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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
When I read the summary for this book, I was interested in this new concept for a book. It sounded like something I had never read before so I decided to give it a read. I guess you can tell from my rating that it did not live up to my expectations, although the book wasn't necessarily bad.
I found the characters hard to connect with and sympathize for, especially the Shifter which is problematic since she was the main character. She was too distant and "expressionless" (this word is used to describe her countless times) for me to really care what happened to her or why she did what she did. She did become more human towards the end of the book but by then it was too late to really change my mind about her.
Roken was easier to connect with because he wasn't afraid to admit that he had flaws, while Kaer played the cold and indifferent king. Clarrise was the character we loved to hate, but I ended up loving her cunning in the end. Ven was the character I enjoyed reading the most because his childlike wonder and innocence was so infectious. However, this led me to be just as disappointed as he when the Shifter didn't live up to my expectations as well.
I thought the book would revolve more around what the Shifter could do (or what the legends say) rather than what she couldn't do, which I guess were one in the same. Either way, I'm glad I read this book so that it's off my list but I don't think I will read Cypess' next book. Her writing was sometimes hard to follow with different pieces of the plot coming together at random times, which sometimes worked and at other times just left me confused. At times, I was tempted to skip ahead because the action of the book was a little slow. Overall, I would recommend this book to those who like fantasy novels surrounding legend, probably best to read as a time filler when you're waiting for another book to come out.
I found the characters hard to connect with and sympathize for, especially the Shifter which is problematic since she was the main character. She was too distant and "expressionless" (this word is used to describe her countless times) for me to really care what happened to her or why she did what she did. She did become more human towards the end of the book
Spoiler
both literally and figurativelyRoken was easier to connect with because he wasn't afraid to admit that he had flaws, while Kaer played the cold and indifferent king. Clarrise was the character we loved to hate, but I ended up loving her cunning in the end. Ven was the character I enjoyed reading the most because his childlike wonder and innocence was so infectious. However, this led me to be just as disappointed as he when the Shifter didn't live up to my expectations as well.
I thought the book would revolve more around what the Shifter could do (or what the legends say) rather than what she couldn't do, which I guess were one in the same. Either way, I'm glad I read this book so that it's off my list but I don't think I will read Cypess' next book. Her writing was sometimes hard to follow with different pieces of the plot coming together at random times, which sometimes worked and at other times just left me confused. At times, I was tempted to skip ahead because the action of the book was a little slow. Overall, I would recommend this book to those who like fantasy novels surrounding legend, probably best to read as a time filler when you're waiting for another book to come out.
It's a giveaway!!! Make sure to check out Bewitched Bookworms were you can find my review of both Mistwood and Nightspell, plus enter the giveaway for a copy of each of these books!! The giveaway closes on July 1st, 2011.
There were some fundamental plot line issues with Mistwood (more on plot later, taters). It was almost as if the author had a bag of plot twists and would randomly pull one out at will adding it to her story. Toward the end of the novel, as things finally sorta started to take shape, I just stopped trying to figure out what the heck was going on and embraced the fact that nothing was going to make sense. Revelations were made, huge plot reveals explored, and yet, I just couldn't find a rhyme or reason to them.
Isabel (the Shifter and main protagonist) was an extremely unstable character and I could never truly put my finger on who she was. I know her character was in turmoil, but there was just far too much "shifting" in her character traits. The only consistent personality trait was her conceit, which is eventually her undoing. This quality was both annoying and yet interesting to see play out. I think my main issue with Isabel was her lack of taking control of her life and standing up for what was right. Or maybe I just wanted her to learn to embrace her emotions even if they were human and messy. I got tired of her using the excuse that she had no choice in serving the king because at times it seemed she could have easily turned from him. I was never convinced she couldn't do as she pleased or that she would be worthless without her ties to protecting the royal line. Also, the love story that was unfolding throughout the course of the novel was hastily thrown together within the final pages of the novel... at least... I think they were.
All the negative aside, the story is truly beautifully written and the setting is both unique and interesting. I just couldn't put this novel down no matter how many times I rolled my eyes or just didn't connect with the characters. Ms. Cypess is a fantastic writer. Her voice is strong. Her imagination is epic. And her characters are diverse and interesting, if not a little one-dimensional.
I think my main complaint was how without substance the reveals were and how at times the characters would have these "eureka moments" of understanding what was going on in the story, and yet I felt confused and left in the dark.
There were some fundamental plot line issues with Mistwood (more on plot later, taters). It was almost as if the author had a bag of plot twists and would randomly pull one out at will adding it to her story. Toward the end of the novel, as things finally sorta started to take shape, I just stopped trying to figure out what the heck was going on and embraced the fact that nothing was going to make sense. Revelations were made, huge plot reveals explored, and yet, I just couldn't find a rhyme or reason to them.
Isabel (the Shifter and main protagonist) was an extremely unstable character and I could never truly put my finger on who she was. I know her character was in turmoil, but there was just far too much "shifting" in her character traits. The only consistent personality trait was her conceit, which is eventually her undoing. This quality was both annoying and yet interesting to see play out. I think my main issue with Isabel was her lack of taking control of her life and standing up for what was right. Or maybe I just wanted her to learn to embrace her emotions even if they were human and messy. I got tired of her using the excuse that she had no choice in serving the king because at times it seemed she could have easily turned from him. I was never convinced she couldn't do as she pleased or that she would be worthless without her ties to protecting the royal line. Also, the love story that was unfolding throughout the course of the novel was hastily thrown together within the final pages of the novel... at least... I think they were.
All the negative aside, the story is truly beautifully written and the setting is both unique and interesting. I just couldn't put this novel down no matter how many times I rolled my eyes or just didn't connect with the characters. Ms. Cypess is a fantastic writer. Her voice is strong. Her imagination is epic. And her characters are diverse and interesting, if not a little one-dimensional.
I think my main complaint was how without substance the reveals were and how at times the characters would have these "eureka moments" of understanding what was going on in the story, and yet I felt confused and left in the dark.
Interesting concept. Loved the twist at the end. Never really see the love stuff between Isabel and Rokan. Wish there was an epilogue there.
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.
I was really torn between 2 and 3 stars. I wish 2.5 was an option. The last 1/4 of the book is quite good but the pace getting there would make a snail appear fast.
i really loved isabel!!!! i loved her enough for me to bump this from a 2 to a 3. this entire novel is about her, her trying to navigate her way through a life she barely remembers and discovering who she truly is and who she wants to be and i was with her every step of the way. also, i really enjoyed how clarisse as a character was handled. i found her fascinating from start to finish (she's a much more interesting character than her brother). i liked that she was painted with shades of grey even until the end. you never quite knew where she stood which made me like her more.
i did have some issue with the romance here and that's mostly in that i think cypess rushed the rokan/isabel relationship once we got the end. yeah yeah i know usually i'm all "yay!!! romance!!!!" but i am so tired of books where some sort of love confession occurs near the end because half the time said love confession rarely feels earned. i liked rokan (although lbr he was easily the least interesting character in this novel) and i liked his dynamic with isabel!! i really did!! but it would have been perfectly fine if cypess had decided to just end the books with some sort of vague hint at a potential romance instead of him outright telling her he loves her. i feel like if she had done that and then explored that relationship and focused on their growing feelings more in a second book then that would've been much much better. also the world-building is a little bit lacking but then again i've been spoiled by various other ya authors who do that really well so i'm probably nitpicking at this point.
i did have some issue with the romance here and that's mostly in that i think cypess rushed the rokan/isabel relationship once we got the end. yeah yeah i know usually i'm all "yay!!! romance!!!!" but i am so tired of books where some sort of love confession occurs near the end because half the time said love confession rarely feels earned. i liked rokan (although lbr he was easily the least interesting character in this novel) and i liked his dynamic with isabel!! i really did!! but it would have been perfectly fine if cypess had decided to just end the books with some sort of vague hint at a potential romance instead of him outright telling her he loves her. i feel like if she had done that and then explored that relationship and focused on their growing feelings more in a second book then that would've been much much better. also the world-building is a little bit lacking but then again i've been spoiled by various other ya authors who do that really well so i'm probably nitpicking at this point.
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
Greenwillow Books, 2010
304 pages
YA; Fantasy
3/5 stars
Source: Library
Summary: Prince Rokan rides in to Mistwood to claim the Shifter, an amazingly powerful creature, to bolster his claim to the throne. But Isabel remembers nothing; she responds to his claim and follows him back to the palace where their enemies await and where she must unravel the past in order to have a future.
Thoughts: I actually decided to read this after seeing the gorgeous cover for the companion novel; I know that's a really weird reason but I do judge books by their covers.
I don't know what to think about the book. It was hard to get close to Isabel because she's not human and she doesn't react in human ways. I was frustrated by the distance at which she kept me but by the end I didn't really care. Her motivations confused me and her actions in the last chapters were bewildering. Maybe she lives, maybe she dies, whatever.
The other characters were okay. The character I was most invested in was killed partway through the book and hardly mourned in my opinion. But Rokan survives and so does his sister Clarisse to reveal more secrets by the end of the novel.
The magic was different from other fantasies I've read in the difficulty it takes. While there are several magicians throughout the story, they really have to work at their power. It costs them a great deal of time and strength.
I think I might have preferred to read the history of Rokan's father and his usurpation of the throne. Because he deposed the former king, Rokan wants every guarantee that he is the next king thus prompting his search for the Shifter who serves only the rightful king. He was a hard sounding character and his ruthlessness might have made a really interesting story.
Overall: I didn't feel connected to the characters and thus I was not invested in this book.
Cover: I was actually a bit freaked out by the cover-it looked more like a horror film with her creepy eye (maybe less creepy with both?)
Greenwillow Books, 2010
304 pages
YA; Fantasy
3/5 stars
Source: Library
Summary: Prince Rokan rides in to Mistwood to claim the Shifter, an amazingly powerful creature, to bolster his claim to the throne. But Isabel remembers nothing; she responds to his claim and follows him back to the palace where their enemies await and where she must unravel the past in order to have a future.
Thoughts: I actually decided to read this after seeing the gorgeous cover for the companion novel; I know that's a really weird reason but I do judge books by their covers.
I don't know what to think about the book. It was hard to get close to Isabel because she's not human and she doesn't react in human ways. I was frustrated by the distance at which she kept me but by the end I didn't really care. Her motivations confused me and her actions in the last chapters were bewildering. Maybe she lives, maybe she dies, whatever.
The other characters were okay. The character I was most invested in was killed partway through the book and hardly mourned in my opinion. But Rokan survives and so does his sister Clarisse to reveal more secrets by the end of the novel.
The magic was different from other fantasies I've read in the difficulty it takes. While there are several magicians throughout the story, they really have to work at their power. It costs them a great deal of time and strength.
I think I might have preferred to read the history of Rokan's father and his usurpation of the throne. Because he deposed the former king, Rokan wants every guarantee that he is the next king thus prompting his search for the Shifter who serves only the rightful king. He was a hard sounding character and his ruthlessness might have made a really interesting story.
Overall: I didn't feel connected to the characters and thus I was not invested in this book.
Cover: I was actually a bit freaked out by the cover-it looked more like a horror film with her creepy eye (maybe less creepy with both?)
What a fantastic book! This was so well done on all levels that I don't even have the words to express it. I loved all of the political maneuverings and intrigue. But the best part of all were the characters. They were flawed and imperfect, but so easy to fall in love with. The world that Cypess created was expertly drawn. The dialogue flowed and caught you by surprise with the ease that Cypess creates layered conversations. The twists and turns were many, but entirely believable once revealed. Truly the best part of all was the beauty of Cypess's writing. Her writing is lyrical and descriptive without being overly flowery (which I hate). I would and will recommend this book without hesitation to anyone looking for an exquisite read. Well done, Ms. Cypess!
It's a strange concept. The main character is a guardian whose one purpose is to protect the king. The book was interesting if you like political intrigue. It's not the best book but worth the read.
I didn't like the romance between Isabelle and Rokan. It felt like the author just plopped it down at the end so that there was a romance because there always has to be romance in Young Adult novels!
I didn't like the romance between Isabelle and Rokan. It felt like the author just plopped it down at the end so that there was a romance because there always has to be romance in Young Adult novels!
This book had me from the start. It is very well written and has a great concept. It falls flat with the big reveal. I was like huh!
It was very intriguing up until that point. The heroine is great and you really rout for her. The prince is kinda lame and you wonder what she sees in him.
It was very intriguing up until that point. The heroine is great and you really rout for her. The prince is kinda lame and you wonder what she sees in him.