There were so many things I really liked about this book. The case of the missing girls was obviously the major plot point of the story but there was so much more to it. What I’d like to clear up that the summary doesn’t really is that the incident of the sisters going missing between the current events was 5 years. The story takes place a year after Hwani’s father is missing with her returning to her village. Hwani runs away from her Aunt to investigate her father’s disappearance by looking into the cases of the thirteen missing girls because she feels like it will lead her to the answer of what happened to her father. The events of this story play out so well. A little bit of clues are dropped as Hwani furthers her investigation without ever revealing too much. I don’t know if it’s because I love thrillers so much but I figured out who it was about halfway through the story. However, this did not dampen my experience with the novel at all. It was interesting to see Hwani discover all the clues and unravel this mystery with the help of her sister, Maewol. Besides the mystery itself, Hwani and Maewol’s relationship is what also drove this story for me.

The book follows Hwani’s point of view in which it’s obvious that all she ever wanted was her father’s approval. In fact, she states it many times that is what she wants for her life, to make her father proud. After the incident in which her and her sister disappear, Maewol is actually left behind in the village with a shaman who took her in and raised her. Hwani doesn’t remember much about that time when they were lost in the forest and her memories resurface as the story unfolds. This is crucial in the investigation, but also in restoring her relationship with Maewol. I absolutely loved how the sister’s relationship is intertwined into this story. Hwani was all set on doing this by herself but Maewol refused to not be involved. One of the reasons I really liked their story is because it shows that no matter what happened between these sisters, they are family to each other. Even without speaking with each other for five years, they learn how to rely upon each other as they did when they were little. So even though this was a mystery story, the family dynamic was a huge part of this story as well. Hwani did some stupid things but it really made her character more believable at that point. While she may have read and studied her father, she never had formal training as a detective and some of her actions prove it. If she would have flawlessly solved this case, I don’t think the ending would have been as satisfying. And even though they still technically “won”, the loss that they endured hit them hard also.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur was absolutely amazing. I devoured this book so quickly because I wanted to know what was happening. The beginning maybe slower for some people, I enjoyed learning about the past and the development between the sisters. And as the clues began to drop more and more, the importance of solving this case took precedence. There were so many different driving factors in this book that just blended so well together. While the setting itself was somber due to what was happening, I loved the world that was created and the details that Hur put into this book. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy historical mystery with a huge family dynamic subplot.

A riveting ya thriller, the forest of stolen girls is unlike anything I’ve ever read. The writing is its own unique tale in and of itself. I got lost in the world and the mystery of it all.

This is an astonishing sophomore novel and I marvel at June Hur's ability to create a terrifying (yet intricately-plotted) YA historical. RTC.

The Forest of Stolen Girls is pure atmosphere. It's a book about all these missing girls and questions. Broken branches and holes in tapestries. Daughters vanishing without a trace. I definitely got similar vibes from The Forest of Stolen Girls and The Silence of Bones, but I loved it! I think my favorite element of The Forest of Stolen Girls - despite the twisting mystery - was the family element. Not only is there a complex sister relationship of bridged silences, but also Hwani's disillusionment of her father.

She has to realize that the father she knew, is different than the one her sister knew. That her father was, after all is said and done, just human. Capable of making mistakes, full of regret, and unable to be who we might expect, or want. Parenthood is messy and complex. It manifests in different and difficult ways. Witnessing the variety of parents in The Forest of Stolen Girls just reinforces this idea. Will we become tied to their images of us? To our duty to them no matter what?

I received an e-arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I really don’t know what to say about this book. I think my main issue was I didn’t connect with the writing style which made it difficult for me to care about any of the characters in the book.

There were also some really ridiculous moments that just pulled me out and made me go “WHO DOES THAT??” (Like when the MC finds a suspicious powder, thinks it might be what killed her dad, and then proceeds to TASTE IT TO SEE IF IT IS POISON. I feel like from that moment on, I didn’t care about the book and just wanted it over with.

I absolutely loved this book. As in [book:The Silence of Bones|44280973], The Forest of Stolen Girls was emotional, atmospheric, and so well-researched. June is incredible at bringing settings alive — in this case, 1426 Joseon (Korea). I also love the way she tackles the complexity of family. She’s definitely one of my favorite authors!

Also, while I appreciate a good romance plot (and there’s certainly nothing wrong with including it in a story!), it can also be refreshing to see there are also some phenomenal YA books without romance. For fellow readers looking for more books that include richly developed characters + relationships, sans romance, this book and June’s debut are excellent choices.

Huge thank you to Fierce Reads for an advanced electronic copy of this wonderful book! Out April 20 via Feiwel & Friends.

This isn’t my usual genre of book, and I’m glad I went into it not realizing it was set in the 1400’s, because I probably wouldn’t have read it.
June Hur’s writing is lyrical and I found myself flying through the pages. The way she wrote about the island made it feel haunting and magical. I also loved the relationship between the sisters and how their relationship grows through their shared experiences.

Again, not my usual genre as historical fiction has never meshed with me. But I think this book will entertain thriller lovers as well as historical fiction fans. A perfect blend.

This is a very rich story that had me wondering if it was based on a true mystery. It is a delicate balance between suspense and grief. It gripped me to the very last page. Thanks to NetGalley and Raincoast Books for the opportunity to read a book I might not have otherwise picked up Highly recommend it!!

THE FOREST OF STOLEN GIRLS centers around Hwani as she searches the truth behind her father's (Detective Min) disappearance while he was investigating the disappearance of 13 young women.

I really enjoyed learning about the Korean Joseon dynasty (1426) and I even felt more in love with the Jeju island. The atmospheric writing in addition to the vivid descriptions were brilliant to allow me an immersive experience. Both Hwani and Maewol are independent and strong female characters that we unconsciously cheer on and I thought that they were developed in nuance and distinction.

While I was captivated by the mystery aspect in the beginning, I ended up being more impressed by the historical elements. My only critique is that there were some predictable moments that took away my excitement and I didn't get the full excitement back towards the end. To me, the overall enjoyment of the story has been highlighted by the historical parts - the "connection" between mainland Korea and Jeju plus the issue surrounding human tributes (make sure to read the author's historical notes). To sum up, a delightful and refreshing take on the Korean history filled with mystery.

When her famous detective father disappears, Min Hwani returns to her birth place to find him. Before she can start looking for him she must face the sister they left behind, and find out what happened the night the sisters were found in the woods beside a dead girl. Corrupt politicians, a patriarchal society and grieving families make it difficult for Hwani and Maewol to uncover the truth. Then there is the man in the white mask, who haunts the forest stealing girls. Will they be able to find her father in time? Or will they disappear like so many before them? I really enjoyed this historical mystery, set on the island of Jeju in the Korean Strait in the year 1426. The mystery is laid out well, the history is fascinating and the story of two sisters is compelling.

This is an amazing historical mystery, and the atmosphere and historicization are amazing. I will say, as many others have already commented, that the pace is slow for the first 2/3 or so and the tone is somewhat meditative and elegiac while the writing style is heavily descriptive. This resulted, for me at least, in a slow read up until the 2/3 point, and I did consider DNF'ing simply because it wasn't as immersive as I prefer my mysteries to be. (The tension between contemplative writing and the more common propulsive thrust of a murder mystery was a hard juxtaposition for me to deal with, but this is a 'me' issue and does not reflect negatively on the book at all. I certainly appreciate the author's more nuanced approach to YA mystery writing.) Once the 2/3 point hit, though, I couldn't put it down and finished the rest in one night. I will say that there's a content warning for mutilation and murder and the idea of sexual assault, though there is nothing on page and no graphic descriptions.

4.5 stars

"Nowon, the most peaceful village, they say it is," she rasped. "But enter and you might not ever leave it."

Mystery thriller isn't exactly my go-to genre, so I might not have picked this up if hadn't I won an early copy from a Fierce Reads raffle. I know I tend to give Asian American YA authors a hard time, but that's just because I've been waiting for, I don't know, something amazing, I guess. I'm looking for something that'll blow us all away, something that'll make me feel something, something like June Hur's The Forest of Stolen Girls.

You guys, how do I even describe this book? It grabbed me by the collar and would not let go. I feel like "atmospheric" is the new buzzword lately. People are always talking about how atmospheric a book is, and I finally get it. Hur's descriptions of 1426 Korea pulled me in, and I was instantly transported to a small village on Jeju Island and completely forgot I was stuck on a stationary bike on an overcast day. (So I guess I should also thank her for helping me reach my step goal for the day.)

The story is intricately woven, and the suspense slowly builds over time. Hur's writing is immersive, evocative, haunting, and all the other slightly pretentious-sounding adjectives reviewers love to use to describe books. I hate using those descriptors because I feel like they tend to be overused and misapplied, but reading Hur's prose is like the literary equivalent of walking through a misty forest, so I don't know how else to describe it.

In terms of actual content, I loved the relationship between Hwani and her sister (there's something about complex familial dynamics in Asian fiction that gets me every time.) The tension between the nature of truth and its consequences made this so much more than a simple thriller/mystery and definitely gives off some Descendant of the Crane vibes. I loved the setting and some of the intricate details included in the worldbuilding. On a minor note, props to June Hur for seamlessly incorporating Korean into the story. Too often authors either feel the need to spell everything out or don't provide enough context when using non-English words and ends up breaking up the flow of a book and detracting from the story, but I didn't find that here.

I don't really know how to gush about this without giving anything away; maybe if I vibed with it less, I might be able to talk about it more. The only reason this isn't getting a full 5 star review is because I wish it'd been just a little more developed (and because you know I'm stingy as Scrooge when it comes to those 5 star reviews,) but I really think this is going to be one of my top reads of 2021 because it's really that good.

I read the first few chapters of this book in a Fierce Reads sampler and was very excited to read the rest, but I really struggled to get through it. The setting and time was definitely unique, but I struggled to connect with the characters and felt like it dragged.

This is definitely a book for someone, but that someone was not me.

The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur is set on Jeju Island in 15th century Joseon (Korea). 13 girls have gone missing in the forest on Jeju Island and Detective Min returns to the island to investigate. Min left the island with his daughter, Hwani, leaving his youngest daughter behind as an intern with the local
shaman. Detective Min disappears and Hwani returns to the island, 5 years after a mysterious incident in the woods with her sister Maewol, to find her father. Set against the backdrop of windswept mountains, foreboding forests, and the spector of the tragedy of the missing girls, this historical mystery is full of intrigue and family secrets. The island is a place of struggle, hunger, and pain. Adding to the hard scrabble life of the islanders, the court of the Ming dynasty demands the beautiful daughters as tributes to be paid. The story moves quickly and the ending is unexpected and satisfying. Mysteries aren’t my usual genre of choice, however, the historical aspect caught my eye, and the history of the time and place was handled with care and respect. Frankly, it left me wanting to find out more about the history, and to read Hur’s first novel, The Silence of Bones. And the fierceness and strength of the women in the novel is fantastic! Thanks @Netgalley for the e-ARC!! The Forest of Stolen Girls will be released in the US on April 19, 2021.

This was more of a slow burn than I am used to but I found reading about a different culture fascinating!

The Forest of Stolen Girls is a slow-moving and heavily detailed mystery. Mystery lovers will enjoy the subtle clues and characters’ interactions. Others will be drawn to the relationship between the sisters. Hwani and Maewol experience all of the love and conflict that two very different sisters might be expected to go through.

I would recommend this book to public and high school libraries with a few caveats. Reluctant or struggling readers might prefer something with more action and less detail. It is also essential for everyone to read the historical note; the concept of “tribute girls” should be introduced before a young person reads this book. Finally, there are some topics in the book that librarians should be aware of (e.g. - child abuse, rape, death). Mature young adults will, however, give The Forest of Stolen Girls high marks.

This historical mystery/thriller, like Hur's previous novel, brings us back to historical Korea, this time in the 1400s and centered on Jeju Island. The time and place is one that I so rarely encounter in fiction that it is still fresh and unique, and I got a real sense for the small island town that Hwani and her sister Maewol once called home before trauma and tragedy tore their family apart. I loved the slow set up of the mystery, and how Hur from the very beginning paints a picture of how dangerous it is for girls in this time and place. The story itself centers around girls who have gone missing from the island, and how Hwani and Maewol, who escaped this fate but not unscathed, approach the mystery of what happened to them, and what happened to their father who disappeared while investigating. I loved the sister story, finding them to be realistic in their pull towards each other, but also in their estrangement the baggage they carry. I was fully invested in what was happening to the girls in this town, and how it connected to Hwani, Maewol, and their father, and Hur has a whole list of possible suspects and red herrings that kept me guessing. I also really liked the historical note at the end that addresses the practice of trafficking young women out of Korea during this time, which is so upsetting, and also upsetting that these things are still happening today, centuries later, all over the world.

THE FOREST OF STOLEN GIRLS is another dark historical novel from June Hur, and if you like historical mysteries but are looking for something different, this is one to pick up!

This is a unique book, a YA mystery thriller set in Korea in the 15th century. The writing is atmospheric; the plot has many layers that are slowly revealed. At times, events were somewhat confusing, but the tension of the story kept growing as eighteen-year-old Hwani tries to find her missing detective father. I confess at one point I had to look ahead to the end, to prepare myself for potential tragedy. There is tragedy, but Hwani and her sister do survive, and ends with glimpses of a new place for Hwani as a solver of mysteries. Highly recommended.

June Hur's The Forest of Stolen Girls is an atmospheric historical fiction novel about Min Hwani, a headstrong girl determined to reunite with her sister Maewol and finish her father's investigation into the case of thirteen missing girls. But the island of Jejudo is filled with theft—of daughters, of fathers, of memories—and Hwani cannot rely on anyone in the small village to tell the truth.

Before I dive into anything else, I'm obligated to gush about the cover!! There's nothing else to say except that it's gorgeous, and it matches the mood of the novel perfectly. Plus, the artist in me can't help but swoon at the intricacy of the flora

Moving onto the actual novel, there were some lulls in the plot. I wasn't bothered by this because I tend to gravitate toward stories with more descriptive writing styles, but I would exercise caution if you prefer faster-paced reads. I'm also a sucker for stories that involve mysterious forests, and this one didn't disappoint. I felt like I was there with the characters the entire time, even though I have minimal experience with this time period (and historical mysteries in general).

I appreciated the number of strong female characters; they all struggled against societal gender norms in different and complex ways. The novel even started with Hwani disguising herself as a young man in order to travel freely and continue her father's investigation without suspicion. There were also many points of tension within characters' familial relationships, especially between Hwani and Maewol, who were estranged and treated unequally by their father. The fact that Hwani had a suspect list also kept me guessing about the true intentions of many characters, and it helped make secondary characters more three-dimensional.

Overall, this is what I would call a “quiet” book—less high-octane but still beautiful and intricate.

Interesting setting, rich details, and a solid mystery. I would not be surprised if this becomes a big hit! Plus, what a gorgeous cover.