Mystic

A Novel

By: Jason Denzel

Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal

Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Mystic is the start of an enchanting new epic fantasy series from Jason Denzel, the founder of Dragonmount.

I called to the Myst, and it sent us you. For hundreds of years, high-born nobles have competed for the chance to learn of the Myst. Powerful, revered, and often reclusive, Mystics have the unique ability to summon and manipulate the Myst: the underlying energy that lives at the heart of the universe. Once in a very great while, they take an apprentice, always from the most privileged sects of society. Such has always been the tradition - until a new High Mystic takes her seat and chooses Pomella AnDone, a restless, low-born teenager, as a candidate.

Commoners have never been welcomed among the select few given the opportunity to rise beyond even the highest nobility. So when Pomella chooses to accept the summons and journey to Kelt Apar, she knows that she will have more to contend with than the competition for the apprenticeship. Breaking both law and tradition, Pomella undergoes three trials against the other candidates to prove her worthiness. As the trials unfold, Pomella navigates a deadly world of intolerance and betrayal, unaware that ruthless conspirators intend to make her suffer for having the audacity to seek to unravel the secrets of the Myst.

©2015 Jason Denzel (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Excellent debut novel

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely

Any additional comments?

The characters were appealing and well developed. The narrator was excellent. The story moved along at a good pace and the ending was unexpected. All in all, an enjoyable audio book.

Great first book

While I'm not a literary critic, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! This is the first novel by Jason Denzel and he did an outstanding job! It was great from start to finish. I look forward to his future work!

Decent but somewhat less than Stellar.

Interesting story, though quite fustrating at times. I felt that the characters were a bit flat even though the reader was told "there is emotional depth here". There was some character development but there was alot of room for more. More depth, more growth, more exploration and discovery. What was developed seemed like "low hanging fruit". The "revelations" were almost formulaic. The author did excell in trying to create a new world and in revealing parts of it to the reader without too much exposen
The narrator is capable of a number of "voices", but again I didn't feel the emotion that might have otherwise allowed for a spectacular preformance. I felt that this was more like someone reading thier lines with different voices rather than some one preforming multiple parts. Even a poor story can be made into something more if it is preformed in a way that captivates the audience.
While this may seem like harsh criticism, it is intended as honset constructive feedback. It is very difficult to be at the top of one's for the length of time required to produce something like this. It is a something that might be enjoyed while satisfying a "light" or "feel good" craving.

After the 1st hour it sucked me in.

Still I give the story and performance and story a solid 3.5 stars, and thus 4. The issues I had with some of the character voices are the Valley Girls that popped up, and while (and this includes the story) the protagonist appears weak, the emphasis, and overly dramatised speaking part, made the protagonist come off as even weaker. As for the story, in the beginning the protagonist comes off as somewhat strong, but once she gets to her destination she comes off as being weak. I didn't like that inconsistency. Otherwise I thought the story was pretty good, but still not deserving an honest, or solid 4 stars. Assuming there are more in the series, and there must be, based on the ending, I'm going to continue the rest of the series.

Surprising

It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't terrible. There are moments that are wholesome and heartwarming; there are moments that are frustrating and irritating. It seems like the author knew the story they wanted to tell, but like the main character, lacked confidence. I, for one, get tired of the main characters who don't ever learn anything from their actions. I have a feeling that when I come back to the story for the second book, she will once again have to overcome the same obstacles and mental trials. The plot will be different, the enemies will change names, but the conflict will be the same.

A good stand alone fantasy entry

This story was very engaging. I sped through it. The action is very character driven, focusing on the challenges faced by one young lady who finds herself in a unique predicament. She has a chance to follow her dreams and become a mystic, a caste above all others but reserved for the nobility. For a common girl, this is an unprecedented invitation, but a jealous Lordling threatens disaster if she fails. In pursuit of her dreams the character must find strength and courage within herself to face the prejudices of society and rise above the expectations of those around her to find the true heart of the Myst.

It was superb

I'm leaving this review so that anyone who hasn't read or listened to this audiobook knows that it is more than worth downloading. I just finished it and I'm going to download the next book in the series immediately.

I might have to wait for a moment, before downloading, because there are still tears in my eyes.

It's enough to say that I love the book. I love the emotion that it brought. And I can't wait to listen to the next one.

Not my cup of tea.

I found myself disliking the main character, most of the side characters and the plot in general. It's not badly written I think, just not to my taste at all.
The narrator forces me to realize a few pre-conceptions I have purely from hearing someone speak. She can really give life to my idea of a spoilt child with visions of grandour. And I'm likely to avoid her as a narrator in the future.
do note however, that during no part of this story did I have trouble hearing what she said, the different voices might not have been to my taste, but she certainly differantiates.
so, an author of some skills I don't particulary care for and a narrator I don't enjoy listening to. I'm not going to recommend it to anyone, but I'm sure it'll suit someone else a lot more.