A review by thebiasedbibliophile
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees by A. L. Lorensen

5.0

I waited way too long to write this review since listening to this wonderful audiobook, but thankfully I took notes! I had my eye on this book for a while because the title was very intriguing to me, and I was so excited that Lorensen tied the title into the story so directly, cleverly, and emotionally.

From the beginning of the story, you know Tristan’s secret identity, but you don’t know the details of how the characters got to where they were at the start. I appreciated the way Lorensen revealed those details gradually throughout the novel, weaving in tension and suspense to keep the reader’s interest.

On a similar note, all the characters were robust and three-dimensional. The story follows multiple characters with drastically different motivations, but each character’s motivation was strong and plausible. As a reader, their actions in pursuit of their goals made sense, and I even found myself rooting for some of the villains because their motivations were so believable. 

Furthermore, I adored the juxtaposition of humor and lyrical writing. Books that make me laugh and contemplate the big questions in life are my favorite, and For Evergreens and Aspen Trees certainly meets those criteria. Lorensen’s writing is poetic and immersive.

Finally, the narrator of the audiobook, Aaron Volner, was wonderful! I listened to the book for hours, and I loved the way Volner made you feel immersed in the story.

As a whole, For Evergreens and Aspen Trees was an exceptional read, and I can’t wait to continue the series!