Questionable gods, questionable romances, questionable powers—what isn't there to love here?

There are some mild Lakesedge spoilers in this review so reader beware. Although, if you haven't yet read the first book but are looking at second book reviews first, I really can't help you.

Anyway, can we just take a second to appreciate that cover? Clipstone really hit the jackpot with such gorgeous and ethereal covers. They capture the vibes of the series so well. Just truly immaculate.

Now, the review! This picks up shortly after the events of Lakesedge. Leta has given up her life to save her friends and family at the lake shore, and now she dwells with the Lord Under in the world Below. And she is not making life easy for him. She is not a girl to be caged, and really it's foolish for the Lord Under to think he can try to do just that. She thwarts him and defies his orders every chance she can, because she isn't dead like all the other souls in the forest around her, and she will do whatever it takes to get back to Rowan and Arien.

I found this book brought about an interesting shift in character arcs. Leta barely had any power in the first book, and what she did have was hardly worth using. Here, she's gotten a taste of what could be and now she is hellbent on reclaiming her power. She goes to incredible lengths to make this happen, sacrificing bits and pieces of herself along the way.

What's fun about this is that we get Rowan's POV! Rowan alone knows that Leta isn't dead through the spell mark that ties them together. He continually gets visions where Leta comes to him, and he can feel her, touch her. As such, he turns his efforts to a dangerous idea: searching for a way to get that terrible poison back inside his veins so that it might bring him closer to Leta. I really liked his POV. It was nice to see inside his head, and I found his chapters to be quite snappy.

As I hoped, we are introduced to a few new monsters slash gods in the world Below. They create an interesting development in the world-building and make things difficult for Leta. There is a huge chasm between who she can trust, should trust, and has to trust, and it was entertaining to see how she navigates every sacrifice and bargain she makes.

I think what kept me from enjoying this as much as Lakesedge is it didn't feel as grounded. It took a little too long to get going and for me to tap into what the goals of everyone were. But given how strong the atmosphere of the book is and the characters we gather our bearings with, I don't think that will bother a lot of people.

The moral of the story is that I will read whatever Lyndall Clipstone chooses to publish next.

This gave me hades and Persephone vibes which I am not complaining. There is also a different setting that the readers get transported to that was nice. While I felt book one was a bit slow, book two moved a bit quicker since the readers are already familiar with the world a bit.

Forestfall picks up where Lakesedge left off. Leta has made a sacrifice to the Lord Under to save her world. Only...it doesn't turn out like she expected.
Forestfall is full of even more bargains and sacrifices. You get to explore the World Below and meet some new, interesting characters.
The story is fast paced, and at times I felt like it moved too fast. Overall, it is a satisfying sequel.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy for review.

Lakesedge was my favorite book of 2021, so i was highly anticipating Forestfall. The writing here is just as beautiful, if not even better than the writing of the first one. It is incredibly lyrical and poetic and made the setting of the story feel more and more real as the chapters progressed.
My favorite thing about this book though, is the relationship between Leta and The Lord Under and how it evolves into an intricate connection that feels like it can never be severed. I was surprised to be so hooked by every scene involving the two of them together, because i was fully expecting to feel that same way about Leta and Rowan, which was not the case.
To me, the first book was where i got to love Rowan and crave his interactions with Leta. Their romance was built in a way that made me feel inspired and truly touched. But in Forestfall, i feel like the spotlight was transferred to The Lord Under, which allowed not only Leta, but me as a reader, to understand his character a lot better.
The love triangle trope is a dangerous one, and i feel like Lyndall Clipstone found a way to make it unique in her story, turning it into a crucial part of the main character's arc, instead of a simple plot device.
I was also very intrigued by Arien in this book, which was a pleasant surprised. I wish we could see more of him in a potential future story.
Overall, i didn't love this book as much as i loved the first one, but that doesn't mean i didn't love it at all. Forestfall has its own kind of magic and i can safely say that i enjoyed it deeply and will miss the world and the characters immensely.

"There are monsters, and there are <i> monsters </i> : There’s a boy who was cursed and a creature who rules the dead."

I adore Lakesedge, so I went into Forestfall with high expectation -- and it doesn't disappoint.
Forestfall somehow has a little different vibes from Lakesedge. The first book was leaning toward gothic romance, but this second book is heavy with underworld lore vibes like Hades&Persephone or Orpheous&Eurydice (perhaps mix of both, actually). That being said, I love it as much as the first book for different reasons.

I love the dark forest aesthetic, the blood tithe and rituals and sacrifices, bargains and kisses. Clipstone's poetic writing style which I love from her debut is on point again and I love every single word. It was lush, dangerous, tricky, angsty, and beautiful story. It's a journey of dealing with grief, of self transformation, and do what you have to do for your loved ones, no matter what the cost.

The characters! Leta is as headstrong and lovely as always. Rowan's POV broke my heart just too many times, he is so sweet and sad and deserves all the very best. Lord Under? Amazing. I just love how we get more of him in this book and a glimpse of who he is. Can't say more because it will be spoilers but dang believe me you would not be able to choose between Rowan and Lord Under. Team OT3! Arien is such a sweet boy! I love him and Clover, Thea, also Florence.

In conclusion, it was a beautiful sequel! A little different vibes from first book and I love it all the same. I love this duology with my whole heart!