Navigate through the reviews of the Shamanborn trilogy below:
Forest of Souls | Broken Web
Still waiting for Shamanborn #3 [to be released in late 2022]
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Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee
Series: Shamanborn #1
Published June 23rd 2020 by Page Street Kids
Age Range: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Representation: Hmong-inspired
Rating:
Synopsis:
Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she’s intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen’s next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo.
And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life.
Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood—an ancient forest possessed by souls—to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a soulguide can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for.
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With much still unknown, I have no idea if what Sirscha did was a good thing or not. More horrible things are on the horizon and what Sirscha did is a major trigger. Little mixed feelings that I can’t fully rejoice in what Sirscha has achieved this whole time. Although the villain’s actions stemmed from a place that makes some sense, it’s still abhorrent. Regardless, I think a lot of the conspiracy and schemings are unknown.
If you’re curious, no romance is involved in Forest of Souls. Lori M. Lee mainly focused on the individual growth of the characters, plot development, and world-building. Relationships were more obviously developed between the characters. Sirscha and Saengo are not just friends–their connection is similar to sisters. Both feel conflicted now that Saengo’s second chance is directly linked to Sirscha. Things are different when you’re brought back from the dead.
The magic system is interesting. There were three different types of people in this world–humans, shadow-blessed, and shamanborn. With Sirscha as a shamanborn, readers were more privy about them than the rest. They were mostly recognized as their different colored eyes reflect the type of shaman. Blue eyes for water, green for earth. There wasn’t much known about the shadow people but further exploration will come in the future.
For the politics, it was easy to understand. Nothing was complicated to the point where I had to consistently check my notes to remember who was from where or what the current political climate was.
Sirscha has a lot to prove. Being the queen’s shadow was always the goal Sirscha worked towards, but when she restored her best friend back to life, this took a backseat. Sirscha was constantly questioning things and trying to find the truth. Not having a family or a solid support system since young, Sirscha grew up quickly and became resilient. Plus, training to become the queen’s shadow meant that she couldn’t show any weakness.
Lori M. Lee’s writing was immersive. The fight scenes sucked me in. I basically flew through the first 30% in a single setting. Her writing snagged my attention and only stopped when I had to.
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Warning: Do not venture further if you did not read book one, Forest of Souls!
Navigate through the reviews of the Shamanborn trilogy below:
Forest of Souls | Broken Web
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Broken Web by Lori M. Lee
Series: Shamanborn #2
Published June 15th 2021 by Page Street
Age Range: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Representation: Hmong-inspired
Rating:
Synopsis:
The Soulless has woken from his centuries-long imprisonment. Now, he lurks in the Dead Wood recovering his strength, while Sirscha and her allies journey east to the shaman empire of Nuvalyn. Everyone believes she is a soulguide—a savior—but Sirscha knows the truth. She’s a monster, a soulrender like the Soulless, and if anyone discovers the truth, she’ll be executed.
But there’s nothing Sirscha won’t risk to stop the shaman responsible for the rot that’s killing her best friend. While the Soulless is formidable, like all shamans, his magic must be channeled through a familiar. If Sirscha can discover what—or who—that is, she might be able to cut him off from his power.
With Queen Meilyr bent on destroying the magical kingdoms, Sirscha finds herself caught between a war brewing in the east and the Soulless waiting in the west. She should be trying to unite what peoples she can to face their common enemies, but instead, her hunt for clues about the Soulless leads to a grim discovery, forcing Sirscha to question who her enemies really are.
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Loved the portrayal of sisterhood and friendship between Sirscha and Saengo. Things were already complicated considering that Saengo is Sirscha’s familiar. Despite it happening near the start of Forest of Souls, Sirscha is still guilt-ridden that the transition restricted Saengo from being a proper heir to her house. For Saengo, Sirscha would go through multiple ordeals willingly.
For at least the first half, nobody knew about Sirscha being a soulrender. Someone who can tear souls apart. Her power is dangerous. If found out, others will either take advantage of her or want her dead. Keeping her craft a secret might be harder than Sirscha thought since souls inevitably call to her. With the Soulless taunting her every move, Sirscha couldn’t help but wonder if her decision was right.
Slowly though, Sirscha learned to become more confident. Regardless of the situation, she would do anything to save her people. During Broken Web, she conversed more with the Soulless whose powers she couldn’t resist, and discover more of her own power that is hard to control.
Overall, I enjoyed Broken Web but wasn’t too interested in the budding romance. I just want an intense, fast-paced fantasy series.
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