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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
The debut novel by Atwater-Rhodes, who was thirteen when she wrote this story. Yes, my fellow poetry addicts; the title is taken from William Blake's poem The Tiger. This is the story of Risika, a three-hundred-year-old vampire. She struggles with her past and what she has become, and she carries a major grudge against another vampire, Aubrey. He is even older than Risika and she really hates him. This is a very good, albeit dark, story. Amazing when you consider it was written by a teenager.
Wow. This book was definitely a good one. For starters it was a vampire book that had guts. It wasn't just soft and light and romantic like most of the vampire books I've read lately. There was a very good storyline.
The way this story is written is great. I think that Amelia Atwater-Rhodes uses great descriptive words. The flow of the story worked really well and I loved how it flicked back and forth between the present and the past.
I loved the characters. Risika is great. I found her story fascinating. I loved how she was a strong character and that eventually she overcame her fear. This book definitely set my emotions going. At times, there were sad parts and then there were the parts where I felt sorry for Risika and what she had been through.
The twist at the end was quite a good one as well. I didn't really expect it but I had an inkling of a feeling that, that was going to happen. But by the end of the book I had shoved it out of my mind.
Overall, this was definitely a really good read. At first I was a little judgemental of the cover because I didn't think it was very exciting but when I opened the book I just couldn't stop reading it. I had to know what was going on and I wanted to know straight away.
It's quite a short read but it is a very good one indeed. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good gutsy story and anyone who loves vampires. I know I will definitely be reading more books by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.
The way this story is written is great. I think that Amelia Atwater-Rhodes uses great descriptive words. The flow of the story worked really well and I loved how it flicked back and forth between the present and the past.
I loved the characters. Risika is great. I found her story fascinating. I loved how she was a strong character and that eventually she overcame her fear. This book definitely set my emotions going. At times, there were sad parts and then there were the parts where I felt sorry for Risika and what she had been through.
The twist at the end was quite a good one as well. I didn't really expect it but I had an inkling of a feeling that, that was going to happen. But by the end of the book I had shoved it out of my mind.
Overall, this was definitely a really good read. At first I was a little judgemental of the cover because I didn't think it was very exciting but when I opened the book I just couldn't stop reading it. I had to know what was going on and I wanted to know straight away.
It's quite a short read but it is a very good one indeed. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good gutsy story and anyone who loves vampires. I know I will definitely be reading more books by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.
I loved In the Forests of the Night, and I'm still amazed that it was written by a 13-year-old. Her writing is impressive, and the story contains some insightful social commentary. I will be reading more of Amelia's books.
“Love is the strongest emotion any creature can feel except for hate, but hate can't hurt you. Love, and trust, and friendship, and all the other emotions humans value so much, are the only emotions that can bring pain. Only love can break a heart into so many pieces.”
Risika, In the Forest of the Night, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
This is going to be another novel that is very difficult to talk about fairly. I first read this book right after it came out, and I have to say it changed me. I won't pretend it is really well written or extremely novel, it just happened to come out while I was a preteen and hit right when I needed it. This was the first real vampire novel I had ever read and from it I started to devour anything with vampires, werewolves, and anything vaguely occult. This is the book that helped me discover Anne Rice after I read a review calling Atwater-Rhodes a young adult version of Ann Rice.
One of the most striking things about this novel is that Atwater-Rhodes wrote it when she was 13 and had it published before she was 15 (it was supposed to be published on her 14th birthday). Knowing this, while I read the book at 13, made me realize that it was possible for me to write as well. It was then that I really began to do creative writing. While I have yet to finish my own novel, I do owe a lot to this novel.
While it is a fast read and not very long, there is a lot packed into it. The story is about the life of a vampire named Risika, and is told in two story arcs. There is the present day story that follows Risika as she settles into life, but is interrupted by the one person from her past that she cannot stand, a vampire named Aubrey. There is a history between the two that means they cannot tolerate each other, and Risika has already lost a fight to Aubrey once, but to back down would mean showing weakness. The vampires cannot show weakness, it means you are prey, but neither is willing to just attack so they have to resort to a strange dance and taunts. The other story arc tells the story of Rachel, the young girl from the late 1600’s in Massachusetts, who would be turned into Risika. Rachel and her twin brother are close and live happily with their father, step-mother and younger sister. Her brother begins to believe that he has a power to control things, and losses control and burns their younger sister. He then starts to become distant to Rachel, just as a strange visitor stops by the house and gives her a black rose, which she pricks her finger upon. With one drop of blood Rachel has unknowingly condemned herself to a fate she did not even know existed. How will she become Risika? And will Risika be able to finally stand up to Aubrey or will she die for real this time?
One of the things I really love about this book and the others set in this world, is that the vampires are still dangerous. They are sympathetic and Atwater-Rhodes often sets the story from their point of view, but most of them (besides a few in the later books) drink human blood, and still kill people. One of the themes that Risika has to deal with is that she used to be human, but she is not human anymore and there is no good thinking as a human. It is hard on her to realize that humanity is a weakness in vampires, and a weakness can mean death or subjugation, a fate she is not willing to live with. The Risika that we see at the end of the book is a very different creature than Rachel, and this is a fascinating thing that is often overlooked in many of the modern vampire tales. Aubrey, on the other hand, is a great vampire, he is attractive, but he is not human; he is a hunter and he relishes being the predator. We never see him in conflict with his nature.
Atwater-Rhodes has taken a very unique path in regards to what parts of the vampire legends she uses. Risika talks about the sun, religious icons, silver, and decapitation and explains their ineffectiveness quite frankly. The hunger is still present, but it can be controlled if they feed in smaller amounts regularly, but if they expend too much energy or wait too long, the animal instincts start to reappear and their senses shrink to focus on blood alone! The vampires also grow stronger as they age, and with the strength their reflections fade. Their powers grow mostly with age, but there is also power from having a traumatic transformation. If one is transformed against their will and they struggle to live, they will make the most powerful of the vampires. Those who choose to be transformed and welcome it are reborn weak and if they do not have a stronger protector can easily be killed by vampire hunters or others of their kind. Some vampires are good at picking out strong willed humans that they know will make good vampires, and then turning them.
One of the most interesting aspects of the vampires in this story is their mental abilities. There are different blood lineages of vampires (traced from who turned who), and they are known to have different abilities or personalities or even styles. Risika and Aubrey are of the same lineage, and their line is known for their mental abilities. These can be used to aid their hunting and existence. But it can also be used to fight and control. So when vampires of their caliber do come to blows it is not just a physical fight, but two fights happening at the same time; a mental battle and a physical battle. It is the combination of the two that makes these fights so fascinating.
While it is not a very novel story and not very involved, it is well told. This is a great comfort read and can be read in one day (or a couple of hours really). And it is a nice change from all the romances in vampire fiction!
Final Verdict: Sink your teeth into this right away! An easy and enjoyable read for the rebellious teenager that lives in your heart!
Risika, In the Forest of the Night, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
This is going to be another novel that is very difficult to talk about fairly. I first read this book right after it came out, and I have to say it changed me. I won't pretend it is really well written or extremely novel, it just happened to come out while I was a preteen and hit right when I needed it. This was the first real vampire novel I had ever read and from it I started to devour anything with vampires, werewolves, and anything vaguely occult. This is the book that helped me discover Anne Rice after I read a review calling Atwater-Rhodes a young adult version of Ann Rice.
One of the most striking things about this novel is that Atwater-Rhodes wrote it when she was 13 and had it published before she was 15 (it was supposed to be published on her 14th birthday). Knowing this, while I read the book at 13, made me realize that it was possible for me to write as well. It was then that I really began to do creative writing. While I have yet to finish my own novel, I do owe a lot to this novel.
While it is a fast read and not very long, there is a lot packed into it. The story is about the life of a vampire named Risika, and is told in two story arcs. There is the present day story that follows Risika as she settles into life, but is interrupted by the one person from her past that she cannot stand, a vampire named Aubrey. There is a history between the two that means they cannot tolerate each other, and Risika has already lost a fight to Aubrey once, but to back down would mean showing weakness. The vampires cannot show weakness, it means you are prey, but neither is willing to just attack so they have to resort to a strange dance and taunts. The other story arc tells the story of Rachel, the young girl from the late 1600’s in Massachusetts, who would be turned into Risika. Rachel and her twin brother are close and live happily with their father, step-mother and younger sister. Her brother begins to believe that he has a power to control things, and losses control and burns their younger sister. He then starts to become distant to Rachel, just as a strange visitor stops by the house and gives her a black rose, which she pricks her finger upon. With one drop of blood Rachel has unknowingly condemned herself to a fate she did not even know existed. How will she become Risika? And will Risika be able to finally stand up to Aubrey or will she die for real this time?
One of the things I really love about this book and the others set in this world, is that the vampires are still dangerous. They are sympathetic and Atwater-Rhodes often sets the story from their point of view, but most of them (besides a few in the later books) drink human blood, and still kill people. One of the themes that Risika has to deal with is that she used to be human, but she is not human anymore and there is no good thinking as a human. It is hard on her to realize that humanity is a weakness in vampires, and a weakness can mean death or subjugation, a fate she is not willing to live with. The Risika that we see at the end of the book is a very different creature than Rachel, and this is a fascinating thing that is often overlooked in many of the modern vampire tales. Aubrey, on the other hand, is a great vampire, he is attractive, but he is not human; he is a hunter and he relishes being the predator. We never see him in conflict with his nature.
Atwater-Rhodes has taken a very unique path in regards to what parts of the vampire legends she uses. Risika talks about the sun, religious icons, silver, and decapitation and explains their ineffectiveness quite frankly. The hunger is still present, but it can be controlled if they feed in smaller amounts regularly, but if they expend too much energy or wait too long, the animal instincts start to reappear and their senses shrink to focus on blood alone! The vampires also grow stronger as they age, and with the strength their reflections fade. Their powers grow mostly with age, but there is also power from having a traumatic transformation. If one is transformed against their will and they struggle to live, they will make the most powerful of the vampires. Those who choose to be transformed and welcome it are reborn weak and if they do not have a stronger protector can easily be killed by vampire hunters or others of their kind. Some vampires are good at picking out strong willed humans that they know will make good vampires, and then turning them.
One of the most interesting aspects of the vampires in this story is their mental abilities. There are different blood lineages of vampires (traced from who turned who), and they are known to have different abilities or personalities or even styles. Risika and Aubrey are of the same lineage, and their line is known for their mental abilities. These can be used to aid their hunting and existence. But it can also be used to fight and control. So when vampires of their caliber do come to blows it is not just a physical fight, but two fights happening at the same time; a mental battle and a physical battle. It is the combination of the two that makes these fights so fascinating.
While it is not a very novel story and not very involved, it is well told. This is a great comfort read and can be read in one day (or a couple of hours really). And it is a nice change from all the romances in vampire fiction!
Final Verdict: Sink your teeth into this right away! An easy and enjoyable read for the rebellious teenager that lives in your heart!
2020- Should not have reread. This book is really terrible, but I liked it when I was a kid.
2024 reread! - pure nostalgia! Fun and bad!
2024 reread! - pure nostalgia! Fun and bad!
Easily, one of my all time favorite reads. Amelia offers an interesting take on the modern vampire, creating a rich world in which they seamlessly blend in with the humans they hunt to sustain themselves.
While our sassy main character, Risika definitely has a chip on her shoulder, she’s not a brooding, woe-is-me vampire. Instead, she’s found a comfortable routine that allows her to be content with her immortal existence… until a certain someone comes back into her life.
Which brings me to the first person narrative, which could easily pull the reader into Risika’s bias-- whether it’s her hatred and fear of Aubrey, her love of Tora, or her blind faith in her long ‘dead’ twin brother, Alexander.
From the outside, however, it can be seen that Aubrey appeared to care for Risika before becoming threatened by her power. Using mind games to keep her at bay until he crosses the one line that gets him a major ass whooping. There’s also wonderful foreshadowing that the sweet, innocent Alexander wasn’t quite what Risika thought he was and is even behind some recent events Risika blamed on Aubrey.
Overall the plot of the book isn’t just about Risika’s life, but about her past catching up to her. Though she was content with her life, facing her past makes her truly confront who she is in the present and she doesn’t hate or resent herself. Nor does she find solace believing she’s human even though she’s been turned into a monster. A very nice change up from the usual vampire MC.
Throughout the novel, she thinks back to her human past as ‘Rachel’, her transition, and early days as a vampire. She reflects on them, wondering how much she’s changed, if there’s even a shred of her humanity left. When Tora is murdered and Risika embraces her strength, fights Aubrey and leaves the shadow she’d been living under since she turned. Without time to really embrace her victory, she’s faced with her brother.
And in that moment, looking into Alexander’s eyes, realizing he sees a monster in her, not his sister, she accepts it. Essentially proclaiming, she is who and what she is, not who anyone else thinks she should be. To directly quote her:
'I am one of them
I am also Rachel.
I am Risika.'
Easily one of my favorite character moments in vampire fiction I’ve read. In the Forest of the Night introduces us to The Den of Shadows world and sets the ground work for mixing old and new myths. A great story for fans of older vampires myths who also enjoy a new spin on something old. ^^
Sam out.
While our sassy main character, Risika definitely has a chip on her shoulder, she’s not a brooding, woe-is-me vampire. Instead, she’s found a comfortable routine that allows her to be content with her immortal existence… until a certain someone comes back into her life.
Which brings me to the first person narrative, which could easily pull the reader into Risika’s bias-- whether it’s her hatred and fear of Aubrey, her love of Tora, or her blind faith in her long ‘dead’ twin brother, Alexander.
From the outside, however, it can be seen that Aubrey appeared to care for Risika before becoming threatened by her power. Using mind games to keep her at bay until he crosses the one line that gets him a major ass whooping. There’s also wonderful foreshadowing that the sweet, innocent Alexander wasn’t quite what Risika thought he was and is even behind some recent events Risika blamed on Aubrey.
Overall the plot of the book isn’t just about Risika’s life, but about her past catching up to her. Though she was content with her life, facing her past makes her truly confront who she is in the present and she doesn’t hate or resent herself. Nor does she find solace believing she’s human even though she’s been turned into a monster. A very nice change up from the usual vampire MC.
Throughout the novel, she thinks back to her human past as ‘Rachel’, her transition, and early days as a vampire. She reflects on them, wondering how much she’s changed, if there’s even a shred of her humanity left. When Tora is murdered and Risika embraces her strength, fights Aubrey and leaves the shadow she’d been living under since she turned. Without time to really embrace her victory, she’s faced with her brother.
And in that moment, looking into Alexander’s eyes, realizing he sees a monster in her, not his sister, she accepts it. Essentially proclaiming, she is who and what she is, not who anyone else thinks she should be. To directly quote her:
'I am one of them
I am also Rachel.
I am Risika.'
Easily one of my favorite character moments in vampire fiction I’ve read. In the Forest of the Night introduces us to The Den of Shadows world and sets the ground work for mixing old and new myths. A great story for fans of older vampires myths who also enjoy a new spin on something old. ^^
Sam out.
Very quick and easy read. Not bad, but not particularly enjoyable, either.
Not something I will likely every read again.
Not something I will likely every read again.
It was a good book for a first. And I was amazed when I learned when it was written by someone so young. Aubrey rules!
I loved this book. It combines eloquent descriptions with vivid imagery, and has generally original ideas. I love the characters, and one paragraph actually inspired me to write almost a whole chapter. Excellent work, full of new work and angles I haven't even though of.