Book Review: Arrow of the Mist - Arrow of the Mist Series

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Synopsis

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.

"Baneful Straif, tree of strife;

Wicked thorns cut like a knife. 
Beware its roots in their menacing twist; 
Beware jagged pricks from this arrow of the mist."

My Review

This is the first book in a two book series by Cristina Mercer. This book is 270 pages long.

Lia has spent most of her time with her grandmother making remedies using the 'ole magick ways, until these strange poisonous rots came from the fogs of Brume. Most of the places around Lia's village have fallen to the strange roots. A few days later, Lia's dad gets poisoned and only has some time to live. After Lia's grandmother died, she gave Lia her Grimoire full of riddles and remedies to many illnesses and injuries. Lia's grandfather suggests a trip into Brume to find a possible cure for the many ill. Lia, grandfather, Wenn(her cousin), and Kelvin, the horse trainer and her biggest crush. As they make their way into Brume, there is many hardships and obstacles needed to pass. Something is blooming between Kelvin and Lia. Lia's Grandfather is poisoned and the journey hasn't even began. There is twelve parts to the cure and no one will get out of Brume unchanged. What changes will occur to Wenn and Lia? Will they find the parts to the cure? Will Lia and Kevin fall for each other?

This was an awesome book! The plot was very well-written and full of surprises. I loved the concept of them being casters and using poultices. Lia's appearance after being in Brume for so long was great. I wish that I was that pretty. This was a great read for all ages and there was only mild cussing. I really want to read the next book and see how Lia fares.