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exhaleartist's review
3.0
I adored Mistwood! Absolutely, completely, fell in love with that book, so I had very high expectations for Nightspell. It took me ages to actually get my hands on a copy, but when I finally did it when to the top of my reading pile. Unfortunately, while I enjoyed it, this never really lived up to Mistwood. I am not even quite sure why, but it just never clicked with me.
The multiple narrators was both a good and bad thing. It allowed for various viewpoints into the story and setting, but it felt like it broke up the natural flow of the story. Whenever it seemed like I was beginning to connect with one of the characters, the point-of-view would change. Darri and Callie’s relationship was probably my favorite element of the story. I loved the exploration of the changing dynamic between the two of them. The only other character with whom I felt any real connection was Kestin. Although I feel like his potential for the story was never fully realized. Clarisse is the only character that makes the jump from Mistwood to Nightspell, and she remains devious and cunning.
The story and plot were chalk full of potential. Just read the summary and you will realize that. Unfortunately it feels like much of that potential is lost. There are some truly brilliant moments in the story. There’s a huge plot twist that I absolutely adored. I did see it coming, so I was not shocked by it, but I loved the way the author handled it. I also liked the parts between Kestin and Clarisse and the scenes between Kestin and Darri.
Overall Nightspell was an interesting, nice little fantasy, but it never succeeded in realizing its full potential. If you are looking for a good fantasy to read, I would definitely recommend Mistwood over Nightspell. This was worth the read, but not something I will probably read again. I will be looking forward to see what the author does next though.
The multiple narrators was both a good and bad thing. It allowed for various viewpoints into the story and setting, but it felt like it broke up the natural flow of the story. Whenever it seemed like I was beginning to connect with one of the characters, the point-of-view would change. Darri and Callie’s relationship was probably my favorite element of the story. I loved the exploration of the changing dynamic between the two of them. The only other character with whom I felt any real connection was Kestin. Although I feel like his potential for the story was never fully realized. Clarisse is the only character that makes the jump from Mistwood to Nightspell, and she remains devious and cunning.
The story and plot were chalk full of potential. Just read the summary and you will realize that. Unfortunately it feels like much of that potential is lost. There are some truly brilliant moments in the story. There’s a huge plot twist that I absolutely adored. I did see it coming, so I was not shocked by it, but I loved the way the author handled it. I also liked the parts between Kestin and Clarisse and the scenes between Kestin and Darri.
Overall Nightspell was an interesting, nice little fantasy, but it never succeeded in realizing its full potential. If you are looking for a good fantasy to read, I would definitely recommend Mistwood over Nightspell. This was worth the read, but not something I will probably read again. I will be looking forward to see what the author does next though.
suzannedix's review
1.0
I put this book down after half a chapter. It is not a sequel to Mistwood but rather a weird companion.
stephhreads's review
3.0
Nightspell is a good, solid book, but ended up being an average read--I wasn't in love with it. Though the characters are interesting with clear strengths and clear flaws, I wasn't very attached to any of them. There was something about Nightspell that fell flat for me, and it's not the lack of a romance. While I do love a good romance, I'm actually very glad that there was no romance introduced in Nightspell, since it would have detracted a bit from the story.
I have to give Leah Cypess an A+ for world-building. The realm of Ghostland that she created and the concept of the ghosts themselves are enthralling and beautifully woven. In fact, I feel like the idea itself could have led to an interesting exploration into what it means to be dead or alive, which is touched upon slightly, but never truly discussed. Of course, this may not have been what the author was aiming for.
I have to give Leah Cypess an A+ for world-building. The realm of Ghostland that she created and the concept of the ghosts themselves are enthralling and beautifully woven. In fact, I feel like the idea itself could have led to an interesting exploration into what it means to be dead or alive, which is touched upon slightly, but never truly discussed. Of course, this may not have been what the author was aiming for.
etinney's review
1.0
I got about 75 pages in.
I have to reread Insurgent. I don't have time to deal with flat characters and messy plot.
So apparently this is a companion novel, which really doesn't make sense. Clarisse is carelessly thrown in there and I don't care enough to see why.
I have to reread Insurgent. I don't have time to deal with flat characters and messy plot.
So apparently this is a companion novel, which really doesn't make sense. Clarisse is carelessly thrown in there and I don't care enough to see why.
oliviasimmonds's review
2.0
I think this book could have been much shorter in length, the plot wasn't substantial enough for 300+ pages. I liked the concept of a ghost kingdom and a potential war between the dead and the living. However, when I was reading the book I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters or the plotline. The book ended abruptly and left me wondering could Callie travel over the border? Even though I am wondering this, I still wouldn't read a sequel to find out.
anniemariek's review against another edition
3.0
Since [b:Mistwood|6768411|Mistwood (Mistwood, #1)|Leah Cypess|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1257817794s/6768411.jpg|6967609] was so much like [b:Graceling|3236307|Graceling (The Seven Kingdoms, #1)|Kristin Cashore|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309058438s/3236307.jpg|3270810], I expected this to be very similar. After reading the entire book, I still have no idea what Nightspell has to do with Mistwood, but at least it was much more original.
I loved the setting. It was so well-described, and just plain cool. And creepy. I loved the idea that ghosts of murder victims remain at court until they avenge themselves. That part of the book was done very, very well, and I'd be interested in reading more books set in this world.
Apart from the cool setting, though, this didn't improve on what I felt were Mistwood's weaknesses. The characters were maybe a tiny bit more well-developed, but not by much. I was struggling to care about them all the way through. I don't know what it was about them, but I just had a hard time connecting.
The court intrigue was okay, but it got very predictable in places. Again, I wasn't given a reason to care about any of it. Usually I love all the who-gets-to-be-heir and so on, but this just didn't stand out in my mind. I wanted it to be more intense and unexpected.
Overall, Nightspell was an okay read. I really liked the setting, but the rest of it fell a bit flat. If you liked Mistwood, then go ahead and try this. Even if you haven't read Mistwood, try it if it looks interesting to you, because they aren't related, but otherwise I'd pass. Not horrible, but not great either. I enjoyed it, but definitely not as much as I could have, given the awesome premise.
Read even more reviews at anniesepicblog.blogspot.com!
I loved the setting. It was so well-described, and just plain cool. And creepy. I loved the idea that ghosts of murder victims remain at court until they avenge themselves. That part of the book was done very, very well, and I'd be interested in reading more books set in this world.
Apart from the cool setting, though, this didn't improve on what I felt were Mistwood's weaknesses. The characters were maybe a tiny bit more well-developed, but not by much. I was struggling to care about them all the way through. I don't know what it was about them, but I just had a hard time connecting.
The court intrigue was okay, but it got very predictable in places. Again, I wasn't given a reason to care about any of it. Usually I love all the who-gets-to-be-heir and so on, but this just didn't stand out in my mind. I wanted it to be more intense and unexpected.
Overall, Nightspell was an okay read. I really liked the setting, but the rest of it fell a bit flat. If you liked Mistwood, then go ahead and try this. Even if you haven't read Mistwood, try it if it looks interesting to you, because they aren't related, but otherwise I'd pass. Not horrible, but not great either. I enjoyed it, but definitely not as much as I could have, given the awesome premise.
Read even more reviews at anniesepicblog.blogspot.com!
ghumpherys's review against another edition
4.0
This is supposed to be a "companion" book to Mistwood, but other than one cross-over character (who just barely mentions her life in the other book), I really didn't find much that connected the two books together. Nightspell seemed to be quite a different book in many regards. I liked both books despite their lack of connection. Nightspell deals with ghosts and vengeance and bonds between siblings. The end was a bit confusing -- I wish it had been explained better (or maybe there will be another book someday).
emslovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
Welcome to my stop on the Nightspell paperback release blog tour!
From Goodreads: Here be ghosts, the maps said, and that was all.
In this haunted kingdom, ghosts linger--not just in the deepest forests or the darkest caverns, but alongside the living, as part of a twisted palace court that revels all night and sleeps through the daylight hours.
Darri's sister was trapped in this place of fear and shadows as a child. And now Darri has a chance to save her sister . . . if she agrees to a betrothal with the prince of the dead. But nothing is simple in this eerie kingdom--not her sister, who has changed beyond recognition; not her plan, which will be thrown off track almost at once; and not the undead prince, who seems more alive than anyone else.
In a court seething with the desire for vengeance, Darri holds the key to the balance between life and death. Can her warrior heart withstand the most wrenching choice of all?
First of all, HUGE THANKS to Leah Cypess for sending me a copy of Nightspell as part of the blog tour celebrating the paperback release. I'm excited to spread the word about this awesome book.
Because it really IS awesome. It's a ghost story like you've NEVER read before. There are things about the ghosts that will throw you. I knew it was a ghost story going in and I DIDN'T SUSPECT A THING.
I LOVED this twist on ghosts. That's really all I can say about them without ruining some of the fun, so just take my word for it that you'll want to read this one.
As far as characters, Darri was awesome. She's one of those really strong girls who can kick bottom and take names and then go to a dance afterwards. She has a lot to deal with: her sister being in Ghostland, her brother being a major douchebag, and a betrothal to an undead prince. She definitely holds her own.
I also really liked Callie. Poor girl. Sent off at age 11 to marry the prince of Ghostland. She is definitely affected by her time there and it affects her relationships with her siblings. I was very interested to see how she'd come to terms with Darri and Varis. It hurt my heart at times to see how she suffered, but I really like how things were resolved.
This story kept me engaged the entire time. I didn't want to put it down. It was a fantastic companion to Mistwood (though not a sequel...WOO! A stand-alone!) and one that I'll read again for sure. Go ahead and pick it up! It's a 'Pick Me' worthy book.
From Goodreads: Here be ghosts, the maps said, and that was all.
In this haunted kingdom, ghosts linger--not just in the deepest forests or the darkest caverns, but alongside the living, as part of a twisted palace court that revels all night and sleeps through the daylight hours.
Darri's sister was trapped in this place of fear and shadows as a child. And now Darri has a chance to save her sister . . . if she agrees to a betrothal with the prince of the dead. But nothing is simple in this eerie kingdom--not her sister, who has changed beyond recognition; not her plan, which will be thrown off track almost at once; and not the undead prince, who seems more alive than anyone else.
In a court seething with the desire for vengeance, Darri holds the key to the balance between life and death. Can her warrior heart withstand the most wrenching choice of all?
First of all, HUGE THANKS to Leah Cypess for sending me a copy of Nightspell as part of the blog tour celebrating the paperback release. I'm excited to spread the word about this awesome book.
Because it really IS awesome. It's a ghost story like you've NEVER read before. There are things about the ghosts that will throw you. I knew it was a ghost story going in and I DIDN'T SUSPECT A THING.
I LOVED this twist on ghosts. That's really all I can say about them without ruining some of the fun, so just take my word for it that you'll want to read this one.
As far as characters, Darri was awesome. She's one of those really strong girls who can kick bottom and take names and then go to a dance afterwards. She has a lot to deal with: her sister being in Ghostland, her brother being a major douchebag, and a betrothal to an undead prince. She definitely holds her own.
I also really liked Callie. Poor girl. Sent off at age 11 to marry the prince of Ghostland. She is definitely affected by her time there and it affects her relationships with her siblings. I was very interested to see how she'd come to terms with Darri and Varis. It hurt my heart at times to see how she suffered, but I really like how things were resolved.
This story kept me engaged the entire time. I didn't want to put it down. It was a fantastic companion to Mistwood (though not a sequel...WOO! A stand-alone!) and one that I'll read again for sure. Go ahead and pick it up! It's a 'Pick Me' worthy book.
dianacantread's review against another edition
I liked Mistwood better.
Many of the problems for me originated from the fact that I didn't like any of the characters. All of them had their own agendas that counteracted each other, and all of them refused to compromise with one another. This made for a very frustrating experience, especially when plans that actually made sense were foiled by the more idiotic ones.
There is an abundance of info-dumping sections that really destroyed the mood for me. None of the characters figured out much until they were told by the BWAHAHAHAHA "evil" spirits what the plan was, and the stuff they somehow did realize was never fully explained. For example, one character found out who killed another character, but he never reveals any information as to how he discovered that.
The pacing was a bit off due to the lack of romance, which is both a blessing and a curse in itself. Both are minor issues, but they still took away from my reading experience.
I think the setting is beautiful, just like in Mistwood. Cypess has a gift in that.
Another plus is how realistically the prejudices are portrayed. I found myself frustrated every time Darri felt repulsed about being close to the dead, but then I realized that it's how I would react, too, if I had been told my entire life that dead things that come back to life are unnatural and evil. In a way, I guess I have been told that, but since we don't actually have dead people walking the earth, I think it's a little different in my case.
All in all, the story kept me interested, but I had some issues with the characters and the writing style. Still, the setting is gorgeous, and I'm looking forward to when I can pick up Cypess's other series.
3.25/5 stars.
Many of the problems for me originated from the fact that I didn't like any of the characters. All of them had their own agendas that counteracted each other, and all of them refused to compromise with one another. This made for a very frustrating experience, especially when plans that actually made sense were foiled by the more idiotic ones.
There is an abundance of info-dumping sections that really destroyed the mood for me. None of the characters figured out much until they were told by the BWAHAHAHAHA "evil" spirits what the plan was, and the stuff they somehow did realize was never fully explained. For example, one character found out who killed another character, but he never reveals any information as to how he discovered that.
The pacing was a bit off due to the lack of romance, which is both a blessing and a curse in itself. Both are minor issues, but they still took away from my reading experience.
I think the setting is beautiful, just like in Mistwood. Cypess has a gift in that.
Another plus is how realistically the prejudices are portrayed. I found myself frustrated every time Darri felt repulsed about being close to the dead, but then I realized that it's how I would react, too, if I had been told my entire life that dead things that come back to life are unnatural and evil. In a way, I guess I have been told that, but since we don't actually have dead people walking the earth, I think it's a little different in my case.
All in all, the story kept me interested, but I had some issues with the characters and the writing style. Still, the setting is gorgeous, and I'm looking forward to when I can pick up Cypess's other series.
3.25/5 stars.