Ahoy there me mateys!  This be book one of me e-Arrrrrc Extravaganza Challenge wherein I attempt to read 5 books in 7 days before their July 17th release date.  Arrr!  Now why this (a non e-Arc) be the first book in me list is for a silly reason.  Ye see, Macmillian-Tor/Forge, be kind enough to approve me request for mystic dragon, the second book in the series.  I inadvertently, and happily, requested it just because I recognized Jason Denzel's name and thought "oh I love him" and clicking.  Only to realize that while me ports for plunder list had the first book, mystic, on it to buy since 2015,  I never had!  Well of course now that I had book two, I had to read book one first so I quickly bought it.  And devoured it.  It be a tasty treat that I truly should have read years ago.  I be super excited that tomorrow I be readin' the sequel.   Arrrr!

So this story follows Pomella, a young girl with a secret ambition.  She wants to be a Mystic, one of the practitioners of magic.  The problem is that she is common-born.  And magic is reserved for the nobility who have the time, talent, and training for the art.  So imagine everyone's surprise when she is summoned for a spot in the contest to choose a new apprentice for the High Mystic.  Pomella decides to break tradition and participate but if she fails the consequences are dire.  She will become Unclaimed and lose her place in society, her name, and the ability to ever go home.

Now first off all, I absolutely love the myst.  The fae magic underlies the world but only mystics can access it.  The magic lends itself to the user through different means - painting or an instrument for example.  Those that see the myst can see the silvery creatures that live there.  And not all of them are nice.  I thought the use of the myst in this book was fascinating and yet ye only get a small glimpse of its potential.  I am looking forward to finding out more.

Pomella be a very fun character.  She is intelligent but makes mistakes.  She is driven but can be blinded by stubbornness.  She doubts her own abilities and choices.  She works hard for what she wants.  As a character, Pomella above all feels authentic.  Just a person trying to achieve a huge, difficult but possible dream.

I also liked the other characters as well.  There is a young man from Pomella's village named Sim who I adored.  He did not have many chapters but those he did have helped enrich the story.  I also loved the magical creatures, Pomella's best friend in her village, and the gardener.  The romantic elements in the story were realistic and not over-the-top.

But best of all was the writing that helped draw me into the story and also the plot twists that were unexpected and yet so seemingly perfect when they happened.  The arc was complete at the end of the book but I hope there be a lot more adventures for Pomella and Sim.  So if like me, ye somehow failed to read this charming book, go get yerself a copy!

Stay tuned for book two tomorrow.  I am looking forward to the explanation of dragon in the title.  Arrrr!

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