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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this intriguing YA fantasy about a Shape Shifter who is bound to protect the king -- only there are things she can't remember about herself and the last king she protected. I loved the heroine -- her strengths and weaknesses and struggles with emotions new to her. I wished some of the other characters had been developed a little more, but overall a great read!
Ok so this started well and I liked Isabel to begin with and was very interested in what happened previously and why she couldn't remember. But then we spend the next 80% of the book wandering along in confusion, amongst a cast of arrogant, and unlikeable characters with the supposedly infallible (but really not) Isabel as these questions are not answered. And while her emotionless shifter state is made much of it was only interesting in the beginning. Obviously she is having human feelings - the story would have been better if she actually developed these properly and someone noticed. Her interactions with Ven would have been perfect for this but that was abruptly cut short then never re-visited. I liked Ven & Isabel together. And I didn't particularly like Rokan. He lies to Isabel and tricks her and he is
Spoiler
not the rightful king. Why is he the good guy and Kaer the bad guy? As far I can see we only have Rokan's second-hand view that the original king was bad for the kingdom and he heard it from his cruel, somewhat abusive father who overthrew the rightful king. We don't know it's true. And even if it is true, Kaer is not his father. How does Rokan know he will be a bad king - He doesn't. All this when coupled with Isabel's recollection in the end that she is the princess, Kaer is actually her brother and the shifter merged into her to save her, make her decision to support Rokan and allow her brother THE RIGHTFUL KING to be killed the wrong one (to me) Especailly as Rokan knew he wasn't the rightful heir and Kaer had given him a chance to hand over the throne and live. I felt like the bad guys wonSpoiler
I also felt the 'romance' between Isabel and Rokan was non-existent except for Rokan declaration of love at the end of the book. We saw no signs of affection on his part whatsoever - he kept harping on her lack of emotion and humanity, disregarded her advise and had tricked her into serving him. If I was Isabel I would suspect the declaration was driven not by emotion but by the revelation of who she is.
I've had this one on my list for awhile, and found it in the library the other day. Yay! (Although, not that I needed another book to read, considering that I have a full tote bag of library books as it is...)
From the beginning, I was hooked. I loved that Isabel was this incredibly powerful creature, but remained vulnerable. That's explained later on (which I totally didn't see coming) and it made sense. I liked that she wavered throughout the story, both with her feelings towards Rokan and her sense of what she should be doing. She wasn't ever really sure (and it makes sense later on). In some cases, that would annoy me, but this was just so well done that it didn't. I thought she was a fantastic character.
And Rokan was pretty cool too. He was determined to see the best in people, even when all signs pointed the other way. He was strong and vulnerable, just like Isabel. I was rooting for them from the beginning, even though this wasn't really a love story. Not in the typical YA way, at least.
Plot-wise, very cool. Leah Cypess does a fantastic job of weaving her tale, giving tidbits here and there that all add up in the end. Really, it was one of those books that could be a stand-alone. But I'm selfish and I want more. I'd love to see another book in this series, and it looks like I'll get my wish! It's listed on Goodreads as Mistwood #1.
I was really pleased with this book. I read it in a matter of hours because I couldn't put it down. I'd actually like to own a copy, which is becoming more rare these days as I become more budget conscious. It's a really great book, and I'm giving it a 'Pick Me' rating.
From the beginning, I was hooked. I loved that Isabel was this incredibly powerful creature, but remained vulnerable. That's explained later on (which I totally didn't see coming) and it made sense. I liked that she wavered throughout the story, both with her feelings towards Rokan and her sense of what she should be doing. She wasn't ever really sure (and it makes sense later on). In some cases, that would annoy me, but this was just so well done that it didn't. I thought she was a fantastic character.
And Rokan was pretty cool too. He was determined to see the best in people, even when all signs pointed the other way. He was strong and vulnerable, just like Isabel. I was rooting for them from the beginning, even though this wasn't really a love story. Not in the typical YA way, at least.
Plot-wise, very cool. Leah Cypess does a fantastic job of weaving her tale, giving tidbits here and there that all add up in the end. Really, it was one of those books that could be a stand-alone. But I'm selfish and I want more. I'd love to see another book in this series, and it looks like I'll get my wish! It's listed on Goodreads as Mistwood #1.
I was really pleased with this book. I read it in a matter of hours because I couldn't put it down. I'd actually like to own a copy, which is becoming more rare these days as I become more budget conscious. It's a really great book, and I'm giving it a 'Pick Me' rating.
I enjoyed it, even though I can't say it was one of my favorite things in the whole wide world.
I liked the plot, I liked this "Shifter" thing, and I even liked the main character – she didn't get on my nerves at all. So why the 3-star rating? I felt like the bit in the end was a bit rushed, even though I don't really oppose to what went down. I also felt like there was *something* missing, but I couldn't tell you exactly what that is, seeing as I don't know it myself.
Regardless of all that, it didn't really take long to finish reading this book. It flows easily, it’s not really too complex once you got the gist of the Shifter legend, and the plot twists fit well within the story and don't feel like plot devices that serve merely to heighten the drama.
I liked the plot, I liked this "Shifter" thing, and I even liked the main character – she didn't get on my nerves at all. So why the 3-star rating? I felt like the bit in the end was a bit rushed, even though I don't really oppose to what went down. I also felt like there was *something* missing, but I couldn't tell you exactly what that is, seeing as I don't know it myself.
Regardless of all that, it didn't really take long to finish reading this book. It flows easily, it’s not really too complex once you got the gist of the Shifter legend, and the plot twists fit well within the story and don't feel like plot devices that serve merely to heighten the drama.
Well this book started out very slow and confusing.. wasn't sure who the heck it was talking about at first. but the second half was much better. The plot was good.. and somewhat original.. and the ending was a little bit WTF? I'm confused if I'm supposed to assume its a "Happy Ever After" or if there'll be a follow up.. who knows.. I would've given it a 2 or 3 because I almost stopped reading halfway through, but I stuck with it and it deserves a 4 now..
I honestly don't know how to feel about this book. I wanted to like it...it has all my favorite things, magic, a kick ass girl, love, but for some reason I just didn't feel it. Her waffling between kings and the random duplicitous nature of some critical characters just had me confused. Maybe if I hadn't read it so soon after reading [b:The Assassin's Curse|13533650|The Assassin's Curse (The Assassin's Curse, #1)|Cassandra Rose Clarke|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1335967954s/13533650.jpg|18229805], [b:Throne of Glass|7896527|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1335819760s/7896527.jpg|11138426] and [b:Touch of Power|10445208|Touch of Power (Healer, #1)|Maria V. Snyder|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1317629193s/10445208.jpg|15349923] I would have liked it more.
To be honest...I don’t even know what just happened. I almost feel like it wasn’t even a whole story...but like...it was? Idk man.
mysterious
There is something irresistibly mystical about Leah Cypess's debut novel Mistwood. From the very first page, readers are drawn into the haunting, imaginative world of Samorna. The titular mist pervades almost every aspect of the story, shrouding everything in mystery -- from the truth behind the conspiracy, to the Shifter's own memories. The mythology of the novel is arresting, epic and original. I can truly say I've never read anything like Mistwood. Though I've never been interested in high fantasy, Cypess makes that type of epic flights readily accessible by giving the reader a prepossessing heroine who combines raw power and bitter doubt, simultaneously a legend and a flesh and blood girl. This is truly Isabel's story, so while her character is beautifully crafted, the secondary characters sometimes feel a little flat. The narrative style is elegant, subtly using imagery to build the mystical aura of the Mistwood, and reading like an adult fairy tale. Cypess does brilliant work in this novel, building a breathtaking new world and turning preconceived stereotypes on their heads. One of my favorite dynamics in the novel was that between Isabel and Rokan: Rokan is the passionate, reckless, emotional one, while Isabel is cold, calculating, and strong. The backstory of the court intrigues adds an extra layer of romanticism to the plot and sets the stage for the surprising twists along the way -- tragic twists that will leave readers heartbroken over the unimaginable choices Isabel must make. This old world epic fantasy will enthrall fans of every genre.
http://thebookishtype.blogspot.com/2011/01/review-mistwood-by-leah-cypess.html
http://thebookishtype.blogspot.com/2011/01/review-mistwood-by-leah-cypess.html
The premise for this novel is really interesting. The writing in this novel is really flowing and lovely. I even thought the main character was developed decently. However even with all that going for it I just couldn't really make myself get through it. The plot is interesting but it felt a little slow and didn't really suck me in. And besides the main character I didn't really care about much else. It has a lot of interesting ideas, it just somehow didn't all work out to hold my attention.
excellent - the plot kept me guessing until the end. I always read the last pages first and for once, it didn't give everything away.