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books_plan_create's review against another edition
2.0
This story had the promise of being a really good book. Instead, it was bland, and dare I say, a touch boring. :( I did not feel connected to any of the characters. None of the intrigue and mystery entertained me at all. The plot was confusing. And the ending. Hello left field!
I really hate saying this about books, but unless you're needing something to throw in a bag while on a bus or standing in line at the DMV-pass this one over.
I really hate saying this about books, but unless you're needing something to throw in a bag while on a bus or standing in line at the DMV-pass this one over.
greenbeanteenqueen's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this book up because of the blurb comparing it to Graceling. I could see how this could appeal to fans of Graceling, but I don't think it's complex and detailed as Graceling was. It's still an enjoyable read and I found myself compulsively reading Mistwood over the course of a couple of days.
Isabel starts the novel not knowing anything about her shifter past-she really has no memories and we the reader feel Isabel's joltedness from the start. We're thrown in with her, with no back story and we learn what has happened as Isabel learns it. This was somewhat jarring at first, but I liked it as I felt it made me more empathetic towards Isabel.
Although this is a fantasy, I would give it to readers who might typically shy away from fantasy. I never found the world to be hard to understand and it's much more a mystery and conspiracy driven novel than it is fantasy. I kept trying to figure out who was telling the truth and there's a big twist about halfway through the book that I really liked. I did have the ending guessed pretty closely, but it was fun getting there.
My complaints would be the big fight at the end-I felt like that was the only part of the book I didn't follow as well-there was too much going on and it happened so fast I had to go back and re-read it to make sure I knew what was happening. There's also some mild romance, but it was so light and not really built and developed that I wasn't sure it fit. As much as I like romance, I either would have liked it more developed in the storyline or left out completely.
All in all, this was a good debut and I've recommended it my co-worker who enjoys fantasy and I'm eager to hear her thoughts. Overall, the book is pretty clean, so it would work for middle school and up and mystery fans as well as fantasy fans should enjoy Mistwood.
Isabel starts the novel not knowing anything about her shifter past-she really has no memories and we the reader feel Isabel's joltedness from the start. We're thrown in with her, with no back story and we learn what has happened as Isabel learns it. This was somewhat jarring at first, but I liked it as I felt it made me more empathetic towards Isabel.
Although this is a fantasy, I would give it to readers who might typically shy away from fantasy. I never found the world to be hard to understand and it's much more a mystery and conspiracy driven novel than it is fantasy. I kept trying to figure out who was telling the truth and there's a big twist about halfway through the book that I really liked. I did have the ending guessed pretty closely, but it was fun getting there.
My complaints would be the big fight at the end-I felt like that was the only part of the book I didn't follow as well-there was too much going on and it happened so fast I had to go back and re-read it to make sure I knew what was happening. There's also some mild romance, but it was so light and not really built and developed that I wasn't sure it fit. As much as I like romance, I either would have liked it more developed in the storyline or left out completely.
All in all, this was a good debut and I've recommended it my co-worker who enjoys fantasy and I'm eager to hear her thoughts. Overall, the book is pretty clean, so it would work for middle school and up and mystery fans as well as fantasy fans should enjoy Mistwood.
readingwithpapillons's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I thought that this book was good but I found it hard to connect with the characters. Some parts confused me, and it was slow in some parts but others it was good and you just wanted to know what was going to happen.
riverdogbookco's review against another edition
2.0
Isabel doesn't remember her life before they came for her. She was living in the forest, that much she knows, and apparently, not as a human. The new king (Rokan) and his brother (Will) found her there. The king's sister (Clarisse) does not approve. The king's high sorcerer (Albin) does not approve. Rokan brings her back to the castle anyway.
Isabel is a shape-shifter. THE Shifter sworn to protect the king. She should not have emotions. She should be cold, calculating, and exist only to save the king from danger.
Except Isabel does have emotions. She does have feelings. She does form attachments and opinions about who and what she likes. So how can this be?
Similar to the tale of self-discovery told in Kristen Cashore's Graceling and Fire, Isabel will have to unravel the tales of her own existence, the secret history of the new king, and her own forgotten past lives in order to find out who and what she has the power to be.
A strong debut novel for Leah Cypress. This is a teen read, ideal for ages 12 through 15.
Isabel is a shape-shifter. THE Shifter sworn to protect the king. She should not have emotions. She should be cold, calculating, and exist only to save the king from danger.
Except Isabel does have emotions. She does have feelings. She does form attachments and opinions about who and what she likes. So how can this be?
Similar to the tale of self-discovery told in Kristen Cashore's Graceling and Fire, Isabel will have to unravel the tales of her own existence, the secret history of the new king, and her own forgotten past lives in order to find out who and what she has the power to be.
A strong debut novel for Leah Cypress. This is a teen read, ideal for ages 12 through 15.
tynga's review against another edition
3.0
Mistwood is a very mysterious world and we get to discover it’s secrets along side with Isabel. She is a mystical being, The Shifter, but she is suffering from some kind of amnesia and doesn’t know the extend of her powers. Legends says she is bound to protect the King, that she’s loyal, incredibly strong and indestructible. She was enthralled by the Prince Rokan, to protect him from unknown treat. But something is wrong and Isabel is intent on discovering why.
Mistwood is a journey of mysteries, lies, adventure and treason. The whole plot is developed to keep the reader on it’s toes. Allegiances are created and broken, secrets are revealed, but in the end Isabel doesn’t know if she can even trust her own instincts.
Cypess worked really hard to write an intricate but complicated story. A plot so full of twist and turns you never know what to expect next and she built the perfect characters for it.
Isabel doesn’t know who she is, doesn’t know to trust and she’s trying to find her own identity with sparse memory randomly coming back to her. She has feelings The Shifter shouldn’t have and don’t know how to deal with it. Drowned in insecurities, passion, love and anger, she is blindly trying to find her way.
Rokan is a loving man with good intensions but he is holding dark secrets. Is he holding critical information from Isabel in hopes of keeping her by his side. But not necessarily for the reasons he thinks.
The book is a lot about mind games and it was well developed, but I felt like the plot was stalling at some point and found myself craving for more action. The end fulfilled that need, but I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. It sure was surprising though.
Overall, this is a good YA Fantasy novel, so Kudos to debut author Leah Cypess. She built a completely out-of-the-box novel, in a fantastic medieval atmosphere.
Mistwood is a journey of mysteries, lies, adventure and treason. The whole plot is developed to keep the reader on it’s toes. Allegiances are created and broken, secrets are revealed, but in the end Isabel doesn’t know if she can even trust her own instincts.
Cypess worked really hard to write an intricate but complicated story. A plot so full of twist and turns you never know what to expect next and she built the perfect characters for it.
Isabel doesn’t know who she is, doesn’t know to trust and she’s trying to find her own identity with sparse memory randomly coming back to her. She has feelings The Shifter shouldn’t have and don’t know how to deal with it. Drowned in insecurities, passion, love and anger, she is blindly trying to find her way.
Rokan is a loving man with good intensions but he is holding dark secrets. Is he holding critical information from Isabel in hopes of keeping her by his side. But not necessarily for the reasons he thinks.
The book is a lot about mind games and it was well developed, but I felt like the plot was stalling at some point and found myself craving for more action. The end fulfilled that need, but I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. It sure was surprising though.
Overall, this is a good YA Fantasy novel, so Kudos to debut author Leah Cypess. She built a completely out-of-the-box novel, in a fantastic medieval atmosphere.
alexisneuville's review against another edition
2.0
Review: http://theyabooknook.blogspot.com/2011/06/mistwood-by-leah-cypess.html
sarahschem's review against another edition
3.0
Isabel is a shape-shifter, the magical creature that can change forms with her powers from the Mistwood. The Shifter is immortal and will live forever protecting the king and his descendants. Isabel is brought out of the forest by a prince in need of The Shifter's protection. The problem is that Isabel has no memory of her past, and doesn't know how to shift.
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this. There was enough mystery, intrigue, and a little romance to appeal to everyone especially if you're not a huge fantasy fan. It was a pretty fast paced read. I gave it 3 1/2 stars.
athenaminerva13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25