library_of_alexandra 's review for:

Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee

3.0

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Forest of Souls is a good YA novel. Not amazing, not life-changing, but not terrible. Honestly, it just felt like not a lot happened. I understand this is the first book in a series, but it lacked an engaging hook, and therefore I never really felt invested in what I felt was a pretty sparse storyline. While plot may not have been this book's strength, the sinister and dark setting was quite effective and atmospheric. The forest was gruesome and genuinely spooky. Another positive: I loved the idea of female friendship featuring so prominently in the narrative -- though I felt the best friend was a little bland and her personality was barely discussed or shown. I hope this friendship gets a lot more depth in the next book, as it got a lot of screen-time here, but no real substance.

3 stars!