The Forest King's Daughter (Thirstwood, 1)

Well, the first part was straightforward and I was enjoying the conflict between Cassia and Zeru as they are forced together because of the ring and trying to figure out how to use it, it did get a bit convoluted midway through with new conflicts between the Ancients and what they wanted at the cost of everyone else. It threw me with the added new revelations and plots, all to get the Solis Gemma ring and use its power for destruction (though that is not what it was originally created to do and I am glad Cassia finds that out!). While it is pretty good from Cassia's point of view, I think it would have been fascinating from Zeru's point of view, especially with the changes that happen. But, bonus points for the fox spirit Voz who showed up. It was totally awesome cool. And I love Cassia's sisters who stuck with her no matter what their awful father decreed. And of the three places explored so far, I would definitely want to go to Welkincaster. That place sounds wonderful, at least after Cassia and Zeru visit. As this is the first book in a series, I guess all the extra was a build up to expand the world more later so all in all this was an enjoyable read and I would like to see what happens next! And I think it would be so cool if the next book was from the viewpoint of Zeru. It would be a nice counterpoint to the first book.