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amartz's review against another edition
4.0
Haunting and atmospheric writing, but the ending felt a little abrupt.
roseice's review against another edition
2.0
A really strange read. I found myself fascinated by Grey's point of view, and especially his , but I found Willa's story just... boring, and very slow.
Spoiler
re-entry into the world of the livingphaedosia's review against another edition
2.0
Without the supernatural element, I would have given this four or five stars. Mitchell creates a compelling story of a family falling apart after the death of a loved one. That story line, coupled with the deeply atmospheric setting, made a gripping read. The insertion of the Grey Man and the over-the-top ending were too much. This is one of those rare instances where I would have been happy if the main character woke up and it was all a dream.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
My guess is that this is supposed to be "horror lite" and that the publisher has decided that despite the age of the characters (juniors in high school) readers age 12 and up will enjoy it. I'm not sure that the lower end of the range is going to read this, but who knows?
Willa is a Down Easter whose family has been in Broken Tooth for centuries. Recently things haven't gone so well, and Willa's responsible: during an act of revenge against someone trying to poach her family's lobster drops, instigated by Willa, her brother Levi gets shot and dies. She's torn up about it all, trying to help raise money for bills and barely making it through her junior year. Willa's also having strange thoughts about Jackson's Rock, a barren rock with a lighthouse on it and the supposed home of the Grey Lady (or is it a Grey Man?). The Grey Man, we learn, haunts the Rock with one purpose: to either convince someone to take his place or to collect 100 souls. In a century, he's managed to get four souls... and now he's focusing on Willa.
The haunting part feels a bit tame, as though some punches were pulled in the writing. It was also a little odd to have the phrase "Down East Weasley's" dropped in without explanation, but "Tardis" got one. As always, I wonder if it's because I'm older than the target reader or if it's a real problem.
ARC provided by publisher.
Willa is a Down Easter whose family has been in Broken Tooth for centuries. Recently things haven't gone so well, and Willa's responsible: during an act of revenge against someone trying to poach her family's lobster drops, instigated by Willa, her brother Levi gets shot and dies. She's torn up about it all, trying to help raise money for bills and barely making it through her junior year. Willa's also having strange thoughts about Jackson's Rock, a barren rock with a lighthouse on it and the supposed home of the Grey Lady (or is it a Grey Man?). The Grey Man, we learn, haunts the Rock with one purpose: to either convince someone to take his place or to collect 100 souls. In a century, he's managed to get four souls... and now he's focusing on Willa.
The haunting part feels a bit tame, as though some punches were pulled in the writing. It was also a little odd to have the phrase "Down East Weasley's" dropped in without explanation, but "Tardis" got one. As always, I wonder if it's because I'm older than the target reader or if it's a real problem.
ARC provided by publisher.
tess_hoffman03's review against another edition
5.0
I thought the book was very good, but the ending confused me a little. Overall very well written, and brought me to tears.
sungmemoonstruck's review against another edition
2.0
Willa's family is reeling after the death of her younger brother, a death that she feels responsible for. Their livelihood is in danger, her relationships with everyone from her boyfriend to her best friend are on the edge, and she keeps on seeing a man made out of mist by the old lighthouse. I went into this book expecting a dark and enchanting fairy tale--instead I got a mind-numbingly slow tale whose beautiful writing couldn't stop my desperate need to get out of the heads of both of the narrators. The atmosphere is wonderful--Mitchell paints a vivid and real picture of a small Maine fishing village and of the people who live there. The atmosphere that permeates the novel is as thick as the most that the Grey Man conjures. Her portrayal of a grieving family is equally moving, as my heart hurt along with Willa's family. This well-developed, haunting world is perfectly set up and then nothing happens. The plot is so incredibly slow-moving that I found myself skimming ahead and hoping for a glimpse of plot. The first few chapters are also incredibly confusing, as it switches between Willa and the Grey Man's viewpoints, and the paranormal elements seem out of place. Finally, Mistwalker's two protagonists, at least for me, only added to the frustrating reading experience. Willa and the Grey Man, in particular Willa, whose viewpoint dominates the story, are both good and carefully constructed characters, surrounded by a stellar supporting cast (of particular note is her refreshingly stereotype-free lesbian best friend). But they're not people you'd actually want to spend time with. This is a problem that I've often run into with first-person narratives, due to my own personal taste for heroes that I can unabashedly like and root for--appealing, sympathetic people that I'd like to talk to in real life. I couldn't get through more than a few words with Willa without wanting to shake her. Yes, she's gone through a terrible tragedy, but what's happened to her doesn't mean she has to be mean to everyone she meets, even those who are supportive of her (see Macy from [b:The Truth About Forever|51737|The Truth About Forever|Sarah Dessen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1362767907s/51737.jpg|1032900], who's also going through the grieving process yet is never this frustrating). Willa's a great creation, just not a great narrator. The Grey Man is simply a selfish cipher, his cryptic pronouncements remaining a mystery for most of the book. Mistwalker is the right book for someone, especially someone with a lot of patience, but it's simply not for me.
xan_van_rooyen's review against another edition
5.0
Loved loved loved this book! The quiet fantasy woven into the narrative, the haunting setting of small town Maine, the turmoil within the main characters. There is nothing I didn't love about this story - even the ending, which didn't happen like I wanted it to, was kinda perfect.
Strongly recommend this story for fans of Ashes on the Waves and The Scorpio Races.
Strongly recommend this story for fans of Ashes on the Waves and The Scorpio Races.
rubenstein's review against another edition
4.0
this review will go live on the blog 02/04
Mistwalker is the kind of book I feel was written for me. Deadliest Catch marathons are not uncommon in my house and there were SO many delicious references that only someone like me would get (ONTD and the Weasley family, anyone??).
Willa Dixon's town lives and breathes fishing. The main source of income comes from the season's catch and Willa's father is struggling to make ends meet. Willa grew up on the boat - she feels just as comfortable on the water as she does on land, but her brother's death turned the family upside down and she feels responsible. In an attempt to cut off a rival fisherman, the two sneaked off in the middle of the night to confront him on their boat, but only Willa came home. Since that night she's been reeling from the guilt and the loss is taking its toll on the family.
Old superstitions are still alive and well for these villagers and legends like the Grey Man are taken as fact. Depending on who you speak to, the Grey Man is actually a Grey Lady and it's not hard to find someone whose uncle/second cousin/great-grandmother once had a sighting. What they don't know, however, is that Grey is actually a 17-year old boy and has been for quite some time. The Grey Lady once called to him and he followed. Now he's part of the lighthouse, bound and tethered until the day he collects 1,000 souls (in a century there have only been four deaths on the water) or someone is willing to take his place.
A widely-known fact about me: I. LOVE. Dual narratives. Love them! Unfortunately many authors are unable to pull it off without sounded stilted or repetitive. Mitchell's talent shines in Mistwalker and the alternating chapters between Grey and Willa are fantastic. I got a unique feel for both of them and the insight into their worlds was great. Willa's anguish felt real and the look into life in a fishing family was very interesting - Mitchell certainly did her homework! Grey's existence was just as real and he had his own set of hardships. The lighthouse provides him with anything he could ever want (he received a computer after wanting news on the outside world; contemporary books - yes, Twilight was among them - appeared after he exhausted the lighthouse library's supply), yet it can't - or won't - give him the one thing he truly wants: freedom.
While I'm not sure Mistwalker will appeal to everyone, I can certainly say I enjoyed it. I read this book in a single sitting and it left me wanting more - in a good way! If you're a fan of quick chapters, solid research without being dry or bogged down with technical details, and no romance, be sure to pick up a copy of Mistwalker. It surprised me in the best way and I'll be sure to go through Mitchell's backlist. Mark my words: Saundra Mitchell is an author to keep your eye on!
Mistwalker is the kind of book I feel was written for me. Deadliest Catch marathons are not uncommon in my house and there were SO many delicious references that only someone like me would get (ONTD and the Weasley family, anyone??).
Willa Dixon's town lives and breathes fishing. The main source of income comes from the season's catch and Willa's father is struggling to make ends meet. Willa grew up on the boat - she feels just as comfortable on the water as she does on land, but her brother's death turned the family upside down and she feels responsible. In an attempt to cut off a rival fisherman, the two sneaked off in the middle of the night to confront him on their boat, but only Willa came home. Since that night she's been reeling from the guilt and the loss is taking its toll on the family.
Old superstitions are still alive and well for these villagers and legends like the Grey Man are taken as fact. Depending on who you speak to, the Grey Man is actually a Grey Lady and it's not hard to find someone whose uncle/second cousin/great-grandmother once had a sighting. What they don't know, however, is that Grey is actually a 17-year old boy and has been for quite some time. The Grey Lady once called to him and he followed. Now he's part of the lighthouse, bound and tethered until the day he collects 1,000 souls (in a century there have only been four deaths on the water) or someone is willing to take his place.
A widely-known fact about me: I. LOVE. Dual narratives. Love them! Unfortunately many authors are unable to pull it off without sounded stilted or repetitive. Mitchell's talent shines in Mistwalker and the alternating chapters between Grey and Willa are fantastic. I got a unique feel for both of them and the insight into their worlds was great. Willa's anguish felt real and the look into life in a fishing family was very interesting - Mitchell certainly did her homework! Grey's existence was just as real and he had his own set of hardships. The lighthouse provides him with anything he could ever want (he received a computer after wanting news on the outside world; contemporary books - yes, Twilight was among them - appeared after he exhausted the lighthouse library's supply), yet it can't - or won't - give him the one thing he truly wants: freedom.
While I'm not sure Mistwalker will appeal to everyone, I can certainly say I enjoyed it. I read this book in a single sitting and it left me wanting more - in a good way! If you're a fan of quick chapters, solid research without being dry or bogged down with technical details, and no romance, be sure to pick up a copy of Mistwalker. It surprised me in the best way and I'll be sure to go through Mitchell's backlist. Mark my words: Saundra Mitchell is an author to keep your eye on!