This review was part of an eighth grade assignment turned in on December 2, 2012.
The basic elements of fantasy have been around as long as history can remember, but fantasy in the modern, genre sense has only been known for less than two centuries. It was really after Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit that fantasy started to soar. More people wanted to publish a book as popular as Tolkien’s. Two of those fantasy series that continue to attract readers today are Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
Forest Born, the fourth and final book in Shannon Hale’s Books of Bayern series is part of our large collection fantasy literature. Fantasies are typically tales with unknown places, foreign languages, and a touch of magic. They may also be a discovery in the world as we know it. Maybe a little mythology here and there. A romance. Most likely a happy ending. Forest Born consists of made-up lands, foreign languages, accents, and specially-gifted girls who have their ways with nature.
Shannon Hale has always been a storyteller. She started writing books at age ten and made it her life in later years. She is a fantasy geek and has written seven fantasy novels for young adults—The Goose Girl, Enna Burning, River Secrets, Forest Born, Newberry Honor winning Princess Academy, Palace of Stone, and Book of a Thousand Days. She has written two graphic novels with her husband and has just finished a sequel to Princess Academy.
Rinna Agget of Bayern’s vast forest had always felt wrong and disconnected. She has always felt like a cat ready to pounce. But after she convinces a boy with lies to kiss her, the forest doesn’t feel right anymore. She goes to the city with her brother Razo to become a waiting woman to Queen Anidori-Kiladra Taliana Isilee. Then it is discovered that there are firespeakers near Kel, a country bordering Bayern. The king and his men set out to discover what is going on and suddenely King Geric is wounded. Rin makes her way to the king’s campsite with Queen Anidori and sees Queen Anidori (“Isi”) slip off with Dasha and Enna, fellow girls gifted with fire, water, and wind. Rin follows, and is soon part of something. She’s part of a dangerous quest to investigate Kel and defeat an old enemy—the so-called queen of Kel.
Shannon Hale tells her story with simple words, full sentences, and repetition. She tells the story in third person, though never straying from Rin’s point of view. Lots of details are contained in the story but description of how old the characters are and exactly what they look like is vague. Inner thinking is used increasingly throughout the story. The tone is tragic but meaningful as Rin struggles with her self-esteem and internal peace.
Forest Born was very good. I enjoyed reading it a lot. It’s a book full of drama, suspense, and connection with nature. Rin is such a believable character. Her issues with meeting people and being included are shared with me. I loved the fact that Selia, the people-speaking insane girl from The Goose Girl shows up, even if it was a little cheesy. I was a little annoyed, though, when Isi said the classic cheesy lines, “You!” when she first saw Selia, who was supposed to be dead. I love Rin a lot, I like the plot, but I was just a little disappointed with the way Shannon Hale went with Selia’s first appearance. I guess there could be the excuse that Selia had people-speaking and absolutely loved to talk, but still, the cheese level is high.
I would recommend Forest Born to people aged 10-14. Also fantasy lovers and fans of magic. People who read The Circle of Magic series and liked it would be obsessed with Shannon Hale’s books. People who enjoy a good, fast and easy read should read the Books of Bayern. They’re easy, fast, well-written, and lovable.
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