I was really excited for this new release, mostly because of this beautiful cover, but also because "Forest of Souls" ... "aforestofbooks"  

But besides all of that, the premise sounded really cool, and I heard on Twitter that there's no romance. You guys know I'm always here for that. There are way too many YA fantasy books with romance and it's tiring sometimes. So I was really happy when MandaGroup sent me an arc for review!

For those of you wondering what this book is about without spoiling anything: I got some serious Shadow and Bone vibes, the magic system reminded me a little of ATLA, and it starts off in a school setting which I always love!

My favourite part about this book was definitely the world. I loved the glossary at the beginning of the book––which was a nice change. I feel like we always get a glossary at the end and it's annoying to flip all the way to the back and possibly spoil yourself. There are three main kingdoms, Evewyn, Kazahyn, and the Nuvalyn Empire. And then we have The Dead Wood, which is the seat of the Spider King, who keeps the peace between all three kingdoms. Each kingdom is also a separate race. So Evewyn is human, Kazahyn is Shadowblessed, and the Nuvalyn Empire is Shamanborn. The tensions between all three kingdoms and the history behind Evewyn imprisoning their Shamanborns was really interesting. I enjoyed the political aspects of this book, though I wish there was a little more. I think the next book in the series will definitely add to that.

What I really wish this book had is a map. I'm not sure if the finished copy does, but I think it would have really fleshed out the world and made it easier to follow the characters as they move around. Also I just want to see what this world looks like!

Unfortunately, the downside to this book were the main characters. It's the reason why it took me forever to finish this book because I kept forgetting what had happened and had to reread parts. Other times I was too bored and didn't feel like picking up the book.

The only side character I enjoyed was Theyen. The banter between him and Sirscha was good, though not amazing. There was one line from Theyen that made me laugh out loud though, and I found him to be the most likeable and complex out of all the characters. He's sarcastic and a little full of himself, but his backstory and motivations make me want to know more, especially about the Fireborn Queens. He pretty much has all the qualities I like in a character, and I'm so happy that it didn't devolve into him becoming a love interest.

"I saw you ride out from a seclusion of trees with the Evewynian prince. Thought it was a tryst, but too many dead bodies. Unless you're hiding some bizarre tendencies, in which case, keep them to yourself."

Ronin was an okay character? I was getting Darkling vibes from him in the beginning, but then nothing happened.... We were mostly told why he was the villain at the end, but we didn't see him do much. He's a very passive character and kind of boring.

Queen Meilyr though...now that is one character I wish we got a pov from. I'd love to know what's going on in her mind, and I have so many questions about her and Kendara.

Prince Meilek. I do like his relationship with Sirscha, but something was lacking. I just wanted to feel more for his character. 

Saengo was the character I was most disappointed about. She honestly didn't do much and fell flat for me. Her relationship with Sirscha didn't feel as close as I think it was supposed to? I really wish we could have gotten a little more about their past. How they met and became friends etc. The scenes where we do get of them bantering felt forced and a bit jarring from the rest of the books. I do think Saengo becoming Sirscha's familiar changed her in a way, but she sort of felt like someone Sirscha was dragging around, rather than her closest friend from childhood.

As for Sirscha...I don't know. We're told a lot about her and I think that was the problem. I wanted to see what she was capable of, not be told everything. The missions that Kendara sent her on were honestly more interesting, and I wish we got more of that and her relationship with the Shadow. But everything else...I don't know. I just didn't feel for her character or care enough to want to know what happens next. Her relationships with the other characters just didn't feel well-developed. And while the fight scenes were great to read and really showed her skills, I wanted to see more than what she's physically capable of.

Overall, 3 stars.