Assessment:
Plot/Idea: A rich premise with vivid imagery is somewhat weakened by an unfocused perspective, uncertain pace, and passive prose that may prove a challenging combination of obstacles to readers.
Prose: While occasionally shining, Shadowmist Chronicles struggles with a passive, tell-not-show approach to its prose that reads more like an outline than a full-fledged novel.
Originality: Shadowmist Chronicles lives firmly in the territory of its genre contemporaries, content to mix-and-match original characters with ones already established, and does little to break the mold.
Character Development/Execution: Characters come across as rushed, their interactions, conflicts, and motivations feeling inconsistent and unfinished at times, and readers may struggle to latch onto them, and the story as a whole, as a result.
Date Submitted: August 08, 2022
This book falls perfectly within the young adult fantasy fiction genre. It’s an absolute page-turner that I couldn’t put down! It has everything from family drama, to gods and goddesses, to trying to decipher good from evil. I particularly loved the contrast of the mortal world and the shadow world; it made for two equally strong story threads with important similarities and differences. I found myself wanting to learn more about these two worlds while being completely sucked into the characters’ storylines. Can’t wait to read more from this series!
Title: Shadowmist Chronicles: Rebirth
Author: @mark.anthmessina
Rating⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received this book from the author. Note that my opinions are my own. This book gave me pause for the first couple of chapters. I was a bit complex and hard to understand. After about 30 to 40 pages, everything really picked up and I really enjoyed the story. It pulls references from Greek Mythology and Norse Mythology. I loved how the author used these as inspirations.
The characters are dynamic and the world is described with vivid detail.
I would recommend you check this book out!
If you’re looking for an action packed book that, once you start reading, you can’t put it down, then Rebirth is the book for you.
From the very first page I was sucked into the fantastical word, inspired by Norse and Greek Mythology. I personally love anything mythology, and this book didn’t disappoint, with vivid descriptions of the creatures and foes that the characters encountered.
I wasn’t kidding about it being action packed, either. It starts off with a bang in the first chapter, and rarely relents for the rest of the book, creating a fast paced book that is almost impossible to put down as a result. I found myself having passed an hour reading without noticing.
When there’s not action, there’s mystery, intrigue, family drama, evil beings, and magic. The two different threads of the story are equally as strong, and I was rooting for Monrick, and his companions, and Brian, as they strived toward their goals, one on a quest, and the other on a quest for revenge.
Overall, I loved it, and I’m sure it’ll be a book I think about for a while to come. I look forward to reading more from the series!
Shadowmist Chronicles: Rebirth by Mark-Anthony Messina
This story has it all. Family with major drama, Greek Gods, evil and so much more!
A young man trying to find his way in life and what happened to his birth parents. He sure isn’t expecting what he finds!
Definitely hits the upper part of YA to new adult. Story was easy to follow along with and kept my interest!
Shadowmist Chronicles: Rebirth is author Mark-Anthony's first book and brings the reader along for an incredible journey through different dimensions and brings a lot of mood and mystery to a sci-fi world. There is a cast of intriguing characters following their own stories that become intertwined by the end of the novel for a fantastic finale that leaves just enough detail out to want more from this universe.
A must read if you like science fiction, mystery and want to support a first-time Canadian writer.
