Reviews

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

lisagoe's review against another edition

4.0

What I like about this book is that it uses its limited perspective narrator to help world build. By the end of the book, you have a satisfying picture of the world and a neatly encapsulated story that's unfolded. You also have a good sense of character motivation that's brought them to this point, but I wanted to know more about how these characters lived in their day to day life, which is a good sign that an author has made me care.

colleenaf's review against another edition

5.0

Tuck Everlasting + Graceling + Superpowers + Super Crusable Literary Boys = A book I want to read again. Right now!

chllybrd's review against another edition

3.0

I give this a 3.5 stars, I found it to be a very enjoyable read.

mishmashedme's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

jennigma's review against another edition

4.0

It was a great story.

Spoiler

Though I think I would have chosen to stay in Mistwood, given the choice. I imagine an alternate ending, or even a sequel, being about how she can find a way to extract herself from Kaer's sisters body and become the shifter again. If she would even want to. I understand that she had no purpose for existing until that first king sought her out, but she can shift loyalty just like she can shift her body, I think. As long as she has a king to protect, she has a purpose for existing.

Thinking about it, I suppose all legends have to die somewhere to make room for the modern world that rejects the existence of magic, but still.

Spoiler

I would have been satisfied for her to remain in Mistwood as the legend lives on.

angelicasreads's review against another edition

2.0

“Not all dangers are obvious.”

Well this was boring, like a lot. I was a bit excited and I though yeah this will be pretty interesting but then I was like, I'm so bored I might just explode. Yes, explode because that would be a lot more interesting than just plain dying and a LOT more interesting than this book, so there you have it.

ANYWAY, here we go. The book starts with this girl in the trees except she's not a girl but she is and she can shape shift and some guy finds her naked in the woods, OK we're good so far. Then He takes her to the palace because he's the prince, though not really because he's not really part of the actual royal family and there are a lot of twists and turns and people switching sides and being two-faced like there is no tomorrow. First they're good and trust worthy, then they stab you in the back and then turns out they are actually good but then they have their own agenda, it's like pick a side and stick to it goshdarnit.

Then there are the characters, I didn't like them. In fact I don't even remember their names and I always remember the main characters names ALWAYS. But no, not them, I didn't relate and I found them just plain boring though I admit that the two main characters (what ever their names are) did have a cute relationship as far as I can remember. But...there was nothing memorable about any of them, nothing that makes me think 'oh yeah I remember that one guy/girl in that book that did that thing' with them it's more like 'yeah I remember reading that book but that's all I got'. I just didn't love them at all.

I will admit that was a good ending. That last twist at the end was like 'the FUN!?!? Where did that come from'. It was good and weird and it made total sense (sort of). I mean I had a feeling that something was up with the Shifter and the original Prince and Princess but I didn't know it was that. I liked the twist, a lot, it made the story interesting and managed to redeem it a bit, just a bit. I also liked that the story ended there and there was no over dramatic cliffhanger. Oh, I hate when boring books have cliffhangers because I feel like I just have to read the rest. So thank you [a:Leah Cypess|2915782|Leah Cypess|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1271641014p2/2915782.jpg] for not making me feel obligated to read the rest.

kellyjcm's review against another edition

3.0

I liked the premise, and I found the court drama interesting. The ending was surprising, which was needed. Dragged a little at points. I found the romance frustrating.

exhaleartist's review against another edition

4.0

I had heard very little about this book, but there was some buzz surrounding the release of its companion novel. When I found this on sale at Borders, I decided to pick it up since the price was so good. I am so very, very, very glad I did! I absolutely adored this book and it has a firm place on my favorites list.
From the opening pages of the book I was completely under the spell of the story. I wanted to know and to understand what the Shifter was. The mystery surrounding the past, Isabel, and the kingdom continually kept me guessing. Isabel is a beautiful character equal parts strength and vulnerability. She struggles to be what is expected of her, but at the same time it is not quite clear what that means. Rokan on the other hand was not an immediate favorite for me. As I got to know him, however, I began to respect him and slowly began to love him. His sister, Clarisse, was just wow. From the beginning until the very end I was never quite sure what her motivations were, but I couldn’t hate her for it. Despite her sometimes dubious moments, I could not help but to have a lot of respect for her. She is a very strong character who will not hesitate to do what she feels is right to protect what she cares about.
The world that is creates within the pages of Mistwood is full of mystery and magic. The history of the Shifter and the kingship is revealed in bits and pieces. I was constantly trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together, but was repeatedly surprised at how they did. The end of the book was just epic. I totally did not see it coming until it was all right there, and I have so much respect for an author who is able to do that. I am usually fairly good at figuring things out, so when I cannot I love it!
This book just completely wowed me. It was so very good that when I finished it I was heartbroken because I just wanted to continue living in the world that was created and the characters I had come to know. I am sad because I feel this review is not doing this book justice at all. So I will state it again, I absolutely ADORED this book, and I am dying to get my hands on a copy of the companion novel that follows this! I highly recommend this, especially to fans of a good fantasy, with a nice, understated romance.

First read: Aug 19, 2011
Second read: Jan 4, 2017

suzannedix's review against another edition

3.0

Reminds me a lot of Graceling and The Shadow. Compelling read though I feel that the author is intentionally confusing the reader - a technique that I particularly hate.

otherworldlyreader's review against another edition

4.0

It was okay. It could have been better though.