Talk To Me Trees!

Description:
Rin is sure that something is wrong with her…something really bad. Something that is keeping her from feeling at home in the Forest homestead where she’s lived all her life. Something that is keeping her from trusting herself with anyone at all. When her brother Razo returns from the city for a visit, she accompanies him to the palace, hoping that she can find peace away from home. But war has come to Bayern again, and Rin is compelled to join the queen and her closest allies—magical girls Rin thinks of as the Fire Sisters—as they venture into the Forest toward Kel, the land where someone seems to want them all dead. Many beloved Bayern characters reappear in this story, but it is Rin’s own journey of discovering how to balance the good and the bad in herself that drives this compelling adventure.

My thoughts: Sorry if its a little jumbled but their is just so many things going on in this book. I couldn't put this down while I was reading it. Ever since Rin was little she has had a connection with the forest but after an incident with a neighborhood boy they have drawn away from her. Now when she touches them she can fill this worm of evil inside of her. Razo, her brother comes to visit and he suggests she come to the city with him. At the city she becomes a lady in waiting for the Queen of Bayern. Listening to the other ladies babble and watching over Tusken, the little prince. Cecile another lady in waiting comes back and Rin can tell she means Tusken harm. An attack is made on a village so the king and his guards including Razo go out to help. Once there they are attacked by Fire-speakers. Rin listens while the Queen talks with her friends but something is strange in the way they are talking. Saying that her, Enna, and Dasha are riding out alone. What is so strange about these girls and why does Rin feel so compelled to be with them.

I haven't read any of the other Books of Bayern and this is the fourth one but I still loved it. The only time it was confusing is that all the characters from the other books are in it and it would have made the book even better if I had read their stories also. Forest Born is more on the adventurous-finding-yourself theme while I can tell that romance played a major part in the other books. Rin is so self conscious of herself. Always wanting to be a good person that it makes you really admire and relate to her. The book is very descriptive and I felt like I was standing right beside the characters the whole time. If you like books like Graceling then you'll love this series.

The only complaint I have is at times days would pass in a sentence and I wish at those times that she would have kept the story going. I probably wouldn't have picked this book up on my own because I don't like the cover very much. Other than that this book is a must read and I'm going to read the rest of Shannon Hale's books as soon as I can. I can just image Enna's tale is going to be great because she is such a descriptive character. You can visit Shannon Hale's site here. I give this book an 8 out of 10.