Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Book Review: The Mystic


The start of an enchanting new epic fantasy series from the founder of Dragonmount

I called to the Myst, and it sent us you.

For hundreds of years, high-born nobles have competed for the chance to learn of the Myst. 

Powerful, revered, and often reclusive, Mystics have the unique ability to summon and manipulate the Myst: the underlying energy that lives at the heart of the universe. Once in a very great while, they take an apprentice, always from the most privileged sects of society.

Such has always been the tradition—until a new High Mystic takes her seat and chooses Pomella AnDone, a restless, low-born teenager, as a candidate.

Commoners have never been welcomed among the select few given the opportunity to rise beyond even the highest nobility. So when Pomella chooses to accept the summons and journey to Kelt Apar, she knows that she will have more to contend with than the competition for the apprenticeship. 

Breaking both law and tradition, Pomella undergoes three trials against the other candidates to prove her worthiness. As the trials unfold, Pomella navigates a deadly world of intolerance and betrayal, unaware that ruthless conspirators intend to make her suffer for having the audacity to seek to unravel the secrets of the Myst.


Review:


Though clearly written for young adult and teens with simplistic characters and a romantic triangle, I did really enjoy the ending of Mystic. There were a few spoilers I guessed and one or two I didn't. That works well for me as I like to be right about some parts and surprised on others. :-)

I thought the world building depended a little two much on some random slang terms and respelling of the familiar terms like mother and father to make them more foreign. I didn't get enough sense of a deep rich history behind the people/world. It's easy to err with too much backstory about the world and characters, but I could have done with a little more here to add some depth.

I'm always glad to find another author of epic fantasy, and I'll look for more from this writer.  I received this copy from Tor in exchange for a review.

2 comments:

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  2. Fourteen-year-old Azleigh Izanne with her hot temper and rash decision making is about to begin the journey of her life including her training in sword fighting, dreams and awakened prophecy by Gaphorea who attempts to mold her into what she should be. She would grab hold of the nearest pile of snow, squeeze it into a hard, tight ball and slam it into the face of anyone she thinks is insulting her. She's very bitchy.

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