The Vanishing Forest, by Jaysee Jewel

Welcome back to another Rainy Day Review.
Today, I’m reviewing The Vanishing Forest, a fascinating novel by Jaysee Jewel.

About

Ten years ago (in the year 2025), Lili’s parents went missing in Pukaskwa National Park in the United States, when they came across a ‘mysteriously walled-in wood’. Now, having turned seventeen, Lili plans to go looking for her parents, breaking her promise to her uncle that she will never enter through one of the doors in the forest’s towering walls. However, Lili isn’t the only one planning to enter this forbidden site. Her heroes ­– the Rural Rangers – are planning to enter, too.

When Lili encounters her heroes entering the site at the same time, she does her best to earn her place within the group, wondering if she will ever see her beloved parents again. Before long, the team comes across a mysterious village, where they learn that escape may only be possible by accessing another level of the forest. Little do they know what lies ahead of them, and the dangers they will face in their attempt to learn the truth about the bizarre vanishing forest.

Characters

For this review, I will be focusing on three core characters: Lili Nilson, Kaidyn (a key member of the Rural Rangers), and the forest itself.

Lili Nilson is just seventeen years old, yet she is a brave and determined young woman who seeks to be reunited with her long-lost mother, who entered the vanishing forest a decade ago. After her parents disappeared, Lili was raised by her uncle, living close to the site where her parents vanished, yet having to promise never to enter the mysterious area. Lili proved to be a headstrong and determined individual, striving to achieve her goal of finding her parents, no matter what. Despite her courage and heart, there were times where Lili appeared naïve, not truly understanding the ramifications of her actions in the moment. However, as the story progressed, she grew more cautious (for the most part) and developed a range of skills which made her a valuable asset to the Rural Rangers. Her internal pain and longing to be reunited with her family was expressed well and allowed me to empathise with her on a deeper level. Overall, she was a character worth rooting for and I enjoyed her narration of the story’s events.

Next, we come to Kaidyn, a member of the Rural Rangers. From the start, he is the most hostile toward Lili, expressing his distaste over Lili joining them in their exploration of the forest, primarily because he sees her as a burden. Kaidyn is a courageous and decisive young man, who appears stoic and stubborn for the most part. He made an excellent leader – when needed – able to adapt well to a range of stressful situations and performing well under pressure. He always had a plan for how to navigate a situation and remained strong throughout their perilous journey. Only a few brief moments of emotional pain were expressed on his part, largely because he sees his emotions as a weakness, not to be displayed to others as readily. Because of this, the few scenes where he did express his deeper emotions were powerful and really hit home; I could feel his emotions in a very visceral way, as though they were my own. Moreover, despite his initial dislike of Lili, he gradually came to warm to her and even confided in her in difficult times. His character was complex and likable, a true hero, doing all he could to protect and stand by his comrades in arms.

Finally, I would like to discuss the Vanishing Forest. While this mysterious forest acts as the main setting of the story, it is a character in its own right. Upon first description, the forest appeared dark and foreboding, quickly becoming more threatening as I learned increasing amounts of its lore. Inhabited by unthinkable beings, it made for a tense and terrifying place, with complex rules which were hard to understand (for both the main characters and the reader) until more of its backstory was revealed. It was enchanting in its ethereal beauty, yet was also a deadly force to be reckoned with, possessing a vast consciousness with a twisted mind. It wasn’t always clear what the Forest’s intentions were, or where its influence would show up on the main character’s journey, a fact which made the story both gripping and surprising. Overall, the Vanishing Forest as a character – and setting – was one which I will not soon forget, for the very idea of it is truly a thing of nightmares.

Jaysee Jewel: Author of 'The Vanishing Forest'.

Positive Aspects

There were several things that made reading The Vanishing Forest a memorable and enjoyable experience.

·       Firstly, the third-person, past tense narration gave us close insights into what Lili’s character was thinking and feeling, getting the reader emotionally invested in the story and its outcomes.

·        Secondly, the action scenes were tense and gripping, more than capable at getting the heart racing.

·       In addition, the elaborate twists and turns in the main plot made for a dramatic reading experience, which stayed with me long after I finished the book.

·       Furthermore, the main setting (the Vanishing Forest) was dark and foreboding, as mysterious as it was deadly.

·        Finally, a variety of threats – both situational and personal/emotional – made this a book which was very hard to put down.

Neutral Aspects

Despite its many good qualities, I feel that this book could benefit from a thorough proofread, to catch those last few errors.

Memorable Quotes

Two main quotes caught my attention while reading:

1) ‘ “If you feel bad about your weakness, work to improve it instead of wallowing in self-pity.” ’

2) ‘Focusing on only vengeance could make you take risks that put everyone else in danger.’

Overview

Overall, The Vanishing Forest was a fascinating read, with gripping battles, shocking discoveries and a truly spectacular ending. Key themes included: survival, family and friendship, sacrifice, loss, and hope.

My Rating: 5 stars.
Recommended to: lovers of unique books with paranormal/thriller vibes and young adult protagonists.

Learn More

To learn more about The Vanishing Forest, you can visit its Goodreads page, HERE.
Or, to find out more about Jaysee Jewel, simply visit her website, HERE.

Thank you for joining me for today’s review. If you enjoyed this post, please share it with others, or leave a comment with your thoughts.

Have a wonderful week,
Ellie.