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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Twelve-year-old sweet Louisa LaRoche endures the death of her mother in the first pages of this story. It is done so tenderly and I hurt for her. She is one her own as she looks into the sky in hopes to find her father. Louisa is made of hollow bones and though she believes she is not full of magic, she quite is. She floats about the ground, just like what he father could do. However, he is no longer around as he was swept away by powerful winds never to be seen again. Since her mother has passed, all she wants is to find her father. He must be near, and since he can float she deems it may be possible to find him sooner than later. As she treks into the forest, she comes across a black-and-gold ticket. This ticket will lead her to the Carnival Beneath the Stars. If her father is anywhere, it would be there. When she arrives to the beautiful carnival with black-and-gold tops sprinkled throughout, she learns that this place isn't what she thought it would be. There are numerous acts with magical performers and as she watches the Raven's tightrope act something eerie and catastrophic happens. Soon she comes to grips that something terrible is happening and she must protect herself and her new friends Ox, Mercy, and Jess.
There is so much more to this story that I would love to share, but I do not want to ruin it! However, this is a story with themes of hope, friendship, heart, belief in yourself, and a touch of magic. Kassner's writing is beyond words. It reminded me of Jess Redman's writing from Quintessence. I am eager to read her first book The Bone Garden next, and hopefully read her forthcoming novel The Plentiful Darkness soon.
There is so much more to this story that I would love to share, but I do not want to ruin it! However, this is a story with themes of hope, friendship, heart, belief in yourself, and a touch of magic. Kassner's writing is beyond words. It reminded me of Jess Redman's writing from Quintessence. I am eager to read her first book The Bone Garden next, and hopefully read her forthcoming novel The Plentiful Darkness soon.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Initial Thoughts:
This was so much fun. I know that one of the two mysteries was very solvable after a while but I also didn't care. I loved that I cared so much about the story that I would be telling this imaginary girl that it's obvious who her father was while I listened to her story. I really enjoyed where this fantasy book took me. I had such a good time with the other mystery that I don't want to ruin for anyone. There is an underlining theme of grief with the love bugs. I thought the love bugs could have been explained a little more in the beginning. I mean I get the symbolism but how do they fit in this world? I really liked all the side characters. I wish I knew more about them. I always think more stories should have multiple POV's because I find the side characters to be interesting.
A very magical, mysterious, and fun story.
Full Review:
This was so much fun. I know that one of the two mysteries was very solvable after a while but I also didn't care. I loved that I cared so much about the story that I would be telling this imaginary girl that it's obvious who her father was while I listened to her story. I really enjoyed where this fantasy book took me. I had such a good time with the other mystery that I don't want to ruin for anyone. There is an underlining theme of grief with the love bugs. I thought the love bugs could have been explained a little more in the beginning. I mean I get the symbolism but how do they fit in this world? I really liked all the side characters. I wish I knew more about them. I always think more stories should have multiple POV's because I find the side characters to be interesting.
A very magical, mysterious, and fun story.
Full Review:
At the Carnival Beneath the Stars, you'll find wonders you couldn't even dream of. A girl who can control darkness, a boy who moves things with his mind, a fortune-teller who can actually read your misfortune, and now a girl who can float.
Louisa LaRoche has recently lost her mother. She wanders, lost in the world trying to find her father who has the same gift, the power to float in the air. She stumbles upon a ticket to a magical carnival that she believes her father would be at. She ends up staying even when she doesn't find her father after her path out is blocked by dark forces. Increasingly worrying things keep happening to those around her. It's up to her and her new friends to find out what's going on at this magical carnival that seems to have a life of its own.
A story of magic, grief, and finding home - The Forest of Stars has a Coraline spirit. It can be gloomy yet magical. It can be sorrowful yet hopeful. I enjoyed getting to know Louisa and her new found friends each unique and caring. There are two mysteries happening side by side with one another. One obvious and the other not so much. But even with the obvious mystery, I loved how much I felt engaged with the story. I was talking to Louisa like she was actually there telling her the answers I already knew and she had not figured out yet. The carnival atmosphere was the best. It's been a while since I've read anything like it. I had such a great time listening to the story. The narrator, Fiona Hardingham, did a wonderful job with all the voices. If you read the physical book you can see some perfectly charming illustrations by Iz Ptica.
Now the obviousness of one of the mysteries might bother you even if it didn't for me. I also felt like the love bugs weren't properly explained. There are these grief bugs that will eat your heart when you are sad. I don't think everyone needs it to be necessarily explained. It's a metaphor. But, it was introduced oddly and I would have liked more explanation. Other than that I always wish I had more time with the characters. Mainly the side characters. You do get to know them pretty well but I like getting to know my characters completely.
If you are looking for a book like Coraline, then look no further. The Forest of Stars is perfect for those looking for a magically dark and hopeful story.
I must admit that I rarely read middle grade books, but when I saw that The Forest of Stars is set in a Circus I got intrigued and decided to pick it up! And lo and behold, I'm in love of the dazzling prose and I was deeply fascinated by the sinister magic that's lurking beneath the glamour of the big top shows.
"But for all the carnival dazzled, it almost hummed with darkness. Long lines formed in front of the tents, people waiting until the appointed hour for the performance."
This is a story about grief and belonging. Following her mother's death, Louisa fled to the Carnival Beneath the Stars to find her missing father. And oh boy, I loved the way Kassner described the details of the carnivals: from the big top atmosphere to the eclectic cast of runaway magical talents. I felt like I was invited to watch a spectacular Circus show throughout the novel!
"Over the past lonely weeks, she'd grown so used to lying beneath the stars that when she saw the black, gold, and red stripes of the tent above her instead, she felt completely out of sorts and so very far from her mother."
In addition to the prose, what really kept me onto the the novel is the way Kassner elegantly conveyed how Louisa processed her grief and how she slowly warmed up with the other magical performers in the carnival. So I quite enjoyed this clever spin on my favourite book trope aka The Found Family!
"The threads of darkness were out there somewhere. And tonight, they might come for her magic."
Likewise, I thought the plot in The Forest of Stars was cleverly done. Even with clever foreshadowings, I still got surprised by numerous plot twists as the darkness beneath the big top shows slowl unravelled. Even though there were these twists and turns, I thought the build ups make a lot of sense and are really coherent to the overall atmosphere of the book!
To sum up my reading experience of The Forest of Stars: reading this felt like being soaked under the starlight and I always wanted to find out what happens next. With its twists and turns and magic, this is a touching story about love and belonging. And I highly recommend this to anyone who who wants a quick read with clever plot twists and memorable prose!
N.B. This book contains following content warnings: loss of loved ones, grief, accidents, and sharp objects
The Forest of Stars by Heather Kassner is a middle grade fantasy about a girl trying to find her father after her mother's death. It reads like a blend of [b:The Night Circus|9361589|The Night Circus|Erin Morgenstern|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387124618l/9361589._SY75_.jpg|14245059] by Erin Morgenstern (2011) and [b:Spell & Spindle|35861538|Spell & Spindle|Michelle Schusterman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1510158354l/35861538._SY75_.jpg|57381555] by Michelle Schusterman (2018), set in a world that resembles the changeability of the film, Mirror Mask.
Louisa LaRoche needs somewhere safe to live after her mother dies, her broken heart eaten away by love-bugs. Like her father, who she only knows by name, she can float in the air. The wind can carry her away if she's not careful.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comments_09/forest_of_stars.html
336666 - family home offroad
Louisa LaRoche needs somewhere safe to live after her mother dies, her broken heart eaten away by love-bugs. Like her father, who she only knows by name, she can float in the air. The wind can carry her away if she's not careful.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comments_09/forest_of_stars.html
336666 - family home offroad
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fun and inventive story about Louisa, a girl who can float. After her mother dies, she finds herself at the Carnival Beneath the Stars and begins to find her place. But accidents keep happing, and her new friend Mercy is at the center of the accusations...
A few of the twists were a little predictable, but probably not for middle schoolers. The language is lush and vibrant and the plot is fast and engaging. Louisa can be a little self-centered, but it doesn't detract from the enjoyment.
A few of the twists were a little predictable, but probably not for middle schoolers. The language is lush and vibrant and the plot is fast and engaging. Louisa can be a little self-centered, but it doesn't detract from the enjoyment.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am a sucker for dark upper middle grade fantasy, and this book did not disappoint! I love the colorful cast of characters and each of their unique magical talents, all packaged in a mysterious story tied together with magical threads of friendship, grief, and hope.
4 stars.
oh this was so lovely and sweet. i adored all of the kids' friendships. and the ending was so heartwarming. i feel like i could cry
oh this was so lovely and sweet. i adored all of the kids' friendships. and the ending was so heartwarming. i feel like i could cry