A review by sdertinger
The Forest of Stars by Heather Kassner

5.0

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.