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Book Review: Mystic City – Theo Lawrence

Mystic City
Author: Theo Lawrence
Series: Mystic City #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
My Rating:

Summary:

A Manhattan where magic is real and true love can change the world.
In this Manhattan, also known as Mystic City, the rich and the powerful live in skyscrapers called the Aeries. The poor live far below, in the squalor of the Depths, alongside magic-wielding mystics who provide the energy that keeps the city pulsing.
High in the Aeries, Aria Rose is madly in love with Thomas Foster.
Or so she’s been told.
Aria wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. She doesn’t remember carrying on a secret romance with Thomas, the son of her father’s sworn enemy, much less falling in love with him. And now she and Thomas are engaged, pledged to a union that promises to end the bitter political rivalry between their families once and for all.
Then Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic who holds the key to her past. But as she begins to unlock the dark secrets between her memory loss, she risks losing her one true love forever.

 
First Sentence: So little time is left.

My Review:

Just look at that cover. It’s gorgeous. I love the way the cover model’s curly hair floats upwards towards the sky and the city of Manhattan reflected in the background. It’s a book that lures you in by the cover alone.

Theo Lawrence really knows how to write with lots of imagery. I live in New York City so I know how Manhattan looks like already because (of course) I’ve been there, and his future look of Manhattan is even better. Imagine there being no MTA, no subway delays, and quick transportation! (Just so all you non-New Yorkers know, it takes at least two hours to get from the end of Brooklyn all the way to Queens. And that’s not counting Bronx.) And imagine it all being free! However, the only downside is that you can be tracked at all times.

One thing that didn’t make any sense for me at all was the broad canals in the depths. I concluded that the Depths were actually the places where the subways used to run, which isn’t as big and wide as Mystic City made it out to be, unless Aria’s not talking about the actual tunnels, but the transferring platforms themselves. However, Mystic City made the Depths sound like they’re really deep underground, so I don’t know. People that don’t live in New York City probably won’t realize this problem, but since I live in New York City, I want the full details of Aria’s world.

The main reason why I gave Mystic City a 3.5 rating instead of a 4.0 rating was because of how long it took Aria to figure out what was really going out. The summary itself implied what really happened and when the first clues came, Aria just kept ignoring its meaning and wanting to find out more when the truth was so glaringly obvious in front of her face. In fact, it took a little more than half the book for Aria to figure out the truth of what was really going on and she isn’t close to stupid…so far.

Another thing that didn’t make sense is the way and why the the long-going family feud ended. Why would Aria’s father suddenly support his enemy, the Fosters, if Aria and Thomas’s romance isn’t even real the first place? Do they both have other political agendas? I hope this issue gets explored in the next book.

Also, since the current governor, the Roses, and the Fosters seem to control over 75% of the population, why not just take everything by force? Why not just fix the election? Why try to win the election fairly? Most of the city and the people are under their control already, so why not try to be a dictator? That also just doesn’t make sense.

The thing about Mystic City though is that there are so many ways where the sequel can go. Will Aria’s plan succeed or would her family manage to twist around her words? Will whoever wins the election even matter with the Roses and Fosters holding that much power? Can’t wait until the sequel comes out so I can find out!

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 11-19-12 · 7 Comments
Categories: 2012 book, book review Tagged: 3.5 star

« Stacking the Shelves [7]
Waiting On Wednesday [6] »

Speak Your Mind

  1. ohdamnbooks says

    3-11-13 at 9:15 AM

    I have never heard of this book before! It looks sounds really interesting though! The cover is gorgeous. I am def going to be looking for this in the future and I hope I enjoy it as much as you did. Thank you for sharing this review! I also like the fact that there is options for the sequel. That way you are left guessing and not really sure of what will actually happen. Keeps you on your toes (:

    Reply
  2. ohdamnbooks says

    3-11-13 at 11:10 AM

    I agree Ashley! I so can’t wait for the sequel to come out! :D

    Reply
  3. Susan T. says

    9-26-13 at 2:25 PM

    I have never heard of this before but it sounds pretty awesome! I’ve never been to New York so I wouldn’t even notice the discrepancies that you did.

    Reply
  4. HIllary R. says

    10-20-13 at 6:50 PM

    I can’t believe I almost forgot about Mystic City! I remember hearing a lot about it since the beginning of this year but I somehow forgot. I always thought the cover was beautiful and mysterious and magical. I know this one is going for sure on my TBR list. No matter how long it’s become so far :D

    Reply
  5. Ashfa Anwer says

    10-29-13 at 6:44 AM

    I agree, the cover is really good. I’ve seen this book quite a few times on blogs but never really felt like checking it out. Sounds good though. Loved the review!

    Reply
  6. sarah c. says

    10-30-13 at 1:39 PM

    Great review!!! i also agree with the cover!!! I have been to new york a couple times visiting family and loved the area so i cant wait to read how the city and story goes in this book!!!

    Reply
  7. Wren b. says

    12-26-13 at 10:12 PM

    This book sounds sad to me, it would be horrible to lose your memories of the one you love.

    Reply

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