BLOG TOUR: Arrow of the Mist (#1) by Christina Mercer

Title: Arrow of the Mist (#1)

Author: Christina Mercer
Genre: Middle Grade/YA Fantasy

Release Date: Mar 21/2013

Adquired: Ebook copy sent from Author

Goodreads: ADD

Purchase: Amazon/Book Depository

Terror strikes the Celtic inspired kingdom of Nemetona when barbed roots breach the veil of a forbidden land and poison woodsmen, including 15-year-old Lia’s beloved father. Lia and three others embark on a quest to the forbidden land of Brume to gather ingredients for the cure. But after her elder kinsman is attacked and poisoned, she and her cousin, Wynn, are forced to finish the quest on their own.

Lia relies on her powerful herbal wisdom and the memorized pages of her late grandmother’s Grimoire for guidance through a land of soul-hungry shades, trickster creatures, and uncovered truths about the origin of Brume and her family’s unexpected ties to it. The deeper they trek into the land, the stronger Lia’s untapped gift as a tree mage unfolds. When she discovers the enchanted root’s maker, it forces her to question everything about who she is and what is her destiny. Ultimately she must make a terrible choice: keep fighting to save her father and the people of the lands or join with the power behind the deadly roots to help nature start anew.

Middle Grade Fantasy; YA Fantasy Available at all major sites. Look for sequel late 2013.

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World-building. Arrow of the Mist had world-building down to a complete science. So much so, that it tended to take away from the actual storyline at times, but my GOD, I haven't read such intricate detail in a long time, especially not from a MG/YA book. It was a treat to the senses, if anything, and while I enjoyed the characters in Arrow of the Mist, I anxiously awaited the next magical setting they would step into.

Lia is on a quest. Along with her Grandfather, cousin, and cousin's friend, she sets out to find a cure for a deadly poison that has inflicted her father. Problem number one: the cure lies deep within the realm of Brume, the mysterious land beyond the fog, that promises enchanted trees, and curious creatures. After another family member in her party is attacked by the same poisonous creature, Lia and her cousin Wynn step up to continue the search for a cure on their own. What follows is mix mash of characters and risky scenarios that seem to be heavily influenced by old loves like The Never Ending Story, and Disney fairytales (especially Brave!).

The Celtic slang in Arrow of the Mist was, initially, a little hard to follow. Though, after a few chapters, I began following along with ease, and at a fast pace. No time is wasted in the first few chapters going over family history, or building relationships. You get a quick, yet strong sense of Lia's connection to her father, and her dire need to help him recover from his ailment. The characters are already deep into adventure by the second chapter, and I was pleasantly bombarded with descriptions of tiny Fae people, water nymphs, and an assortment of beautifully, and magically described creatures. Lia's specialty, among other abilities she learns about later on, is herbs. I was in awe as she whipped up concoctions to aid everyone in her party: salves for wounds, teas for sleeping, special leaves chewed for pain. The beauty was in the details, and Christina Mercer sprinkled this magical tale with massive amounts of it.

I would have liked to feel a stronger connection to character relationships, especially Lia and Kelven, but wouldn't have traded it for the exquisite setting the book played out in. I feel like I can go on forever about the magical feelings this book created within me, my head is still swimming in Brume. Arrow of the Mist was exactly what fantasy should sound like, exactly what Fae creatures and guardians of an old tree should look like, exactly what a magical land should feel like. I was brought back to my youth, when Disney movies made me feel like anything was possible. Too much YA Fantasy fiction these days seem forced, the magic too extravagant and corny. Arrow of the Mist is definitely a book to be experienced, and I can't wait to read the sequel!

Recommended for fans of: YA Fantasy, Paranormal, The Never Ending Story, Labyrinth, Disney fairytales.

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Christina Mercer writes fiction in addition to mothering two young adults, a pack of large dogs, and about 100,000 honeybees. Her varied interests prompted her to study creative writing, earn her official degree in Accounting, become a CPA, acquire a certificate in Herbal Studies, and keep honeybees. She took Writer’s Best in Show at the 2012 SCBWI CA North/Central Regional Conference and was a semi-finalist in the 2010 Amazon Breakout Novel Award Contest. You can find her at www.christinamercer.com or working as the Reviews Director at www.indie-visible.com.

Contact Links:

Website - Twitter - Facebook - Goodreads 

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Thank-you to Giselle at Xpresso Book Tours for hosting this tour, and to the author for sending an e-copy of her book for review!

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