Thank you Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tor Teen, and Netgalley for sending me an eARC of Forestborn to review and share across my platforms.

"All of it is rotten, the world a hunter that rivals the best of them - a ruinous beauty that ensnares my heart and sets me aflame before reminding me, over and again, that none of it is meant for someone like me."

This book was surprising for me! I expected it to be much more boring and obvious that this was the author's debut. However, I am SO thankful to say it was a great read! At first, I was super worried because the idea was the same as a DNF I had last month in August, The Endless Skies - a shapeshifter who goes on a quest to save the people of her kingdom from a mysterious illness. However, thank goodness that Rora, the main character, and the story were nothing like The Endless Skies. Not only is Rora a shapeshifter, but she is also a spy for the king. Using her shapeshifting powers, she travels under different shifts to gather intel and report signs of trouble. When a worrisome, magical illness begins popping up in people across the kingdom, slowly or quickly killing them, Rora finds out a devastating truth: her best friend, Prince Finley has the Fallow Throes (the disease). The only hope for him and the ill people of the kingdom is stardust. Only the giants who live in the terrifying wilderness that Rora and her brother, Helos, struggled to survive in after their hometown was massacred and destroyed.
But for Fin, Rora will get over her fear and brave the dark wild with Helos and the middle child of the king - Prince Weslyn (Wes, eventually). In addition to the dangerous and deadly plants and animals in the wild, they face an ever-changing landscape and human enemies along their route. And with war on the horizon along with the sickness, Finley's life isn't the only one hanging in the balance.

I enjoyed this book! I liked the characters and Wes and Rora's relationship was believable (it took time for them to hook up). Sometimes I thought the characters' actions/reactions were strange though, and several times, Rora's thoughts didn't enhance the scene. One of the twists was predictable, while the other one wasn't obvious (I was surprised by it). Becker's writing style was nice too - not overly flowery. I think there was a lot of description in some parts, but overall it was well-written. The ending was a total kick to the gut - I can't believe I have to wait a year for the sequel! I need it NOW.

In summary, Forestborn is a nice story that I would recommend.