FOREST BORN: The Books of Bayern, Book 4
Shannon Hale
Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Fantasy
ISBN: 9781599901671
400 pages
Growing up the only girl and the youngest in the family, Rin often felt out of place. She could always rely on her Ma for hugs and kisses and comfort, but Rin found her greatest solace in the landscape around her. Rin was Forest born, and the very nature of the surrounding trees seemed ingrained in her. As the only aunt to her 23 nieces and nephews, some of whom are close in age, Rin often spent her time in her Ma’s shadow cooking and cleaning and never fully figuring out who she was. Rin also loses her connection with the trees around her after a bizarre and equally humiliating incident that leaves her full of shame and misunderstanding. When Rin’s older brother, Razo (RIVER SECRETS), comes home bringing stories from the city, Rin longs to escape with him out of the Forest to the capital city of the country of Bayern. Rin hopes that a new beginning will bring new understanding of who she is --- and new healing to her brokenness.
Razo manages to secure Rin a position as lady-in-waiting to Queen Isi (GOOSE GIRL), and Rin immediately finds herself caretaker of Queen Isi and King Geric’s young son Tusken. Along with the delight of playing with a toddler, Rin also marvels at the friendship among Isi, Enna (ENNA BURNING) and Dasha (RIVER SECRETS). Rin nicknames them the “Fire Sisters” as they appear to have a supernatural element to them, something Rin can’t quite put her finger on. Rin admires their confidence and attempts to model their behavior, all while desperately searching for her own identity.
Word of fire-spreaders and a puzzling threat sends King Geric and Bayern’s Own to investigate the mysterious happenings in the northern kingdom of Kel. After soldiers are killed and Geric is injured, the “Fire Sisters” decide to take matters into their own hands. Only they are capable of containing the powerful fire-spreaders and army that seem to be under some strange spell. Rin manages to sneak along, and together the four women make their journey into the unknown. Along the way, Isi, Enna and Dasha explain to Rin their different languages with the world around them. Rin learns that Isi can “wind-speak”, Enna has control over fire, and Dasha has a special connection with water. Rin also starts to learn the meaning of friendship and perhaps her own special “speaking” ability.
Upon reaching the kingdom of Kel, the women are not prepared for the unthinkable foe. Someone wants them dead and will stop at nothing until they are finally defeated. After the “Fire Sisters” are captured, Rin is left to rescue the only friends she truly has. First Rin must come to terms with her past afflictions and then accept what it means to be herself --- and Forest born.
Shannon Hale has created a delightful cast of characters who seem to grow and develop with each new addition in the series. Fans of the previous installments will be happy to see all the familiar faces popping up, along with the same mix of humor and mystical elements. It feels like Hale grows more confident with the world she has created in each book, and although there is a definite ending in FOREST BORN, you get the sense that she isn’t quite finished with all the stories of Bayern just yet. I’ve always been a huge fan of Hale’s writing style, as it effortlessly draws me into the story. Her latest novel doesn’t disappoint.
--- Reviewed by Benjamin Boche (bennyboche@hotmail.com)
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