Review: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Release- Oct 9th 2012

Publisher- Delacorte

Purchase- Amazon / B & N

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.

My Thoughts:

Mystic City has just about everything one would enjoy in an escape. It's has a quaint Romeo and Juliet story line, a political background, a sci-fi flare and magic laced in every page.
Add conspiracy, betrayal, true love and tainted memory lost and how could you go wrong?

Theo Lawrence pens a brilliant imaginative and creative world. It's set in a futuristic Manhattan and there are two kinds of people. One are the Mystics who have special powers and forces of energy. They are meant to be dangerous and a nuisance to the Non-Mystic folks. Aria Rose just happens to be the daughter of a very important political family. She is the key to bring peace to their country by joining two rival families together through marriage...but only if she doesn't remember enough of who she really loves.

I loved the idea that Theo Lawrence introduced. Always was a sucker for amnesia type books and this one had a really great twist. I also loved the magic in this. It truly did give a mystical feel to the whole story-line giving it an enchanting glow. And while politics usually leaves me cold, it was easy to understand and go along with. Even the romance was sweet in it's own way.
So why only 3.5 snowflakes you might wonder? I'm thinking it has to do with the pacing and the fact that it was way to predictable. The flow of the book felt a tad off. We start off with Aria at her engagement party but she doesn't remember who her fiance is or feel the love she's suppose to have for him. Then almost in the same breath she's saved from someone who she feels instantly connected too. It felt to fast to give out such important facts right from the start. Invading any real mystery from then on.
It also wasn't hard to guess the intentions of the characters. Who was bad, who was good and the why's of the situation. Making it feel somewhat lacking.

However, I did enjoy all the characters. I felt badly for Aria. She's been used and betrayed through out the entire story and yet she has quite a fiery determination about her that you just have to respect.
Hunter is the kind of character that's funny and sweet and playful. Someone you can feel like you can trust right away but you also know that there is more to him.
The romance wasn't over the top in this book, but it still had it's moments where I couldn't help but sigh.
Also, I'm not sure why, but I felt badly for Thomas, even though he was partly at fault, he wasn't a bad guy and I'm not sure he deserved what he got.

With that said, I still enjoyed this story. It may not be a favorite, but I still think it was a fascinating read. The writing is good, the characters are likable and the plot was intriguing. Lawrence brings something shinny and bright into the world of dystopian reads. The ending actually has me curious enough to want to know what happens next, so I may have to pick up the next book; Renegade Heart.

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                                                                   3.5 Snowflakes