January 2021 First in a Series BOTM - Forest of Souls, by Lori M. Lee

[Alaina]

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

And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life.

Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood—an ancient forest possessed by souls—to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a soulguide can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for.

Danger lurks within the roots of Forest of Souls, an epic, unrelenting tale of destiny and sisterhood, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Susan Dennard.

**This BOTM thread will be open until February 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Kelly]

Starting now!

[Kelly]

Ch 8 - (view spoiler)[I don't have strong feelings yet. I had read the synopsis so her friend's death and come back wasn't surprising. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 15- (view spoiler)[ I'm curious about the forest and what's going on with it but other than that, I'm a bit bored. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 18 - (view spoiler)[I'm glad she saved those shamans (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[Ugh I'm disappointed. To be honest, this was kind of a snooze fest for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Ruthie]

I finished it!

(view spoiler)[

Aw sorry that it was a snooze fest for you. There were some slow parts but I actually didn't mind. I thought it was a cool magic system and creepy. I liked it! I want to know more, I'll be looking forward to the second book (hide spoiler)]

[Ruthie]

Did you use it for the January Winter games challenge?

"time" and "hunt" were in the text if you were looking for prompts it would fit. I used "hunt" on my group because someone else stole "time" before I could get it entered on the spreadsheet

[Kelly]

Ruthie wrote: "Did you use it for the January Winter games challenge?

"time" and "hunt" were in the text if you were looking for prompts it would fit. I used "hunt" on my group because someone else stole "time" ..."

I think I'm going to use it for features a collector as her mentor was mentioned having lots of weapons at the beginning.

[Ruthie]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Ruthie]

I enjoyed reading your review Kelly and I agree with you

(view spoiler)[
The idea you had about LGBTQ+ elements added into the story would have made it more interesting for sure. Especially if it was btw the FMC and her friend (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Ruthie wrote: "I enjoyed reading your review Kelly and I agree with you


..."

Yeah I was thinking about that because I assumed her love interest is going to be the Prince but honestly I didn't see it

[Ruthie]

Kelly wrote: "Ruthie wrote: "I enjoyed reading your review Kelly and I agree with you


..."

Yeah I was thinking about that because I assumed her love interest is going to be the Prince but honestly I didn't se..."

neither did I! Missed opportunity on the author's part

[Jennifer]

Ch 6 (24%) - (view spoiler)[ I am still not clear about how she saved her friend, perhaps this Ronan will have more answers. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 13 (49%) - (view spoiler)[ I guess some childhood dreams die hard, because I can't believe that she is still hung up on being the Shadow when it is clear that she can't. I mean even if the queen looked past her shamanism, she would still have to drag her best friend along on most of her missions. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 18 (72%) - (view spoiler)[ And why isn't she figuring out how to do this on a large scale to cure the wood? (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[ Well, I didn't quite see the Queen's greedy ambition coming. I suppose it is because we never really got an incite into her character at all, other than she hated the shamans. I am also not quite clear on why Ronan would ally himself with her despite what he said.

I think the next book will be better. This one laid a lot of groundwork in a roundabout way (and was a bit boring at times), but now that our MC has a bit more direction and (I think) has matured a little, things will be better. I also think it is interesting that there wasn't a romantic component to this book. The author hints that that may change in the future (with the way the Prince looks at her etc.). I thought for a little while that perhaps Sircha was in love with her BFF but nothing came of it. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Going to start this tomorrow!

[Alaina]

Ch 7: (view spoiler)[Yeah... if I was in the forest.. well, wait - I wouldn't have gone in. I most definitely would've chickened out. I'm chicken shit. BREATHING TREES? Yeah, no. Don't sign me up for that. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 14: (view spoiler)[Oops forgot to make a comment.. but I feel bad for her and her best friend. Them finding out the truth just kind of ruined their dreams and such. Which sucks. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 8 - [spoilers removed]
Ch 15- [spoilers removed]
Ch 18 - [spoilers removed]
Finished - [spoilers removed]"

Comment @ Ch 15, aww :(

[Alaina]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 8 - [spoilers removed]
Ch 15- [spoilers removed]
Ch 18 - [spoilers removed]
Finished - [spoilers removed]"

Comment @ Ch 18, yeah she can be a bad ass at times!

[Alaina]

Jennifer wrote: "Ch 6 (24%) - [spoilers removed]
Ch 13 (49%) - [spoilers removed]
Ch 18 (72%) - [spoilers removed]
Finished - ..."

Comment @ Ch 6, I'm glad she saved her but I feel kind of bad after because of the consequences..

[Alaina]

Jennifer wrote: "Ch 6 (24%) - [spoilers removed]
Ch 13 (49%) - [spoilers removed]
Ch 18 (72%) - [spoilers removed]
Finished - ..."

Comment @ Ch 13, yeah - that sucks.

[Alaina]

Jennifer wrote: "Ch 6 (24%) - [spoilers removed]
Ch 13 (49%) - [spoilers removed]
Ch 18 (72%) - [spoilers removed]
Finished - .."

Comment @ Ch 18, shhhh details lol but for real - good question

[Alaina]

Ch 21: (view spoiler)[Oh man, don't go down the deep dark hole in yourself. Show them not to underestimate you girl. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Finished: (view spoiler)[jkldsaffjlkafjlda I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW! I hate waiting. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 8 - [spoilers removed]
Ch 15- [spoilers removed]
Ch 18 - [spoilers removed]
Finished - [spoilers removed]"

Comment @ Finished, aww man :(

[Alaina]

Jennifer wrote: "Ch 6 (24%) - [spoilers removed]
Ch 13 (49%) - [spoilers removed]
Ch 18 (72%) - [spoilers removed]
Finished - ..."

Comment @ Finished, yes I am very intrigued to see what the next book will bring now that secrets are out and I'm hoping there's more growth as well.

[Ruthie]

I hate waiting too! AHHHHHHH lol