Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Elly Blake’s “The Forest King’s Daughter” is a spellbinding blend of romance and fantasy that transports you into a vividly imagined world of magical forests and ancient rivalries. This latest work from the author of the Frostblood trilogy is a refreshing take on the enemies-to-lovers trope, filled with rich world-building and compelling characters. If you’re a fan of Blake’s previous works, then you will definitely love this new story.

The story begins with a fateful childhood encounter between Cassia, a Sylvan girl connected to the magical forests, and Zeru, a boy of the Dracu people from the Underground. Their innocent friendship takes a disastrous turn when Zeru gives Cassia a mysterious ring, unwittingly sparking a war between their peoples. Years later, their lives collide again on the battlefield. Zeru, driven by a sense of duty to his people, kidnaps Cassia to reclaim the Dracustone ring—a powerful artifact that has chosen her as its bearer.

Caught in a journey that takes them from magical forests to castles in the sky and even the clouds themselves, Cassia and Zeru must navigate their fraught history, lingering feelings, and the expectations of their warring worlds. Along the way, they realize that their survival—and the fate of their kingdoms—depends on convincing the Forest King and the Queen of the Underground to set aside their ancient grievances. But first, they must come to terms with their own shifting loyalties and emotions.

Blake excels in crafting a fantastical setting that feels alive and immersive. From the vibrant forests brimming with Sylvan magic to the ominous depths of the Underground and the ethereal castles in the clouds, the world-building is meticulously detailed yet never overwhelming. Each setting contributes meaningfully to the story’s progression, drawing you deeper into the complex interplay between the warring factions. I absolutely loved the world-building in this book; it felt very unique and vibrant.

The characters are another highlight. Cassia’s journey from uncertainty to self-acceptance is beautifully written, and Zeru’s growth from a short-tempered and rigid warrior to a more open and honest partner is equally rewarding. Their dynamic—filled with banter, tension, and heartfelt moments—is a perfect example of the enemies-to-lovers arc done right. The side characters, from the regal Forest King to the cunning Queen of the Underground, are also well-developed, adding layers to the plot and expanding the world. Blake’s pacing is skillful, allowing room for the relationships, conflicts, and magical lore to unfold naturally. The romance between Cassia and Zeru is gradual and tasteful, making their eventual connection feel earned and satisfying.

At its heart, “The Forest King’s Daughter” is a story about the power of reconciliation—both with others and within oneself. It explores themes of identity, responsibility, and the courage to challenge expectations. Cassia and Zeru’s journey underscores the idea that unity and understanding can overcome even the deepest divides.
While the world-building is impressive, there are moments where it feels inconsistent. As Cassia and Zeru embark on their quest to uncover the secrets of the Dracustone ring, some character transformations and plot developments lack sufficient explanation. Also, while the antagonistic forces in the story are intriguing, they could have been more fully fleshed out. The resolution of the central conflict feels somewhat rushed, diminishing the stakes and making the formidable enemies seem less impactful.

Overall, with its lush world, strong character development, and themes of love and unity, “The Forest King’s Daughter” is a must-read for fantasy lovers. You will find yourself utterly enchanted with the world that Blake created, and I can’t wait to read more from Blake.

When Zeru provides an ominous ring to his childhood friend Cassia, unknowingly starting a war between his Dracu people, those of the underworld, and her Sylvan people, those of the forests, their friendship is lost amongst the hostilities.

After they grow and meet each other on the battlefield, Zeru kidnaps Cassia and tries to reclaim the ring from his heritage. Unbeknownst to him, the ring has chosen Cassia, but not to be the Deathringer that all expect of her.

This enemies-to-lovers story has elements of great banter, whimsy, and truths of coming to love who we are tucked among the controversy that Zeru and Cassia are thrust into as children. It teaches us to listen to our heart even when those around us expect something else, that love can transcend backgrounds or people, and that coming together can always overcome evil.

I loved so much about this book. The reason I didn't rate it as 5 stars was because the formidable enemies fell rather flat for me, making the conflict feel contrived. Even so, it is absolutely worth the read, and I was grateful to read the ARC copy as one of my first for 2025!

This book was fantastic! The world building was magical. 🌳Cassia and Zeru made the perfect friends to enemies to forbidden lovers. ♥️ The plot moved quickly with mystery and action. It reminded me so much of Holly Black’s Cruel Prince series and Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf duology. 🗡️ (Spoilers?) the epilogue felt like a happily ever after but this is part of a trilogy so I’m excited to see where this goes.

I think this was just a case of an interesting concept not being executed as well as it could have been. I was really intrigued by a lot of the elements of this story but ultimately the writing wasn't very strong. The plot has some pacing issues. The world building was fine, but I think it needed more atmosphere and the characters and the dialogue needed more work. I was looking for more depth and impact. This was the most apparent in the romance unfortunately. I really think this has potential to be a really good story but in my opinion it needs to bake a little bit longer.

My favorite part was the fox spirit, naturally.

The story was written well enough but maybe felt a little too rushed and underdeveloped. The characters felt a little flat but the overall plot had potential.

I really, really enjoyed this! The romance had me by the THROAT, I loved Cassia and Zeru very much. Team Turnip!! I thought the first half was stronger than the second, as it seems like there was just a lot of plots converging and I wasn’t always sure what was happening, but their relationship kept me interested. There’s a lot of worldbuilding that could be explored further. I also loved the world in the clouds and Gutel and Voz! I’m not too sure what the rest of the series will look like, but I’ll be definitely checking out the next book!

They said it all with Holly Black meets Sarah J. Maas. I think those that have exhausted their romantasy options will be pleased for this addition to the genre. The characters are complex and the world building is fantastic. You will love the strong female lead as she navigates finding herself and determining her own moral values. The romance is a slow burn but well written.

Let me call it now. This book is going to be ALL THE RAGE when it comes out! A dark fairytale of a story with the most incredible world building and characters that draw you in from the start! The romance is a delight (enemies to lovers), but the story AROUND the romance is what will keep readers invested!

In this adventure fantasy, two children of opposing people meet and become friends. When the young boy Zeru gives Cassia a ring that he finds in his mothers jewels, he unwittingly starts a war between the different groups. After many years and battles, Zeru needs to get the ring back to restore his family's honor, but Cassia needs the ring to win her father's approval. Will either get what they desire?

The story was very engaging and kept me turning pages to find out what happens with Zeru and Cassia. Their enemies to lovers story was well paced and very tasteful. Readers will be able to empathize with both Zeru and Cassia and the issues they deal with. While this book is marketed as YA, I would not hesitate to place it in a 6-8 middle school. The romance consists of kissing and there are not any language issues. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to more.

I've previously read Elly Blake's Frostblood Saga and I can say without a doubt that "The Forest King's Daughter" has surpassed my great love for it. Cassia and Zeru's tumultuous journey from friends to enemies to lovers truly captivated my heart and made my heart race with excitement and anticipation! I greatly look forward to Elly Blake's next adventure in the Thirstwood series!

I really enjoyed this book!! The plot was so interesting and full of adventure that I was never bored. The author did a great job with character development because I was full invested in there stories. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

I enjoyed this book so much.
Such unique and vivid world building, a dark fairytale like setting that sucks you in. A destined princess and demon boy with a complicated relationship but fated hearts. The characters were so well developed. I loved Cassia and Zeru as well as her sisters.

The childhood friends to enemies to more is one of my favorite tropes, so was a sucker for this.

Plot was also very interesting kept you on the edge of your seat and felt like I the romance wasn’t the only aspect of the book which I always enjoy.