" I was a monster in the world. I was a monster in the woods."

I loved Lakesedge so I was anticipating that this love would extend to Forestfall. And I did. The writing in this book is hauntingly beautiful and so atmospheric. Like Lakesedge I could feel the story because it is written in such a way that you can almost viscerally feel what is happening. The prose is so lyrical and world so lush.

Leta had some transformations in this book which was fascinating to see from the girl she was in the first book to who she becomes in the end. Rowan, Rowan, Rowan....I love my sweet sad boy. I really enjoyed reading his POV and understanding more of his inner thoughts. The Lord Under - he has always intrigued me and I was quite pleasantly surprised with the way his story went and I was not disappointed at all. This book has love and sacrifice with romance with a gothic feel.

My heart was happy with the ending and I know that I will reread this book in the physical form. And just another note, I would love to have one of Leta's dresses she wears in this book. They sound so enchanting and delightful and I can imagine walking barefoot through a forest that is lit up with moth lights.

Lakesedge firmly lodged itself in my heart as a firm favourite. It was special to me so I was both excited and nervous for Forestfall. The question swimming round and round in my head is will it live up to my eager expectations….

Well the answer to that is HELL YES. It was dark, atmospheric and intense. I found the switch to multi-pov interesting and it was nice to get a glimpse inside Rowan’s mind. I love this book, this series and these characters will live rent free in my mind until the end of my days.

This is a wonderful conclusion to this duology. I enjoyed that this was a bit different from the books I normally read. It’s darker with gothic vibes and perfect for this spooky time of year. It has queer representation and the found family trope which I love. The world building is intriguing and the array of characters are engaging. Magic comes at a price in this story. Definitely recommend!

Clipstone is excellent at painting an atmospheric sense that saturates every phrase, every thought. And it's delightful to have Rowan's POV in this sequel.

Full review will be posted to goodreads & book featured on IG at a later date.

Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours and Fierce Reads for my copy in exchange for an honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own.

I know I’ve definitely added The World at the Lake’s Edge duology to my favorites of all time! I’ve really been enjoying gothic books lately and this duology was perfect. The monsters, the manor, the worldbuilding! I was easily mesmerized by it all and swept away.

Top five reasons to read Lakesedge & Forestfall:
1. Very queer (including ace rep) and found family trope
2. Full of monsters that are also lovable
3. Magic that always comes with a cost (my favorite type of magic system)
4. An eerie and beautiful haunting atmosphere (perfect for an autumn read)
5. It’s a finished series now which means no waiting 🤩

If the first book in this gothic fantasy duology, “Lakesedge”, leaned into the romance and tragedy side of the genre, then “Forestfall” leaned heavily into the darker and more violent side of it. The true golden thread between the two books is Lyndall Clipstone’s elegant and elegiac prose that is woven throughout the narrative like a beautiful trail of words between all the action and dialogue. Those lines shine among the most desperate of scenes, even when our characters are at their lowest and their futures seem the bleakest.

What I love so much about this duology is how Clipstone never pulls the punches on the pain and grief. There’s no pretending everything is going to be okay or that these characters aren’t going to be scarred for life. Bargains have been struck for things they can never get back and sacrifices have been made that have left them forever marked. Our main characters, Violeta and Rowan, exist in a liminal state, existentially: parts of their hearts and souls live both Above and Below, and that leaves them in a gray area the other characters don’t exist in. It’s great character development from the start of the first book, and the supporting characters also experience a good deal of growth by the time the book hits the final page.

While I greatly enjoyed the plot development between the two books, with its tinges of both “Beauty and the Beast” and variants on the myth of Hades and Persephone, I do have to pick a bit on some of the rather forced plot elements in this book; namely, the sisters. I felt like this whole subplot was rather shoehorned in, and it caused a little plot hole or two to sneak in. It wasn’t so annoying as to affect my enjoyment of the book too much, but after the rather Romantic touch of “Lakesedge”, if this book wanted to hit hard on the dark fantasy instead of fantasy romance side of the gothic fantasy genre, then it would have been nice for the book to have as tight of a plot as “Lakesedge” did.

Overall, Clipstone has written an outstanding fantasy duology that feels like a dark, gothic fairy tale, and I’m honestly here for it. I’m here for the love and the pain and the grief and the dark beauty of it all.

Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and Henry Holt & Co for granting me access to this title.

Thanks to NetGalley for the sampler!

The sampler included the first 3 chapters of the book, and they definitely leave me wanting more! It doesn't pick up immediately after the ending of book 1, but we do get answers as to what happened after that cliffhanger ending. Leta is adjusting to her new situation, and Rowan is struggling with it. I look forward to reading the rest of the book when it releases (or if I manage to snag an ARC before then, finger crossed)!

I'm somehow rooting for Rowan and Lord Under???! Putting this at 5 stars now, but may change based on the rest of the book.

Update:
I received the full ARC of the book thanks to the publisher! I loved the atmosphere in the world under and the intro of Lord Under's siblings. The journey of the crew up above fell a little flat to me, but I still do love the characters. Leta felt kind of wishy-washy and I actually felt a little bad for Lord Under (for spoiler reasons). Overall, I enjoyed the story and the characters and it makes a good duology.

*I received an e-arc via the publisher and Netgalley for review. Thank you for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own. This review contains spoilers for book one.*

After reading Clipstone’s debut, Lakesedge I became an instant fan! Her sophomore follow up, Forestfall did not disappoint. This story was dark, atmospheric, and wickedly beautiful from start to finish.

This story picks up right where Lakesedge left off. The curse at Lakesedge Estate has been broken, but at a huge cost. Violeta “Leta” Graceling has sacrificed herself to end the Corruption. To escape death, Leta made a bargain with the Lord Under, one that sees her living in the land of the dead.

She discovers that the World Below hides many secrets, and there are dangers she never could have anticipated. Leta soon realizes that she is still connected to Rowan through a tethering spell. She decides that she will risk everything, including her very soul to reach him.

Leta finds herself torn between the World Above and the World Below, between life and death, and between power and love. She struggles to hold onto her humanity as she gets pulled further into the World Below and the spell of the Lord Under.

I loved Leta’s growth in this story. It was interesting to see just how far she would go to be with those she loves, and she does some pretty cutthroat things. We also meet some new fascinating characters that really add to the story, and Clipstone does some amazing world building with the World Below.

If you’re looking for some spooky reads, World at the Lake’s Edge duology would make the perfect choice! I loved this duology so much, and I can’t wait to see what Clipstone writes next. Sign me up!

Everyone thinks Leta is dead after she sacrificed herself to purify the Corruption. That is, except for Rowan. Somehow, the magic within still connected him with Leta. In the world Below, Leta had bargained her memories of her loved ones away to stay alive. When she started seeing Rowan, desperate hope bloomed and Leta dreams of returning back to the Above to reunite with her brother and Rowan once more.

Forestfall has the atmosphere of a gothic novel. Since Leta is trapped in the world Below, she explored the eerie and gloomy forest that housed all the dead, souls sealed within the trees. Even Above, Rowan and the rest of the crew worked with magic, alchemy, and blood hoping to bring Leta back. The author did a great job in creating this dark and mysterious setting.

While Leta yearns for Rowan, she somehow is attracted to Lord Under the longer she stays Below. I wouldn’t say I’m too surprised about a tall, dark, and brooding male character deemed as a monster will fall in love with the female lead. There’s bound to be something between Leta and Lord Under, and it was interesting to discover what his motives were and why he made the bargain with Leta.

In the Above, Rowan is running himself into the ground. Initially, he was the only one who believed that Leta was alive, and his resolve to bring her home never went away. Rowan is truly devoted to Leta, wanting the best for her, and even understanding that there might be another in her heart.

While exploring this whole new place, Leta slowly gained magic that she had never thought she would possess. In her desperation to find out the truth, she made bargains and sacrifices once more. Leta is determined to go home and she would do anything to achieve that.

If you’re looking for a gothic novel, visit the dark forest of the dead in Forestfall. You will read about desperate main characters trying to find their way back to the other. An inexplicable love triangle with the lord of death. Overall, I had a fantastic time reading the duology.

This second book from Clipstone does a great job of picking up where Lakesedge left out. It is both creepy & romantic at the same time. It has the same allure and mystery that the first book had, but we get to see more of the world below.

We learn that even if the corruption is stopped, things are still not fully put right. We see Violetta fight for her way home to Rowan (and him fighting for her) every step of the way while also learning more about herself, her choices, and her connection to the Lord Under.

I enjoyed reading this gothic tale that was bittersweet and highly entertaining. I had trouble putting it down as I was entirely enthralled in the story as a whole.

4.5 stars

Happy Friday y’all! I hope everyone in Florida is doing well after Ian- we’re being hit by Ian today, and so far, nothing crazy is happening, but as soon as it makes landfall around Myrtle Beach in the afternoon, we’re supposed to get lots of rain, wind, flooding, and power outages, so we’re in for a fun afternoon/evening/night. Before we get there though, it’s time for me to talk to y’all about a book! Today’s my stop on the Forestfall tour with TBR and Beyond Tours! I read Lakesedge when it came out last year and I really enjoyed it so I was super excited to read Forestfall!

Forestfall 3.5/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:

Some oaths can never be broken…
The curse that haunted Lakesedge Estate has been broken, but at great cost. Violeta Graceling has sacrificed herself to end the Corruption. To escape death, Leta makes a desperate bargain with the Lord Under, one that sees her living at his side in the land of the dead.

But this world of souls and mist hides many secrets. And when Leta realizes she is still connected to Rowan by a tethering spell, she will risk everything— even her soul— to try and reach him.

Torn between power and love, life and death, Leta struggles to keep hold of her humanity as she falls further and further under the spell of the world Below… and the Lord Under.

Forestfall was such an interesting book, and as someone who loved Lakesedge, I was really looking forward to reading it, and while there were some parts I wasn’t a huge fan of, here are 5 reasons for why you should read Forestfall:

1)The Lord Under: man, I do love the Lord Under. I’m a sucker for the whole Hades, lord of death, ruler of the underworld character and the Lord Under just does it so well. He’s so good at keeping the right things hidden and manipulating people for his own needs- a great manifestation of what you expect that character to be like!
2)The Lord Under’s Sisters: I loved the addition of these three characters- Moth, Fawn, and Owl were great animal choices because on their own they seem very innocuous, but a bunch of moths together are gross, fawn/deer skulls are creepy, and owls can be so evil/creepy and in so many cultures, they’re seen as harbingers of evil. And of course, as characters, they wanted more power than they had and they wanted to take over all of the underworld, and they were looking to manipulate Leta into making that happen- what a great plot device!
3)The world Below: The world Below as a setting was so cool and eerie and amazing- I really just loved all of Leta’s chapters because we got to see more of the world Below and the Lord Under and his sisters and all of the cool things I loved!
4)Leta’s growth: Leta herself was a great character in book 1 and she sacrificed herself for those she cared about, but in Forestfall, she really came into herself and was willing to make the hard decisions and take power and do what was needed to win, for the greater good, which is major growth for her!
5)The ending: Although the ending was tied up into a really nice bow, it was still a really cute ending and I liked how my favorite characters were still fine in the end. I do love a happy ending.
Overall, even though I was not a huge fan of some of the pacing choices or the way Rowan’s voice was written, I still enjoyed reading Forestfall and I definitely recommend checking it out, especially if you enjoyed Lakesedge

3.5 stars

FORESTFALL was an intriguing continuation of LAKESEDGE that takes the reader to the afterlife. Picking up after the first left off, the book is told from dual perspectives of Rowan and Violeta (Leta). Leta has been taken by the Lord Under into his realm, where she is alive but not quite living. Her sacrifices have left her feeling bereft, but the magic she had done keeps her tethered to Rowan in the living world.

As she learns the rules of her new life, she begins to understand the ways of the gods and their cruelty. Focused on returning to the world she knows, Leta will do whatever she has to in order to get back to Rowan. On the other side, Rowan is willing to do anything to bring Leta back, and he turns to magic, even as the darkness threatens to consume him.

What I loved: This second book wraps up the duology well. There are several twists and turns that help to bring the threads together and lead to the end. The dual perspectives were helpful, as it was intriguing to see what was happening in both realms. The mythology remains really interesting in this sequel, with the Lord Under and his realm coming to life even more as well as the Lady. There were themes around truth, trust, balance, and betrayal that were thought-provoking throughout.

What left me wanting more: The characters felt very single-minded. It was tougher to connect with this story than the first, and there was something strange happening with the Lord Under that was difficult to fully buy into. It would have been intriguing to have his perspective here and there as well to understand both sides of that. The story felt a bit windy in the underworld with Leta's path to possibly get back to the living world, so it was not as immersive as the first with a bit of a meandering journey.

Final verdict: Overall, FORESTFALL completes the LAKESEDGE duology with a reasonably satisfying end.

Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Something I loved about Lakesedge last year was its spooky gothic woodland feel and that stayed true in FORESTFALL. The ending for book 1 left me intrigued about this one and didn’t disappoint. I loved Violeta’s character development throughout this novel and how she did some ruthless things to get the power she needed to be with the people she loves. I really enjoyed all the scenes with her, the Lord Under and Rowan. The romance in this book was really dynamic and it was interesting. I also was fascinated by the World Below and thought that Clipstone did a great job expanding her worldbuilding. I also adored the authors ethereal and atmospheric writing style which has definitely matured since her debut, which was also really great. If you’re looking for a hauntingly good cottage core duology to read in the spirit of spooky season The World at Lake’s Edge duology would be a fantastic choice!

From the very first sentence of ꜰᴏʀᴇꜱᴛꜰᴀʟʟ, I found myself once again entranced by Lyndall’s writing. But I also can’t help but feel the sadness and finality of leaving this enchanted world of monsters, corruption, heartwood tress, and moths.

I think after we all finished ʟᴀᴋᴇꜱᴇᴅɢᴇ, Lyndall put her ear to the ground and could hear the collective hum calling for more of The Lord Under. She definitely answered the call in this book.

The Below is a place where The Lord Under dwells. With softly falling snow, luminescent mushrooms, and heartwood trees that keep the souls of the dead hidden at their core. It’s a dark hearts dream world.

Forestfall wastes no time and starts immediately where Lakesedge ends. Except this book is told from the perspectives of Rowan and Leta.

Leta is desperately trying to get back to the world Above. She misses Rowan; the boy with poison in his blood. She misses her brother. But, she made a deal to stop the Corruption and she knew the cost.

We meet some very interesting gods in this one in the form of Moth, Owl and Fawn. I absolutely adored them. They added to the world Below in ways I could not imagine.

We have Leta coming into her new power. Monsters and more monsters. A little bit of a love triangle and a hint of spice.

The Lord Under will always hold a special place in my heart, even if he is a brooding mess. And I was absolutely entranced by the Below. I want my own cottage in the woods, with mushrooms lighting my path…. and my own The Lord Under too 😏.

Thanks to the author for my arc! I absolutely adore the world you created 🖤

Thank you to Fierce Reads and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I was super excited to win this on Instagram. I really enjoyed Lakesedge and couldn't wait for this. I'm glad I got to read it early! It did not disappoint! It's such a perfect read for fall. The gothic aesthetic was incredible and I loved everything about it. This was such a satisfying ending to the duology and I highly recommend picking up this spooky sequel!

Myth: 3.5/5

A luscious and atmospheric return to the world at Lake’s Edge and more than a few stolen moments in the world Below. Diving right back into the story, Violeta finds herself dealing with the twisted turns of the bargain she made, her family in the world Above doing all they can to get her back.

While the Lord Under was a seductive secret in Lakesedge, I had a hard time connecting that with the deeper relationship stated on page in book two. For all the talk of choice and love, it felt like seduction and manipulation which made it hard for me to sink into the first part of the story.

Magic: 4.5/5

Leta’s power though, it was beautiful and terrible and for all the fall, gothic vibes I got from Lakesedge, Forestfall brought forth the dark, cold forest on the brink of winter. The imagery and magic was as exquisite as the first book, with even more depth to the connection of magical bindings.

Overall: 4/5

While I struggled a little with the beginning of the story and the depths of some relationships, Clipstone’s writing is as evocative as I remember and the conclusion was everything I needed.

A solid second novel in an average fantasy series. While Forestfall did not blow me out of the water, I continued to enjoy the Persephone/Hades imagery woven into the story, through pomegranates and descriptions of the Lord Under. I felt like I could have stopped after the original novel.

I like the world building and personalities of the secondary characters. The love triangle trope was interesting and had me on edge. The start was a little slow.

Forestfall picks up where Lakesedge left off. Violeta sacrificed herself to break the curse that plagued Lakesedge and saved her loved ones. Now Below with the Lord Under, Leta realizes she is still tethered to Rowan, who desperately looks for a way to rescue her. The story is told from Leta and Rowan’s points of view, which I really liked. It’s interesting to see what’s happening from both of their perspectives, especially considering they spend much of their time in different worlds.

The world-building throughout the story is exceptional. Rich and vivid and atmospheric, the setting and plot include many Gothic elements, which add to the dark and ominous tone. I was so easily immersed into this unique and dangerous world where enemies and threats lurk around every corner. I also liked that the story takes the characters to new settings, from Below to the place where Leta’s story with Lord Under began. Each setting is unique and richly defined and adds to the overall dark and mysterious feel of the story.

The plot is suspenseful and intriguing, and I love the addition of new characters and supernatural beings. Leta, Rowan, and the rest of the characters learn so much about the Lord Under, his world Below, and the beings who inhabit it. Leta meets many others who have nefarious intentions, and between the dangerous landscape and the villainous beings she encounters, she can never let her guard down. Plus, the Lord Under is a walking jumble of contradictions. Does he love her? Is he using her? Leta never really knows where she stands with this morally grey lord.

Leta struggles with her conflicting feelings throughout the story, especially when it comes to two particular males. She definitely has a type – the monster boy, and she’s not the only one. There’s a bit of a love triangle, which was hinted at in the first book, and though I’m not usually a fan of love triangles, I liked this one! I understood Leta’s confusion and fears. The author explored Leta’s conflicting feelings, confusion, and concern well, though there is one love interest I rooted for from the start.

Rowan also goes through tremendous struggles over the course of the story as he fights to keep the darkness at bay while searching for a way to get Leta back. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for Leta, and he is unwavering in his devotion to her. They have such a lovely romance, and Rowan’s depth of feelings is reflected in everything he does. I so hoped that this pair would find a way back to each other and that Leta would also reunite with her beloved brother.

The found family aspect of the story is fantastic too, and it’s easy to see how much Leta, Rowan, and the rest of the group care for each other. They love and support each other through all of the conflict and danger, and they often put themselves in harm’s way to protect those they love. And there’s another love story within this group that is so sweet! I’m a big fan of the found family trope, and Clipstone does it well.

This is a captivating conclusion to the duology, and if you liked the first book, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. It’s dark, atmospheric, and immersive, and the character arcs and world-building are layered and intriguing. Special thanks to TBR & Beyond Book Tours and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

The sequel to Lakesedge picks up where book 1 ended. Much like a dark and twisted fun house mirror, we go from the Above that we've gotten to know to discover more of the Below. And it is fascinating. The worldbuilding was excellent. Forestfall gives us beautifully atmospheric descriptions of monstrous creatures and haunting landscape, but one that also acts as a sanctuary, a place of peace and rest. I love that we get the beauty in the beast, the light and the dark as one. We also get two POVs, adding in Rowan's perspective which aided in providing the details of the Above storyline. If you enjoy gothic worlds, full of magic and blood, poison and monsters, complex characters with tangled emotions, this book is darkly seductive. Maybe a bit like a dreamlike nightmare, you know things are a bit twisted but you're entranced by the lush prose like a being under a spell. I enjoyed the subplots that evolved throughout this one as well the some of the side characters became more prevalent.