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The Fae of the Forest
Forest of Dreams and Whispers
A mortal raised in the land of Faerie, Juliana Ardencourt doesn’t remember the curse being cast.
But the rest of Faerie does.
On Prince Hawthorn’s eighteenth birthday, at the first drop of his blood spilled, the kingdom will be plunged into a century-long slumber…
And the Unseelie King will reign.
As his personal guard, Juliana is sworn to serve the vain, arrogant prince only until the fateful day, but when the curse is unleashed, Juliana alone is the one that can save him.
Connected to Hawthorn through their dreams, Juliana soon finds her feelings shifting for the boy she once swore to hate…
And soon swears to sacrifice anything to save him.
But the rest of Faerie does.
On Prince Hawthorn’s eighteenth birthday, at the first drop of his blood spilled, the kingdom will be plunged into a century-long slumber…
And the Unseelie King will reign.
As his personal guard, Juliana is sworn to serve the vain, arrogant prince only until the fateful day, but when the curse is unleashed, Juliana alone is the one that can save him.
Connected to Hawthorn through their dreams, Juliana soon finds her feelings shifting for the boy she once swore to hate…
And soon swears to sacrifice anything to save him.
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2022
195 people are currently reading
8784 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Macdonald
37 books461 followersKatherine "Kate" Macdonald writes the books she wishes she could have read more of as a teen—stories of fierce girls and gentle boys, of romance and adventure, and where the "three Cs" (chemistry, communication and consent) reign supreme. There may still be a little bit of miscommunication along the way as the characters grow as people, but she tries not to rely on that trope too much!
She loves books packed with witty banter, stories where you can feel the love growing between a pair, that include excellent, well-developed side-characters and a few subtly-foreshadowed twists and turns. She despises toxic relationships and tales that rely on old-fashioned notions of male and female stereotypes. She enjoys bending expectations and crafting worlds where sexism is a thing of the past. She considers herself an LGBTQIA+ friendly author, and her stories include a range of characters from within the community and absolutely no discrimination in sight.
She holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and a PGCE in teaching English and Drama from the University of Exeter. She's been a writer since she was old enough to hold a crayon, but it was only after surviving a year of parenthood and a full-time job on less than six hours of sleep a night that she finally gained the courage to publish her debut novel, "The Rose and the Thorn." It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast inspired by a dream of a girl surrounded by snow in a field of flowers.
At her heart, Macdonald is storyteller, and it is her dream to inspire others in the way that she has been inspired.
She lives in Devon with her manic child and well-behaved cats.
She loves books packed with witty banter, stories where you can feel the love growing between a pair, that include excellent, well-developed side-characters and a few subtly-foreshadowed twists and turns. She despises toxic relationships and tales that rely on old-fashioned notions of male and female stereotypes. She enjoys bending expectations and crafting worlds where sexism is a thing of the past. She considers herself an LGBTQIA+ friendly author, and her stories include a range of characters from within the community and absolutely no discrimination in sight.
She holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and a PGCE in teaching English and Drama from the University of Exeter. She's been a writer since she was old enough to hold a crayon, but it was only after surviving a year of parenthood and a full-time job on less than six hours of sleep a night that she finally gained the courage to publish her debut novel, "The Rose and the Thorn." It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast inspired by a dream of a girl surrounded by snow in a field of flowers.
At her heart, Macdonald is storyteller, and it is her dream to inspire others in the way that she has been inspired.
She lives in Devon with her manic child and well-behaved cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 512 reviews
July 15, 2023
I talk about it here:
https://youtu.be/rlkKrNtxBuQ
It’s a 4.5. If the cruel prince was a disappointment to you, try this instead.
https://youtu.be/rlkKrNtxBuQ
It’s a 4.5. If the cruel prince was a disappointment to you, try this instead.
June 5, 2024
Officially my first time in 2024 complaining about not having the chance to use half-stars here.
3.5/5
If you liked the dynamic between Jude and Cardan but wanted more, this would be a great thing to pick up.
Started well, fizzled out a bit in the middle and then it felt like it went on for a bit too long, but it was still fun.
.
3.5/5
If you liked the dynamic between Jude and Cardan but wanted more, this would be a great thing to pick up.
Started well, fizzled out a bit in the middle and then it felt like it went on for a bit too long, but it was still fun.
.
February 5, 2025
this book feels like a jude/cardan AU that is a sleeping beauty retelling where cardan is sleeping beauty and jude is his bodyguard
oh and instead of actually wanting to kill each other they kind of just playfully antagonise each other, lol
oh and instead of actually wanting to kill each other they kind of just playfully antagonise each other, lol
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February 5, 2022What's this? a fae, gender-swapped version of sleeping beauty??!
I am so, soooo excited about this book. The character dynamic is something I've been searching for for a while... a sort of enemies-to-lovers/reluctant allies/grudging friends. Juliana is SURE she hates Prince Hawthorn (not entirely without reason) and is SURE the feeling is mutual.
She's wrong on both accounts.
The relationship is complex to say the least and people that don't enjoy the heroine frequently threatening to murder the LI should stay clear of this book. Juliana uses a lot of threats of violence and whilst they're mostly done for comic relief, that's not everyone's cup of tea. Whilst the chemistry and consent between this couple is here, their communication certainly needs work.
The book is told in 3rd person dual POV and makes frequent use of flashbacks, showing the build-up to the curse and the complicated past history between the couple... something in the style of the Six of Crows duology. They channel Jurdan vibes from Holly Black even if they're secretly friends.
This book is more upper YA/NA than my previous fairytale retellings and includes some quite steamy scenes later in the book/references to casual sex and sex with multiple partners. Again, steer clear if that is not your thing.
In terms of world-building, this is my most ambitious project yet, with a rich tapestry of a world steeped in lore and magic that hopefully builds a solid foundation for further books in the series. Although FODAW is a standalone, all the rest of the planned stories will interlink, in a slightly more direct way than my "Fey Collection" series.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.
I am so, soooo excited about this book. The character dynamic is something I've been searching for for a while... a sort of enemies-to-lovers/reluctant allies/grudging friends. Juliana is SURE she hates Prince Hawthorn (not entirely without reason) and is SURE the feeling is mutual.
She's wrong on both accounts.
The relationship is complex to say the least and people that don't enjoy the heroine frequently threatening to murder the LI should stay clear of this book. Juliana uses a lot of threats of violence and whilst they're mostly done for comic relief, that's not everyone's cup of tea. Whilst the chemistry and consent between this couple is here, their communication certainly needs work.
The book is told in 3rd person dual POV and makes frequent use of flashbacks, showing the build-up to the curse and the complicated past history between the couple... something in the style of the Six of Crows duology. They channel Jurdan vibes from Holly Black even if they're secretly friends.
This book is more upper YA/NA than my previous fairytale retellings and includes some quite steamy scenes later in the book/references to casual sex and sex with multiple partners. Again, steer clear if that is not your thing.
In terms of world-building, this is my most ambitious project yet, with a rich tapestry of a world steeped in lore and magic that hopefully builds a solid foundation for further books in the series. Although FODAW is a standalone, all the rest of the planned stories will interlink, in a slightly more direct way than my "Fey Collection" series.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.
August 10, 2023
this was like a knock-off the cruel prince with a sleeping beauty retelling plot. but like really there was just too many similarities to the cruel prince (which i loved) from the whole warrior female mc and prince male mc in a fae world, him being mean to her when they were young, and even down to the paper he writes saying “i hate you” over and over on it. cardan greenbriar you are not, sir.
i found myself quite bored at points. the flashbacks at first were nice, and then got to be too much. we would be in the middle of an action scene in the present and then all of a sudden go back to a ball in the past. and the romance was at times cute, but mostly frustrating - they both refused to admit they were in love with each other for too long. like juliane convincing herself her feelings were the pendant’s doing? ijbol
i found myself quite bored at points. the flashbacks at first were nice, and then got to be too much. we would be in the middle of an action scene in the present and then all of a sudden go back to a ball in the past. and the romance was at times cute, but mostly frustrating - they both refused to admit they were in love with each other for too long. like juliane convincing herself her feelings were the pendant’s doing? ijbol
July 17, 2022
HILARIOUS banter, achingly tender moments, and feelings they’re desperately trying to hide from one another… that’s what awaits you in this new delicious piece by Macdonald! Perfect for fans of strong female leads fighting their feelings and sweet boys who steal their hearts. Not to mention heartbreak, gut-wrenching twists, and an epic plot.
Juliana and Hawthorn had me crying with laughter! The whole book is riddled with verbal sparring that’s to DIE FOR and is so fantastic. XD
Their hidden attraction to each other is swoon-worthy. They are so adorable trying to hide how sweet they are and how much they care for one another. You just want to knock their heads together and say “KISS ALREADY!” (But in a good way.)
Romance aside, all the other elements of this story are awesome too! The side characters need to have a mention and Faerie itself is BEAUTIFUL. I want to go there! And can I give a shoutout to the anthropomorphic vines? Ladrien (the villain) was epic as well but I won’t spoil anything about him ;) Juliana herself is a BA female lead/guard, and she rocked being the hero of this tale! I loved her being a guard. Empowering! ^_^
**SPOILER BELOW**
I have to say the one major thing I didn’t like was how Hawthorn would have lots of sex with strangers and then go crawling to Juliana, because, personally, that’s not how *I’d* want to be treated if I were Jules. But I’m extremely exclusive when it comes to relationships. Personally, I think it’s super disrespectful to her and kinda gross? But again, that could be personal preference. He explains WHY he does it, and it makes sense from his point of view, I just don’t agree that’s how you showcase you want to be with somebody. However Hawthorn is Hawthorn, and he really is a silly fool isn’t he? (As evident by the ending.)
My other personal preference (which isn’t a bad critique, just a thought) would be to have the story in chronological order, because I really enjoyed the chapters showing their relationship grow and morph into something MORE. It was much more dynamic to switch between the past and present, but I would’ve loved to experience it chronologically! The Summer Court chapters were Some of my favs and I felt it would’ve bridged the gap a little more of how they went from enemies to lovers.
All in all a fantastic book, and the plot might be one of my favs….
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Juliana and Hawthorn had me crying with laughter! The whole book is riddled with verbal sparring that’s to DIE FOR and is so fantastic. XD
Their hidden attraction to each other is swoon-worthy. They are so adorable trying to hide how sweet they are and how much they care for one another. You just want to knock their heads together and say “KISS ALREADY!” (But in a good way.)
Romance aside, all the other elements of this story are awesome too! The side characters need to have a mention and Faerie itself is BEAUTIFUL. I want to go there! And can I give a shoutout to the anthropomorphic vines? Ladrien (the villain) was epic as well but I won’t spoil anything about him ;) Juliana herself is a BA female lead/guard, and she rocked being the hero of this tale! I loved her being a guard. Empowering! ^_^
**SPOILER BELOW**
I have to say the one major thing I didn’t like was how Hawthorn would have lots of sex with strangers and then go crawling to Juliana, because, personally, that’s not how *I’d* want to be treated if I were Jules. But I’m extremely exclusive when it comes to relationships. Personally, I think it’s super disrespectful to her and kinda gross? But again, that could be personal preference. He explains WHY he does it, and it makes sense from his point of view, I just don’t agree that’s how you showcase you want to be with somebody. However Hawthorn is Hawthorn, and he really is a silly fool isn’t he? (As evident by the ending.)
My other personal preference (which isn’t a bad critique, just a thought) would be to have the story in chronological order, because I really enjoyed the chapters showing their relationship grow and morph into something MORE. It was much more dynamic to switch between the past and present, but I would’ve loved to experience it chronologically! The Summer Court chapters were Some of my favs and I felt it would’ve bridged the gap a little more of how they went from enemies to lovers.
All in all a fantastic book, and the plot might be one of my favs….
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 24, 2024
This book was way too long
July 20, 2024
This is not enemies-to-lovers and I blame CariCanRead for equating this to Jude and Cardan. So whenever anything purports to be E2L and it is not, I’m not often won over by the book.
I found it to be a slow begin because a) the banter was non-stop and I just wanted something else b) the 2 different timelines messed up the flow of the book. So it took me a long time to read it. Banter is usually my favourite part of a book but that’s when it is mixed up with heartfelt conversation with the MCs or other characters. But 90% of the book is conversation between Hawthorn and Juliana and I was tired of them.
The plot was basic and the twist with her dad was just lame. Sad that I didn’t like this book (apart from like 3 funny scenes)
I found it to be a slow begin because a) the banter was non-stop and I just wanted something else b) the 2 different timelines messed up the flow of the book. So it took me a long time to read it. Banter is usually my favourite part of a book but that’s when it is mixed up with heartfelt conversation with the MCs or other characters. But 90% of the book is conversation between Hawthorn and Juliana and I was tired of them.
The plot was basic and the twist with her dad was just lame. Sad that I didn’t like this book (apart from like 3 funny scenes)
July 22, 2022
I would advise going into this book as though it were Cruel Prince fanfic. Juliana is very similar to Jude and Hawthorn is very similar to Cardan Greenbriar. Even the names sound similar.
The characters share a lot of the same motivations as their Cruel Prince counterparts while lacking the depth of the original characters.
When I'm reading a new book, I like to see how it's unique from other books I've read it the past rather than read something similar to past books (Even though The Cruel Price is one of my favorite books)
That being said, it was an enjoyable story! I just think the characters and world are so similar that to Cruel Prince that it easily invites comparison.
However, if you are looking for something very similar to The Folk of the Air, this might be the right book for you!
Things I liked:
- It was a unique retelling of Sleeping Beauty
- Enemies to lovers
- The tournament at the beginning of the book was really creative!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book on Booksprout for a free and honest review
The characters share a lot of the same motivations as their Cruel Prince counterparts while lacking the depth of the original characters.
When I'm reading a new book, I like to see how it's unique from other books I've read it the past rather than read something similar to past books (Even though The Cruel Price is one of my favorite books)
That being said, it was an enjoyable story! I just think the characters and world are so similar that to Cruel Prince that it easily invites comparison.
However, if you are looking for something very similar to The Folk of the Air, this might be the right book for you!
Things I liked:
- It was a unique retelling of Sleeping Beauty
- Enemies to lovers
- The tournament at the beginning of the book was really creative!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book on Booksprout for a free and honest review
July 8, 2024
Gender swap retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but with fae royalty, steeped with magic and fantastical creatures, and funny banter, it's an interesting and creative take on tale we all know told in 3rd person with dual POV.
The FMC and MMC give Jude and Carden (The Cruel Prince by Holly Black) vibes, but better in my opinion. I didn't love The Cruel Prince and didn't like the way Jude and Carden engaged with one another. The FMC and MMC in Forest of Dreams & Whispers I did thoroughly enjoy. Their banter had me actually chuckle out loud a few times.
The plot was great, the basic premise we all know but Macdonald changes it in unique and interesting ways that made it hard to put down. Pacing was good, although it did seem to take longer than I prefer for the action yo really get going. I would say it's roughly equal character and plot driven.
Prose is really good and the characters are great. I love the main characters especially, they're dimensional and real.
There's very little spice, and what spice is in the book is closed door.
It's available on KU.
The FMC and MMC give Jude and Carden (The Cruel Prince by Holly Black) vibes, but better in my opinion. I didn't love The Cruel Prince and didn't like the way Jude and Carden engaged with one another. The FMC and MMC in Forest of Dreams & Whispers I did thoroughly enjoy. Their banter had me actually chuckle out loud a few times.
The plot was great, the basic premise we all know but Macdonald changes it in unique and interesting ways that made it hard to put down. Pacing was good, although it did seem to take longer than I prefer for the action yo really get going. I would say it's roughly equal character and plot driven.
Prose is really good and the characters are great. I love the main characters especially, they're dimensional and real.
There's very little spice, and what spice is in the book is closed door.
It's available on KU.
dnf
May 10, 2025dnf 30%
this is apparently inspired by judecardan (i dont mind this, started reading for this reason) but they are more like them in the second book, without the build up from the first
i actually want to talk about a comment suggesting people who DIDNT like the cruel prince to read this because i think you are more likely to enjoy this book if you DID like it. unless your reason for disliking it is because you wanted a quicker romance and more focus on it. in that case go for it
they are actually cute and its good to pass the time. i might comeback to this someday, im just not in the mood right now
this is apparently inspired by judecardan (i dont mind this, started reading for this reason) but they are more like them in the second book, without the build up from the first
i actually want to talk about a comment suggesting people who DIDNT like the cruel prince to read this because i think you are more likely to enjoy this book if you DID like it. unless your reason for disliking it is because you wanted a quicker romance and more focus on it. in that case go for it
they are actually cute and its good to pass the time. i might comeback to this someday, im just not in the mood right now
August 8, 2022
Sweet and engaging tale
This was a delightful twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty story. I particularly enjoyed the love-hate, enemies-to-lovers relationship that Hawthorn and Juliana shared. It was wonderfully amusing to watch it all unfold. Would recommend.
This was a delightful twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty story. I particularly enjoyed the love-hate, enemies-to-lovers relationship that Hawthorn and Juliana shared. It was wonderfully amusing to watch it all unfold. Would recommend.
July 7, 2022
A spectacular sleeping Beauty retelling. Katherine Macdonald breathes new life into this fairytale, filling it with gorgeous prose, swoonworthy romance and the witty banter she's famous for!
I absolutely loved the rivals, to reluctant friends to lovers in this tale... It caught my heart from the beginning and didn't let go and has left me wanting and needing more.
This book packed an emotional punch, with the feels definitely spilling over more than once. It is exquisite, and Macdonalds finest work to date. 🖤
I absolutely loved the rivals, to reluctant friends to lovers in this tale... It caught my heart from the beginning and didn't let go and has left me wanting and needing more.
This book packed an emotional punch, with the feels definitely spilling over more than once. It is exquisite, and Macdonalds finest work to date. 🖤
August 1, 2024
Um I just came to rate this book and realised it's not popular at all?? HELLO???? PEOPLE WHAT ARE YOU DOUNG COME GRAB THIS FUCKING BOOK!!!!! Sleeping Beauty retelling where the sleeping beauty is a prince... and he has a hate/love relationship with his guard.... I MEAN ARE YOU STILL WAITING? It's on KU, go read it now or ELSE 🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪
THEY ARE OBSESSED WITH EACH OTHER AAAAAHHHHH and the fact that this author has 16 other novels?? HELP THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE!! and majority being darker fairytale retellings where the roles are GENDERSWAPPED??? UGH WOMAN ARE YOU EVEN REAL?????
Also what was that epilogue 👀👀👀
Omg edit BUT THIS BOOK WAS ALSO PUBLISHED ON THE 27TH OF JULY??? ON MY BDAY???? It was made for me 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶
THEY ARE OBSESSED WITH EACH OTHER AAAAAHHHHH and the fact that this author has 16 other novels?? HELP THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE!! and majority being darker fairytale retellings where the roles are GENDERSWAPPED??? UGH WOMAN ARE YOU EVEN REAL?????
Also what was that epilogue 👀👀👀
Omg edit BUT THIS BOOK WAS ALSO PUBLISHED ON THE 27TH OF JULY??? ON MY BDAY???? It was made for me 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶
July 31, 2022
Here's another book from Katherine Macdonald that I fell in love with.
Juliana and Hawthorn are both very relatable characters, and I just love how chaotic they are. I also love that you can see how their relationship has developed and built throughout the years, and how it's still moving and changing in the present time, with all the tiny details, assumptions, and things left unsaid that just make it so real. I love them both so much, and I'm looking forward to reading more of them. This was a spectacular ride, a very interesting plot that was going way beyond just romance, definitely one of the best books I've read this year.
Juliana and Hawthorn are both very relatable characters, and I just love how chaotic they are. I also love that you can see how their relationship has developed and built throughout the years, and how it's still moving and changing in the present time, with all the tiny details, assumptions, and things left unsaid that just make it so real. I love them both so much, and I'm looking forward to reading more of them. This was a spectacular ride, a very interesting plot that was going way beyond just romance, definitely one of the best books I've read this year.
August 9, 2023
4.5 stars.
I really loved this. Even though it’s very similar to The Cruel Prince (which I loved), I loved this book more! Solely due to the fact that Hawthorn is everything Cardan should’ve been (aka not an actual abusive asshole).
The banter and "enemies" to lovers romance was so, so good. The chemistry was off the charts; some parts had me legit giggling and smiling my head off. I adored Hawthorn; I especially loved reading his thoughts. The part where he goes to write in his insult generator as a means of therapy was so funny.
Juliana was great. I always love me a strong female lead, and she definitely was that! Her complex relationship with her father was very heartfelt and added depth to the story.
Overall, the story progression was wonderful, and there were no pacing issues in sight (a rare thing for me to say). The writing is poetic and so easy to read; I would’ve flown through this much faster if not for life getting in the way. There was a good balance of action and non-action scenes, and even though there are a lot of flashbacks, I didn’t find them to hinder my reading experience.
I only wish the ending was a bit more impactful and grand. It felt like we went on a massive journey for the big ending, only for it to be almost a reused scene.
Regardless, I enjoyed this story immensely, and it tied off really nicely. I highly recommend picking this up if marvellous banter is your thing, it will not disappoint!
I really loved this. Even though it’s very similar to The Cruel Prince (which I loved), I loved this book more! Solely due to the fact that Hawthorn is everything Cardan should’ve been (aka not an actual abusive asshole).
The banter and "enemies" to lovers romance was so, so good. The chemistry was off the charts; some parts had me legit giggling and smiling my head off. I adored Hawthorn; I especially loved reading his thoughts. The part where he goes to write in his insult generator as a means of therapy was so funny.
Juliana was great. I always love me a strong female lead, and she definitely was that! Her complex relationship with her father was very heartfelt and added depth to the story.
Overall, the story progression was wonderful, and there were no pacing issues in sight (a rare thing for me to say). The writing is poetic and so easy to read; I would’ve flown through this much faster if not for life getting in the way. There was a good balance of action and non-action scenes, and even though there are a lot of flashbacks, I didn’t find them to hinder my reading experience.
I only wish the ending was a bit more impactful and grand. It felt like we went on a massive journey for the big ending, only for it to be almost a reused scene.
Regardless, I enjoyed this story immensely, and it tied off really nicely. I highly recommend picking this up if marvellous banter is your thing, it will not disappoint!
March 8, 2025
This was basically a shameless jurdan sleeping beauty au friends to lovers fanfic. And. for the most part, it was fun.
The biggest problem for me was the ultra fast way the curse/battle plot wrapped up in the end as well as the big reveal of Ladriel's origin story - it felt a tad bit too forced, and extremly underwhelming motivation wise. Quite senseless too. I mean, Ladriel's parents were fucked over by the seelie court so it makes no sense whatsoever for him to focus so much on exterminating mortals for good... I was expecting him to make it more personal. more... well, just more. I also hate how cartoonish of a villain he turned out to be, so annoying.
Another issue was the pacing, mostly in the sense of the author starting to insert Hawthorn's pov chapters at a random point halfway through the book as well as the abrupt halfhearted smut scenes... So unnecessary. But yeah, Hawthorn was really fun - the characters in general were honestly at their best when they weren't being suffocated by the plot 🤷🏻♀️
The biggest problem for me was the ultra fast way the curse/battle plot wrapped up in the end as well as the big reveal of Ladriel's origin story - it felt a tad bit too forced, and extremly underwhelming motivation wise. Quite senseless too. I mean, Ladriel's parents were fucked over by the seelie court so it makes no sense whatsoever for him to focus so much on exterminating mortals for good... I was expecting him to make it more personal. more... well, just more. I also hate how cartoonish of a villain he turned out to be, so annoying.
Another issue was the pacing, mostly in the sense of the author starting to insert Hawthorn's pov chapters at a random point halfway through the book as well as the abrupt halfhearted smut scenes... So unnecessary. But yeah, Hawthorn was really fun - the characters in general were honestly at their best when they weren't being suffocated by the plot 🤷🏻♀️
June 29, 2024
The Cruel Prince + Romance = Forest of Dreams and Whispers.
If you have read the Cruel Prince by Holly Black and wanted more romance between the two main characters, READ THIS BOOK. SERIOUSLY.
Hawthorn is basically Cardan.
Juliana is basically Jude.
But better.
Absolutely loved Thorn and Jules. The chemistry was chemistry-ing 😂
There was one scene in the book that took me completely off-guard 🤤. To the point I was blushing like an idiot for a minute straight. Hawthorn maxed out on his charm, and it wasn't even a spicy scene (there's no spice in this book, at least not the type y'all are accustomed to).
No, folks, he literally said one word, and I turned the color of a tomato in an instant. Not joking. Not even a little bit.
I'm quite ashamed.
And the bullying in this book goes both ways. It's not just one-sided (like in the Cruel Prince). Much more satisfying (and also not as brutal) 😌
If you have read the Cruel Prince by Holly Black and wanted more romance between the two main characters, READ THIS BOOK. SERIOUSLY.
Hawthorn is basically Cardan.
Juliana is basically Jude.
But better.
Absolutely loved Thorn and Jules. The chemistry was chemistry-ing 😂
There was one scene in the book that took me completely off-guard 🤤. To the point I was blushing like an idiot for a minute straight. Hawthorn maxed out on his charm, and it wasn't even a spicy scene (there's no spice in this book, at least not the type y'all are accustomed to).
No, folks, he literally said one word, and I turned the color of a tomato in an instant. Not joking. Not even a little bit.
I'm quite ashamed.
And the bullying in this book goes both ways. It's not just one-sided (like in the Cruel Prince). Much more satisfying (and also not as brutal) 😌
July 13, 2024
this is 110% a judecardan fanfic and i’m so here for it
October 27, 2022
I feel like every new release of Macdonald’s leaves me with a new favorite of hers. Forest of Dreams and Whispers was no exception. A perfect combination of slow burn pining, witty dialogue, and a good punch of feels, this book had me staying up until 2am and I can’t even be mad about it. The prose is lovely, the characters deep and nuanced, and I was invested from the first chapter. This is one you don’t want to miss!
July 28, 2024
Igjen, heilt ok bok. Følte karakterane og historien va ting eg hadde lest før... og da va masse skrivefeil... ok-
April 2, 2023
Forest of Dreams and Whispers is the NINTH book I've read by Kate Macdonald and while the romances in her books normally give me all the feels, I have to admit this one wasn't really my cup of tea.
Don't get me wrong. The whole plot was awesome. A gender-swapped Sleeping Beauty retelling with fae?! How cool is that? There was lots of action and adventure sprinkled throughout the story and it was clear the stakes were high on the very first page. I enjoyed the numerous fight scenes against different creatures Jules faced in her effort to help break the curse and save both the fae and the mortal world.
The issues I took with this book were within the romance itself. Our prince, Hawthorn, had my heart from the from the beginning, but Juliana was a completely different story. She was independent and tough, but so so mean to him. All the time. I understand he bullied her as well when they were kids, but even after he grew out of that she didn't. I spent my early childhood in a home where name-calling and threats of physical violence were common place and therefore, I found nothing cute or endearing about seeing it on the page in the relationship between Jules and Hawthorn. Even when he was suffering faerie fever and knocking on death's door, he was so worried about annoying her that he literally chewed his lips until they bled to avoid coughing around her. That broke my heart! For me, I found their interactions to be toxic and it wasn't until the last 20% of the book that I even warmed up to the idea of them being together. As I said, Macdonald's romances usually leave me feeling warm and happy, but this was the exception.
Nevertheless, the fact that I read a 400 page book in less than a week despite disliking the heroine and not shipping the couple is a true testament to this author's impeccable writing. As always, Macdonald's style is lyrical and filled with such wonderful prose it almost made me tear up at times. She is one of my favorite authors and even though this particular story wasn't for me, I have no doubts that many others will absolutely LOVE it!
Don't get me wrong. The whole plot was awesome. A gender-swapped Sleeping Beauty retelling with fae?! How cool is that? There was lots of action and adventure sprinkled throughout the story and it was clear the stakes were high on the very first page. I enjoyed the numerous fight scenes against different creatures Jules faced in her effort to help break the curse and save both the fae and the mortal world.
The issues I took with this book were within the romance itself. Our prince, Hawthorn, had my heart from the from the beginning, but Juliana was a completely different story. She was independent and tough, but so so mean to him. All the time. I understand he bullied her as well when they were kids, but even after he grew out of that she didn't. I spent my early childhood in a home where name-calling and threats of physical violence were common place and therefore, I found nothing cute or endearing about seeing it on the page in the relationship between Jules and Hawthorn. Even when he was suffering faerie fever and knocking on death's door, he was so worried about annoying her that he literally chewed his lips until they bled to avoid coughing around her. That broke my heart! For me, I found their interactions to be toxic and it wasn't until the last 20% of the book that I even warmed up to the idea of them being together. As I said, Macdonald's romances usually leave me feeling warm and happy, but this was the exception.
Nevertheless, the fact that I read a 400 page book in less than a week despite disliking the heroine and not shipping the couple is a true testament to this author's impeccable writing. As always, Macdonald's style is lyrical and filled with such wonderful prose it almost made me tear up at times. She is one of my favorite authors and even though this particular story wasn't for me, I have no doubts that many others will absolutely LOVE it!
July 28, 2022
I have read quite a few Sleeping Beauty retellings in the past but this one makes it mark on the traditional fairytale while crafting a unique story all its own.
Hawthorn and Juliana are both wonderful characters. Their banter and love/hate relationship was so much fun to read. They are the definition of enemies to lovers which just so happens to be one of my favorite tropes.
Everything about this retelling was great if I’m being honest. Macdonald has a skill with words that is unparalleled, bringing the beauty of the faerie word to life as we watch the curse unfold in a back and forth manner that was a joy to read.
This is another favorite of mine by Macdonald, proving once again that she is the queen of fairytales!
*I had the privilege of beta reading this book and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
Hawthorn and Juliana are both wonderful characters. Their banter and love/hate relationship was so much fun to read. They are the definition of enemies to lovers which just so happens to be one of my favorite tropes.
Everything about this retelling was great if I’m being honest. Macdonald has a skill with words that is unparalleled, bringing the beauty of the faerie word to life as we watch the curse unfold in a back and forth manner that was a joy to read.
This is another favorite of mine by Macdonald, proving once again that she is the queen of fairytales!
*I had the privilege of beta reading this book and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
August 19, 2024
I was interested in this book because it was described to be like the Cruel Prince…spoiler, it was not. It would have been better if the storyline and the characters were developed more
August 3, 2024
I love myself some witty banter that just captures you from the beginning and this did that. It is similar to Cruel Prince.
The romance was so sweet and depicted well how they both fought against their feelings and desperately hid it.
The story is told in alternating timelines which was interesting to follow because you slowly see the relationship between them blossom and develop in a delicious tense pace.
Both characters were adorable. I love that this is a lady knight saving her Prince. The side characters fell to the sidelines and you didn’t get to know them that well.
The story started great had wonderful twists and turns although it did stall in the middle and the ending felt a bit rushed or not as well set up. I felt like the middle needed to be condensed and the ending needed better setup to explain all the things that suddenly happened because of ✨ plot ✨.
Other than that, I highly enjoyed this read! Now I want to go and do a Cruel Prince Re-Read.
The romance was so sweet and depicted well how they both fought against their feelings and desperately hid it.
The story is told in alternating timelines which was interesting to follow because you slowly see the relationship between them blossom and develop in a delicious tense pace.
Both characters were adorable. I love that this is a lady knight saving her Prince. The side characters fell to the sidelines and you didn’t get to know them that well.
The story started great had wonderful twists and turns although it did stall in the middle and the ending felt a bit rushed or not as well set up. I felt like the middle needed to be condensed and the ending needed better setup to explain all the things that suddenly happened because of ✨ plot ✨.
Other than that, I highly enjoyed this read! Now I want to go and do a Cruel Prince Re-Read.
May 30, 2022
Katherine Macdonald has outdone herself! She took the Sleeping Beauty tale and made it entirely her own, with a swoon-worthy romance that had me laughing, banging my head against the wall, and grinning like an idiot as the love interests fumbled through figuring out their feelings for one another. The story is rich with beautiful descriptions that paint a magical world that feels real, and I absolutely want to visit! Adventure, witty banter, wonderful characters, romance—what else could you possibly want?
Contains:
-Sexual Content
-Violence
Contains:
-Sexual Content
-Violence
October 13, 2024
I think this book cured my book hangover from The Cruel Prince 👀🤭 Longer RTC
June 15, 2025
4.5
This might be the best "romantasy" book I've ever read! I really enjoyed the relationship between Juliana and Hawthorn; it gave major Cruel Prince vibes (but in my opinion was even better). Flashback chapters gave the romance much-needed depth, and Hawthorn's point of view made for a lovely degree of yearning, But there were many other compelling relationships, such as Juliana's relationship with her father, that I also loved. The plot was also executed expertly, with many twists and turns that kept me invested in the story.
Though this is a gender-swapped Sleeping Beauty retelling, it was done in a very refreshing way. The scale seemed much grander and the lore of the faerie world added significant richness to the setting. My only complaint would be that the ending felt a little cheap and lacked explanation. I feel like the final "tragedy" could have been resolved in a more satisfying way. But overall I absolutely adored this book!
This might be the best "romantasy" book I've ever read! I really enjoyed the relationship between Juliana and Hawthorn; it gave major Cruel Prince vibes (but in my opinion was even better). Flashback chapters gave the romance much-needed depth, and Hawthorn's point of view made for a lovely degree of yearning, But there were many other compelling relationships, such as Juliana's relationship with her father, that I also loved. The plot was also executed expertly, with many twists and turns that kept me invested in the story.
Though this is a gender-swapped Sleeping Beauty retelling, it was done in a very refreshing way. The scale seemed much grander and the lore of the faerie world added significant richness to the setting. My only complaint would be that the ending felt a little cheap and lacked explanation. I feel like the final "tragedy" could have been resolved in a more satisfying way. But overall I absolutely adored this book!
November 7, 2025
WHYYY ARE PEOPLE SLEEPING ON THIS NOVEL. I loved this soo much more than Cruel Prince. The ending was the MOST satisfying for me regarding romance, and if anything I wished it gone on longer (the money I’d pay for an extended epilogue of just Juliana and Hawthorn in their slice-of-life married adventures). This is the Slow Burn final boss, so if that’s your cup of tea, then here’s your FEAST. The banter between the two was incredible, the fae rules and truths were done so well, and even the fighting scenes kept me on my toes. A ridiculously fantastic romance.
July 23, 2022
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒎 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
Forest of Dreams and Whispers is a gender-swapped retelling of Sleeping Beauty, and I'd say I had expectations that I wished had been conveyed to me while reading the book.
The first half of the story was adequate; I enjoyed the writing and am eager to see how the rest of the plot unfolds.
The characters were also interesting, and I would say that the banter between our leads, Juliana and Hawthorn, was entertaining to watch.
Juliana's strong and independent qualities appealed to me, making her even more appealing and likable. Most of the time, Hawthorn's flirtatious nature did make me grin.
I'd say their chemistry was good, and I enjoyed their scenes and dialogue together, but I wasn't sold on their romance.
The last 30 percent of the book was pretty shaky, I'd say it was dragging and I wasn't convinced by the plot. Although switching the timeline from past to present helped a little, I'd say I was more interested in the past one.
Overall, I'd say this was a missed opportunity, which saddened me given how interested I am and how intriguing the premise is. Despite this, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, especially after that epilogue.
Forest of Dreams and Whispers is a gender-swapped retelling of Sleeping Beauty, and I'd say I had expectations that I wished had been conveyed to me while reading the book.
The first half of the story was adequate; I enjoyed the writing and am eager to see how the rest of the plot unfolds.
The characters were also interesting, and I would say that the banter between our leads, Juliana and Hawthorn, was entertaining to watch.
Juliana's strong and independent qualities appealed to me, making her even more appealing and likable. Most of the time, Hawthorn's flirtatious nature did make me grin.
I'd say their chemistry was good, and I enjoyed their scenes and dialogue together, but I wasn't sold on their romance.
The last 30 percent of the book was pretty shaky, I'd say it was dragging and I wasn't convinced by the plot. Although switching the timeline from past to present helped a little, I'd say I was more interested in the past one.
Overall, I'd say this was a missed opportunity, which saddened me given how interested I am and how intriguing the premise is. Despite this, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, especially after that epilogue.
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