3.5/5

For fans of: empire settings, sisterhood, rivals-to-lovers, monsters, ghosts/spirits, animal companions, long journeys, banter/flirting, easy summer fantasy read

Synopsis: The souls of the damned must be set to rest, which is the job of Moria and Ashyn, the respective Keeper and Seeker of the Forest of the Damned. But at the annual trip into the forest, something has changed and the twins are pulled into the political chaos of the empire. Separated time and again as they venture to the capital city to seek help after their village was massacred by the spirits of the dead, the sisters must battle mythical beings, bandits, and betrayal.

Review: I love a good dangerous journey across the land with reluctant traveling companions and this did not disappoint. Just up front, this is a typical YA fantasy story were nothing really special rises to the top, but is still an enjoyable read and a fun adventure with plenty of banter and growing affection between our companions. Our heroines, Moria and Ashyn, along with their loyal familiars, are a sweet pair of twins. While they share looks, they are a great dichotomy. Moria is our pragmatist, warrior, and strategist. Ashyn is our idealist, calming presence, and heart. These two are perfect in their roles and their love for each other is so sweet and strong. Now on to their potential love interests because of course, this is YA after all. Gavriel is our haughty born and bred warrior with a grudging respect disguised as disdain for Moria but also has a past that haunts him and keeps him from being vulnerable to the equally emotionally unavailable Moria. To counter, we have Rowan, a prisoner brought to the Forest of the Dead to die, but survived and now must travel back to the family he left behind. His scruffy past makes him untrustworthy to Ashyn, who wants nothing more than to have just one boy look at her the way all the boys swoon for tough-as-nails Moria but can’t see how much Rowan banters and flirts with her. Poor thing. As you can see, my teenage heart is swooning for these silly couples in the throws of teenagehood all while in the middle of some very serious political moves happening around them. You know this ends in a heartache of a cliffhanger.