Review: Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Mistwood

Author: Leah Cypess

Publisher: Harper Collins, 2010

Genre: YA Fantasy
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Goodreads

The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwood. But when she is needed she always comes. 


Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have. 


Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty—because without it, she may be his greatest threat. 


Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them. 


Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

My Review:

          Like the title the story left me feeling as if I was wandering in a mist filled forest, trying to grasps at something and being unable to. I think it was that lack of answers and lack of immediate purpose that that made me give up. 

          I understand that the Shifter has no memories whatsoever, but it seems unreal how she takes it all in stride without questioning much or looking for clear answers. All she knows is that she is supposed to protect the new king at all costs. Also, her powers are weird, almost too much. She is called Shifter because she has the power to change shape (something she can’t remember how to do), but she has other powers that seem to me more mage/sorcerer related. Like being able to sense things, see people hidden by invisibility spells, etc. Also I didn’t get why her hair constantly change color without her meaning to. 

          That being said, the prose is nicely woven. I could have read this if only the story had pulled me in instead of leaving me stumbling blind. Very sad about leaving this unfinished, but I’ve got too many other books I want to check out!

Favorite quote:

Ven’s knuckles were white against the scratched wood of the table. “He – he did come to me. But he never told me the specific reason he was seeking you out.”

“Didn’t he?” She let her eyes change color, from green to black, while he was looking at them.

Ven drew in his breath sharply.