Customer Reviews

Mesmerize (Kimani Tru)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At first I wasnt sure if I wanted to read Lindsey's story because she didnt seem all that interesting. But boy was I wrong. This book is a great addition to the series and Im happy I got to read all about Lindsey. Besides getting to know about her back story and powers this book had the introduction of new characters, answers to questions, good action and character deaths (with a s) I didnt see coming. There was also new questions which means there will be additional books :) I cant wait.

First off, this book is being added to my list of annoyingly inaccurate covers. Yes, it is a nice cover, if Lindsey weren't a young Korean girl. Why would the publisher choose to not represent the character as written? Multiculturalism should be a selling point, not something thrown in to say they're doing it, only to back off during the marketing.

The book itself is interesting. I didn't realize it was the fourth book in a series until I started reading, and there are multiple references to previous events, but I didn't feel completely lost, which is a credit to the author.Things flowed and there was enough background information scattered throughout to make sense of what was happening. I think if I had read the previous three books in the series I would have felt a stronger connection with the characters and a more emotional reaction to some of the events that unfold.

What made this book hard to read was that Lindsey was all over the place. Lindsey is not an easy character to follow. One moment she's giving details about the horrific death of her parents and then the next she's standing at the door day dreaming about a hot guy. But don't worry because within the first fourth of the book, you'll hear it again and again. Her thoughts are completely random and it makes it hard to know what is really happening. There's even one point where Lindsay has just gone through a test and is getting ready to describe her terrifying ordeal when she starts thinking about going sledding down a hill and then acknowledges she doesn't know why she's thinking of that! It makes me think the author needed to up the word count and decided to add in random descriptions.

The ending confused me a bit and I wasn't quite sure why at the end Lindsey still felt the way she did. I won't say about what because I don't want to spoil the ending, but it really drove me nuts. I was fine with the events, I just didn't get Lindsey's thought process.

One thing I will say for Arthur is that she is not afraid to take risks and make her readers furious. As a new reader I was shocked by some of the things that happened to characters that were probably central ones in the previous books, but it worked here. This was a solid book, and although not a complete stand alone it was enjoyable. I would recommend reading the Mystyx series in order and even though I have yet to read them I'd say it would be worth the time.

Things come to a head in this book for our little Mystyx gang, but I'll warn you: there is still more to come in this series. I'll try to keep the spoilers in this review to a minimum, but some of the stuff that happens here is pretty big.

First off, I'll warn people that you might be surprised at some of the events in this book. We do get to see a whole new side of Lindsey, but it comes at a very serious cost for our main characters. I have to admit that I was pretty sad to see certain things in the book happen, but all things considered it made sense that things like this would potentially happen- especially considering all of the pain and loss that everyone has had to go through earlier in the series.

There's a big confrontation in this book and initially I thought that this might have been the end of the series, although there is still another book and enough here is left open to where the series can go into an entirely new direction. I'm kind of digging the way it ended, to be honest. I think it'd be more interesting to see how these new story lines develop.

The only big problem I had with this book is that at times the action scenes felt like they went by a little too quickly. This does help give me the feeling that things are happening fast and furious, but I just wanted a little more detail and explanation in a few places. It just needed a little more time spent on these elements.

Overall this was a good read and one I'd recommend to fans of the series thus far. It's good to get a deeper glimpse into Lindsay's life, although I wish the actions scenes were a little more drawn out. (Especially the final battle of the book.) It's not my absolute favorite of the series, but the last few paragraphs has got me pretty excited for what might happen in the next entry.

3.5 out of 5 stars

(ARC provided by Netgalley)

***Copy received from publisher for review***
So I didn't realize that this book was actually the 4th book in the Mystyx series until I had already started reading it. I know, I know-bad blogger! But to be fair the Amazon description doesn't mention anything about it being part of a series. Anyway, the book was not confusing and it gave background information throughout the book so I didn't feel lost reading it.

Quick recap from the other Mystyx books: Four teens have discovered they have been given supernatural powers to fight Charon from the underworld. Krystal, Sasha and Jake have all been tested and now it's Lindsey's turn to be tested. Lindsey Yi is a 16-year old Asian-American who has moved to Connecticut with her legal guardian, Aurora Hampton, after her parents were killed in a tragic train accident a year ago. Lindsey is also a mind reader and an empath. She has a hard time dealing with her own emotions because she is always feeling other people's thoughts and emotions. But then she meets mysterious Dylan Murphy and she can't hear any of his thoughts. A relationship between them quickly develops but can Dylan's secrets tear them apart? Is this the test that Lindsey will not be able to pass?

The story was fast paced and had plenty of action to keep the reader entertained. A big problem I had was that Lindsey and Dylan's relationship moved a little too fast and to me it seemed like she was more interested in him than he was in her. A couple of people died in this book and it all happened so fast that I wasn't sure if they were really dead or not. Although the main focus was on Lindsey, the book also covers her friends, her guardian and other characters.

I think there will be another book in the Mystyx series, possibly about Krystal? The book had my attention enough that I will be checking out the next book to see what the Mystyx are up to next.

3.5 out of 5 stars!

***
-As for me, I don't really have time for my own emotions. I'm so overwhelmed by everyone else's that my temples start to throb.

-I look at him and wonder, he is exceptionally handsome and this car is as hot as he is. That should spell serial killer or possibly vampire. I've seen that in the movies.

-There's this guy standing here with his arms around me and he wanted to make sure I was okay. For the first time since I originally met grief, I feel like there's something to combat the hideous feeling. And that something's name is Dylan.
***
Read more of my reviews at BooksandSparkles <dot> Blogspot <dot> com and check out my exclusive interview with Artist Arthur!

I'm super excited about this series. This series I have been following from the very beginning and have love it. While I enjoyed this book, I felt like there is something missing. I think its cause I wasn't able to really connect to Lindsey as well as I could with the other mystyx group. Still, the book is good. If you haven't read the series I suggest you do. Ms. Arthur writes about teens with a real life, with a hint of something paranormal.

In this book, the reader meet Lindsey. After moving again, Lindsey is immediately thrown in a world of chaos. I liked Lindsey. She wasn't stuck up or mean. She really just wanted some stability. I don't think I connected well with this character cause I couldn't grasp her connection with the other mystyx characters. It was like she was just thrown in the mix. It took a few chapters before I could find myself understanding Lindsey and where she came from. Lindsey is fierce and strong. She catches on fast and becomes one of the group before you know it. I really like how Ms. Arthur brought some interesting characters from the first book I thought were gone! I gasp once the secret was out and thought "WOAH!"

This story doesn't only cover Lindsey's story but also covers what is going on with the other mystyx characters. I miss my other books friends and it was good to see them fighting against evil all together. Once again, more questions were raised as others were answered. You can tell in this book that the enemy is getting stronger and ready to attack. Not just a small attack but a full on final battle. Each character has face their demon and the final showdown is coming! I can't wait to read how it is all going to end!!!

Mesmeriz is a good book! Filled with lots of battles, death, and adding a new mystyx to the group, the group is getting stronger. With the forces combine and done with the petty fighting, the mystyx group is ready! EEEEP!

Mesmerize is book four in the Mystyx series. I love this series. Artist Arthur is a fantastic writer and I love her characters. Four teens have been given supernatural gifts to fight Charon of the underworld by the Greek goddess Fatima. Each one of these teens have to be tested before they come together to stand against Charon, and this time it's Lindsey turn. Artist Arthur also tackles different race issues along with other issues of being poor, rich, loners,death and romance--all what teens face today with plenty of action and romance.

Lindsey is Asian and almost seventeen. She's also telepathic and an empath. She lost her parents a year ago and now lives with her guardian Aurora Hampton, who has a few secrets of her own. Krystal, Sasha, and Jake have gone through their test and now it' Lindsey who will face her weakness to become stronger or lose her power. But little did Lindsey know her test was going to come in a tall, muscular, cute guy with deep blue sapphire eyes. Dylan will be Lindsey's test. A test between her heart and her destiny as a Mystyx and Dylan have a few more secrets that the rest of the Mystyx has been trying to figure out this past year. Along with heart-break for her friend, Krystal. These heart-breaks will bring a bond between Lindsey and Krystal.

Mesmerize is Lindsey's story of a teenage girl who has been given supernatural powers to fight the underworld, she lives in guilt, and who's trying to survive the death of her parents and the lost her true love. Mesmerize is full of heart-breaking drama, action and romance. I recommend Mesmerize as a fantastic read.

I didn't figure out that this was part of a series until I began reading. There were some things that Lindsey kept mentioning that I was like.. Um? Is there something I was missing. With that in mind, I still really liked this book. It kept my attention and it explained almost everything so I could keep up.

Cover: The cover is really pretty! I like how it shows her mark on her ankle, which I know understand. Plus the cover keeps it quite ominous and it was true to the book! Plus it has purple, I love purple! :)

Plot: The plot was a little confusing. Granted that this is the fourth book in the Mystyx series and a lot had happened in those three other books. For the most part it kept me interested, but there were some grammatical mistakes and sentence errors that I hope are corrected.

Characters:
So, first there's Lindsey. She is still the new girl, newly inducted cheerleader, and mind reader. Yes, you read that right, mind reader. She is a very interesting character from the beginning and yet, she's has the same thoughts and emotions we all have. She is strong and brave, but also a teenager who wants a relationship, which it was nice to be able to connect to her on that level.

The there's Dylan. I didn't really like Dylan. To me he was sketchy and evasive, never divulging any personal information about himself. Which I didn't like. If some random guy, even if he was the most popular and hottest guy in school, started paying attention to me I would be wondering what's up with that. Which is exactly what Dylan did. Sure, he had some very sweet moments and was nice at times, but I didn't like him.

All in all: It didn't make me want to read the other books to get the full story, but it was a good story on its own! I give it 31 out of 51 tacos!
~~Sam :)