The Forest of Lost Souls

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: January LaVoy

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

A fearless woman, raised in the forest, fights against a group of powerful men in a novel about good versus evil, the enduring nature of myth, and the power of love by #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.

Raised in the wilderness by her late great-uncle, Vida is a young woman with an almost preternatural affinity for nature, especially for the wolves that also call the forested mountains home. Formed by hard experience, by love and loss, and by the prophecies of a fortune teller, Vida just wants peace. If only nearby Kettleton County didn’t cast such a dark shadow.

It’s where Jose Nochelobo, the love of Vida’s life and a cherished local hero, died in a tragic accident. That’s the official story, but Vida has reasons to doubt it. The truth can’t be contained for long. Nor can the hungry men of power in Kettleton who want something too: that Vida, like Jose, disappear forever. One by one they come for her, prepared to do anything to see their plans through to their evil end. Vida is no less prepared for them.

Vida, the forest, and its formidable wonders are waiting. She will not rest until goodness and order have been restored.

©2024 by The Koontz Living Trust. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“A page-turning thriller that combines a touch of magic with deep love for the natural world.” —Kirkus Reviews

Beautiful Story!!

I listened to this book in one day. Love the characters and the story. I hope there is a way to include them in another book.

slow start

I had a hard time in the beginning, but once it got going the plot took off and didn't disappoint. Koontzs usual character development shines as the main character's endearing personality comes out.

Started slow

But did not disappoint as the characters developed and the story started to come together.

Amazing book!

Love the book from start to finish! Read it for yourself if you want to know more. Definitely not as repetitive as his other material, and not as predictable.

DK keeps on,keeping on.

This audiobook continues the call of DK for all of us to wake up to all the bad things that are happening all around us at an ever quickening pace.

This is, however, his loudest and most naked call yet. The story has some interesting elements that DK would have delved deeper into in years past. And those elements would have made the story, if woven into the story with his usual skill and deft development, a more complex and engaging narrative.

As it is its still a good story, if a bit heavy handed. He uses some of the characters voices to say what he would have, and has even recently, said in more subtle and nuanced ways.

The narration is quite good with a wide range of intonation and individuality in the characters and the proper level of emotional expressions in her characters.

Hope this is helpful to y’all and enjoy your day!👍

If you want to breathe again, read Forest of the Lost Souls!

January Lavoy’s voice always calms me, but this story came to me at a time when there was so much stress in my life and it just made me settle. I read this in the middle of Hurricane Helene. It made me centered, Thank you.

Another Winner !!!

Captivating storylines, believable characters, excellent character development and growth, cathartic! I really enjoyed every minute of Koontz’s latest novel. Much wisdom hidden within as well! Good vs Evil, underdog vs Big Dogs. Always a happy ending❤️

Wasn’t for me

It wasn’t for me. I felt it was very disjointed, no flow to the story. A couple reviews noted a slow start, I kept waiting for the slow start to end. January is my favorite narrator and the only reason I listened to the end.

Very good read!

Interesting, sweet, suspense, unexpected end but perfect! Love Dean Koontz always! Looking for new one