Customer Reviews

Mystify (Kimani Tru)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a woman in her late forties and I had fun reading Sasha Campbell's story. The book is marketed to young adults but I believe it should be read by all. The theme of acceptance is not removed from any group of people.
Sasha Campbell has quite a bit going on she's part of an elite group of teens known as the "Richies" rich being indicative of their parents money and living on the "right side" of the tracks. She is also part of a group called Mystyx; a group of kids with special powers, each one marked by the letter M as a birthmark. She also deals with overbearing girls at school and a budding teenage crush lurking behind doubt and classism. As if all of that is not enough her powers are changing and on top of learning who she is she just found out her body can astral travel. Without leaving her room Sasha can be at a party while her body is at home in what appears to those around it; hard sleeping. When we say having an out of body experience it means we feel different, for Sasha she is OUT of her body.
To our ancestors, the weather brought about magic and mysticism, for Sasha and her friends they try to understand the phenomena and mystery of the all powerful weather and its connection to their powers and the darkness that continues to follow them. As a woman in her late forties I felt like I was experiencing a bit of my childhood again, to Sasha and her friends I say thanks for the ride.
Artist wrote a really good book that teenagers will enjoy and learn a few lessons about segregation and classism. Good job
Missy
Readers Paradise
3.5 (4.0) book marks

(Galley provided by author)

After reading and enjoying the first book in the series I was eager to see what was next for Krystal, Jake, and Sasha. The three friends each have special abilities and have banded together once already to solve a mystery. Mystify was narrated by Sasha and it helped me get to know and understand her character so much better. There was development on the other characters as well and the story was entertaining and creepy. I am excited to see what the third book, narrated by Jake, brings to the table!

To begin with, Sasha was a fun and sassy main character. It may seem like she was the perfect rich girl with the perfect life on the outside, but by reading her story I realized that things were not all fun and games in her house. Sasha had a lot of pressure from her parents to only associate with certain people and to only do what they wanted. Sasha stayed strong throughout and always stood up her what she believed in. The secondary characters were developed as well and I liked how not only did Sasha's peers play a part in the story, but their families as well. I've always liked Krystal and Jake, so it was fun to see them again and hear about them from Sasha's perspective. There were some new characters introduced, including a possible romantic interest for Sasha. Antoine Watson was a sweet and likable "bad boy" and his feelings for Sasha were obvious.

The plot of Mystify was just as fast paced and exciting as Manifest. I loved learning more about the Mystyx's powers and seeing the group work together to figure out the truth behind what was going on. There were a lot of spooky occurrences going on that tied in with the real world. The Mystyx had a lot on their plates not only with the mystery and darkness surrounding them, but with their personal lives as well.

Overall, this was an exciting and entertaining follow up to Manifest. The ending was a killer cliffhanger though and it makes me even more excited to read the third book.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

As the second in the Mystyx series, we move from Krystal in book one, with her ghost whisperer talents, to Sasha, who can split off and relocate herself wherever she wants. The other Mystyx in their group all have magical talents and have learned that there was a weather disturbance that coincides with the day they were born. What they can't figure out is why this overwhelming darkness is following them and threatening their lives.

As a short paranormal romance series, this is quick-paced and easy to get into. I actually like it for its easy drama, not blown out how-do-I-feel chapters or scenes. Sasha was an interesting character, and although I thought her "boyfriend" came on a bit strong and possessive in the book, I think that was meant to highlight his bad-boy status more than anything.


Although short and fast paced, I think this is a fun and easy set of characters, plot lines, and magical nuances to get into. There isn't much struggle figuring out how things work, and although character development is limited to our main character, you do feel like you get answers to your questions. My best suggestion for this series would be the junior high or high school crowd. These make a nice jump into paranormal romance without confusing you with too much back information on magic or family lines.

Reason for Reading: next in the series.

I really enjoyed book one of this series but wasn't too taken with the angsty attitude of the main character and narrator, Krystal. My favourite character had been Sasha, who had an "attitude" but the fun, take no nonsense from anyone kind of 'tude. Imagine my delight to see that this book was written from Sasha's point of view.

Unfortunately, the change in character views really changed the plot of the story and it took me a while to get into this book. Sasha is not only the narrator, but the main character of the book, Krystal has a minor part. But the fun Sasha I loved from the first book is changed in this book, because the girl's rich, never present parents have returned with a new project for the community and they want Sasha to play a vital role. This is all about the "Richies" and Sasha is vehemently told off by her overbearing father about her choice of 'questionable' friends and told she will do what she has been told to do. This causes a riff between her and the other members of Mystyx who think that Sasha has become uppity about her social status when a hated rich girl starts hanging onto Sasha through her father's doing.

This is absolutely not the time for this to be happening to Sasha as her powers are becoming stronger and she is gaining new ones, learning much more about who they are and what their purpose is. The strained relationships make it hard for them to work together when the Darkness returns and bodies of missing teenagers start turning up.

Not as strong a story as Manifest; I didn't enjoy it as much even though I like Sasha as a character more. I missed the ghosts from book one and the book just had a totally different feel. I liked it but it wasn't a page-turner for me at all at. Hoping that the next book will be more exciting and wondering whose point of view it will be from now that a 4th member has joined there team, another girl.

Added: I just saw the cover of the third book and, yeah!, it has Jake on the front and thus, I'm assuming will be from Jake's point of view. Looking forward to it more now!

Artist C. Arthur delivers as usual. Although new to the young adult arena, she delivers yet again in this second installment of the Mystics series. Ms. Arthur is known for her work as a romance, erotic and paranormal author, but she appears to be able to write an entry in the telephone book and still make it sound phenomenal.

Sasha Carrington is a typical high school student that has all the normal teenage issues, plus a not so normal ability to teleport. Sasha and her three friends (who named themselves the Mystics) discover that they all had something in common. The M placed on their bodies along with individual "paranormal powers".

The Mystics are caught in a supernatural war that they know little about. What they do know is that they have to do all that they can to save the world and mankind.

This is a true series of good versus evil with a captivating storyline that will leave you craving for more. Ms. Arthur has created a modern day version of X-Men.

Manifest was told from Krystal's point-of-view. Mystify comes to us from Sasha's point-of-view. It was fascinating to meet the next member of the three Mystyx characters. I really liked Sasha and how she saw things. She was a fascinating character and I enjoyed reading a book from her perspective.


The mystery of strange weather patterns and the darkness that seems to be overcoming their small town continues for the 3 "Mystyx" from Manifest. As they learn more in this book, the reader does as well and we are treated to new characters both good and bad. The storyline expands more in Mystify and makes me ready to read the next book. More romance follows as it did for Krystal in the first book, it does for Sasha in this book. But Mystify is not all about the romance, it's more of a side storyline to help develop Sasha's character. The real storyline is how the Mystyx are still trying to understand their powers and figure out what is happening in their home town and how they can prevent a horrible event from happening in the future.


It's a fascinating storyline and I was hooked through the whole book. Some big things happen but I didn't feel there was a big thing overall. This felt like more of a transitional book, though it can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the book and I am definitely intrigued to read the next book as well. I really want to know what will happen to the characters and the epilogue has me scratching my head as well (in a good way).


If you enjoy a different type of paranormal from the typical (but fun) vampires and werewolves, then try out the Mystyx series. You can start with Manifest or just pick of Mystify. Both are entertaining books that have interesting characters and a plot that moves each book along at a great pace.

Sometimes being an outsider is the best way to fit in...

Sasha Carrington has grown up feeling like an outsider, and her parents are too concerned with scaling the Lincoln, Connecticut, social ladder to even notice her. They'd be really horrified to know about the supernatural abilities Sasha and her friends Krystal and Jake possess. But as part of the Mystyx, Sasha has found her place.
Now her parents have suddenly taken an interest in everything she does, and their timing couldn't be worse. Sasha's father wants her to become BFFs with snooty Alyssa Turner, who hates Krystal for stealing her boyfriend. Then there's Antoine Watson, the boy Sasha has liked forever, the boy her parents would never approve of. But with the dark side getting more dangerous by the day, and the Mystyx's own powers growing in unexpected ways, Sasha is facing choices that could affect her friends, her love life--and even her destiny...

One of the main things I enjoyed about this book was the main character, Sasha, she was a feisty kick-ass girl who despite pressure from family and so called friends, did not give in to the "I'm rich so therefore I'm better than you" train of thought. She was so much more refreshing than the whiny Krystal. I like that though tested, the friendship of the Mystyxs held firm. When you perceive yourself as "odd" and an outsider, it's comforting to have the unconditional support of friends. While this book did move along the storyline a lot more, I was a bit disappointed in the abrupt ending. Yes, it's a series so there's got to be a cliff hanger, but I guess I've been conditioned by series books to expect at least one bad guy per book to get his just desserts while the storyline moves on to the next character. I was pleased to see that "Mayham", (can't help but have the wonderful Allstate commercials flash through my mind, lol) book 3 centers around Jake and is due out on July 19th (WooHoo! my birthday) so I can't wait to tune back in for my Mystyx fix.
Mystyx

1. Manifest (2010)
2. Mystify (2011)
3. Mayhem (7/19/2011)

I enjoyed the first book of this series so when I was offered a chance to read the second I was very excited to. You get reintroduced to the three Mystyx in this book as well as a new one that joins the group, as well as a bunch of shocking secrets that get revealed throughout the book.

Another well done book with great characters, However, I am upset to say that one of my favorite characters in this book disappears towards the end I am hoping to see a return to this character soon as she made a big change to the way the story was told.

Mystify by Artist Arthur Early Review.
Reviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews.

Sometimes being an outsider is the best way to fit in...
Sasha Carrington has grown up feeling like an outsider, and her parents are too concerned with scaling the Lincoln, Connecticut, social ladder to even notice her. They'd be really horrified to know about the supernatural abilities Sasha and her friends Krystal and Jake possess. But as part of the Mystyx, Sasha has found her place.

Now her parents have suddenly taken an interest in everything she does, and their timing couldn't be worse. Sasha's father wants her to become BFFs with snooty Alyssa Turner, who hates Krystal for stealing her boyfriend. Then there's Antoine Watson, the boy Sasha has liked forever, the boy her parents would never approve of. But with the dark side getting more dangerous by the day, and the Mystyx's own powers growing in unexpected ways, Sasha is facing choices that could affect her friends, her love life--and even her destiny...

(Book synopsis provided by goodreads.com)

In the second Mystyx book, we get to know a bit more about our friends. I wasn't a huge fan of the first book, but I gave this one a try. I found it to be much better. The narrator voice seemed much stronger in this one.
One thing I really liked was how much growth we can see in the world from one book to the next. The author's voice is growing and it seemed to me to be much stronger then in the first one. Which is always a great thing to see. I love seeing an author's voice get stronger from one book to the next. It shows me as a reader that their world and characters have a lot more to offer that we have not seen yet.

Sasha's relationships with her fellow Mystyx seemed more real in this one then the Mystyx relationships in the previous book. I enjoyed the story line of her love interest and it was a believable one. It reminded me of a friend's relationship in high school.

I do wish that there had more to the story. I felt it was a bit on the short side and I felt that I was left with more questions then I had answers, which is a letdown for me. I found myself frustrated with the ending, because it was short. But I know that no book will ever answer all the questions fans have. I would recommend reading this book, even if you didn't like the first one, this was miles better.

Over all rating:
***3 out of 5 stars. Go out and get a copy (in a legal way of course) and read it!

Cover art:
I found the cover art to be like the book a fun airy feel.

Obtained: I obtained an ARC through the publisher via Netgalley. Thank you!

If you were on the fence about the first book, then rest assured that this entry will put you solidly in the "crazy about Mystyx" camp.

I liked the first book in the series, but I have to admit that I enjoyed this book more than the first one. Sasha's a pretty tough cookie & a little more assertive at times than Krystal was in the first book. (Although I do have to say that Krystal seems to be coming into her own in this book as well.) It also helps that the chemistry between Sasha & her crush Antoine is really well written & comes across nicely. Readers will really find themselves rooting for these two.

The book still has a bit of the growing pains that the first volume did, but Author is getting more comfortable with the characters & the plot, which comes across in her style. You can really tell that she had a lot of fun writing this entry. I just really wish that there were more questions answered in this volume- I found myself really getting frustrated along with the characters that there weren't any real answers to their questions just yet. Even so, I really do recommend checking this book out- it's well worth reading.

(ARC provided by NetGalley)