4 ⭐ CW: Violence, death of a parent, war, self-harm, enslavement, ableism 

Heart of the Forest by Elise Volkman is book two in the Nymph Keepers series. I enjoyed this book as much as the first! I'm really enjoying Forest's character development and seeing the other character's points of view. 

We pick up with Forest after the events of last book, now an herbalist. She continues to grow and become more comfortable with other people, though she still longs for the forests. We learn more about Silic's past in Ether, and the trauma he ensured there. We also see povs from Jay on the border of Galia fighting a war he helped to start, and his sister Aleah, who has been forced into being a spy for Galia. 

We see a blossoming romance between Silic and Forest, as she still battles flashbacks from her traumas. With the king of Ireece having been poisoned by something with no cure, Forest sets out to discover if there truly isn't one by venturing to Ether, despite Silic's protests. We find Ether a beautiful country that enslaves and uses River nymphs to heal its sick and injured. Aleah still is set on getting nymph blood to heal her disfigured hand, so she can truly manifest her ambitions. Jay is still impulsive and wracked with guilt and self-hatred, making him prime for manipulation. He has good intentions, but is kind of a dumbass. 

It was so fascinating to learn more about the different nymphs! We are also learning more about how the forests of Galia are dying with the forest nymphs. Definitely seeing themes on environmentalism and the cost of oppression. Lots of morally gray characters in this one. Looking forward to the last book!