A dark & magical tale that is bound to captivate fans of Erin Morgenstern and Alix E Harrow. I didn't want it to end!

This author weaves another unique, spooky, mysterious, magical story! I loved the carnival so much, & could see all the different tents for all the different performers clearly in my mind. I also loved all the carnival characters & all of their differences in magic & in their personalities! I loved Louisa so much.
The Forest of Stars is a dark, dazzling tale that mesmerizes with magic and mystery. It's filled with all the elements I have loved in a book ever since I was a boy and, like I did when I was a child, there were nights when I stayed up later just to read one more chapter. And like the enchanted books of my childhood, this one lingered in my dreams even after I had closed the pages.

This was a really amazing middle grade novel and the world was extremely captivating. The story contains a lot of conflict, amongst family, friendship and betrayal, having you speeding to the final pages.

The Forest of Stars is the new middle-grade novel from Titan Books that feels dark and creepy, yet is packed with magic and love as a young girl sets out into the world to search for her father.

The story centres on Louisa LaRoche, a girl who's always been special. For as long as she can remember Louisa has been unable to touch the ground. Floating above the floor, never able to set her feet on the ground, Louisa has kept her ability hidden from the outside world through fear that she will be rejected, seen as a devil child.

Having always been cared for and protected by her mother, Louisa's life is thrown upside down when her mother passes away, leaving Louisa alone in a dark and frightening city covered in ash. With next to nothing to her name Louisa takes to begging on the streets for any coin that she can get, but when instead of money she finds a golden ticket, one for the Carnival Beneath the Stars she begins to form a plan. Having been told how her father was just like her, and how he was swept away by the wind one day she comes to the conclusion that a carnival of wonders might be the perfect place to start looking for her father.

Setting out for the carnival Louisa discovers a world of magic and wonders that she never dreamed could exist. Not only does she learn that her abilities come from magic, but that there are others in the world like her; people with amazing abilities. With a vast and potentially dangerous world open before her Louisa has to choose whether to continue on her search on her own, or whether to join the carnival where her new friends live, hoping to one day find her father among the crowds.

Louisa makes for an interesting protagonist, as apart from a few small pieces of information that she has at the beginning of the story she's pretty unaware of the world outside of her home with her mother, and it allows the readers to discover a lot of this strange, magical place alongside her. She has no idea how she has the ability to float, she doesn't know that there are other people like her in the world, and she often finds herself trying to catch up on these amazing revelations at the same time as us.

Along Louisa's journey she begins to discover that not only do other people have strange abilities, but that they're all vastly different. The people at the carnival use their powers to put on shows for people who would otherwise hate and fear them, and have come to for a tight knit family. Whilst Louisa is very much a girl who's never had to rely on anyone but her mother, and has never really had any friends before, it's this sense of kindness and companionship that draws her to the carnival more so than her pursuit to find her father; and we discover that Louisa is actually quite a lonely girl. She doesn't really know how to interact with people, how to open up to others and make friends, and getting to see her come out of her shell and do so is one of the highlights of the book.

Her friends make for an interesting bunch, some with magical abilities, some without, but all of them connected together through the carnival. As such, when something begins to threaten the carnival, and those who live there, Louisa begins to find her new life slipping away from her. I loved this aspect of the book, that it was her desire to help and protect her new family, rather than some special status as some kind of 'chosen one' that set her out to do heroic things and try to solve a dangerous mystery. It gave her more agency as a person, and it's nice to see a children's book where the people putting themselves in danger are doing it simply because they feel like it's the right thing to do.

Aside from the interesting characters Heather Kassner also manages to craft an interesting world, albeit one we don't learn much about. We get small hints at what the world is like, from the ash covered city that Louisa grew up in, to the spooky forest the carnival travels to, to the towns and cities beyond. There's a sense that this is a large place, one with varying types of people and mysteries to be discovered, even if we spend the majority of our time within the walls of the carnival itself.

Despite not learning a huge amount we get a decent sense of the world that Louisa inhabits, and this really infuses the feel of the book. The story feels mystical and Gothic, and whilst I personally don't like his films it instantly brings to mind the works of Tim Burton, and the way that he's able to make something dark and spooky that borders on scary, yet feels right at home as a children's tale. It's like The Addams Family mixed in with The Greatest Showman, even though it feels like neither of those things and something completely it's own and unique to itself.

The Forest of Stars is a book that feels closer to a fairy-tale than anything else, a story with love and family at it's centre, but with a lot of darkness mixed in too. The book is suffused with dark, almost Gothic tones that make the wonders of the Carnival Under The Stars feel slightly dreamlike and almost nightmarish at times. Despite this, it never goes into the realm of horror, and I can see it drawing in readers of all ages.

My only real criticism of the the book is that I wanted more. I wanted to spend more time with Louisa. I wanted to get to know her new friends more. I wanted to see more of the inhabitants of the carnival and get to know some of them. I wanted to see more of the world. I'm hoping that this won't be the last of these characters, that we'll get more of these characters and the carnival in the future. If not, it's still a wonderful, imaginative book, and one that I had a huge amount of fun reading.

Children's books are often full of strange magic and heartwarming lessons, and The Forest of Stars is no exception, weaving a tale of magical threads and a floating girl to create a story that is both strange and warm. Whimsical elements are balanced with a gothic undertone throughout, a combination that had me excited from the very first page. I never wanted to stop reading, finding myself lost in this fairytale-like world and sad to have to leave it behind, but glad to have gotten lost in such a magical carnival.

Following twelve-year-old Louisa, a magical girl who floats through life, the story focuses on hope and the importance of believing in yourself. Grief is also explored as Louisa loses her mother in the first few pages, and I think it is done in a way that is both tender and careful, woven with Louisa's exploration of her own magic to create an atmosphere that is dreamlike and gentle. The friends Louisa makes are also sweet, and it was lovely to see how friendship is treated with such importance within the story, highlighting the importance of all different kinds of love.

I love a good circus setting, and the carnival where Louisa makes herself home is one of my new favourites, full of lost children and strange charm. Magic shimmers in every corner, quietly drawing you in and, much like The Night Circus, creating an atmosphere I want to live in. I would have loved to have learned a little bit more about the magic of the world though, the mysteriousness of it sometimes making me feel a little lost in contrast to how easy it was to understand the mystery of Louisa's father.

Overall, the story felt like a folktale, told through beautiful writing that had me highlighting on nearly every page. If you like your middle grade stories enchanting, this is the perfect book for you. Atmospheric and lovely, I would definitely recommend picking this story up when the night is cold and the stars are bright, and magic feels like it could be anywhere.

'The Forest of Stars’ is an enjoyable, if dark in places, middle grade novel about a floating girl who finds a home in a magical circus, but finds her new home under threat from a hidden foe. The mystery elements are relatively predictable, but the atmosphere and found family elements are lovely.

All her life, Louisa has been hidden away by her mother. Her bones are full of too much air, so she glides around without her feet touching the ground – and a wind too strong could blow her away, just like her father when she was young. When her mother dies, twelve-year-old Louisa is left to fend for herself – but the world is dangerous for those who are different. However, her fortune changes when she receives an invitation to a mysterious carnival. The carnival is full of those who are different like her. Louisa finds herself torn between making the carnival her home and going in search of her missing father. Her decision is complicated when a mysterious magic starts attacking the carnival’s residents, leaving Louisa and her friends to track down a hidden foe.

Louisa is a sweet, naive girl, loyal to her friends but hindered by a lack of knowledge of the world. She also has little to no control over her magic, regularly drifting into the sky then finding herself unable to come back down. For a child so young, Louisa has experienced a lot of grief,and the way this is handled – with a twist of fabulism – is excellent. Louisa isn’t the strongest protagonist, but she’s likeable enough and her determination to do the right thing is admirable.

The fabulism is the strongest part of the book. The magic those at the carnival possess, from Louisa’s floating to Mercy’s control over shadows, is great, but there are other elements too, like the love bugs which appear any time anyone is sad. All these elements are well woven into the narrative, adding to the atmosphere. The fabulism has a darker twist than in many books – rather than a fortune teller, there’s a misfortune teller – and this works well, lending gothic undertones without ever being too much for a child.

The main weakness of this story is the plot. There are two core mysteries – Louisa’s missing father and the mysterious foe targeting the circus – and both are relatively obvious from an early stage. Admittedly, this is a children’s story, so the elements being obvious to an adult is not necessarily a bad thing, but the hints dropped could be more subtle. The denouement is still satisfying, but it lacks the shock factor that would really elevate it to the next level.

Overall, ‘The Forest of Stars’ is a fun, creative children’s book with some lovely found family elements. Its not the most original storyline, but the magical elements make it an enjoyable read.

I think that this was a really nice story and the world was very well described. It was very reminiscent of Addie la rue and caraval but a middle grade version. The writing style wasn't my favourite as I felt it focused more on the world building than the characters personalities which made it difficult for me to connect to the characters. However I feel that it just means it isn't the type of book id pick up and not that it isn't a good book. If you like flowery lyrical writing then this is definitely for you I'm just more a character focused reader.

In all her life Louisa LaRoche has never touched the ground. She floats through life doing her very best to hide the constant gap between her feet and the ground. Sitting is even more difficult because she has to hide the gap between her feet and the ground and the gap between her body and the chair. As a consequence she doesn’t get out much. But, when her mother dies and there is no one to pay the rent, out is the only place she has. Grieving, alone and confused, Louisa’s only hope is in finding her father; the man who floated out of the window and into the sky and never came back. A chance encounter leads her to the carnival but, after a lifetime of living in the shadows, is she prepared to step into centre stage for all to see?

I found the simplicity of Louisa’s character really engaging. She is a child, she can float, she misses her mother, and she want to find her father; these are the guiding aspects of her character throughout and, even as she grows in confidence, they do not change. This simplicity keep us focussed on what is important and does not allow room for contradiction. Similarly each of the other characters are kept simple with limited backstory, but each with something that makes them special and unique. My favourite character is Quiet Si due to the mystery that he presents as well as the calm way in which he experiences his own confusion.

The magic in this story is also simple. Yet it is captivating. A good example of this is Ox’s magic, which is best described as some form of telekinesis and yet this word is never used. This has the effect of removing the science, removing the complexity, and keeping only the magic and the fun. Mercy’s shadows stand out as a darker magic in contrast, however still she uses it for entertainment rather than terror. It is this focus on entertainment and fun that makes the carnival setting the perfect backdrop, especially given the lack of judgement. They are not viewed as ‘circus freaks’ but as unique and talented performers. This makes ‘The Forest of Stars’, at its core, a heart-warming tale that you cannot help but fall slowly in love with.

However, despite the overall heart-warming tone, this book is not without its conflict. With its focus on family and friendship, it is the betrayal rather than the danger that gives this conflict the heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat tension that had me speeding through the final chapters to get the end.

I enjoyed Forest of Stars. It was a book with a plot that had just enough tension to keep you engaged - 12 year old Louisa walks on air and finds her way to a mysterious carnival after her mother dies. There she meets all manner of magical and mundane people and starts to find a place where she can be herself. While it's a common enough story to tell, I don't think Kassner told it badly.

When things start to go wrong, one of Louisa's new friends is the prime suspect. As a reader, it's made explicitly clear that Mercy is of course, innocent. However, this means that the plot twists are pretty obvious and that drains the tension from the novel. The main villain wasn't a bad character at all, when finally confronted I enjoyed the fight between then and Louisa, but from early in the story it was clear who would be in control.

Louisa's main motivation is finding her long lost father, which is sweet. She has the obstinate innocence of a child, refusing to believe he could be entirely lost or dead, despite what other characters may be telling her. This is endearing and I found myself aching with sympathy for Louisa, hoping she might find what she'd been missing. Otherwise, I found it difficult to relate to Louisa and put myself in her shoes - and I'm not talking about her magical abilities.

Speaking of magical abilities, I did enjoy the world that Kassner weaved, the powers that people were given. Many of the gifts in the carnival were fun, magical twists on carnival acts that have become almost stereotypical with how common they are. I particularly liked some of the plays on words that Kassner used when choosing stage names and the sense of awe that came from watching some of the shows. In other ways, the carnival felt strangely plain, lacking the hustle and bustle you've come to expect from a fairground.

Still, I didn't dislike Forest of Stars. Would I recommend it? Possibly, it depends on the person. However, I will say that I'd be interested in reading more from Kassner in the future.

Forest of Stars - Heather Kassner

I was intrigued by the look of this book as it looked similar to The Night Circus (one of my favourite books) so had to give it a go. I thought it was a very magical read, with a lovely main character that gave me good role model feels. Kassner did an excellent job of creating a mystical feel with eerie qualities. Overall I really enjoyed the storyline but it did feel a little more Middle grade to me more so than YA, which is just a personal feeling. Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for allowing me the chance to read and review this book.

✨“Jess sneaked into the carnival through a broken section of the fence,” he said with a shrug. Jess’s hands shot to her hips. She cleared her throat again. “Oh, right,” Ox said while Mercy snickered. “Jess stole into the carnival like a dastardly thief in the night.”✨
—Heather Kassner, The Forest of Stars

🌷After her mother passes away, twelve-year-old Louisa LaRoche looks to the stars to seek answers about the whereabouts of her father. When an untethered girl- spending her days floating, and never able to land- receives a mysterious invitation to a carnival, she hesitantly accepts. Enter more magic and wonder. She is amongst her people, a magical and gifted people. But when things start to go wrong… when shadows are draining people of their magic, it is up to Louisa and her new ensemble of friends to find out the root of the problem, to determine who these shadows belong too. 

🌸An interesting and magical read. It was entertaining but I don't know if I was completely in favour of the plot, as there wasn’t much mystery for me. The ‘villain’ was quite obvious, and there wasn’t that much adventure. However, I think a younger reader may like the idea of a floating girl, so they may be entranced by this peculiarity. 

Read. Be happy. Stay safe.

The Forest of Stars tells the story of 12-year-old Louisa who, whilst searching for her long-lost father, finds herself in the Carnival Beneath the Stars. With some magical abilities of her own that she has never really understood, Louisa gets rapidly caught up in the carnival, as well as the chaos that has suddenly overtaken it.

This book seems to balance on the line between middle grade and YA but I can honestly say that, as an adult, I completely adored it. The protagonist’s age and the slightly younger writing style made it a very easy read, but it was written in such a magical, captivating way that I’m sure people of any age could enjoy this story.

Friendship is a large part of this plot, and I found the friendships in this story, between Louisa and the other younger performers, to be really sweet and completely believable. I love all of the performers that she teams up with and definitely felt like part of their little group as they tried to solve the mystery of the dangerous occurrences at the carnival. Louisa is also hugely motivated by her quest to find her father, and I found that this really justified a lot of her actions and kept the story intriguing throughout.

The imagery of the carnival is incredible, and it’s so easy to imagine that you are there with the characters, watching the shows and getting caught up in the adventure and mystery of the magic. More than once, despite the chaotic and dangerous things that are happening there, I found myself wishing I could be part of the carnival, and I thought that the atmospheric writing style did an incredible job of making this feel possible.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to children, teenagers and adults alike. If you’re interested in fantasies or stories about magic, this is a perfect story to escape into, with an innocent and likeable protagonist, a fascinating cast of characters and an eerie, magical setting to completely get lost in.

This is a magical dark fantasy about a twelve year old girl, searching for her father after her mother’s death.

Before she was born, Louisa LaRoche’s father was blown away in a gust of wind by his untamed magic,the same magic that Louisa herself inherited. Alone, with nowhere to go Louisa finds a ticket to the Carnival Beneath the Stars filled with magical (and odd) people.

Knowing her father’s strange gift wouldn’t be out of place at the Circus, she decides to search for him there. But shorty after arriving several of the acts end disastrously (and suspiciously) and Louisa must decide if she’s willing to take on the injured performers role. Danger lurks around every corner and darkness closing in will Louisa and her friends’ find the culprit before anything far worse happens.

I did enjoy this a little, Louisa was charming and I really felt for her circumstances and loss- especially at such a young age. However, I thought that the book was Teen/YA but the writing feels more like Middle-grade or Juvenile fiction which isn’t a genre I like, or tend to enjoy.

If you enjoy this genre or have children who read middle grade and think they’d like the Circus, or dark magic theme then I’d wholeheartedly recommend. But, if you enjoyed The Night Circus you may not enjoy this, due to the writing style being geared towards a younger audience.

A massive thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC

Louisa has a special magical ability, she has the ability to float through the air just like her father. However, this startling magical ability is the same force that took her father from her. She embarks on her search for him, ending up at the dazzling Carnival Beneath the Stars. Her abilities set her apart from the other performers and she needs to decide how best to use them, will she reach for the stars or stay firmly on earth?

I loved the magical, whimsical nature of this middle-grade novel. The world-building and magical systems are intriguing and unique, and one of my favourite parts about Forest of Stars. Despite it leaning towards being a children's novel I found Kassner's writing captivating and emotive, even as an adult reader. I loved Louisa's curiosity and hard-working nature, she's a great role model for the younger generation reading this book. The mystery aspect especially was delightful. Overall I enjoyed this book but it is definitely geared more towards younger readers, but worth checking out regardless of your age.

Left all alone after her mother passes away, twelve-year-old Louisa watches the sky for her father. Long ago, a powerful gust of wind stole him away on the wings of his untamed magic - the same magic that stirs within Louisa. As if she is made of hollow bones and too much air, her feet never quite touch the ground.

This book is devoured in no time, the author's writing style is smooth and engaging.
The world created by the author is a magical, mysterious world full of hope and courage and this book is a read that engages all ages.
It is very reminiscent of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

Forest of Stars has a similar vibe to Catherynne M. Valente's Fairyland-series. It also reminded me a little of the Night Circus with its magical elements. It is very atmospheric and whimsical. It is a mystery with strong themes of friendship and choosing your own family.

My main issue with the story was the fact that the main character's age does not with correspond with her actions. She does not feel very capable, and more like an outline rather than a well rounded character. A lot of the things that were happening to the main character was both without excitement or emotion. I did however, really appreciate the almost poetic way the author described her grief. It was very beautiful and touching.

I do not mind books that are slow paced and heavy with the descriptions as long as it does not weigh down the story. I do not think the author managed to really balance the writing and the plot very well which is why the book did not blow me away.

The forest of stars follows 12 year old Louisa who, after sadly loosing her mum, goes on a search for her long lost father. When she was very young her father was mysteriously taken away on a powerful gust of wind on "the wings of his untamed magic" ... The same magic she has.
After finding a gleaming black and gold invitation, she finds herself involved in the Carnival Beneath the Stars. If her father is anywhere, it would be there.
When Louisa arrives at the beautiful carnival with black-and-gold tops sprinkled throughout, she soon learns that this place isn't at all what she thought it would be.

***

I absolutely adored this book!!!
The forest of stars is middle grade fantasy that gave me little vibes of a young readers version of The night circus, with a mix of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
However, middle grade it may be, it can definitely be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
It was just so beautifully written, so imaginative and creative. With an amazing cast of characters, the loveliest and sweetest friendships, full of magic and mystery, hope and courage .... and much more. I just loved it and didn't want it to end.

Thank you so much to Titan books and Netgalley for the ARC and thank you to Heather Kassner for such a wonderful book.

I'm a good few years older than the target audience for this book,and a few times I felt that.
Mostly though,I got swept up in the magic,not just of the circus,but of those within the circus with magic themselves.
A place where so many found a home.
I felt for Louisa as she searched for her father,and came across a random bunch of characters,of which Quiet Si was my favourite.
A lovely little tale,with just a hint of menace.