Hey everyone!
Today, I will be sharing my review for Paper Forests by Tegan Anderson, as part of the BBNYA finalist tour. Paper Forests came 12th in BBNYA 2023!
Book Blurb:
Once upon a time, Oliver wakes up in a Forest full of magic and monsters, not quite dead, but not quite alive either. He wakes with three other people whose lives have been cut short, each more tragically than the last.
Together, they embark on a journey that will take them deep into the heart of the Forest, where they will have to face the ghosts of their pasts and their long-hidden secrets. Secrets that will force Oliver to choose between finding a new life in the trees and finding a way home.
Welcome to the Paper Forest.
My Review:
I know you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but the cover of Paper Forests had me from the very beginning. It’s absolutely stunning, and giving strong Van Gogh vibes (my favourite artist). I was lucky enough to be allocated this book in both round two and the final round of BBNYA 2023, and it didn’t disappoint.
The story begins with a support group, where everyone there has a child in their life who is dying, all from different causes. The start of this book is incredibly hard hitting, and rather upsetting, but sets the tone for the rest of the story.
We then move on to the children themselves, awakening in a forest. It immediately creates questions… Are they now dead? Or is this where they go on their path to death? Is there a way back? As the story unfolds, the answers begin to reveal themselves. Along their journey, the children encounter dangers, monsters, and terrors that we couldn’t even imagine, and have to fight for their lives within this new uncertain world. There is a darkness to this book that sucks you in, and it’s one of my favourite things about it.
The most beautiful relationships are formed throughout the story. Oliver and August’s love story had me completely invested, and after everything they had both been through, I was desperate for them to make it through together. Gracie was a particular favourite character of mine, she was sweet but fierce, and definitely intriguing, and her bond with Ansel was so wholesome. The forest itself was more of a character in the story than a setting, it was alive, and ever changing, and I loved that!
The book’s climax is the ultimate showdown, which was so much more than I had expected it to be, with outcomes that will break your heart. Be prepared with tissues at hand, because you will be needing them. I hadn’t expected the story to end in the way it did, but I loved the way it all came together, and the last few chapters were fantastic.
This story is full of adventure, emotion, and excitement. It’s also a story about strength, survival, and sacrifice. I loved every second of it! I highly recommend this book, but if you do plan on reading, I would recommend checking the trigger warnings before you start.
I give Paper Forests a 4.75 star rating!
About The Author:
On a cold Autumn evening back in 2008, seven-year-old Tegan Anderson began to write their first short stories, finding a more creative way to learn their spellings. Many years and many more short stories later, they haven’t stopped for anything.
Now, they’re writing more than they ever believed possible. Tegan may write the worlds they would prefer to exist in but currently lives in Devon with their overflowing bookshelves and expanding imagination.
YOU CAN FIND TEGAN HERE:
Website, Twitter, Instagram, GoodReads
About BBNYA:
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner. If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.
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