What do you think?
Rate this book
The Flame in the Mist
Set in an imagined past, this dark fantasy-adventure is for fans of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass . Features Jemma, a fiery-headed heroine held captive in Agromond Castle, yet destined to save mist-shrouded Anglavia.
Fiery-headed Jemma Agromond is not who she thinks she is, and when the secrets and lies behind her life at mist-shrouded Agromond Castle begin to unravel, she finds herself in a chilling race for her life. Ghosts and misfits, a stone and crystals, a mysterious book, an ancient prophecy—all these reveal the truth about Jemma's past and a destiny far greater and more dangerous than she could have imagined in her wildest fantasies. With her telepathic golden rats, Noodle and Pie, and her trusted friend, Digby, Jemma navigates increasingly dark forces, as helpers both seen and unseen, gather. But in the end, it is her own powers that she must bring to light, for only she has the key to defeating the evil ones and fulfilling the prophecy that will bring back the sun and restore peace in Anglavia.
Fiery-headed Jemma Agromond is not who she thinks she is, and when the secrets and lies behind her life at mist-shrouded Agromond Castle begin to unravel, she finds herself in a chilling race for her life. Ghosts and misfits, a stone and crystals, a mysterious book, an ancient prophecy—all these reveal the truth about Jemma's past and a destiny far greater and more dangerous than she could have imagined in her wildest fantasies. With her telepathic golden rats, Noodle and Pie, and her trusted friend, Digby, Jemma navigates increasingly dark forces, as helpers both seen and unseen, gather. But in the end, it is her own powers that she must bring to light, for only she has the key to defeating the evil ones and fulfilling the prophecy that will bring back the sun and restore peace in Anglavia.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2013
15 people are currently reading
2187 people want to read
About the author
Kit Grindstaff
1 book72 followersKit Grindstaff was born near London, and grew up in the rolling countryside of England. After a brush with pop stardom (under her maiden name, Hain) she moved to New York and embarked on her career as a pop song writer.
Kit now lives with her husband in the rolling countryside of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the SCBWI. The Flame In The Mist is her first novel. You can also find her at http://www.kitgrindstaff.com
http://www.facebook.com/kitgrindstaff and on Twitter: @kitgrindstaff
Kit now lives with her husband in the rolling countryside of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the SCBWI. The Flame In The Mist is her first novel. You can also find her at http://www.kitgrindstaff.com
http://www.facebook.com/kitgrindstaff and on Twitter: @kitgrindstaff
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
August 29, 2013
Middle grade novels are such a delight for me and such a nice break from YA, with an increased focus on family and a lack of romance. In general, I've been so very lucky picking middle grade books, so I guess it was inevitable that I would finally pick out a clunker. Friends, I do not say this often, but almost nothing in this book worked for me, sad though I am to have to say it. The Flame in the Mist was an over-lengthy, boring disappointment. Also, be warned that this review will contain SPOILERS.
The cover, which I do like, does largely accurately represent the contents of the book, only it wasn't ever exciting, for reasons I'll explain later. The concept had a lot of promise - a ginger raised by an evil family who discovers they're not her real parents and she must defeat them to save the kingdom from the enveloping mists. Totally legit premise. And yet. The only aspect that I liked were the two golden rats, shown on the cover. Noodle and Pie are great animal companions, so thank goodness for that small mercy. Also, I know most people hate rats, but one of my friends had some in college and they were really nice.
The main reason that The Flame in the Mist flopped is that Jemma utterly lacks agency. Our so-called fiery heroine almost never makes any decisions for herself and is, essentially, lead through the entirety of the prophecy. Calling Jemma the heroine or the savior of this piece is like giving the blindfolded person all the credit for completing a complex maze, when it was all due to the directions given them by their partners. Sure, she muddled through at their bidding, but, other than the fact that she is speshul and has the needed magic, anyone could have done this better than Jemma.
At the opening of the novel, Jemma turns thirteen years old, which sets wheels in motion. She must either join the family who raised her on the dark side or search for the light and her birth parents. Shockingly, she chooses to escape to the light, conveniently overhearing several infodumps as she snoops around the castle. She also just happens to take not only her stone, which gives her power, but some crystals from her mother's room, which will be totally important to the plot. She's handed a magic book and cloak by her supporters in the castle and sent on her way.
Though thirteen, Jemma seemed more like eight years old to me. Her reasoning skills are limited solely to anagrams, which I'll admit she's rather good at. She has to be told everything multiple times in order to perform an action. Once outside the castle, she walks in circles without realizing. She never would have escaped without being saved by a continuous stream of creatures: Noodle and Pie many times over, bats, spiders, a guy who might have developmental issues but conveniently knows medicine, a little boy with a crazy mom, Digby (a boy whose dad makes deliveries to the castle who she's crushing on), a street urchin in a town, and on and on. Despite this constant aid, Jemma continually makes obviously wrong decisions (falling for blatant traps) and fails to show initiative (she carries that damn magic book for a week and never reads it, and, surprise!, it's full of a ton of helpful information. Unsurprisingly, she has to be TOLD to read the book.
By the novel's conclusion, she starts showing some glimmers of thought, and, for a moment, I thought she'd actually had a plan all on her own and a good one too. Then, right after this, the truth came out: "The chaos couldn't have worked better if Jemma had planned it." Now I do realize this is a common phrase, but Jemma should have planned it. She had intentionally made note of disagreement in the ranks of her enemies, as though thinking she could make use of that, but then does so accidentally. Light forbid Jemma ever act like she has braincells.
Even in the freaking final showdown, Jemma collapses like five times. Her rats have to help prod her into continuing. The old drudge who makes Gollum sound like Henry Higgins reveals that he's her ancestor who has been waiting hundreds of years for this moment, so that he can help her fulfill the prophecy. Because for some reason he can't do it, even though he basically does, considering that he has to tell her multiple times to say every single line of a song that will banish the evil demon thing. I wish I were kidding. There you have the plot.
The writing does not please me either. For one thing, I find it overly simplistic. The childishness of the dialog especially adds to the feeling that Jemma and Digby are under ten. Grindstaff also takes too much relish in the use of ellipses and emdashes. Turn to a page, any page, and odds are that you will find at least one ellipsis, probably more. I just played this game and found 9 ellipses and 5 emdashes on one and 1/5 pages (since it just happened to be the end of the chapter). Every page isn't quite that bad, but it is a serious problem nonetheless. Furthermore, Grindstaff's characters use a hodgepodge of accents, all conveyed through the use of dialect, that I found frustrating. There are simply too many different accents. It seems as though each character had their own. Jemma uses standard language. Digby has one dialect, Marsh another, Drudge another, etc.
Finally, there's the romance aspect. While romance doesn't take up much time in The Flame in the Mist, you are definitely meant to be shipping Jemma with Digby. This I do not do, because 1) they lack any real personality and 2) they act like they're 8, until they kiss at the end of the book. Still, this is mostly tolerable. What I drew the line at was when Feo (who has been raised as Jemma's brother, mind) reveals that he has feelings for her and wants her to stay with him forever. It was creepy and a bit rapey, especially since he commented on her dress that had been torn by his sister, Shade, earlier. Also, while they're not related by blood, I find the incestuous vibe highly unsettling in a middle grade novel. Perhaps more worrisome, I think the encounter is meant to endear Feo's character, as he also reveals that he does not like being evil, as he tries to get Jemma to love him. However, he may always have known they weren't related, but she just found out a WEEK AGO. It's creepy. It is creepy and not okay, and I will not like him, especially since he immediately got jealous about Digby and left her to be sacrificed. So just no to that whole unnecessary, shudder-inducing plot point.
Rarely does this happen, but I really cannot in good conscience recommend The Flame in the Mist. The plotting, characters and writing all fell short, and the weird incestuous element was the final nail in the coffin. Based on reviews, this book does work for some, but it didn't work for me to the degree that I cannot fathom why. If the book interests you, do feel free, as ever, to seek other opinions, as this is merely my own.
The cover, which I do like, does largely accurately represent the contents of the book, only it wasn't ever exciting, for reasons I'll explain later. The concept had a lot of promise - a ginger raised by an evil family who discovers they're not her real parents and she must defeat them to save the kingdom from the enveloping mists. Totally legit premise. And yet. The only aspect that I liked were the two golden rats, shown on the cover. Noodle and Pie are great animal companions, so thank goodness for that small mercy. Also, I know most people hate rats, but one of my friends had some in college and they were really nice.
The main reason that The Flame in the Mist flopped is that Jemma utterly lacks agency. Our so-called fiery heroine almost never makes any decisions for herself and is, essentially, lead through the entirety of the prophecy. Calling Jemma the heroine or the savior of this piece is like giving the blindfolded person all the credit for completing a complex maze, when it was all due to the directions given them by their partners. Sure, she muddled through at their bidding, but, other than the fact that she is speshul and has the needed magic, anyone could have done this better than Jemma.
At the opening of the novel, Jemma turns thirteen years old, which sets wheels in motion. She must either join the family who raised her on the dark side or search for the light and her birth parents. Shockingly, she chooses to escape to the light, conveniently overhearing several infodumps as she snoops around the castle. She also just happens to take not only her stone, which gives her power, but some crystals from her mother's room, which will be totally important to the plot. She's handed a magic book and cloak by her supporters in the castle and sent on her way.
Though thirteen, Jemma seemed more like eight years old to me. Her reasoning skills are limited solely to anagrams, which I'll admit she's rather good at. She has to be told everything multiple times in order to perform an action. Once outside the castle, she walks in circles without realizing. She never would have escaped without being saved by a continuous stream of creatures: Noodle and Pie many times over, bats, spiders, a guy who might have developmental issues but conveniently knows medicine, a little boy with a crazy mom, Digby (a boy whose dad makes deliveries to the castle who she's crushing on), a street urchin in a town, and on and on. Despite this constant aid, Jemma continually makes obviously wrong decisions (falling for blatant traps) and fails to show initiative (she carries that damn magic book for a week and never reads it, and, surprise!, it's full of a ton of helpful information. Unsurprisingly, she has to be TOLD to read the book.
By the novel's conclusion, she starts showing some glimmers of thought, and, for a moment, I thought she'd actually had a plan all on her own and a good one too. Then, right after this, the truth came out: "The chaos couldn't have worked better if Jemma had planned it." Now I do realize this is a common phrase, but Jemma should have planned it. She had intentionally made note of disagreement in the ranks of her enemies, as though thinking she could make use of that, but then does so accidentally. Light forbid Jemma ever act like she has braincells.
Even in the freaking final showdown, Jemma collapses like five times. Her rats have to help prod her into continuing. The old drudge who makes Gollum sound like Henry Higgins reveals that he's her ancestor who has been waiting hundreds of years for this moment, so that he can help her fulfill the prophecy. Because for some reason he can't do it, even though he basically does, considering that he has to tell her multiple times to say every single line of a song that will banish the evil demon thing. I wish I were kidding. There you have the plot.
The writing does not please me either. For one thing, I find it overly simplistic. The childishness of the dialog especially adds to the feeling that Jemma and Digby are under ten. Grindstaff also takes too much relish in the use of ellipses and emdashes. Turn to a page, any page, and odds are that you will find at least one ellipsis, probably more. I just played this game and found 9 ellipses and 5 emdashes on one and 1/5 pages (since it just happened to be the end of the chapter). Every page isn't quite that bad, but it is a serious problem nonetheless. Furthermore, Grindstaff's characters use a hodgepodge of accents, all conveyed through the use of dialect, that I found frustrating. There are simply too many different accents. It seems as though each character had their own. Jemma uses standard language. Digby has one dialect, Marsh another, Drudge another, etc.
Finally, there's the romance aspect. While romance doesn't take up much time in The Flame in the Mist, you are definitely meant to be shipping Jemma with Digby. This I do not do, because 1) they lack any real personality and 2) they act like they're 8, until they kiss at the end of the book. Still, this is mostly tolerable. What I drew the line at was when Feo (who has been raised as Jemma's brother, mind) reveals that he has feelings for her and wants her to stay with him forever. It was creepy and a bit rapey, especially since he commented on her dress that had been torn by his sister, Shade, earlier. Also, while they're not related by blood, I find the incestuous vibe highly unsettling in a middle grade novel. Perhaps more worrisome, I think the encounter is meant to endear Feo's character, as he also reveals that he does not like being evil, as he tries to get Jemma to love him. However, he may always have known they weren't related, but she just found out a WEEK AGO. It's creepy. It is creepy and not okay, and I will not like him, especially since he immediately got jealous about Digby and left her to be sacrificed. So just no to that whole unnecessary, shudder-inducing plot point.
Rarely does this happen, but I really cannot in good conscience recommend The Flame in the Mist. The plotting, characters and writing all fell short, and the weird incestuous element was the final nail in the coffin. Based on reviews, this book does work for some, but it didn't work for me to the degree that I cannot fathom why. If the book interests you, do feel free, as ever, to seek other opinions, as this is merely my own.
July 3, 2018
Jemma is a young girl who is soon to be 13 and lives with a creepy Addams Family like family called the Agromonds that loves the darkness and control the mist that controls the whole realm of Anglavia. When Jemma finds out that she and her nursemaid Marsh are to be killed, they escape with her two yellow telepathic rat friends noodle and pie. Can Jemma stay safe and out of the Agromonds evil and into where their darkness will never reach or is Jemma the light the realm needs to banish the darkness forever? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good read that I found at my local dollar tree. There was tons of action, adventure, and suspense in it for a YA middlegrade type fantasy novel. If you enjoy these types of books, I reccomend you check it out. Look for this book wherever books are sold.
This was a pretty good read that I found at my local dollar tree. There was tons of action, adventure, and suspense in it for a YA middlegrade type fantasy novel. If you enjoy these types of books, I reccomend you check it out. Look for this book wherever books are sold.
March 23, 2013
Okay--someone has to be telling untruths here...there is no way that this is a debut novel. This is too good to be a first book!
"The Flame in the Mist" by author Kit Grindstaff is an incredible fantasy with all the elements you want in a fantasy read. Jemma is the perfect heroine to lead the way in this absorbing and well-written tale. She is strong and funny, smart and sassy--the epitome of what the young fantasy heroine should be.
I fell in love with her two rats, Noodle and Pie. Telepathic rats? Awesome. Fantasy needed that kind of creativity to redeem it.
This novel has a bit of a dark theme, but it is handled so well that it would be perfectly appropriate for the younger end of the YA market as well as the older. I'm 31 and I smiled all the way through it! One of the things that I found engaging about this book, is that the evil is relentless. The presence of the dark forces at work in this novel are always there, lingering just below the surface. This built up suspense and made for a wonderful pace to this story.
Along with a lot of creative and original descriptions, excellent character names and some fantasy appropriate humor, the dialogue in this novel is superior to that of many other authors in this genre. I love fantasy because it takes you away from reality and transports you to somewhere else. This book does just that. It enabled me to leave my worries behind and just have a really good time.
Honestly, this is the kind of fantasy that made me want to read fantasy in the first place. Loved it and can't wait to see what is next!
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher.
"The Flame in the Mist" by author Kit Grindstaff is an incredible fantasy with all the elements you want in a fantasy read. Jemma is the perfect heroine to lead the way in this absorbing and well-written tale. She is strong and funny, smart and sassy--the epitome of what the young fantasy heroine should be.
I fell in love with her two rats, Noodle and Pie. Telepathic rats? Awesome. Fantasy needed that kind of creativity to redeem it.
This novel has a bit of a dark theme, but it is handled so well that it would be perfectly appropriate for the younger end of the YA market as well as the older. I'm 31 and I smiled all the way through it! One of the things that I found engaging about this book, is that the evil is relentless. The presence of the dark forces at work in this novel are always there, lingering just below the surface. This built up suspense and made for a wonderful pace to this story.
Along with a lot of creative and original descriptions, excellent character names and some fantasy appropriate humor, the dialogue in this novel is superior to that of many other authors in this genre. I love fantasy because it takes you away from reality and transports you to somewhere else. This book does just that. It enabled me to leave my worries behind and just have a really good time.
Honestly, this is the kind of fantasy that made me want to read fantasy in the first place. Loved it and can't wait to see what is next!
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher.
February 5, 2017
I was pleasantly surprised by Flame in the Mist, which I decided to read solely based on the the names of the two golden rats. I had pet gerbils called Pudding and Pie when I was a kid, so it's not surprising that I found Noodle and Pie endearing. They prove to be excellent companions for Jemma.
The story is compelling, with a well paced plot, and nicely polished writing. The lack of awkward sentences or unrealistic dialog is rare in a debut novel, Ms Grindstaff and her editor did a fantastic job in that regard. Events are occasionally predictable or cliche, but that's probably due to the embarrassing number of fantasy novels I have read and my high expectations (which were mostly met in this book). I would recommend this book to middle-grade or older readers who like fantasy stories with a dark twist.
If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:
✱ Plain Kate
✱ Blackbringer
✱ Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
The story is compelling, with a well paced plot, and nicely polished writing. The lack of awkward sentences or unrealistic dialog is rare in a debut novel, Ms Grindstaff and her editor did a fantastic job in that regard. Events are occasionally predictable or cliche, but that's probably due to the embarrassing number of fantasy novels I have read and my high expectations (which were mostly met in this book). I would recommend this book to middle-grade or older readers who like fantasy stories with a dark twist.
If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:
✱ Plain Kate
✱ Blackbringer
✱ Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
March 26, 2013
I got this one to blurb and it's a tonnn of fun. Kind of like the Addams Family mixed with high fantasy and a dash of Frankenstein. You might like it. :D
August 31, 2013
Grindstaff's debut is a solid entry into the lists of middle-grade fantasy. Jemma is the youngest Agromond daughter, but she doesn't feel as if she belongs. Imagine if Harry Potter had been brought up by the Malfoy family, and you'll understand. Much like Harry, when Jemma gets the chance to escape her unloving family and reach for friendship and love, she does so. In the process she just happens to discover that she may be the "Fire One," and the hope of her world.
Grindstaff's characters are well-drawn and likable (or hate-able, as the case may be), and her setting is vivid enough to give you gooseflesh. The only flaw is in pacing - Jemma's quest to escape takes up about two-thirds of the book, and then it feels as if it is racing to the end. While The Flame in the Mist ends decidedly enough that a sequel might not be forthcoming, I'm still keeping an eye out for her next work.
Grindstaff's characters are well-drawn and likable (or hate-able, as the case may be), and her setting is vivid enough to give you gooseflesh. The only flaw is in pacing - Jemma's quest to escape takes up about two-thirds of the book, and then it feels as if it is racing to the end. While The Flame in the Mist ends decidedly enough that a sequel might not be forthcoming, I'm still keeping an eye out for her next work.
February 6, 2013
Recommended for fans of: MG Fantasy
I loved this book, it’s exactly the book I wish I had when I was ten and obsessed with anything fantasy (who am I kidding, I still am!) I loved the darkness, both in imagery and theme. What’s creepier than a land shrouded in perpetual mist? I also like how Grindstaff presents Jemma’s world, then throughout the book digs deeper, peeling of layers one at a time. No information is too overwhelming (though some is just the right amount of disturbing), and unfolds perfectly throughout the story. There are some pretty dark secrets buried in this book, and Jemma handles them with amazing will and determination. This is a book any MG reader can fall in to…and any adult with a love for fantasy.
I loved this book, it’s exactly the book I wish I had when I was ten and obsessed with anything fantasy (who am I kidding, I still am!) I loved the darkness, both in imagery and theme. What’s creepier than a land shrouded in perpetual mist? I also like how Grindstaff presents Jemma’s world, then throughout the book digs deeper, peeling of layers one at a time. No information is too overwhelming (though some is just the right amount of disturbing), and unfolds perfectly throughout the story. There are some pretty dark secrets buried in this book, and Jemma handles them with amazing will and determination. This is a book any MG reader can fall in to…and any adult with a love for fantasy.
December 19, 2012
I was blown away by Kit Grindstaff's THE FLAME IN THE MIST. It is wonderfully dark and creepy and tension-filled. Add to that a bit of gore, a touch of romance, and the vilest of villains, and you have a winner sure to keep even slightly older readers (just shy of YA-ready) turning the pages.
The dialect used here strongly reminded me of Karen Cushman's use of dialect in THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE, and the darkness and foreboding called to mind THE CHRONICLES OF PRYDAIN by Lloyd Alexander. Wonderful!
Ghosts, adventure, mystery, magic, murder, battles between good and evil/darkness and light, telepathic pet rats with ruby-colored eyes (eep!), THE FLAME IN THE MIST has it all. A grand debut!
The dialect used here strongly reminded me of Karen Cushman's use of dialect in THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE, and the darkness and foreboding called to mind THE CHRONICLES OF PRYDAIN by Lloyd Alexander. Wonderful!
Ghosts, adventure, mystery, magic, murder, battles between good and evil/darkness and light, telepathic pet rats with ruby-colored eyes (eep!), THE FLAME IN THE MIST has it all. A grand debut!
August 20, 2013
I must say that I ADORE this book. Its storyline is unbelievably well thought out, and it's just so much fun to read! It's beautifully written and the characters are very like-able and have so many layers. I often find myself wondering about this book as if it were truth; as if the people were real, and the conflicts not imaginary. I shelve this book with my other favorites, and I'm trying to decide if Harry Potter is any better.... :) . I crown The Flame in the Mist a must-read! I LOVE IT KIT!!!!!!!!!
December 20, 2025
This original, dark teen fantasy was suspenseful and fast-paced. Some of the dialogue was a bit cliche and forced but overall, there were plenty of nail-biting moments and close calls for the heroes. This is decidedly a book for older teens, though; even though the heroine is thirteen, the violence in this novel is quite adult. Oh, and several stars for the heroic, golden, telepathic rats. Recommended!
June 30, 2013
Read This Review & More Like It On Ageless Pages Reviews!
I really, really wanted to love this novel. Middle grade fantasy can be really inventive and fun, but after several days and 300 pages of struggle, I had to call it. A fantasy with a lighter tone, with The Flame in the Mist Grindstaff weaves themes of courage and endurance, but it never really resonated with me. Younger readers will probably find more to love with Jemma's story, but I needed more subtlety and originality in order to click with this book.
I didn't read the last 150 pages, but I did skim it to see if I was missing a turn for the better. Grindstaff does take some risks and uses some darker elements as the story wraps up, but for me it was just too little to late. So much of the story at the heart of the novel is wrapped up in fantasy genre tropes. There's: a prophecy hundreds of years in the making, a "Chosen One" who doesn't know they are special, and the antagonists are one-dimensional for the majority of the novel.
Jemma isn't a bad protagonist - her humor and charm are obvious - but she is somewhat flat in the beginning. And also really really lucky. Several times she is in just the right spot to hear very detailed plans of the evildoers that directly pertain to her. It's very... convenient that a family which has kept a secret for 12 years would start discussing their nefarious aims in an area Jemma could very easily be. The plot hinges on some very ridiculous turns and reveals, all of which I found to be too obvious or just predictable.
There are a ton of four and five-star reviews out for this already, so my apathy is uncommon. It seems to be a "it's not you, it's me" situation. I wanted to like this, but there just wasn't anything that grabbed me. The writing is decent, if simple, but the target audience generally won't mind. The Flame in the Mist would be an excellent introduction to the fantasy genre, bur for readers already accustomed to it, it will make less of an impression.
I really, really wanted to love this novel. Middle grade fantasy can be really inventive and fun, but after several days and 300 pages of struggle, I had to call it. A fantasy with a lighter tone, with The Flame in the Mist Grindstaff weaves themes of courage and endurance, but it never really resonated with me. Younger readers will probably find more to love with Jemma's story, but I needed more subtlety and originality in order to click with this book.
I didn't read the last 150 pages, but I did skim it to see if I was missing a turn for the better. Grindstaff does take some risks and uses some darker elements as the story wraps up, but for me it was just too little to late. So much of the story at the heart of the novel is wrapped up in fantasy genre tropes. There's: a prophecy hundreds of years in the making, a "Chosen One" who doesn't know they are special, and the antagonists are one-dimensional for the majority of the novel.
Jemma isn't a bad protagonist - her humor and charm are obvious - but she is somewhat flat in the beginning. And also really really lucky. Several times she is in just the right spot to hear very detailed plans of the evildoers that directly pertain to her. It's very... convenient that a family which has kept a secret for 12 years would start discussing their nefarious aims in an area Jemma could very easily be. The plot hinges on some very ridiculous turns and reveals, all of which I found to be too obvious or just predictable.
There are a ton of four and five-star reviews out for this already, so my apathy is uncommon. It seems to be a "it's not you, it's me" situation. I wanted to like this, but there just wasn't anything that grabbed me. The writing is decent, if simple, but the target audience generally won't mind. The Flame in the Mist would be an excellent introduction to the fantasy genre, bur for readers already accustomed to it, it will make less of an impression.
April 19, 2016
What a marvelous read for fantasy lovers! Upper-middle-graders will love the detail Kit Grindstaff has used to create the world of Anglavia, a country held in the grip of an evil ruling family whose power manifests itself as a choking Mist that blankets the land. But when the youngest member of the family, Jemma, realizes she’s not like the others, everything starts to change.
Readers will quickly identify with 13-year-old Jemma, who has a strong heart but doesn’t always do everything right, and she is well supported by her friend Digby and even occasionally by members of the family she flees. One of the most appealing aspects of this book is that characters aren’t always what they seem, and an easy label of Good or Evil doesn’t fit everyone. Grindstaff creates people with nuance, which, apart from making them three-dimensional and interesting, delivers a great message.
The plot moves along at a breakneck speed, making this beefy fantasy seem much shorter than it is. Packed with details and a unique world, The Flame in the Mist is a rich, satisfying read that delivers genuine scares. Both middle-grade readers and young adults will love following Jemma’s adventures.
Readers will quickly identify with 13-year-old Jemma, who has a strong heart but doesn’t always do everything right, and she is well supported by her friend Digby and even occasionally by members of the family she flees. One of the most appealing aspects of this book is that characters aren’t always what they seem, and an easy label of Good or Evil doesn’t fit everyone. Grindstaff creates people with nuance, which, apart from making them three-dimensional and interesting, delivers a great message.
The plot moves along at a breakneck speed, making this beefy fantasy seem much shorter than it is. Packed with details and a unique world, The Flame in the Mist is a rich, satisfying read that delivers genuine scares. Both middle-grade readers and young adults will love following Jemma’s adventures.
April 14, 2013
I...didn't love this. I actually didn't even really like this all that much. I liked the idea, but...you know what it was? The dialogue drove me nuts. It all seemed so trite and immature somehow--all the "Nooooooo!"s really got on my nerves. And I felt like it took about three times as long for everything to happen as it should have. And in the meantime, I couldn't actually get attached to any of the characters enough to care about what was happening (very slowly) to them. Plus, it seemed like there were a few too many miraculous saves. In the end, I had to constantly resist the urge to skim. I don't know. I was really excited about reading this, but...I guess it just didn't really work for me.
April 29, 2015
This is a book I got for Connor. The author went to his school & then did a book signing. He's making me read it... Loved it.
July 1, 2018
It was a good read, considering I got it at a Dollar Tree and it is for middle school. A quick read.
May 15, 2013
3.5 stars.
This book has everything that makes me happy: a magical land, murderous villains, a young odd ball girl with special abilities. If my pre-teen self had gotten hold of this book, she would have been beyond gleeful.
The book, though good and I highly recommend for young teens, had problems. It started off strong. Jemma’s ‘family’ made me very curious and I envisioned their crumbling castle and selves after the 1981 version of Swan Lake.
But then it slowed down. A lot. By the middle of the book, I found myself wondering if I even cared about Jemma and her terrible predicament. I began to lose my connection with her and her cute rats, but I continued reading. The ending is what scooped up the extra half star. Action packed, plus we return to the crumbling castle with the murderous villains (who, apparently, I enjoyed far more than any of the other characters).
Something else that ruffled me slightly was the fact that some of the character’s actions didn’t match their age. Jemma is 13 through most of the narrative. In the beginning, she acts just like I would imagine at 13 year old to act. However, later on when she is having ‘the talk’ with Feo (who I believe was also 14/15?? I can’t remember if his age was mentioned, but I do know he was close to Jemma’s age) she and he behaved far, far older. In fact, the subject matter of the conversation made me uncomfortable. It just rubs me the wrong way when we are talking about lusting after a 13 year old and have been, apparently, for a long time.
Other than those little issues, the book was entertaining and enjoyable. I especially loved the creepy imagery of a land encased in everlasting mist AND I deeply loved that Grindstaff took the time to describe the food. I repeat: give this book to 10 year old girls and they will squeal with joy.
My Favorite Lines:
The bread, flattened from her falling on it, was deliciously stale, and the cheese was perfect — runny with age and reeking of feet.
“You don’t think much, do yer?”
His voice was as low and resonant as the tone from the empty syrupwater flagons Jemma used to blow into.
“I never was gladder to see a rodent…”
“I’ll always be Marsh to you, Jem.”
“It’s like time’s stood still here.” While for the Agromonds, Jemma thought, it’s kept booming out from the Bell Tower like a death knell…
“Rotten rhubarb!”
This book has everything that makes me happy: a magical land, murderous villains, a young odd ball girl with special abilities. If my pre-teen self had gotten hold of this book, she would have been beyond gleeful.
The book, though good and I highly recommend for young teens, had problems. It started off strong. Jemma’s ‘family’ made me very curious and I envisioned their crumbling castle and selves after the 1981 version of Swan Lake.
But then it slowed down. A lot. By the middle of the book, I found myself wondering if I even cared about Jemma and her terrible predicament. I began to lose my connection with her and her cute rats, but I continued reading. The ending is what scooped up the extra half star. Action packed, plus we return to the crumbling castle with the murderous villains (who, apparently, I enjoyed far more than any of the other characters).
Something else that ruffled me slightly was the fact that some of the character’s actions didn’t match their age. Jemma is 13 through most of the narrative. In the beginning, she acts just like I would imagine at 13 year old to act. However, later on when she is having ‘the talk’ with Feo (who I believe was also 14/15?? I can’t remember if his age was mentioned, but I do know he was close to Jemma’s age) she and he behaved far, far older. In fact, the subject matter of the conversation made me uncomfortable. It just rubs me the wrong way when we are talking about lusting after a 13 year old and have been, apparently, for a long time.
Other than those little issues, the book was entertaining and enjoyable. I especially loved the creepy imagery of a land encased in everlasting mist AND I deeply loved that Grindstaff took the time to describe the food. I repeat: give this book to 10 year old girls and they will squeal with joy.
My Favorite Lines:
The bread, flattened from her falling on it, was deliciously stale, and the cheese was perfect — runny with age and reeking of feet.
“You don’t think much, do yer?”
His voice was as low and resonant as the tone from the empty syrupwater flagons Jemma used to blow into.
“I never was gladder to see a rodent…”
“I’ll always be Marsh to you, Jem.”
“It’s like time’s stood still here.” While for the Agromonds, Jemma thought, it’s kept booming out from the Bell Tower like a death knell…
“Rotten rhubarb!”
April 29, 2013
Jemma thinks she is the youngest daughter of the Agromond family, readying herself for the day her Powers will finally reveal themselves fully. But before that can happen, her true past is revealed and Jemma understands why she has never been able to do the black magic that her family does so easily. Now she has to escape their castle and enter the dangerous mist that can read a person’s intentions. She only has the help of her two golden rats, a decrepit old servant, and a trusted friend, Digby. Lost and wandering in the mist, Jemma has to battle monsters, flee from those sent to find her, and convince the mist itself that she is not a threat. As she travels, ghostly children try to seek her help, crying for their brothers and sisters in the castle. Jemma has to learn the truth of not only her own past but of the castle and the horrors that are hidden there.
This is such a compelling read! Grindstaff’s slow reveal of the truth is very deftly done in this carefully plotted novel. She does not flinch away from true horrors here, never hiding from what it would truly take to create a force like the mist and have such dark powers. The plotting during the time that Jemma is lost in the mist does meander a bit, but happily that is not made up by speeding up the ending.
Jemma is a compelling heroine with her self-doubt and fear. Yet she is an incredibly brave heroine, risking herself for others. I particularly enjoyed the part towards the end when she had to continually revise her plans based on what was happening at the time. It made for a very complex and exceptional read. It also took away from the reader the ability to predict what would happen, making the ending a much more immediate experience.
This is a strong debut novel that reads like a stand alone. While I wouldn’t mind more adventures from Jemma, I look forward to seeing what Grindstaff has to offer us next. Appropriate for ages 12-14.
This is such a compelling read! Grindstaff’s slow reveal of the truth is very deftly done in this carefully plotted novel. She does not flinch away from true horrors here, never hiding from what it would truly take to create a force like the mist and have such dark powers. The plotting during the time that Jemma is lost in the mist does meander a bit, but happily that is not made up by speeding up the ending.
Jemma is a compelling heroine with her self-doubt and fear. Yet she is an incredibly brave heroine, risking herself for others. I particularly enjoyed the part towards the end when she had to continually revise her plans based on what was happening at the time. It made for a very complex and exceptional read. It also took away from the reader the ability to predict what would happen, making the ending a much more immediate experience.
This is a strong debut novel that reads like a stand alone. While I wouldn’t mind more adventures from Jemma, I look forward to seeing what Grindstaff has to offer us next. Appropriate for ages 12-14.
April 28, 2013
I had mixed feelings about The Flame in the Mist. It opens with a family conjuring up nasty things in tribute to a dark god as part of a weekly family ritual. However, daughter Jemma can't create anything dark, and doesn't fit in with the rest of her family. It turns out that she isn't really supposed to be there, and that they have evil intentions for her. Together with her rat friends, she battles to escape the castle and the enchanted mist that surrounds the area. Of course, there is a prophecy about her that everybody else seems to know about.
There were a lot of elements I loved about this book. There are creepy child ghosts around the castle and in the mist, and the secondary characters were really enjoyable, especially the rats. A few of the secondary characters were also surprisingly complex, being a mix of both good and bad. I like the mythology behind the story.
Things I didn't enjoy as much: at times, the story dragged for me and I had a hard time staying engaged. There's a long time of travel and wandering, and although things happen during Jemma's travels, those are some of my least favorite kinds of plots. It made the book seem overly long, since it clocks in at well over 400 pages. There are also many fantasy cliches sprinkled throughout, so it sometimes felt like I was reading a book I'd read before.
Still, it's refreshing whenever I can read a fairly good, solidly fantasy young adult novel without it being an urban fantasy or Twilight ripoff. With a strong ending, The Flame in the Mist won me over at the end.
There were a lot of elements I loved about this book. There are creepy child ghosts around the castle and in the mist, and the secondary characters were really enjoyable, especially the rats. A few of the secondary characters were also surprisingly complex, being a mix of both good and bad. I like the mythology behind the story.
Things I didn't enjoy as much: at times, the story dragged for me and I had a hard time staying engaged. There's a long time of travel and wandering, and although things happen during Jemma's travels, those are some of my least favorite kinds of plots. It made the book seem overly long, since it clocks in at well over 400 pages. There are also many fantasy cliches sprinkled throughout, so it sometimes felt like I was reading a book I'd read before.
Still, it's refreshing whenever I can read a fairly good, solidly fantasy young adult novel without it being an urban fantasy or Twilight ripoff. With a strong ending, The Flame in the Mist won me over at the end.
July 10, 2013
This was a good YA read. There were a few elements that were a little too transparent or cliche and I found the twin rituals disturbing, but fortunately there was little detail there and it did make for an interesting plot. Overall the book was engagingly written and did the "finding oneself"/hero journey well. I also enjoyed the techniques for dealing with negative or destructive thoughts--as a parent, it seemed to me that it was included not just for the benefit of the book, but the young reader. I also liked the empowerment theme running throughout.
May 11, 2016
I really liked this book because it had a lot of action and it was exciting. I also liked this book because it was fun to read. My favorite part was when Jemma heard she was not an Agromond and escaped from the castle. I was confused about who Mord was. I picked this book because I like fantasy. I would recommend this book to another student because it has a lot of action. I think the theme is to be yourself because if Jemma wasn't being herself she probably wouldn't hear she wasn't an Agromond, she wouldn't escape and find her parents.
April 1, 2013
This was a wonderful book. It reads so well. You love the characters and you root for them through all their struggles. This is a tale of light vs. dark, good vs. evil. I am so glad this was a stand alone novel and not part one of a series, It would have dove me crazy if I had to wait for the ending.
June 21, 2013
Here are my thoughts (in a nutshell) on Kit Grindstaff's wonderful THE FLAME IN THE MIST: Such rich prose! Such tingly suspense! Jemma is a fiery and determined heroine for the ages, battling darkness like a boss. And now I simply MUST have my own Rattusses like Noodle & Pie. Thank you, Kit, for writing such a lovely book! <3
Read
December 26, 2012Dark and adventurous middle-grade, very well written and intensely engaging.
April 28, 2020
It's been a few years since I read this, but as far as I remember it was a pretty darn good story with a great telling - definitely one I need to reread when I can :)
November 14, 2017
2.5 stars. My feelings are mixed - Grindstaff has created a world that has a lot of potential in this story, from a pretty cool backstory to magic with rules (realistic magic, where people aren't just throwing bolts of light around without cost or consequence really makes me happy) to characters that could be pretty likeable.
But honestly, this fell flat for me. I think it's because it's just so long and slow paced. So many pages where virtually nothing interesting happened, and I hate to draw attention to it because I know what it's like to try to put together a story that makes sense, has everything, and is still exciting. The Flame in the Mist could have been a really great book - all the elements are there - but the writing just...doesn't cut it. It makes me wish the editor had really done some furious editing. The story could have been told in half the pages and been better. I struggled with whether or not to even finish it...and the cover had me so excited.
This book contains some pretty hefty occult content and violence - this isn't something I'd allow any middle-grader to read - but it won't hold their attention anyway, trust me.
But honestly, this fell flat for me. I think it's because it's just so long and slow paced. So many pages where virtually nothing interesting happened, and I hate to draw attention to it because I know what it's like to try to put together a story that makes sense, has everything, and is still exciting. The Flame in the Mist could have been a really great book - all the elements are there - but the writing just...doesn't cut it. It makes me wish the editor had really done some furious editing. The story could have been told in half the pages and been better. I struggled with whether or not to even finish it...and the cover had me so excited.
This book contains some pretty hefty occult content and violence - this isn't something I'd allow any middle-grader to read - but it won't hold their attention anyway, trust me.
January 12, 2021
I was quite intrigued by this book at first – creepy castle, evil family, thrilling escape. While we were still in the castle, all was well. Unfortunately, the book became SO bogged down once Jemma actually escaped the castle, I ran out of patience.
She runs a lot. Stumbles across helpful crazy people who talk in a barely readable accent. Runs into lots of really gross animals who all want to help her. (I nearly put the book down the second time spiders became a major scene partner.) Nearly dies every day if not for her coterie of magical artifacts that always saves the day with exactly the powers one needs.
Basically, after far too many pages of this, I just didn’t want to read anymore. It was gross, it was boring, and it was repetitive. One hopes that a story finally begins to happen at some point in the latter 300 pages, but I’ve too many books to read to get there.
She runs a lot. Stumbles across helpful crazy people who talk in a barely readable accent. Runs into lots of really gross animals who all want to help her. (I nearly put the book down the second time spiders became a major scene partner.) Nearly dies every day if not for her coterie of magical artifacts that always saves the day with exactly the powers one needs.
Basically, after far too many pages of this, I just didn’t want to read anymore. It was gross, it was boring, and it was repetitive. One hopes that a story finally begins to happen at some point in the latter 300 pages, but I’ve too many books to read to get there.
January 14, 2022
I’m so conflicted on this read. The premise of The Flame in the Mist could have been so good, but it just wasn’t. The idea, magic, and fantasy aspects were all excellent, but it suffered from being way too long and slow paced at times. I almost DNF’d it multiple times, but didn’t because I did want to see how the book wrapped up. I should have. I ended up skimming the last 100 pages just to finish it, which should have been the most exciting part, but I just didn’t care at that point to thoroughly read it. Maybe someone more patient than me will enjoy this one.
October 18, 2019
Things are not they seem.
March 27, 2021
This book is absolutely stunning!!! It's unexpected and has a perfect balance of everything 🖤🖤 I love every character and the intricacies of it all..
Definitely in my top 10 ✨🖤😉
Definitely in my top 10 ✨🖤😉
May 7, 2013
This is a good read for a middle grader who can handle 366 pages, a tightly interwoven plot, and entrails. Lots and lots of entrails.
The Flame in the Mist follows Jemma, a thirteen-year-old girl who grows up with the evil Agromand family in a world covered by a thick, hate-filled mist. She discovers that she was kidnapped from her real family because she is the Fire One, destined to either destroy the Agromands or give up her powers to them and make them stronger than ever. Over the course of four parts, she escapes from the castle, battles through the misty forest, reunites with her parents, and defeats both Agromands and mist.
This novel was incredibly complex. There are so many little details that later become important or get twisted on their heads in surprising ways. It reminded me of J.K. Rowling. Have you seen a picture of her plot grid for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix? (See it here.) I imagine Kit Grindstaff had one just as intricate covering one entire wall of her living room. Possibly two walls. Every character played multiple parts, and every object was maneuvered delicately in and out of the story.
Although these connections made the story rich, they could also be extremely convenient. Jemma gradually discovers her magical powers, and psychic visions or powerful books would be mentioned early on and then materialize right when she needs them. Sometimes, too, despite all the intricacies, things would happen that I didn’t understand. It seemed like a game of Shoots and Ladders, where Jemma would get propelled from A to B to C all the way to Z to fulfill the massive plot map. Still, overall I was impressed by the complexity, particularly for a debut novel.
I forgot about the entrails. Some of the novel’s best details were around the Agromand’s vileness. They loved pancreas strew and soured milk. The mother had four pet weasels, and Jemma had two pet rats (who were not vile at all). But there were countless murders, children starving to death, and people gone crazy or beaten into cripples. It wasn’t gory for the sake of gory, but there was a lot of blood, and it was treated as very common place. At times I thought this would be a wonderful book to read aloud to a kid. At other times, it was grotesque.
I was torn about rating this book a 3 or 4. Ultimately I gave it a 4, because I was very impressed with the quality of the storytelling and world building, and I liked how everything wrapped up in the end. I’d like to read more by Kit Grindstaff, as I’m curious to see how she develops as an author. My two cents? Keep the intricacy. Lose the entrails.
[Read for the 2013 Debut Author Challenge, http://hobbitsies.net/debut-author-ch...]
The Flame in the Mist follows Jemma, a thirteen-year-old girl who grows up with the evil Agromand family in a world covered by a thick, hate-filled mist. She discovers that she was kidnapped from her real family because she is the Fire One, destined to either destroy the Agromands or give up her powers to them and make them stronger than ever. Over the course of four parts, she escapes from the castle, battles through the misty forest, reunites with her parents, and defeats both Agromands and mist.
This novel was incredibly complex. There are so many little details that later become important or get twisted on their heads in surprising ways. It reminded me of J.K. Rowling. Have you seen a picture of her plot grid for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix? (See it here.) I imagine Kit Grindstaff had one just as intricate covering one entire wall of her living room. Possibly two walls. Every character played multiple parts, and every object was maneuvered delicately in and out of the story.
Although these connections made the story rich, they could also be extremely convenient. Jemma gradually discovers her magical powers, and psychic visions or powerful books would be mentioned early on and then materialize right when she needs them. Sometimes, too, despite all the intricacies, things would happen that I didn’t understand. It seemed like a game of Shoots and Ladders, where Jemma would get propelled from A to B to C all the way to Z to fulfill the massive plot map. Still, overall I was impressed by the complexity, particularly for a debut novel.
I forgot about the entrails. Some of the novel’s best details were around the Agromand’s vileness. They loved pancreas strew and soured milk. The mother had four pet weasels, and Jemma had two pet rats (who were not vile at all). But there were countless murders, children starving to death, and people gone crazy or beaten into cripples. It wasn’t gory for the sake of gory, but there was a lot of blood, and it was treated as very common place. At times I thought this would be a wonderful book to read aloud to a kid. At other times, it was grotesque.
I was torn about rating this book a 3 or 4. Ultimately I gave it a 4, because I was very impressed with the quality of the storytelling and world building, and I liked how everything wrapped up in the end. I’d like to read more by Kit Grindstaff, as I’m curious to see how she develops as an author. My two cents? Keep the intricacy. Lose the entrails.
[Read for the 2013 Debut Author Challenge, http://hobbitsies.net/debut-author-ch...]
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews