Seven Endless Forests

On the heels of a devastating plague, Torvi’s sister, Morgunn, is stolen from the family farm by Uther, a flame-loving Fremish wolf-priest who leads a pack of ragged, starving girls. Torvi leaves the only home she’s ever known, and joins a shaven-skulled druid and a band of roaming Elsh artists known as the Butcher Bards. They set out on a quest to rescue Torvi’s sister, and find a mythical sword.

On their travels, Torvi and her companions will encounter magical night wilds and mystical Drakes who trade in young men. They will sing rowdy Elshland ballads in a tree-town tavern, and find a mysterious black tower in an Endless Forest. They will fight alongside famous Vorseland archers and barter with Fremish wizards. They will feast with rogue Jade Fell children in a Skal Mountain cave, and seek the help of a Pig Witch. They will face wild, dangerous magic that leads to love, joy, tragedy, and death.

Torvi set out to rescue a sister, but she may find it’s merely the first step toward a life that is grander and more glorious than anything she could have imagined. {goodreads summary}

I haven't read the Boneless Mercies, but I will be after finishing this story. 

The best thing about it was, without doubt, the world building, which has the richness that only a novel set in an already well-fleshed out fantasy world can achieve. There were so many places, people, customs and types of magic. It read like a classic fairytale, which was reflected in the prevalence of bards and storytellers in the story. Songs of old sagas and heroes were woven throughout Torvi's quest, which was epic in scope and full of adventure. 

Tucholke's writing rivals her world building. It was as lyrical as one of the fairytales within Seven Endless Forests. I loved her descriptions (especially the Night Wild).

At times it felt as though this novel could have been split into a series, with more time taken over each individual quest. The ending felt rushed, more like a summary epilogue than part of the story. I would have liked even more about Torvi's world and her adventures as she passes through it.  

I was provided with a copy of this novel for review through NetGalley.