Taming the Forest King

A 5 star favorite read! Taming the Forest King is a 1986 fantasy that’s part military/political intrigue, part romance, and part study in leadership and morality.

Colonel Tevra, a seasoned cavalry officer in her late thirties, is sent to restore order in a troubled province, and finds herself entangled in politics, magic, and an unexpected love triangle.

Tevra is such a unique heroine. She’s logical, independent, competent, and guided by duty and conscience more than emotion. She genuinely cares about doing her job well and accomplishing her goals. The story is written from Tevra’s perspective, and while it isn’t actually written in a diary entry format, Claudia J. Edwards gets us so thoroughly inside Tevra’s head that I felt show more like I had read her diary by the end.

And the love triangle. THE LOVE TRIANGLE. It puts other romance books to shame. Two men who are truly equal choices. I honestly didn’t know what the final outcome would be! The fact that Edwards was even able to develop a triangle successfully in a book that’s so slim it barely makes it past 200 pages is beyond impressive.

What surprised me most were the thoughtful discussions of consent and mutual respect that Edwards decided to include. They felt very ahead of the 1986 publishing date! And while the romance aspect does get a little steamy here and there, it’s never the main point of the book. It’s the moral and emotional choices of the characters throughout that truly shine. show less

This was a surprising little gem. I'd found it at the flea market and, for 33¢, I couldn't resist the female warrior--in chain mail, yet, instead of a bikini!--and the pristine condition. (ahhhh... new books. the tight pages, the smooth cover, the unbroken spine, the story waiting to be discovered... give me a moment here.)

It's a short book, only 215 pages, from 1986. Colonel Tevra has been called to the forest lands to investigate the myriad problems besetting them: from a corrupt governor to supernatural attacks. At her side is her ever-faithful Second (XO), Hetwith.

She's aided and romanced by the Forest King of the title, Dard.

Taming the Forest King is as much a romance as it is a fantasy, but it's all the better because the focus show more is on the fantasy. The worldbuilding is vivid, the society rich with details. The various supernatural creatures and the way magic works aren't described very thoroughly, but it's enough--they're consistent, and clear enough that the story makes sense.

Tevra does veer awfully close to the TSTL line on occasion--not in her professional capacity--she's a very capable officer, and is highly respected for good reason--but in her personal life. She's very dense when it comes to realizing that she's actually the center of a romantic triangle. She's saved--barely--by her focus on her duty and military ethics, and by the fact that it fits her character to view emotions and sexual attraction as inconveniences to be ignored when duty doesn't permit indulgence. In short, she represses what she sees as inappropriate emotions, and in doing so, is blind to their mirror in others.

I was disappointed to find that Claudia J. Edwards only has a handful of books, none of them still in print. I'll be looking for them anyway. show less

This fantasy/romance hybrid is narrated by Tevra, a colonel in the king’s light cavalry who is leading a small contingent of soldiers into the northern provinces to investigate some rumors of wrongdoing. A woman in a man’s world, Tevra has fought her whole life to gain respect in her chosen profession, and she rigidly obeys the military’s strict code of honor in order to protect the good reputation she’s earned. But when she reaches the northern Forest, she will be tested in ways she never thought possible. A corrupt ruler has impoversihed the entire region, and supernatural threats menace the area as well. But the greatest danger may be from Tevra’s own heart, as she finds herself strongly attracted to Dard, a young man show more hailed by the local lords as the Forest King. Can Tevra start a romantic relationship that will lead to gossip and scandal while still maintaining her honor?

This book is a little bit dated and cheesy (originally published in 1986), but I have to admit that I really enjoyed it overall! The title is a bit of a misnomer; although the Forest King has a significant role in the book, I think it’s quite inaccurate to say that anyone attempts to “tame” him. But the book is much more romance-y than I expected. I was anticipating a fantasy novel with some romantic elements, but it’s actually more of a romance novel with a few fantasy trappings. The central focus of the book is Tevra’s love life, and there are two suitors in the picture. Of course, Tevra doesn’t realize that either man is in love with her – which is a trope that normally bugs me a lot, but here it didn’t bother me because I was simply enjoying the book so much! Aside from the aforementioned love-related blindness, I really liked Tevra; she’s a unique character in that she’s almost entirely driven by a strict devotion to duty. She’s also badass without being obnoxious about it, a rare feat among fantasy heroines these days. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, romantic read. show less

I searched this book out after one of my favorite authors suggested it in a post I read somewhere and I'm glad I did. It was a rather enjoyable romantic fantasy read.

Tevra, a colonal in the Kingdom's light cavalry is sent to the Forest Province to deal with the ongoing corruption and failing economy of the region. She spends her days traversing the region with her small contingent of soldiers including her trusted second in command, Hetwith, and ends up being aided by Dard, the forest king himself. Together they must prepare the people for the coming winter while dealing with bandits and more dangerous supernatural threats all the while dealing with the growing romantic tensions between themselves.

I enjoyed the characters as well as show more the world building in this rather short novel. The romance was just enough to not overwhelm the story. show less

I love old-school thrift store fantasy gems! This is a romance at its core with an adorable love triangle. The heroine, Tevra, fights against female stereotypes in the kind of unsubtle way that reminds me of Jennifer Roberson’s Tiger and Del books. She's a capable, badass commander who excels at combat and politicking, but completely flounders in the love department. Overall, Taming the Forest King is a very short book - there’s hardly any time for worldbuilding or fleshing out supporting characters - but it’s a fun, entertaining read. I recommend it for fans of light, character-driven fantasy romance.

This is an unusual book; it's a romance set in a fantasy world (which may be post-apocalyptic North America) with supernatural creatures and magic.

Tevra, a Colonel of Light Cavalry is sent by the King to what used to be a separate kingdom but is now the Northern province of the Empire. As Viceroy, she needs to sort out problems there - the province has been going it's own way for some time and now needs reining in. She is accompanied by her long-time second in command, Hetwith.

In the Forest Kingdom, she capably sets about relieving the famine, plague and supernatural attacks, and is assisted by Dard, grandson of the last Forest King. He hopes to make her his queen of an independent Forest Kingdom but Hetwith has other ideas.

Light, but show more charming. In some ways, the story and setting remind me of the Sharing Knife series by Lois McMast Bujold.

Recommended. show less

Colonel Tevra and Captain Hetwith of the King’s Light Cavalry have a job to do and it won’t be easy. Colonel Tevra is appointed as the King’s Viceroy to investigate an accusation of misappropriation of taxes, to make a forest full of bandits and supernatural ghouls safe, and to ensure that the very attractive "Forest King" Dard is a loyal citizen of the Kingdom.

The author, Claudia J Edwards, draws her characters with exquisite precision creating characters of depth. The history of Colonel Tevra and her favorite tactician, Captain Hetwith is slowly revealed throughout a surprisingly slim book. An almost tangible sexual tension grows between Tevra and Dard. Dialogue is entertaining and natural. The magic system is well developed show more with a very organic feel.

Despite a few problematic and abrupt transitions between very different scenes, the book is excellent with a distinct plot, great characters and satisfactory ending. It will leave you wanting more books by this author. Sadly, Claudia J Edwards only released five books in the late 80s before discontinuing her career and all of her books are currently out of print. show less