Mistlight
By J.A. Andrews
Mistlight is the exciting tale of how Keeper Kate doesn’t manage to get herself killed but otherwise fails accomplish anything much.
If that sounds a bit silly, it’s intentional. There’s plenty of silliness in the book, but it’s all on the surface, and it’s there to brighten what could otherwise have become all too dark and serious.
Underneath the silly banter is a story of failure and the ways in which our failures define us. A recurring idea is a that the failures that haunt us are the ones where we failed to be that which we most aspire to.
It’s a sentiment both simple and complex, and it’s the kind of thing that elevates Andrew’s books above ordinary adventure stories. It’s not just action and excitement, but also thoughtful insights into what it means to be human. If ever there was an example of how fantasy is more than just sparkling elves, flashy magic, and drunk dwarves, this is it – especially as it contains sparkling elves, flashy magic, and a pair of dwarves who’d really like to get their hands on some drink.
The story continues where the first book left off: Kate and Venn are looking for Kate’s brothers; the elves are being mysterious and secretive; Silas and Tribal are hiding something behind their silly facade; and Renaults curse still instils fear in the people of Home.
A lot of things happen, and while it’s true that Kate isn’t any closer to her goal at the end of the story than at the start, that’s not what matters. As so often in Andrew’s books, stories are a major part of the story. It’s not so much about accomplishing a certain goal (finding Kate’s brothers) as it is about uncovering that truth of what happened, what’s really going on, and what needs to be done about it. Once all the pieces fall into place and the picture becomes clear, everything else will work itself out, somehow.
Mistlight isn’t about having an adventure. It’s about solving a puzzle, and the adventure sort of just happens along the way.
What I’ll whine about
Thallion. The elven king is one of those infuriation antagonists that the main character just doesn’t stand a chance against in a fight. He’s incredibly powerful, he can’t be reasoned with, and he cares nothing for anything but his own goals. He firmly believes he’s acting in everyone’s best interest and the puny mortals trying to get in his way are just shortsighted imbeciles.
In short, he’s the kind of frustrating character that makes me want to punch him in the face and shake some sense into him.
What I’ll gush about
It’s a new Keeper story. It’s difficult to pick one or two things to highlight, and I’d rather talk about the entire thing as a whole. The book is rock solid. The writing is perfectly clear and doesn’t draw attention to itself. The atmosphere is familiar and reassuring, and the characters well rounded and relatable. Reading the story is like stepping back into the world of the keepers that I know so well from Andrew’s earlier books, and I definitely feel welcome.
Also, a certain peddler makes an appearance, and it’s just the right kind (I complained about this in another review).
Final Words
Mistlight is worthy example of the depth and width of the fantasy genre and the stories it can hold.
