This is a book I continue to come back to over and over again. Though I wasn't as huge of a fan of the subsequent books in the series, the prose and the themes of "Daughter of the Forest" have stayed with me for the ten years since I first read it. I've read it at least 3 more times since 2007, and as I've gotten older and more mature I've come to cherish it more strongly than when I was 13. There are so many reasons that I love and cherish this book, but what draws me back over and over again is Sorcha's independence, her agency, and the completely selfless love that she and Red share. There isn't a ton of fantasy/science fiction out there that portrays the protagonist as a strong, femme, brilliant individual like this book does for Sorcha. The prose is also so beautiful, and the supporting characters are also wonderfully written and captivating. I could read this book 1000 times and it still wouldn't be enough. Trigger warning for rape.