It takes one thrilling book to bring back the joy of reading. The Forest King’s Daughter by Elly Blake is that book. With the rise of Booktok, I have read many Romantasy novels because of their often high reader ratings and appearances on “books you should read” lists.
Unfortunately, I am frequently, for various reasons, disappointed in many of these popular books.
Therefore, my expectations were low for The Forest King’s Daughter. Luckily, the Book Faeries shone upon me this time, making it one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year thus far.
Blake’s novel follows Cassia and Zeru, mortal enemies by fate, childhood whimsy, and war. Naturally, they end up in a situation that forces them to bond and connect. Then comes love.
The Forest King’s Daughter shares some themes and elements with Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince or The Folk of the Air series. Thankfully, it’s not a carbon copy but uses aspects that make that series so addictive and fun in its own way.
Zeru and Cassia are enemies but never to the point of uncomfortable cruelty. You always know they’ll end up together, and you want it.
Their courtship and relationship mainly make this book work. It’s a charming romance filled with a bit of playful banter, the stakes of war and destruction, and unwavering eventual devotion.
Admittedly, because I have read so many Romantasy books, many in this genre seem a bit predictable. This makes me overconfident in my ability to predict the outcome of this Blake book.
I expect some twists and turns that don’t ever come true. The Forest King’s Daughter is a much stronger novel because it forges its own path and doesn’t fall into predictable pitfalls.
It uses things like complicated daughter-father dynamics, sisterly bonds, complex histories, and war in a way that doesn’t just mirror The Cruel Prince and novels similar to it.
Cassia and Zeru also are not Cardan and Jude. They are much more gentle — in an innocence not seen in Holly Black’s masterful series.
We know Blake has more books in the series planned because The Forest King’s Daughter is labeled as the Thirstwood Book #1 on Amazon. Once again going against expectations, it ends on a satisfying conclusion and not really a cliffhanger.
This decision just makes me even more eager to return to this world.
The world-building is also a major strength of this series — though not always easy to follow — it keeps you engaged and hooked.
The pacing works well, and it’s an easy read as you zoom through all the thrills with Zeru and Cassia.
This adds to The Forest King’s Daughter’s cinematic quality. The world is full of beauty, creatures, and characters.
At only a few hundred pages, it’s compact enough to draw out details from this world but never drag.
So many books means some smaller novels without enough promotion get ignored. Don’t let this book miss your TBR shelf.
The Forest King’s Daughter is thoroughly enjoyable, fast-paced, and has lots of intrigue while not falling into the pitfalls of just repeating a formula.
Gladly, sign me up for the next Thirstwood book.
Buy The Forest King’s Daughter wherever books are sold.
