A super fun fantasy with all the elements that keep me reading! I just love diving into a fantasy world and this second installment was very well done and I enjoyed!

In this sequel and finale in the Forestborn duology, Helos steps into the spotlight as a main POV, so cheer for the queer rep at the forefront of the story (the cover is also a great and gorgeous clue hinting at his centrality). We get to understand his work as a healer, his role as an older brother, his trauma around being a distrusted and violently targeted shifter, and his deep feelings for Finley, the prince who is dying from a magical disease with only the barest hope of a cure-- the same prince who is pushing Helos away. But don't worry about your facetime with Rora because you'll still have it as she races alone to see through several high-risk, high-reward plans. The book boasts a masterful use of cliffhangers and dual POV to string you along, excited and worried about what both characters are facing. Separated by duty and determination, the two siblings have tasks and enemies aplenty as war bears down. There's a strong sense of a ticking clock and unfavorable odds permeating the story.

One of the things I love most about this book is its approach to violence and war. A common theme is the despair and desperation of being put in a position where your decisions mean life or death for others, be it a specific person or many. It comes up for our healer and our spy/insurgent, though in different forms. Both Helos and Rora weigh right and wrong in the moment and have to decide when to extend mercy, calculating the costs to themselves and to those not in the room to choose. Killing and fighting are presented as never an easy choice, never a foregone conclusion. When the violent path is taken, it can be right, it can be regretted, and it can be both. Battle is portrayed as horrible and grief-stricken, not a place for glory. And it's not just over with a celebrated victory (if that). The aftermath is brutal and uncertain in its own way, dominated by searching for loved ones and fearing the worst, grieving and staring down a grim future.

There are other aspects of darkness in the story that are handled with care. Through Helos, we see the burdens of PTSD & second-hand trauma both. Through Finley, we see how someone isn't brave or inspirational just by existing with an illness that can or will kill them. The story models the importance of listening when your partner or someone you care about expresses what they need rather than providing what you think they need.

In terms of characterization, this book is a shining beacon in a sea of toxic masculinity. For all the characters, including the several men, softness and kindness are championed. They experience a full spectrum of emotions that sometimes lead to crying. And it's never something shameful. We're not repressing shit out here.

Of the many beautiful relationships in the book, there are NO love triangles anywhere, but there's plenty of drama and tension all the same. Authors, take note. In the two main romantic plots, there's consent-y consent everywhere you look. We see people check for a yes even though they're already in a loving relationship because one shouldn't assume, regardless of context. We see people respect a no and not have it framed as ruining a moment but as using the time to enjoy each other differently. It's not a letdown or embarrassment to set boundaries on physical intimacy-- just communication and togetherness. Beyond the romance, it's clear that the author doesn't value romantic love as more special than all other forms, which an aroace person can especially appreciate when reading. Sometimes, you need family. Sometimes you need the people you choose as your family. You don't see the main characters prioritize ~true love~ over their beloved family members. When apart, they think of all their loved ones. They want to spend time with all the important people in their lives, not just a romantic partner. It's so wholesome and heart-warming and wonderful.

This book is ultimately about hope in a dark world. It's about cherishing a new day with the people you love. It's about healing together, even when the circumstances aren't fair. It's about fighting back and striving for empathy and kindness through it all. It's a lovely end to a lovely duology. Thanks to Tor Teen for my copy to read and review!

(i received an arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

this time, i tried to give the sequel a chance. to be fair, i got more invested in the world unlike its previous instalment. but once again, i found myself puzzled at the presence of many loose ends not yet tied up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan-Tor/Forge/Tor Teen for this advanced eARC for review!

5/5 stars!

I'm now a huge Elayne Audrey Becker fan. I absolutely LOVE her writing and the way that she tells stories. You get completely involved in the character's inner workings, and the plot is always so thoroughly fleshed out but just twisty enough to keep you guessing and wanting more. This was such a great conclusion to Forestborn, and I'm going to miss these characters and this world so much. There was so much personal growth with all 3 MC's, and I absolutely loved the magic system!

Wow this was even better than book one. I loved this heartbreaking story and could not put it down. I think that I will totally have to keep an eye out for her next title. The shape-shifters and magic were some of the best I have read.

I did not love this novel as much as Forestborn. I really struggled through it. I really did not feel connected to the main characters. This was not my cup of tea.

Content Warning: This book contains torture of animals and people; violent deaths; and graphic description of injuries related to war.

Cover Story: Back Back Back Again

There’s still a lot going on but I am used to it. The first book and this one go together nicely when they are side by side, which I very much appreciate. With the dust jacket off, there’s a silver Goshawk on a royal blue cover! Also that elk is going to haunt me for a while. The eyes are piercing and not in a good way.

The Deal

At the end of the first book, Rora, Helos, and Weslyn have escaped the Western Vale. The stardust they’d gathered is now gone, leaving no hope of rescuing Finley or the rest of the people sick with the Fallow Thores. When they return to the city of Roanin, they find it empty save for a note from the Eradain King, Joel, and a beheaded King Gerar (I told you, major spoilers!). The only sensible thing to do is split up.

The Deal

At the end of the first book, Rora, Helos, and Weslyn have escaped the Western Vale. The stardust they’d gathered is now gone, leaving no hope of rescuing Finley or the rest of the people sick with the Fallow Thores. When they return to the city of Roanin, they find it empty save for a note from the Eradain King, Joel, and a beheaded King Gerar (I told you, major spoilers!). The only sensible thing to do is split up.

Wesleyan and Helos take off to find Finley and their sister, now Queen Violet. They make it to the keep, and Helos is in full on healer mode, helping with the injured and working in the makeshift hospital, while balancing seeing Finely as much as he can.


Rora ventures back to the Western Vale to try and awaken the land with magic, in hopes that the magical sickness of the Fallow Throes will leave the bodies of non magical humans alone. Her mission is not to get more stardust, but to destroy the prison that was discovered while the group was leaving the Western Vale – a prison that King Joel created to rid the land of magical beings. Rora will need help though, from the magical creatures she once feared, as well as those that call the Vale home.

Can Helos and Rora protect the ones they love from the threat of war and the Fallow Throes?

BFF Charm: Yay x 2

2 BFF charms
I’m still best friends with Rora, and now that Helos is narrating half the book, I am best friends with him as well, albeit a bit reluctantly! When I realized he was narrating the second book, I was a little annoyed. (No, I did not read the synopsis because I like to be surprised.) It was like hanging out with your best friend (Rora, obvi) who complains to you about how much her brother’s been hurting her emotionally, and then being forced to hang out with him while she’s gallivanting with her other friends. I still enjoyed Rora’s chapters the most since I was already heavily invested in her, but now I like her brother as well, if only because he and Finley are so cute together.

Swoonworthy Scale: 7

Two main characters means more loooove!

Finley and Helos’ relationship is hinted at in Forestborn but with Helos’ perspective we get to see how involved they were before and it is sweet. There is also a dark cloud looming over them as Finley could die at any moment from his Fallow Throes sickness. With no way of helping him, Helos is a mess. It’s heartbreaking and you can’t help but hope they get their happily ever after somehow.

Rora and Weslyn are separated for most of the book so all we get is her missing him and reminiscing…which happens a lot and makes you want to shake her half the time because, SHE. NEEDS. TO. FOCUS. She’s constantly in danger and I get the hope of seeing Weslyn again is driving her, but it’s also distracting her and stressing me out.

Talky Talk: Dancing to the Same Song

You can expect the same beautiful writing from Becker and I did (eventually) enjoy the back and forth narration of Rora and Helos. It added more to the story and it was nice to know what was going on in two different places. It would have been a very short book without the chapters from Helos!

Bonus Factor: New Animal Form

If you’ve read the first book, and I really hope you have before reading this review, you know that Helos only has two animal forms and is waiting for his third form to come through. I was so so excited when he finally got his final form and maybe even squealed a bit! There was a lot of build up and teasing about what form Helos would take and when. You will not be disappointed when the time finally does come, and Helos’ isn’t the only new shifter form we see!

Anti-Bonus Factor: Half Sibling Stress

King Joel is effectively the worst. Finding out Rora and Helos had a half brother in Forestborn blew my mind and was not a twist I was expecting. He’s a manipulative jerk from the start, as all good villains are. I was baffled that Rora felt any kind of sympathy for him since he has basically hurt or threatened everyone she loves. With all the damage and destruction that Joel has caused, I assumed Rora would not think twice about taking him out.

Relationship Status: My Precious

I have both Forestborn and Wildbound as ebooks, audiobooks and physical copies, so YES, I am obsessed. I am so happy that Elayne Audrey Becker brought this story to life and gave it to the world.

Literary Matchmaking

The Ones We’re Meant to Find
Need more siblings missing each other trying to get home? Read The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He.


The Witch’s Boy
Looking for more magic and siblings in medieval times check out The Witch’s Boy by Kelly Barnhill.


We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1)
Itching for more magical revival? Read We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1) by Hafsah Faizal.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from Macmillan and have not received payment for this review and will be forever sad shifters aren’t real. Wildbound is available now.

I will not be giving feedback on this title as my galley is unreadable. Just a bunch of random text. I enjoyed the prior installment of this series immensely though, and will be buying my own copy of this

An immersive, exciting continuation of the beautiful story launched in Forestborn. Sharp character development, lyrical writing, and an intense plot with a multi-POV perspective make Wildbound an epic end to the Forestborn duology. A must-read for nature and fantasy lovers, and a great choice for anyone looking to get started with the fantasy genre.

Wildbound is the follow-up to the YA fantasy book Forestborn about siblings Rora and Helos who can shift into different people and animals. I didn't realize that this book was a sequel when I requested it and ended up listening to Forestborn before reading this one. I liked Forestborn fine and it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I was looking forward to seeing how things picked up in the second book!

Well, things took a while to pick up. While Rora was the main character in the first book and it is told completely from her perspective, Wildbound shifts perspective between her and her brother Helos. I didn't really understand what Rora was up to and honestly didn't really care. I found myself skimming her chapters to go back to Helos and the characters whom I recognized from the first book. I got into this book around 3/4 of the way through but really thought about giving up about midway. I'm glad that I didn't because I enjoyed the end! You also absolutely have to read the first book before reading the second, I would have been so confused if I didn't read Forestborn first.

I liked the romance in this book a lot, especially Helos and Finley. I loved reading their scenes. I also liked the representation of chronic/terminal illness in this book (a fictional magical illness) and enjoyed seeing how the characters handled Finely's disease progression throughout the book. Rora and Weslyn aren't together a lot in this book but I enjoyed the parts where they were.

As in the first book, I liked the shifter mechanics and logic, like how characters have to add or subtract matter depending on the form that they take. I thought it grounded this world really well. I liked seeing how Rora and Helos used their abilities and some of the limitations that they had.

Overall, I liked this book and recommend the series if you are looking for a new fantasy series in a unique world. 3.65 stars rounded up to 4 from me. Thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Some mixed feelings about this one!

I still loved vicious Rora, the magical forest world, and Wes. The writing is lovely, the shape-shifting such a fun element, and the sibling bonds perfection.

On the other hand, Wildbound falls into a few second-book downers: the main ship is separated for 75% of the book, the unique premise of the first book morphs into a grand-scale save-the-kingdom plot that overtook some of the character-building, and the additional pov added didn’t really serve the story, but only advanced the very politically-correct agenda—there truly was very little plot in his chapters.

Though I think Forestborn might’ve functioned better as a standalone. I would still love to read whatever Elayne writes next.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc!

-A

What I appreciated the most about Wildbound is the ethical exploration Audrey Becker takes us on. With this multiple POV novel, Wildbound asks our favorite characters if we keep leaving a trail of bodies because it's easier? Do we become that person? Or we do we rise to the challenge? Continuing the prejudice against magic users, Wildbound describes the intolerance, hatred, fear and ignorance. And while I wish that we had gotten just a bit more resolution on this front, overall Wildbound is a satisfying sequel about changing the future one step at a time.

I enjoyed the first book of this duology and expected to like this one too. I did not, however, anticipate how much I would LOVE it. It took me a while to warm up to the first book and its protagonist, Rora, but I was instantly absorbed by this one. The dual POV was perfect for this story because it allowed a window into both sides of the war and created the opportunity to get to know some characters much better, primarily Fin and Helos.

The plot moved forward at a brisk pace with plenty of action. This story picks up immediately after the heartbreaking revelations at the end of the first book. Rora has decided to take the fight to Eradain by attacking the prison where they torture magical creatures and infiltrating their royal court as a spy. It was a thrilling journey to follow and provided a glimpse into the heart of the enemy kingdom. It also continued Rora's growth in meaningful ways, where she continued to strengthen her belief in her own ability and learned to let other people into her life. Helos and Wes, on the other hand, were left trying to find what happened to the people of Telyan before pivoting to preparation for the oncoming war. The ensuing battles were harrowing and left me on the edge of my seat hoping the characters would make it out the other side. There were some parts of the plot that made me scratch my head at why certain things came a bit too easily, but, overall, it was a really enjoyable story.

I loved that Fin and Helos were at the heart of this story. Their struggles brought me to tears a couple times, and I desperately wanted them to survive the mayhem and get their happily ever after. Fin's battle with chronic illness reminded me so much of my own fight with cancer, and his thoughts about living with his illness and its ongoing restrictions reflected my own in many ways. I appreciate the author giving life to that experience with such a memorable and lovable character. Helos started this journey as a healer and a romantic and discovered that a fighter also lived within himself. He was constantly putting the needs of others before himself, even as he struggled with severe PTSD and attempted to stuff down all of his emotions. It was devastating to watch him become more and more unhinged as the story unfolded, but he eventually learned the importance of facing your past and relying on others to help shoulder the burden of it.

The story incorporated several important themes. Unsurprisingly, environmentalism and the importance of preserving nature and protecting the earth from harm by humans were front and center. I enjoyed how this theme was portrayed using the magic and all the different magical creatures, and those aspects are some of the things I really loved most about this book. The story also highlighted the importance of accepting those who are different from us and the strength that comes from diversity and coming together in unity despite our differences. Finally, the threat of widespread fear, inflamed by half-truths and incendiary rhetoric by those seeking power, as a driving force of fascism was addressed in the character of Jol and his ceaseless march to power. He used people's fear of magic in his bid to take control of everything, and in doing so, turned people against the very thing that could save them.

Overall, this was a thrilling conclusion that had me on the edge of my seat when it wasn't making me a blubbering mess. I cannot recommend this duology enough if you enjoy YA fantasy. It is definitely special. Therefore, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

i've had a difficult time gathering my thoughts about this book. about this entire duology, really. the first book changed me a bit, you know what i mean? one day your compass is set to its true north but then you finish a book and it's gone askew. i think that's one of the things i love most about books and story, that you can be on a steady path through life and then a new book can alter the way you move, the way you think, your entire direction. sometimes you feel the shift and sometimes its imperceptible, but it's usually so infinitesimal as to go unnoticed until you realize that your horizon has slid, and maybe this direction is new but it also feels better.

that was Forestborn for me. it changed the north of my compass by a few degrees and i felt how precious that was.

so when i was approved for an advanced copy of wildbound, i was a bit scared. it felt too big, which sounds downright melodramatic but maybe not if you have a love for the way that people share themselves through words on a page. or if you have anxiety, like yours truly, because everything seems too big then also.

but alas, my compass has been left further askew and i couldn't be more grateful for it. wildbound was wonderful. really, really wonderful. the messages of family, friendship, climate change and ecological preservation, identity and healing inner wounds - they're all themes which were laid in the foundation of forestborn and have been expanded into the profound arc of wildbound.

and the character development! the authentic voices in both rora's and helos' perspectives! the emphasis on not just romantic love but also the deep love that intertwines friendships! the highlight of softness within masculinity!

ah, i can't wait to read this duology again.

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the Forestborn duology, and I would highly recommend reading Forestborn first. This is a follow on to the first book, and really wouldn't make sense if you read it as a standalone. This book follows Rora and Helos directly after the events of the first book as they both take different paths to save the kingdom and the people they love. Rora has a plan to awaken magic throughout the land and hopefully save those afflicted by a lethal magical illness called the throes. Humans are being infected with magic because magic has no where to go in a world where magic is being irradiated, so it latches on to humans who aren't compatible. Rora find out in the first book that bringing the magic back to the land may just be the cure to the illness that is plaguing the humans and one of her best friends. Helos chooses to join the fight as a healer. He isn't a fighter and action taker like Rora, but he still has some big decisions ahead of him.

I thought the character development was great in this book. The world building was a big part of the first book, where as this installment focuses more on Helos' development as I expected it would. Rora's character does still see development and we do get to know Wes and Fin a bit better, but Helos is really the star of the show here. Again there is a bit of romance, but it isn't the main focus of the plot.

I do feel like parts of this book were repetitive especially as we switch between points of view between the two siblings. Often times things that are happening in Rora's chapters are recapped in the next chapter with Helos and vice versa. I often found myself thinking "Didn't I just read that" and I would go back a few pages to make sure I hadn't lost my place and it turns out it was the same thing from the other sibling's POV. The additional perspective and detail was good in some situations, but it felt repetitive in others.

This duology has some great and inventive elements, that I really enjoyed. I thought the plot was interesting and I enjoyed going on this journey with the characters. If you are looking for a creative YA fantasy, check this duology out.

This book has been on my “most anticipated” list pretty much from the minute I finished the first book, “Forestborn.” It was a surprise read for me, as I went in with very few expectations. But now the situation is reversed, and I had tons of expectations for greatness when I picked this one up. And, while it didn’t quite reach the highs of the first book, it definitely didn’t let me down. Let’s get into the review.

The two shifters, prophesied to bring death to the land years ago, have been separated. Rora has gone north to try and gather intel and help form a resistance to the tyrannical leader (who happens to be their half brother) who is trying stamp magic out of the land. For his part, Helos is eager to return to his work as a healer. But soon enough he finds that he is unable to so easily slip back into his quiet life. Instead, with the knowledge that he and his sister are potentially in line for the throne in the north, Helos is beginning to see a very different future for himself.

I was a little hesitant when I opened this book and realized the POV was split between Rora and Helos. For one thing, I was very happy in my single-POV perspective in the last book. And for another thing, in that book at least, Helos was kind of an unreasonable grump who I didn’t foresee needing tons of time with going forward. But I’m happy to say that I was proven wrong! Not only were Helos’s chapters very good, but as it stands, Rora’s own story was so simple that this book couldn’t have existed if it had focused only on her events. Frankly, there were a few times when I felt the story lagged due to the slowness of her storyline.

For his part, Helos’s story focuses a lot on inner growth. Not only does he need to process the torture that he underwent in the first book, but we also see his struggles with finding a place for himself in the world. Where Rora was already comfortably working for the royal family, Helos was always floating in a more mixed role, working as a healer but also deeply in love with the youngest prince. On top of that, here he is beginning to come to grips with a future as a monarch himself. His story is very much one of having to find balance and a way forward when you have two extremes with regards to helping others: on one hand, a healer literally touches the people and provides care, and this can be incredibly rewarding. But is there a responsibility to take on the role of leader to help the greater good, even if that means a loss of the instant gratification that comes from being a healer? It’s all very good stuff and I think handled in a way that acknowledges the intricacies of these types of choices.

As I said, Rora’s story, unfortunately, is where the pacing of the book got held up. And the reason this book’s rating had to drop a bit for me from the first book’s place. Her story feels both very fragmented, with her jumping from one group and mission to a different group and mission and again with very little natural transition. Beyond that, she doesn’t have much of a personal arch, which just makes her story a bit harder to become truly invested in.

That said, I was still much more interested in Rora and Wes’s romance than in Helos and Finley. Even spending more time with Finley here, I couldn’t shake my impression that he came across very much as a “manic pixie dream boy,” without much true personality to come by, other than being this perfect, charismatic bean. Which, frankly, I’m just not that interested in. And then, due to the nature of the story, Rora and Wes are apart for much of the book. I kept anxiously awaiting them to be reunited, and it was completely worth it in the end. But I do think this long delayed reunion contributed to my struggles with the pacing of the book in the first half of the book.

Ultimately, I did find this book to be a good conclusion to the duology and a solid read on its own. I don’t think it quite lived up to the high of the first book, but it definitely didn’t detract from that in any way. And it did resolve and nicely tie up the loose heads left hanging from that book. Also, I still love the romance between Rora and Wes, and the payoff there was well worth the wait. Fans of the first book should definitely check out this conclusion!

Rating 8: The pacing stumbled a bit and Rora’s own character lacked a direct arch, but I enjoyed Helos’s story a lot more than I expected and the romance was still on point!

Another fantastic book from Becker. I loved this one as much as I loved the first in the duology. The writing is fresh, fast and keeps you interested. The characters are wonderful and I was a little heartsick after finishing.

**Thank you to Tor Teen, the author, and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was released on August 30, 2022.**

After Telyan’s king is assassinated, Helos travels to the keep where the royal family and many citizens are taking refuge and resumes work as a healer. The only thing he seems to struggle with healing, though, is his relationship with Finley, still suffering from the Fallow Throes. Meanwhile, Rora is in the north, attempting to reawaken magic in the land to stop the plague, spy on the king—her half-brother—and open the peoples’ eyes to the horrors he’s been perpetrating. When Helos and Rora reunite, it is during the prelude to battle—and to decisions and futures neither has ever anticipated.

I am so glad to finally get around to reading this sequel to *Forestborn*, which I read and adored last year. This follow-up took me a little time to get into—I actually read half of it, realized I was slogging through it because I was burned out beyond belief on reading, and took a pause before coming back—but I’m happy to say second time’s the charm, not the third.

While I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as its predecessor (just personal preference, as I preferred the quest of *Forestborn* to the battle scenes and politicking here), *Wildbound* is still an absolutely well-done conclusion to this duology, and I still really like and admire it.

The standout here is easily the characters’ relationships with each other. Not just in terms of romance, but familial bonds, too. That said, the relationship between Helos and Finley is particularly sweet. And complicated. And joyous. I think I was half in love with Finley just from being in Helos’s head. The way they always want to protect and take care of each other? Man, what a perfect match.

Returning to the main plot for a moment: while that didn’t always hold my attention, by the end it really all came together. The more magical elements I loved returned, Helos stepped up in a huge way, and all our favorites got the hopeful, happy ending that they’ve worked so hard and sacrificed so much for. I’m so delighted and so SATISFIED by the focus on restoring and rebuilding here; it’s my new favorite kind of ending for fantasy books. I love Elayne Audrey Becker’s brand of magic and hope, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

I loved Forestborn so I was super happy to receive an e-ARC of Wildbound. Wildbound had the perfect conclusion to the duology and it felt cohesive with the tone that was set in Forestborn. While the dual POV put me off, by the end of the book I realized why that decision was made and it ended up being a good one.

4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5) Book 1 was a favorite for me last year! I loved it for the original story and the well developed characters. In this book we hear both the sibling’s POV which just accentuates the relationship between them and their sibling bond. It was done so well. The threat of war from King Johl is looming and both are doing their part to prepare or limit that possibility. Helos is preparing in the city and Rora is on a mission for more information.

Both are put in positions where they grow and achieve and it’s great to see them in these roles. They are apart for quite a bit of the book but each POV is done well with information building to that great ending. The romantic relationships were satisfying and sweet and done very well.

King Johl was the perfect villain! He was easy to hate because of his actions but throwing in the connection to Helos and Rora was brilliant and added that extra element of intrigue.

The story was well done and I can’t wait to get my hands on more books from Becker!