!! I really enjoyed the friendship Styrax and Ash provided to the MCs Aspen and Tristan more so than their main story. I hope everyone has at least one friend who is the Styrax to your Tristan or the Ash to your Aspen. Also speaking of favorite characters- call me crazy? is that the word I want? more like odd... I'm not sure, but actually my favorite character was LAIRE. I really thought having his point of view REALLY brought the story to life. And I really want to see way more of Lady Vinae in the sequel... which I did not know about until I posted about reading this book in my favorite coffee shop the other day. There is QUITE a cliffhanger at the end of this book, and all the imagery leading up to it is amazing. This book also gave me some LOTR feels - an enchanted (read cursed) talisman (read ring) that instills dark thoughts? not quite the same, but I still appreciated it. Also I wish there were some more details about the 2 main swords in this book. Guess I'm just gonna have to wait.
Great job Ashley Lorensen on your debut novel! Can't wait to see what else is in store!
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees by A.L Lorensen
*September Feature Read*
If this book isn't already on your TBR after all the reviews I've been seeing, THIS one is your sign!! I really enjoyed the friendship Styrax and Ash provided to the MCs Aspen and Tristan more so than their main story. I hope everyone has at least one friend who is the Styrax to your Tristan or the Ash to your Aspen. Also speaking of favorite characters- call me crazy? is that the word I want? more like odd... I'm not sure, but actually my favorite character was LAIRE. I really thought having his point of view REALLY brought the story to life. And I really want to see way more of Lady Vinae in the sequel... which I did not know about until I posted about reading this book in my favorite coffee shop the other day. There is QUITE a cliffhanger at the end of this book, and all the imagery leading up to it is amazing. This book also gave me some LOTR feels - an enchanted (read cursed) talisman (read ring) that instills dark thoughts? not quite the same, but I still appreciated it. Also I wish there were some more details about the 2 main swords in this book. Guess I'm just gonna have to wait.
Great job Ashley Lorensen on your debut novel! Can't wait to see what else is in store!
September 15, 2023
Tristan, a man whose life has been defined by a brutal, twenty-year war against the magic-wielding Ancient Races, is left with little more than scars, a mysterious ring, and a fragment of his memories. Stationed in Fort Lorate, he bides his time, yearning to uncover the remnants of his stolen life. The narrative takes an interesting turn when Aspen, an elven woman, infiltrates Fort Lorate seeking information. Despite being on opposing sides of the conflict, Tristan seeks her help.
The characters, though at times appearing young and naive, undergo growth throughout the story. The amnesia trope is well employed, adding depth to Tristan's quest for identity and purpose. The novel also delves into the complexities of various relationships, from friendship to familial bonds, painting a multifaceted picture of connections.
One of the highlights of the book for me was the family that Tristan ended up within. Their pasts were trickled out slowly and I was fascinated with the Lady and the General. This unique and captivating story offers moments of sadness, violence, and hope in equal measure. Readers will find themselves drawn into the richly crafted world, eager to uncover answers. That ending was extremely compelling and I can't wait to see what happens next.
The characters, though at times appearing young and naive, undergo growth throughout the story. The amnesia trope is well employed, adding depth to Tristan's quest for identity and purpose. The novel also delves into the complexities of various relationships, from friendship to familial bonds, painting a multifaceted picture of connections.
One of the highlights of the book for me was the family that Tristan ended up within. Their pasts were trickled out slowly and I was fascinated with the Lady and the General. This unique and captivating story offers moments of sadness, violence, and hope in equal measure. Readers will find themselves drawn into the richly crafted world, eager to uncover answers. That ending was extremely compelling and I can't wait to see what happens next.
September 15, 2023
Such a great read. So many good things about this one. I found the characters to be very intriguing. Excellent characters. Some you will love and some you will hate. The author provided twists and turns that will leave you speechless.
I found Tristans story to be heartbreaking. He suffers from a head wound, the result from a battle. He can't remember a thing. Now he goes by Tristan and he has been told he will be a soldier at the fort for 5 years. The only thing he wants is to learn who he is and about his life. The only clues he has is a ring that he keeps on him at all times and the name Dragon Scales. Certain events cause him to leave with his best friend. Off on a journey to discover what happened to him and who he is.
Then we have Aspen the risk taker and 1/2 fae. She is a General and very successful at completing her missions with her team intact. Aspen is sent on a new mission to investigate a fort invasion but also check on a sighting of someone very important. She watched this someone die 5 years ago. While investigating she meets up with Tristan and he ends up going to Dragon Scales with her. From here on the story will just suck you in. Tristan and Aspen will have to learn to work together and rely on each other. An excellent read.
I found Tristans story to be heartbreaking. He suffers from a head wound, the result from a battle. He can't remember a thing. Now he goes by Tristan and he has been told he will be a soldier at the fort for 5 years. The only thing he wants is to learn who he is and about his life. The only clues he has is a ring that he keeps on him at all times and the name Dragon Scales. Certain events cause him to leave with his best friend. Off on a journey to discover what happened to him and who he is.
Then we have Aspen the risk taker and 1/2 fae. She is a General and very successful at completing her missions with her team intact. Aspen is sent on a new mission to investigate a fort invasion but also check on a sighting of someone very important. She watched this someone die 5 years ago. While investigating she meets up with Tristan and he ends up going to Dragon Scales with her. From here on the story will just suck you in. Tristan and Aspen will have to learn to work together and rely on each other. An excellent read.
August 31, 2025
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees by A L Lorensen
🌲For ever and always
🌲A threat to her homeland
🌲Secrets
🌲Second chances
🌲Side-plot romance (no spice)
Genre: Fantasy
Together, Tristan and Aspen embark on a journey of memories, curses, monsters, and storms...
I enjoyed this one so much!!! It has a very refreshing classic fantasy feel with a nice little side of romance (also magic swords!). Loved all the main characters and their battles. Poor Aspen definitely had a talent for getting into life and death situations! And Styrax had some hilariously snarky comments. So excited to read book 2! Highly recommend especially if you're looking for some good old-fashioned fantasy among all the romantasy out there (not that there's anything wrong with romantasy, I love that too). Even more impressive is that this is the author's debut work!
Book 1 in the Songs of Loralan
Opening line: "The waves crashed in overwhelming dissonance, reminiscent of the mourning dragon cries the bard witnessed countless years ago."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌲For ever and always
🌲A threat to her homeland
🌲Secrets
🌲Second chances
🌲Side-plot romance (no spice)
Genre: Fantasy
Together, Tristan and Aspen embark on a journey of memories, curses, monsters, and storms...
I enjoyed this one so much!!! It has a very refreshing classic fantasy feel with a nice little side of romance (also magic swords!). Loved all the main characters and their battles. Poor Aspen definitely had a talent for getting into life and death situations! And Styrax had some hilariously snarky comments. So excited to read book 2! Highly recommend especially if you're looking for some good old-fashioned fantasy among all the romantasy out there (not that there's anything wrong with romantasy, I love that too). Even more impressive is that this is the author's debut work!
Book 1 in the Songs of Loralan
Opening line: "The waves crashed in overwhelming dissonance, reminiscent of the mourning dragon cries the bard witnessed countless years ago."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 28, 2023
Oh wow! I felt all the feelings with this one. I think I even threw my kindle across the bed at one point. And for that reason alone, I loved the book. When an author can have me so engrossed that I want to cheer, cry, and even scream at the book is a testament to their talent.
Tristan awakens in a small fort on the edge of civilization with no memories of his life. The only thing he has are two rings on a leather strap around his neck, bandaged wounds, and a very vague story from the new General of the fort.
Five years after, an elven woman named Aspen is sent to the fort for two reasons. To find out why that particular fort has been chosen to attack the last refuge of the Ancient Races, and to investigate the new rumors that the missing prince has been sighted in the area.
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees 💚💚💚
Tristan awakens in a small fort on the edge of civilization with no memories of his life. The only thing he has are two rings on a leather strap around his neck, bandaged wounds, and a very vague story from the new General of the fort.
Five years after, an elven woman named Aspen is sent to the fort for two reasons. To find out why that particular fort has been chosen to attack the last refuge of the Ancient Races, and to investigate the new rumors that the missing prince has been sighted in the area.
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees 💚💚💚
August 8, 2023
Wow, what an amazing debut book!! This story was absolutely wonderful and can't wait to see what happens next! Tristan is such a great character....so many lost memories but still retains his good heart, accepting soul, and sense of humor. I do hope to see him become a stronger and more confident presence in the next book, and less "hold my hand and tell me it's going to be okay" male counterpart to Aspen's incredible strength. She needs someone she can depend on, not just perpetually rescue lol. And Aspen.....holy smokes!! What a strong FMC! Her heart may be breaking on the inside but she is as stalwart as they come!! I wish I had just fraction of her heart and determination!! Love love love this story!
September 13, 2023
This book starts off a little slower, but it is worth it. It only took me one day to read this. It is a tale of war, friendship, sorcery, magic and betrayal. After a huge battle, Tristan has no memory and relies on his new found family to care for him. Aspen is a rebellion commander looking for a lost prince believed to be dead. When their paths cross, they are forced to rely on each other. Can travelling with Aspen, bring back Tristan's memories? I like that this book is through different viewpoints, but never gets confusing. It is all tied together well and I really did get sucked into this book. Everyone has ulterior motives and you have to try and guess what they are. And it looks like some will still have to wait until at least the next book!
October 18, 2023
I found the story quite compelling! I enjoyed the gradual release of information about the characters, their backgrounds, and their motivations. I still have questions at the end of this book that I want answered, which is good considering that it's the first of a series.
My only gripes are that a few big plot points/mysteries are revealed too early to the audience but not the characters, which sometimes makes it feel like things are dragging (not a reference to the prologue/amnesia plot point), there are a fair number of typos, which always take me out of the story, and I found the writing overly flowery at times, eg "the lakes looked like so many fallen scales" on p.1.
Overall, an enjoyable read!
My only gripes are that a few big plot points/mysteries are revealed too early to the audience but not the characters, which sometimes makes it feel like things are dragging (not a reference to the prologue/amnesia plot point), there are a fair number of typos, which always take me out of the story, and I found the writing overly flowery at times, eg "the lakes looked like so many fallen scales" on p.1.
Overall, an enjoyable read!
June 4, 2025
I firstly love this cover! It's eye catching and lovely. Onward, I liked the prologue right off and enjoyed the pacing of this story. A high fantasy with some really fleshed out characters that I loved. Aspen is just the self sacrificing female people like reading about but she's also strong with a back bone.
Tristan, poor fellow, just wants to know who he is. He's on this journey, physically, spiritually and metaphorically, to discover who he is. I liked the inner workings of this and how the author navigated the entire situation.
While being slightly predictable, it was still an excellent tale filled with everything you expect to see in a high fantasy novel.
Tristan, poor fellow, just wants to know who he is. He's on this journey, physically, spiritually and metaphorically, to discover who he is. I liked the inner workings of this and how the author navigated the entire situation.
While being slightly predictable, it was still an excellent tale filled with everything you expect to see in a high fantasy novel.
September 17, 2023
Wow. What a dark tale of betrayal and loss. If you ever wanted to know what PTSD and trauma felt like, look at Tristan battling his monsters.
Although I didn’t care much for Tristan or Aspen for much of the book, I understood their reasons for behaving in unlikeable ways and I was drawn into the story to find out what would happen to and between them.
This was such a fast-paced, well-written book. It focused on the different characters and what drove them to their current situations and actions. The villain was truly awful, and I found myself cheering our heroes on.
September 6, 2023
A soldier with memory loss trues to figure out life
This is a book that really had me pulling for the good characters, even when they didn’t act the best. They had good reasons. The plot is good, if obvious, even if you weren’t sure how it would resolve. The storytelling carries the reader through at a quick pace. In some cases, the author over describes settings- that was the one flaw for me but it didn’t affect the story. I recommend this read and look forward to book two.
This is a book that really had me pulling for the good characters, even when they didn’t act the best. They had good reasons. The plot is good, if obvious, even if you weren’t sure how it would resolve. The storytelling carries the reader through at a quick pace. In some cases, the author over describes settings- that was the one flaw for me but it didn’t affect the story. I recommend this read and look forward to book two.
September 8, 2023
This book is very fun. I've read it twice now and it's hard to put down. The plot is fabulous. The author does a good job of holding suspense.
dnf
January 5, 2026dnf. I wanted to like it, but just couldn't get into it by the 3rd chapter. Cool premise, and I especially loved the female General main character!, but confusing and flowery writing made me give up
September 19, 2023
When Tristan wakes up without any memories, General Laire who saved him on the battlefield, takes him in, gives him his name, and encourages him to become a soldier at Fort Lorate. He's glad to have a place, and a friend in Styrax, but his nightmares and missing memories are torturing him.
Aspen, a general of the elves, goes to Fort Lorate with Ash to try to get information about a possible invasion. She’s definitely not following up on the rumor that the missing Prince has been found. Definitely not.
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees is an exciting page turner of a book. I thought the climactic scenes were especially well done. The characters are interesting (#teamStyrax!) and there are lots of undercurrents and mysterious plots going on. There’s not a whole lot of world building detail, but the world is an interesting (and dangerous!) one and I never felt lost. Although there’s plenty of hatred and bigotry, there are also people on all sides trying to do the right thing.
A really great read! And it looks like the next book in the series is coming out in a few weeks!
Aspen, a general of the elves, goes to Fort Lorate with Ash to try to get information about a possible invasion. She’s definitely not following up on the rumor that the missing Prince has been found. Definitely not.
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees is an exciting page turner of a book. I thought the climactic scenes were especially well done. The characters are interesting (#teamStyrax!) and there are lots of undercurrents and mysterious plots going on. There’s not a whole lot of world building detail, but the world is an interesting (and dangerous!) one and I never felt lost. Although there’s plenty of hatred and bigotry, there are also people on all sides trying to do the right thing.
A really great read! And it looks like the next book in the series is coming out in a few weeks!
August 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. It has high fantasy, great battle scenes and cozy vibes all in one.
I loved Aspen's character. The woman who feels she has failed in her past and will stop at nothing to compensate for her failure and has the straightest moral compass I've ever seen. A strong, loyal woman that has her people's best interests at her heart, even if her heart is broken for herself. She sacrifices repeatedly through the story for people she doesn't even like because she believes that's what is right in the world and will be for the greater good.
Poor Tristan. Just wants to know who he really is and feels so betrayed by everything in his life, including his own head. It gets so bad he believes himself to be a monster and your heart just hurts for him.
The story is epic with great worldbuilding. The villains are a little more grey than I would like sometimes, but hopefully that's rectified later in the series since there does seem to be one overarching villain who is not grey in the slightest. The romance is swoony as best friends turned lovers were torn apart but are finding their way back to each other and you root for them at least most the time. Sometimes they just need knocked upside the head before you can root for them more.
I loved Aspen's character. The woman who feels she has failed in her past and will stop at nothing to compensate for her failure and has the straightest moral compass I've ever seen. A strong, loyal woman that has her people's best interests at her heart, even if her heart is broken for herself. She sacrifices repeatedly through the story for people she doesn't even like because she believes that's what is right in the world and will be for the greater good.
Poor Tristan. Just wants to know who he really is and feels so betrayed by everything in his life, including his own head. It gets so bad he believes himself to be a monster and your heart just hurts for him.
The story is epic with great worldbuilding. The villains are a little more grey than I would like sometimes, but hopefully that's rectified later in the series since there does seem to be one overarching villain who is not grey in the slightest. The romance is swoony as best friends turned lovers were torn apart but are finding their way back to each other and you root for them at least most the time. Sometimes they just need knocked upside the head before you can root for them more.
September 14, 2023
An often-gripping debut!
What a ride! The opening of this novel is compelling, and the world-building is top-notch. The author weaves beautiful imagery around an often-tragic story full of vibrant characters.
I confess I struggled at times. While the characters are vibrant—and the females are strong and capable—the male cast suffers a bit. With one exception, they’re either evil, mad, or rather pathetic. As much as I enjoyed aspects of Tristan (the main character), he fluctuates between a capable but strangely pathetic swordsman (even though he’s a soldier) and a manic crybaby. And yes, he’s dealing with a lot (but this is all aside from his, erm, condition). It felt a bit…much.
Minor spoiler warning: My other main gripe is that Tristan is obviously struggling within the grip of the curse, yet when the other main characters discover the why for some of his out-of-character behavior, only one apologizes for their own cruelty, and that wasn’t sufficient to my mind. Even Tristan keeps apologizing for…being cursed? Like it’s his fault?
The elves weren’t my favorite type—I don’t care for their modern lingo (who says ‘it sounds cool!’ in a medieval setting?) or the fact that somehow a 23-year-old half-elf leads as a General over people in their second or third century? It doesn’t quite add up.
Still, there’s a lot to enjoy. The pacing is quite good and the descriptions are lovely. There are a lot of typos, so it could have used another proofread.
I loved the ending. Tristan’s moment in the storm was the best part of the book for me. It does leave things on a cliffhanger, so be warned. Fortunately the next book will be out soon, and I’m eager to find out what happens from here.
Overall, Of Evergreens and Aspen Trees is an often-strong debut with potential for a solid high fantasy series.
Content: Fantasy violence, brief gore, minor abuse, no strong language, zero spice.
What a ride! The opening of this novel is compelling, and the world-building is top-notch. The author weaves beautiful imagery around an often-tragic story full of vibrant characters.
I confess I struggled at times. While the characters are vibrant—and the females are strong and capable—the male cast suffers a bit. With one exception, they’re either evil, mad, or rather pathetic. As much as I enjoyed aspects of Tristan (the main character), he fluctuates between a capable but strangely pathetic swordsman (even though he’s a soldier) and a manic crybaby. And yes, he’s dealing with a lot (but this is all aside from his, erm, condition). It felt a bit…much.
Minor spoiler warning: My other main gripe is that Tristan is obviously struggling within the grip of the curse, yet when the other main characters discover the why for some of his out-of-character behavior, only one apologizes for their own cruelty, and that wasn’t sufficient to my mind. Even Tristan keeps apologizing for…being cursed? Like it’s his fault?
The elves weren’t my favorite type—I don’t care for their modern lingo (who says ‘it sounds cool!’ in a medieval setting?) or the fact that somehow a 23-year-old half-elf leads as a General over people in their second or third century? It doesn’t quite add up.
Still, there’s a lot to enjoy. The pacing is quite good and the descriptions are lovely. There are a lot of typos, so it could have used another proofread.
I loved the ending. Tristan’s moment in the storm was the best part of the book for me. It does leave things on a cliffhanger, so be warned. Fortunately the next book will be out soon, and I’m eager to find out what happens from here.
Overall, Of Evergreens and Aspen Trees is an often-strong debut with potential for a solid high fantasy series.
Content: Fantasy violence, brief gore, minor abuse, no strong language, zero spice.
April 11, 2024
I waited way too long to write this review since listening to this wonderful audiobook, but thankfully I took notes! I had my eye on this book for a while because the title was very intriguing to me, and I was so excited that Lorensen tied the title into the story so directly, cleverly, and emotionally.
From the beginning of the story, you know Tristan’s secret identity, but you don’t know the details of how the characters got to where they were at the start. I appreciated the way Lorensen revealed those details gradually throughout the novel, weaving in tension and suspense to keep the reader’s interest.
On a similar note, all the characters were robust and three-dimensional. The story follows multiple characters with drastically different motivations, but each character’s motivation was strong and plausible. As a reader, their actions in pursuit of their goals made sense, and I even found myself rooting for some of the villains because their motivations were so believable.
Furthermore, I adored the juxtaposition of humor and lyrical writing. Books that make me laugh and contemplate the big questions in life are my favorite, and For Evergreens and Aspen Trees certainly meets those criteria. Lorensen’s writing is poetic and immersive.
Finally, the narrator of the audiobook, Aaron Volner, was wonderful! I listened to the book for hours, and I loved the way Volner made you feel immersed in the story.
As a whole, For Evergreens and Aspen Trees was an exceptional read, and I can’t wait to continue the series!
From the beginning of the story, you know Tristan’s secret identity, but you don’t know the details of how the characters got to where they were at the start. I appreciated the way Lorensen revealed those details gradually throughout the novel, weaving in tension and suspense to keep the reader’s interest.
On a similar note, all the characters were robust and three-dimensional. The story follows multiple characters with drastically different motivations, but each character’s motivation was strong and plausible. As a reader, their actions in pursuit of their goals made sense, and I even found myself rooting for some of the villains because their motivations were so believable.
Furthermore, I adored the juxtaposition of humor and lyrical writing. Books that make me laugh and contemplate the big questions in life are my favorite, and For Evergreens and Aspen Trees certainly meets those criteria. Lorensen’s writing is poetic and immersive.
Finally, the narrator of the audiobook, Aaron Volner, was wonderful! I listened to the book for hours, and I loved the way Volner made you feel immersed in the story.
As a whole, For Evergreens and Aspen Trees was an exceptional read, and I can’t wait to continue the series!
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