Three months since her parents were killed; two months since she was crowned empress; one month since she lost the love of her life and led an army against Death herself. Guerline may have been victorious in battle, but it cost her empire the magic upon which all of Arido relied. Now, her people face the destruction of their way of life, unless Guerline can guide them into a new age. She can’t do it alone, though, and juggling the animosities of the court, the witch clans, and the citizens takes its toll. Plagued by nightmares and grief, unable to show weakness to her advisers, Guerline is a ripe target when the shapeshifter goddess Lisyne returns with a tantalizing offer—immense power that would accomplish Guerline’s goals and protect her from the schemes of others. The goddess is not all she seems to be; but then, neither is anyone else Guerline once trusted. As the lines between friend and foe blur, Guerline must rely on her own judgment. She survived the Battle Under the Mountain, but can she overcome the consequences? Bittersweet and brimming with tension, From Out of the Forest tackles the aftermath of personal and political trauma, the difficulty and ultimate satisfaction of putting yourself back together stronger than you were before.