Review by lucia_kizas -- Rowan Wood Legends

lucia_kizas · Post by **lucia_kizas** » 14 Dec 2018, 09:39

[Following is a volunteer review of "Rowan Wood Legends" by Olivia Wildenstein.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Rowan Wood legends by Olivia Wildenstein is the second book of The Lost Clan series. It is a young adult fantasy novel packed with Faeries (fairies), Hunters (those with the power to kill Faeries, or at least confiscate their fairy dust), and humans.

Although it is the second part of the series, the previous events are easy to apprehend, because the author takes time to remind her readers what happened in the first book. She does it so naturally, you never get distracted from the current plot.

In this second book, the story continues to revolve around a young woman Catori (or Cat). She is both the Fae and the Hunter. Struggling to accept her paranormal heritage and determined not to choose any side, Cat is trying to decide what to do with her life.

Betrayed by Faeries she trusted, Cat is leaning more and more towards the Hunters. Yet, after meeting a mysterious Fae, who once loved a Hunter, she learns that nothing is only black and white and that members of both sides have been working to preserve the peace for centuries.

As the story evolves, Cat is torn between the two sides, just as her heart is torn between the Hunter, whose wife Cat resembles, and the Fae, whom she found irritating and not trustworthy from the beginning.

The story got me hooked from the first pages and kept my attention until the very end. It is the perfect combination of mystery, action, magic, and suspense. There was also an intensely brewing romance - more confusing to both parties involved than the whole magic combined.

Every single character in the book was well developed and had a rich background story to justify their actions and beliefs. I loved Cat's progression from a confused teenager towards the strong and confident young woman.

The world building was vivid and detailed. Although magical, it still felt believable and realistic. Every supernatural power and event had a plausible explanation, without it sounding absurd, thus helping to keep readers engaged in the story. My only note would be concerning the Fae names, which are basically simple human names (Cruz, Lilly, Ace, Gregor), while the Hunters have names impossible to pronounce (Gwenelda, Kajika, Ishtu).

The book was professionally edited. I found only a couple of mistyped words, no more.

However, what this part of the series was missing, in my opinion, was a significant conflict. It felt as if the major conflict happened in the first book, while the second consisted mainly of the aftermath, character development, and the world building.

Sure, the book was full of trials and tribulations, but none of them were ultimately life-changing, except for the romantic subplot. I got the impression that the romance was the main focus of this book, pushing the war between Faeries and Hunters to the background.

Nonetheless, it was captivating, fast-paced, and ended with a promise of something crucial happening in the near future - with the magic book lost and Hunters building a new army.

I would absolutely recommend the book and the whole series to every young adult, who loves fantasy, adventure, suspense, and romance intertwined. I would equally recommend it to any adult, who never lost their passion for magic and fantasy.

It is a beautifully written and well-developed story; this is why I give it 4 out of 4 stars. I would also love to read the whole series one day.

******
Rowan Wood Legends
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Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 14 Dec 2018, 21:50

This series seems to be fascinating and magical, puns intended. Cat is besieged by serious dilemmas. I wish to have time to see her through them.

Thank you for your engaging and thorough review.

Kelyn · Post by **Kelyn** » 24 Jan 2019, 01:14

I also read this novel for review and agree with at least some of your points. Catori does indeed face a confusing world determined to retain her identity, a trait one must admire. I didn't however, find a lack of significant conflict. The conflict exists within exactly what you pointed out in your review - Cat's struggle to retain her identity while making the difficult choice which biological heritage to side with - faerie or hunter. I, too, found the world-building to be done very well. Thanks for the honest review!

lucia_kizas · Post by **lucia_kizas** » 14 Feb 2019, 05:08

Miriam Molina wrote: ↑14 Dec 2018, 21:50 This series seems to be fascinating and magical, puns intended. Cat is besieged by serious dilemmas. I wish to have time to see her through them.

Thank you for your engaging and thorough review.

Thank you for your comment. It's nice to know someone likes my reviews

And yes, the books seem interesting, and I would like to read more of them, but, as you said - time is not always generous

But at least the book did not end with a cliffhanger

lucia_kizas · Post by **lucia_kizas** » 14 Feb 2019, 05:11

Kelyn wrote: ↑24 Jan 2019, 01:14 I also read this novel for review and agree with at least some of your points. Catori does indeed face a confusing world determined to retain her identity, a trait one must admire. I didn't however, find a lack of significant conflict. The conflict exists within exactly what you pointed out in your review - Cat's struggle to retain her identity while making the difficult choice which biological heritage to side with - faerie or hunter. I, too, found the world-building to be done very well. Thanks for the honest review!

Of course, her inner conflict was obvious and significant, but I missed some major outside conflict, like a true antagonist, not just the prospect of him/her/them

I loved the book, and, honestly, the love story great!