What do you think?
Rate this book
Flicker and Mist
What they can’t see can hurt you.
In Myra’s world, some people can flicker—become invisible—at will. The ability to flicker is a burden, not a gift. Flickerkin are viewed with suspicion by the ruling Plats: an invisible person might be a spy, a traitor, an assassin. Flickerkin discovered in New Heart City, the Plat capital, can be put to death. Myra, who is part Flickerkin, has never dared to use her inherited power.
But when mysterious happenings begin to occur around New Heart City—disturbances that appear to be caused by invisible people—the Plats’ fear and persecution of Flickerkin intensify. Myra sees her comfortable life eroding, her family split apart, and her budding romance on shaky ground. Violence between Plat and Flickerkin is inevitable, and Myra, with her dual identity and divided loyalties, is caught in the middle.
Tangled in intrigue, political manipulation, and betrayal, Myra feels mounting pressure to choose sides. And she knows that making herself invisible—the very ability she has desperately concealed—may be the only way to save herself.
In Myra’s world, some people can flicker—become invisible—at will. The ability to flicker is a burden, not a gift. Flickerkin are viewed with suspicion by the ruling Plats: an invisible person might be a spy, a traitor, an assassin. Flickerkin discovered in New Heart City, the Plat capital, can be put to death. Myra, who is part Flickerkin, has never dared to use her inherited power.
But when mysterious happenings begin to occur around New Heart City—disturbances that appear to be caused by invisible people—the Plats’ fear and persecution of Flickerkin intensify. Myra sees her comfortable life eroding, her family split apart, and her budding romance on shaky ground. Violence between Plat and Flickerkin is inevitable, and Myra, with her dual identity and divided loyalties, is caught in the middle.
Tangled in intrigue, political manipulation, and betrayal, Myra feels mounting pressure to choose sides. And she knows that making herself invisible—the very ability she has desperately concealed—may be the only way to save herself.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 3, 2017
11 people are currently reading
1470 people want to read
About the author
Mary G. Thompson
11 books163 followersMary G. Thompson is the author of Wuftoom, which Booklist called “impressively unappetizing and absolutely unique,” and other novels for children and young adults. Her contemporary thriller Amy Chelsea Stacie Dee was a winner of the 2017 Westchester Fiction Award and a finalist for the 2018-2019 Missouri Gateway award. Her short fiction has appeared in Dark Matter Magazine, Apex Magazine, and others. Mary is originally from Eugene, Oregon, where she attended the University of Oregon School of Law. She practiced law for seven years, including five years in the US Navy JAGC, and now works as a law librarian. A graduate of The New School’s Writing for Children program, she lives in Washington, DC. Find her on the web at http://marygthompson.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
December 13, 2016
2.5 stars.
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Flicker and Mist by Mary G. Thompson
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
Rating: 3 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Romance, intrigue, and plenty of action are woven into a rich and suspenseful narrative in this powerful YA fantasy. The mixed-race heroine Myra is a Flickerkin and can flicker (become invisible) at will. She hasn’t cultivated or revealed this ability, since Flickerkin are persecuted as potential criminals and spies. When invisible people become tricksters and then murderers, Myra’s Flickerkin heritage becomes a deadly secret, putting her relationship with the leader’s son—and her own life—in jeopardy. Loyalties shift and difficult choices are made before Myra understands who she wants to be.
What I Liked:
Not bad, but not captivating. I expected this book to be much more than it was. At the same time, it wasn't terrible. In fact, it might have been an excellent story, had it not been painfully boring at times. You'll notice other reviews on Goodreads that complained of the monotony. I understand them. There were big things that I liked about this book, but the book was also extremely monotonous.
Myra is half Plat, half Leftie. Plats are darker-skinned with dark eyes, Lefties are pale-skinned with light eyes. In this world, Lefties are discriminated against (the opposite of our modern world, in which colored people are discriminated against. But there is more - some Lefties are Flickerkins, descendants of Flicker Men that mixed with Lefties. Flickerkin can turn invisible (flicker). Myra's mother is Flickerkin, and Myra is too, but they've hidden their Ability for years. Flickerkin are not allowed in New Heart City, hence why they hide their Ability.. But when a rogue Flickerkin starts to play tricks and hurt people, all Lefties are tested and tortured in hopes of flushing out the Flickerkin. Not all Lefties are Flickerkin, but it doesn't matter to the Plat government. Myra must come to terms with the part of her that she has hidden all her life, because that part of her is what will save her.
I love how the author takes on so many social issues in this fantasy novel. We have a case of racism and prejudice - but it's the opposite of what we know. The pale-skinned Lefties are discriminated against - they are seen as lesser, and Lefties and Plats don't mix. Lefties are laborers and miners, while Plats are typically the of the upper classes. And Flickerkin - they are also seen as bogeymen. This book takes on racism and fear of races of people - innocent people who are discriminated against because of the color of their skin, their Ability, and/or what one or two evil people of their race or Ability have done. Sound familiar?
Although... it makes me wonder if the author is trying to make a statement about white people have suffered at the hands of colored people? I would love to know. Because... no. Don't do that.
The author also takes on gender roles. Myra challenges gender roles every time she rides her waterbeast (think horse), every time she wears pants (Plats wear dresses). This story's world is definitely patriarchal (and probably purposefully so), so it was good to see Myra's (extreme) opinions and feelings on gender roles.
It was also good to see that Caster, the love interest, was progressive-thinking. He represents the new younger generation (think Millennials) that can see past skin color or Ability. I was worried about his reaction when he found out about Myra being a Flickerkin (because of course he would out - that's not a spoiler). But again, Caster represents open-mindedness, which was good to see.
Basically, what I liked about this book most was how the author represented modern-day social issues that we deal with. Sometimes it even felt like this book was way too into those social issues - like, they took over the story and not in a good way. But overall, it's great that the author included such a heavy foundation of social issues, and in a unique way.
Myra was an okay character, though I didn't feel much for her or anyone else. Even the romance - theoretically it was shippy, but it felt very one-dimensional and "told" to me, rather than "shown". I thought it was a pretty cute romance though.
The book ends in an okay manner, but I feel like there is potential for a sequel. The ending didn't feel extremely fulfilling, but the story could definitely end as is.
What I Did Not Like:
I already mentioned some of the things I didn't like, but I'll go into more detail.
I felt literally next to nothing for most - if not all - of the characters. The book is told from Myra's POV, and even her, I didn't really care for. I felt for her, being discriminated against, struggling to accept her Leftie side, her Flickerkin Ability. She wasn't as flat as the other characters, but I struggled to feel anything for her.
The other characters were so flat. How I wish I could have swooned over Caster - he was flat and static and he felt like a cardboard character or something. I don't want to say "fake", but it was a lot of "tell" and not "show", when it came to Caster's characterization, as well as the characterization of the other secondary characters.
A lot of "telling" and not "showing" for the romance too. The romance felt leaden, wooden, stiff. I don't know how to describe it, but there was no swoon and flow to the romance. It was like, here's a kiss, here's a hug, oh you two are in love now, yay! Boring. For a book that is pitched as having a sweeping romance, I was NOT swept away. In fact, the romance in this book is flat and forgettable and nothing I'd want to see pitched as such (sweeping, captivating).
Which segues beautifully into my biggest problem with this book - ¡qué aburrido! I mean there is no other way to describe the majority of this book! I almost fell asleep several times while reading, especially in the beginning of the book. I kept looking at the page numbers like, how am I only on page 53, I've been reading for hours!? Good grief, the first half of the book was brutally boring. There was so little happening, and even when the first invisible man shenanigans started happening... yawn. I didn't care. The torturing of the Lefties started... yawn. It was so boring!
At some point, the story caught my attention, but then there were other annoying things that irritated me. Caster and Myra are clearly the shippy couple, but OF COURSE the author introduced a Leftie/Flickerkin boy in the book, once the turmoil started. Caster is a Plat, by the way. Do you see what the author was trying to do? She wrote the cliche in which each boy represents each half of the girl (because she's mixed, so OBVIOUSLY a boy from each race is going to be after her), and the girl must choose (because it's THAT simple in real life - choose a boy, choose your dominate "half"). I can't call it a love triangle because there was no romance between Myra and the Leftie boy, but the Leftie boy liked Myra. Whatever. I could get behind Myra and Caster because Myra pined after him for forever. But that cliche about two boys representing each side - I hate that. It's BS.
World-building and story - maybe the author was trying to do too much with this story? It felt like there were so many random pieces and parts that didn't really fit together. Myra is a champion rider, and the Games are happening in this book. There is Leftie discrimination and Flickerkin fear. Myra is trying to understand her Flickerkin abilities. Caster's father, the Deputy, is evil... or is he? Maybe it was just me, but it felt like there was too much happening but NOT happening. Like, the author introduced too many pieces to the puzzle and didn't quite fit them together by the end. Not to mention, I didn't really get a good feel for the world-building. Again, too much thrown at readers.
Would I Recommend It:
I do not recommend this book. It's not a bad book, but it's really not that great. I didn't like it much, but I did really appreciate the author writing so much in terms of social issues. There was a lot of issues challenged in this story (to an overwhelming degree, at times), which is respectable and good to see in YA literature. But this wasn't a really enjoyable book.
Rating:
2.5 stars -> rounded up to 3 stars. Maybe I'm getting soft? I find it hard to give this book 2 stars, so I'm going with 3 stars. I might read a sequel, if there will be one. I'll also be content with just the one book and probably forget about this book in a month or so. It's not a memorable one, sadly.
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Flicker and Mist by Mary G. Thompson
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
Rating: 3 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Romance, intrigue, and plenty of action are woven into a rich and suspenseful narrative in this powerful YA fantasy. The mixed-race heroine Myra is a Flickerkin and can flicker (become invisible) at will. She hasn’t cultivated or revealed this ability, since Flickerkin are persecuted as potential criminals and spies. When invisible people become tricksters and then murderers, Myra’s Flickerkin heritage becomes a deadly secret, putting her relationship with the leader’s son—and her own life—in jeopardy. Loyalties shift and difficult choices are made before Myra understands who she wants to be.
What I Liked:
Not bad, but not captivating. I expected this book to be much more than it was. At the same time, it wasn't terrible. In fact, it might have been an excellent story, had it not been painfully boring at times. You'll notice other reviews on Goodreads that complained of the monotony. I understand them. There were big things that I liked about this book, but the book was also extremely monotonous.
Myra is half Plat, half Leftie. Plats are darker-skinned with dark eyes, Lefties are pale-skinned with light eyes. In this world, Lefties are discriminated against (the opposite of our modern world, in which colored people are discriminated against. But there is more - some Lefties are Flickerkins, descendants of Flicker Men that mixed with Lefties. Flickerkin can turn invisible (flicker). Myra's mother is Flickerkin, and Myra is too, but they've hidden their Ability for years. Flickerkin are not allowed in New Heart City, hence why they hide their Ability.. But when a rogue Flickerkin starts to play tricks and hurt people, all Lefties are tested and tortured in hopes of flushing out the Flickerkin. Not all Lefties are Flickerkin, but it doesn't matter to the Plat government. Myra must come to terms with the part of her that she has hidden all her life, because that part of her is what will save her.
I love how the author takes on so many social issues in this fantasy novel. We have a case of racism and prejudice - but it's the opposite of what we know. The pale-skinned Lefties are discriminated against - they are seen as lesser, and Lefties and Plats don't mix. Lefties are laborers and miners, while Plats are typically the of the upper classes. And Flickerkin - they are also seen as bogeymen. This book takes on racism and fear of races of people - innocent people who are discriminated against because of the color of their skin, their Ability, and/or what one or two evil people of their race or Ability have done. Sound familiar?
Although... it makes me wonder if the author is trying to make a statement about white people have suffered at the hands of colored people? I would love to know. Because... no. Don't do that.
The author also takes on gender roles. Myra challenges gender roles every time she rides her waterbeast (think horse), every time she wears pants (Plats wear dresses). This story's world is definitely patriarchal (and probably purposefully so), so it was good to see Myra's (extreme) opinions and feelings on gender roles.
It was also good to see that Caster, the love interest, was progressive-thinking. He represents the new younger generation (think Millennials) that can see past skin color or Ability. I was worried about his reaction when he found out about Myra being a Flickerkin (because of course he would out - that's not a spoiler). But again, Caster represents open-mindedness, which was good to see.
Basically, what I liked about this book most was how the author represented modern-day social issues that we deal with. Sometimes it even felt like this book was way too into those social issues - like, they took over the story and not in a good way. But overall, it's great that the author included such a heavy foundation of social issues, and in a unique way.
Myra was an okay character, though I didn't feel much for her or anyone else. Even the romance - theoretically it was shippy, but it felt very one-dimensional and "told" to me, rather than "shown". I thought it was a pretty cute romance though.
The book ends in an okay manner, but I feel like there is potential for a sequel. The ending didn't feel extremely fulfilling, but the story could definitely end as is.
What I Did Not Like:
I already mentioned some of the things I didn't like, but I'll go into more detail.
I felt literally next to nothing for most - if not all - of the characters. The book is told from Myra's POV, and even her, I didn't really care for. I felt for her, being discriminated against, struggling to accept her Leftie side, her Flickerkin Ability. She wasn't as flat as the other characters, but I struggled to feel anything for her.
The other characters were so flat. How I wish I could have swooned over Caster - he was flat and static and he felt like a cardboard character or something. I don't want to say "fake", but it was a lot of "tell" and not "show", when it came to Caster's characterization, as well as the characterization of the other secondary characters.
A lot of "telling" and not "showing" for the romance too. The romance felt leaden, wooden, stiff. I don't know how to describe it, but there was no swoon and flow to the romance. It was like, here's a kiss, here's a hug, oh you two are in love now, yay! Boring. For a book that is pitched as having a sweeping romance, I was NOT swept away. In fact, the romance in this book is flat and forgettable and nothing I'd want to see pitched as such (sweeping, captivating).
Which segues beautifully into my biggest problem with this book - ¡qué aburrido! I mean there is no other way to describe the majority of this book! I almost fell asleep several times while reading, especially in the beginning of the book. I kept looking at the page numbers like, how am I only on page 53, I've been reading for hours!? Good grief, the first half of the book was brutally boring. There was so little happening, and even when the first invisible man shenanigans started happening... yawn. I didn't care. The torturing of the Lefties started... yawn. It was so boring!
At some point, the story caught my attention, but then there were other annoying things that irritated me. Caster and Myra are clearly the shippy couple, but OF COURSE the author introduced a Leftie/Flickerkin boy in the book, once the turmoil started. Caster is a Plat, by the way. Do you see what the author was trying to do? She wrote the cliche in which each boy represents each half of the girl (because she's mixed, so OBVIOUSLY a boy from each race is going to be after her), and the girl must choose (because it's THAT simple in real life - choose a boy, choose your dominate "half"). I can't call it a love triangle because there was no romance between Myra and the Leftie boy, but the Leftie boy liked Myra. Whatever. I could get behind Myra and Caster because Myra pined after him for forever. But that cliche about two boys representing each side - I hate that. It's BS.
World-building and story - maybe the author was trying to do too much with this story? It felt like there were so many random pieces and parts that didn't really fit together. Myra is a champion rider, and the Games are happening in this book. There is Leftie discrimination and Flickerkin fear. Myra is trying to understand her Flickerkin abilities. Caster's father, the Deputy, is evil... or is he? Maybe it was just me, but it felt like there was too much happening but NOT happening. Like, the author introduced too many pieces to the puzzle and didn't quite fit them together by the end. Not to mention, I didn't really get a good feel for the world-building. Again, too much thrown at readers.
Would I Recommend It:
I do not recommend this book. It's not a bad book, but it's really not that great. I didn't like it much, but I did really appreciate the author writing so much in terms of social issues. There was a lot of issues challenged in this story (to an overwhelming degree, at times), which is respectable and good to see in YA literature. But this wasn't a really enjoyable book.
Rating:
2.5 stars -> rounded up to 3 stars. Maybe I'm getting soft? I find it hard to give this book 2 stars, so I'm going with 3 stars. I might read a sequel, if there will be one. I'll also be content with just the one book and probably forget about this book in a month or so. It's not a memorable one, sadly.
January 4, 2017
Disclaimer: This ARC copy was sent to me by the publisher, Clarion Books, via NetGalley for an honest review.
Opinion: Oh hello, HELL-O first review of 2017! Let’s start the year out with a nice review of a wonderful YA Fantasy story, complete with prejudices of people who can turn invisible and a world where segregation is number 1! WHEW! Positivity!
Having the Ability should have been fun, in another world, a child who could become invisible might play pranks on her parents, might sneak around with friends, might go ride the beasts in the dead of night. In another world, the Ability might have brought freedom and joy. But I was born in another world, I was born in the Upland, where the Ability was used as a weapon of war.
- Myra, Flicker and Mist
One night after waking from a terrible nightmare at the age of 5, unable to see herself or be seen by her family, Myra learns that she can Flicker. Years before her existence, Myra learns of a race called Flicker Men had come to the island of Upland and bred with the Lefties who reside in the Left Eye; which in turn created a sub-race called the Flickerkin. Once a war began and the Flicker Men fled, this new sub-race of the Flicker Men discovered that they had inherited the gift of being able to become invisible, or as they call it “flicker”. From then on Lefties (pale, short and curvaceous) and Flickerkin are put into the Left Eye to be “contained”, while the Plats (dark skinned, tall and thin) are to live in New Heart City as the dominant race. For a Leftie to enter New Heart City, they are subjected to taking a painful test to ensure that they do not have the Ability. Somehow, Myra’s mother was able to enter New Heart City even though she is Flickerkin. With the threat of being thrown to the Waters for judgment, Myra is forced to never flicker again. Now much older, Myra and her fellow residents of New Heart City discover a threat of Flickerkin among them. Myra must fight to keep her secret hidden, and fight to protect those around her.
I was very VERY excited to be approved for this read via Netgalley (thanks Calrion Books), mostly because I have always had a dire yearning to possess the superpower of invisibility. *Sigh*…the thought of it makes my toes tingle with giddiness! ANYWAYS, this story is stuffed and gorged with tons of interesting elements to pull any reader in. Fantasy and romance, adventure and unruly segregation…it’s all here! I was so intrigued by the world that this author created, and I loved the positive and negative elements that made up the island of Upland. The history of the Flicker Men coming to the Island was touched on, but I would have enjoyed a better understanding of who these people were. I think some flashbacks or stories about the past would have been beneficial to the story, and would have given the race of Flickerkin more depth. The elements of Plats riding beasts in a competition against others was really interesting, and I would have LOVED to have read more and more about this. Thought the reader is given a few scenes where the plats and beasts are battling it out in a race, again…I need more background and history about the competition and the importance of it.
The characters fell a little flat for me, especially that of Myra. As our main strong female lead, I needed more personality and character from her…well…character. I didn’t connect with Myra as strongly as I would have liked, especially in a story that has such a creative world as this. She felt very one-dimensional to me. Developed, but not developed in a way where there would have been tears coming down my face if her or someone she loved perished in front of her. If I am reading a story that is written in 1st person point-of-view, then I want to feel like I am inside that character’s head and seeing things through their eyes. I need to know this character as if I AM them, not as if I am looking at them and observing them.
Though I think the author could have taken this creative world a step further, I think this story still turned out to be highly enjoyable. It seems that if a fantasy story isn’t as detailed and elaborate as one like Throne of Glass or Lord of the Rings, then readers seem to push it away and deem it incomplete. I actually really enjoyed this story and what the author offered, because sometimes a book that doesn’t go on and on in detail is a nice change. I recommend this to any of you YA/Fantasy lovers out there. It is something DIFFERENT and entertaining, which is what we are all looking for anyways right? Though I have my qualms with not getting enough background on some things, it is still a book that you can get lost it and love.
Opinion: Oh hello, HELL-O first review of 2017! Let’s start the year out with a nice review of a wonderful YA Fantasy story, complete with prejudices of people who can turn invisible and a world where segregation is number 1! WHEW! Positivity!
Having the Ability should have been fun, in another world, a child who could become invisible might play pranks on her parents, might sneak around with friends, might go ride the beasts in the dead of night. In another world, the Ability might have brought freedom and joy. But I was born in another world, I was born in the Upland, where the Ability was used as a weapon of war.
- Myra, Flicker and Mist
One night after waking from a terrible nightmare at the age of 5, unable to see herself or be seen by her family, Myra learns that she can Flicker. Years before her existence, Myra learns of a race called Flicker Men had come to the island of Upland and bred with the Lefties who reside in the Left Eye; which in turn created a sub-race called the Flickerkin. Once a war began and the Flicker Men fled, this new sub-race of the Flicker Men discovered that they had inherited the gift of being able to become invisible, or as they call it “flicker”. From then on Lefties (pale, short and curvaceous) and Flickerkin are put into the Left Eye to be “contained”, while the Plats (dark skinned, tall and thin) are to live in New Heart City as the dominant race. For a Leftie to enter New Heart City, they are subjected to taking a painful test to ensure that they do not have the Ability. Somehow, Myra’s mother was able to enter New Heart City even though she is Flickerkin. With the threat of being thrown to the Waters for judgment, Myra is forced to never flicker again. Now much older, Myra and her fellow residents of New Heart City discover a threat of Flickerkin among them. Myra must fight to keep her secret hidden, and fight to protect those around her.
I was very VERY excited to be approved for this read via Netgalley (thanks Calrion Books), mostly because I have always had a dire yearning to possess the superpower of invisibility. *Sigh*…the thought of it makes my toes tingle with giddiness! ANYWAYS, this story is stuffed and gorged with tons of interesting elements to pull any reader in. Fantasy and romance, adventure and unruly segregation…it’s all here! I was so intrigued by the world that this author created, and I loved the positive and negative elements that made up the island of Upland. The history of the Flicker Men coming to the Island was touched on, but I would have enjoyed a better understanding of who these people were. I think some flashbacks or stories about the past would have been beneficial to the story, and would have given the race of Flickerkin more depth. The elements of Plats riding beasts in a competition against others was really interesting, and I would have LOVED to have read more and more about this. Thought the reader is given a few scenes where the plats and beasts are battling it out in a race, again…I need more background and history about the competition and the importance of it.
The characters fell a little flat for me, especially that of Myra. As our main strong female lead, I needed more personality and character from her…well…character. I didn’t connect with Myra as strongly as I would have liked, especially in a story that has such a creative world as this. She felt very one-dimensional to me. Developed, but not developed in a way where there would have been tears coming down my face if her or someone she loved perished in front of her. If I am reading a story that is written in 1st person point-of-view, then I want to feel like I am inside that character’s head and seeing things through their eyes. I need to know this character as if I AM them, not as if I am looking at them and observing them.
Though I think the author could have taken this creative world a step further, I think this story still turned out to be highly enjoyable. It seems that if a fantasy story isn’t as detailed and elaborate as one like Throne of Glass or Lord of the Rings, then readers seem to push it away and deem it incomplete. I actually really enjoyed this story and what the author offered, because sometimes a book that doesn’t go on and on in detail is a nice change. I recommend this to any of you YA/Fantasy lovers out there. It is something DIFFERENT and entertaining, which is what we are all looking for anyways right? Though I have my qualms with not getting enough background on some things, it is still a book that you can get lost it and love.
dnf
January 3, 2017Pages read: 16
Oh man. I didn't get far into Flicker and Mist, but I'm making it a policy to quit books where the heroine whines about how light-skinned and -haired she is. There are a few other things that bother me too.
First thing, I'm not a fan of the names. Most of them are totally normal, like Myra and Nolan, but then you have Caster, Orphos, and Porti. Then there's Myra's mom, whose name is Rhondalynn. Are we in a fantasy world, the modern day, or a country song?
Now, some quotes.
The writing isn't terrible, but a lot of it, in what I read, was kinda clunky. Like this. It's a blush. You can just say it's a blush.
Myra's half-Leftie, but she looks down on them because she was raised as a more privileged member of society. Obviously, she's going to learn that she was wrong and unite everyone blah blah blah, but what a hateful bitch. I just.
So, first, yeah, your "wetbeast" probably wouldn't force you into a gown because quadropeds tend not to be so into gowns and parties. Shocker. Second, here's the bitching about how oh so hard it is to be pale-skinned. I mean, it's great that apparently this is a world with darker-skinned people, but of course the heroine needs to be the palest pale. And she's the only one with boobs so she's uncomfortable with her body. It's just all so YA cliche and it hurts.
After I finished chapter two, I skimmed the last chapter, which reaffirmed my choice to not be into this. It looks like a hot mess of specialness and ends with some cheesetasticness. This book's very much not going to be for me.
Oh man. I didn't get far into Flicker and Mist, but I'm making it a policy to quit books where the heroine whines about how light-skinned and -haired she is. There are a few other things that bother me too.
First thing, I'm not a fan of the names. Most of them are totally normal, like Myra and Nolan, but then you have Caster, Orphos, and Porti. Then there's Myra's mom, whose name is Rhondalynn. Are we in a fantasy world, the modern day, or a country song?
Now, some quotes.
My cheeks began to fill with color, a phenomenon inescapable and mortifying.
The writing isn't terrible, but a lot of it, in what I read, was kinda clunky. Like this. It's a blush. You can just say it's a blush.
I didn’t need all the children of the Leftie workers gossiping about me in addition to their furtive looks. I didn’t like the attention they paid me already, as if perhaps they thought I was of their kind. But I was a citizen of New Heart City, something Lefties could never be. I had a paper that proved it, signed by the last Deputy himself.
Myra's half-Leftie, but she looks down on them because she was raised as a more privileged member of society. Obviously, she's going to learn that she was wrong and unite everyone blah blah blah, but what a hateful bitch. I just.
My beast, Hoof, would never put me through the indignity of being pinned for a gown to prepare for a party at which I would sport the palest face, the lightest brown hair that wouldn’t straighten, and the sole substantial bosom among the guests.
So, first, yeah, your "wetbeast" probably wouldn't force you into a gown because quadropeds tend not to be so into gowns and parties. Shocker. Second, here's the bitching about how oh so hard it is to be pale-skinned. I mean, it's great that apparently this is a world with darker-skinned people, but of course the heroine needs to be the palest pale. And she's the only one with boobs so she's uncomfortable with her body. It's just all so YA cliche and it hurts.
After I finished chapter two, I skimmed the last chapter, which reaffirmed my choice to not be into this. It looks like a hot mess of specialness and ends with some cheesetasticness. This book's very much not going to be for me.
June 14, 2017
I wish I could capture everything that I felt about Flicker and Mist in a more dignified review, but a list shall have to do for now:
• Myra was a fantastic protagonist. I wish I could sum up why she was just so fantastic. I guess it was mainly because she was so relatable. I loved that she struggled - like really, truly struggled - with her identity. She didn’t know if she was Plat or Leftie or Flickerkin or what, and I loved how it was handled. She hated her ignorance of Leftie culture but at the same time, she grew up Plat and didn’t want to be excluded from that. I have never read such a brilliantly written biracial character and I loved the author’s take on the story’s theme of racial prejudice and privilege. It’s so relevant to our current society.
• This story - and Myra - also attempt to challenge the gender roles of her world which was plain old awesome.
• Her crush on Caster was also done brilliantly. It was so realistic. Awkward and bumbling at first but slowly develops into a well-defined friendship. There was no dramatics, and no over-the-top lovey-dovey crap. Plain old brilliant!
•I loved the world-building. The religion was an awesome asset to the world. There is nothing better than a w ell-thought out world and society in a fantasy novel.
• I can honestly say this is villainy done right. The Deputy was a complex character with a lot of depth and personality. He had multiple motivations for making the decisions he did, and while he was obviously horrible there were times where you could see where he was coming from (which is kind of scary). I loved that the author got me to understand the villain of the story.
• Amazing family dynamics! While I didn’t quite connect to either Myra’s mother or father personally, I loved their relationship and how it changed and developed across the story.
• Friendship done right! Porti wasn’t too close to Myra or too distant. They fought, supported each other, got jealous - it was a realistic and believable female friendship, which I loved.
Overall?
I was surprised by how much I loved this story. It had a clever world and clever characters. I shipped the romance and loved the protagonist and her relationships. This author is definitely someone to keep an eye on. In fact, I really hope she writes a sequel!
Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.
• Myra was a fantastic protagonist. I wish I could sum up why she was just so fantastic. I guess it was mainly because she was so relatable. I loved that she struggled - like really, truly struggled - with her identity. She didn’t know if she was Plat or Leftie or Flickerkin or what, and I loved how it was handled. She hated her ignorance of Leftie culture but at the same time, she grew up Plat and didn’t want to be excluded from that. I have never read such a brilliantly written biracial character and I loved the author’s take on the story’s theme of racial prejudice and privilege. It’s so relevant to our current society.
• This story - and Myra - also attempt to challenge the gender roles of her world which was plain old awesome.
• Her crush on Caster was also done brilliantly. It was so realistic. Awkward and bumbling at first but slowly develops into a well-defined friendship. There was no dramatics, and no over-the-top lovey-dovey crap. Plain old brilliant!
•I loved the world-building. The religion was an awesome asset to the world. There is nothing better than a w ell-thought out world and society in a fantasy novel.
• I can honestly say this is villainy done right. The Deputy was a complex character with a lot of depth and personality. He had multiple motivations for making the decisions he did, and while he was obviously horrible there were times where you could see where he was coming from (which is kind of scary). I loved that the author got me to understand the villain of the story.
• Amazing family dynamics! While I didn’t quite connect to either Myra’s mother or father personally, I loved their relationship and how it changed and developed across the story.
• Friendship done right! Porti wasn’t too close to Myra or too distant. They fought, supported each other, got jealous - it was a realistic and believable female friendship, which I loved.
Overall?
I was surprised by how much I loved this story. It had a clever world and clever characters. I shipped the romance and loved the protagonist and her relationships. This author is definitely someone to keep an eye on. In fact, I really hope she writes a sequel!
Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.
June 3, 2016
I'm thanking Clarion Books via Edelweiss for giving me a chance to read and review this title.
1.5 stars
This book’s release is planned for the next year and I couldn’t find anything about it except for a rather ambiguous blurb, so I had neither expectations nor demands for the novel. I’m telling this so that there won’t be any misunderstanding as for the reasons for this negative review - it is not out of disappointment with the overhyped book or failing to find something you were promised. I simply didn’t like it. The characters are flat. The world-building is poor. And the plot doesn’t make you want to turn another page. It would have been just 1 star, but one should always try and find something good in bad, so I tried. And found. And have hopes for the book’s future.
Plot
The plot is rather simple and straightforward. There’s this plateau, the Upland, surrounded by the sea (which is sacred and called the Waters), inhabited by two races - Plats, the superior cast, and Lefties, the serving minority. Long time ago Lefties had mixed with the people of legends, Flicker Men, and inherited their extraordinary power to flicker - that is, to become invisible. People with such a gift are called Flickerkins, perceived as a threat and persecuted by Plats. Unfortunately for the main character, Myra, she’s a mixed race child of a powerful Plat and a Leftie AND is also a Flickerkin. This is bad enough, but when sudden invisibility-related incidents start to happen across the city with one of them ending in death, she appears at the epicentre of the racial conflict. Being raised as a privileged Plat child but discovering her powers and heritage as a Flickerkin, Myra is torn between a desire to keep her normal life and speak for her mother’s people. The sides of the conflict are represented by the Deputy, Myra’s Plat boyfriend’s father and Pinwin, her Flickerkin relative, who she’s never met before. Both kill, lie and manipulate her feelings and both push her to take sides. There’s also a hint on a love triangle as she feels close to both her Plat boyfriend, Caster, and a Flickerkin, Nolan. Myra fears for her parents’ lives, she’s anxious about her best friends’ reaction to what she really is and she faces lots of hatred from people who knew her since childhood. Eventually the course of events makes her make a decision and the book ends with Myra being confident and assured in what she should fight for, even if this means making some big sacrifices. The story has an open ending (calling it a cliffhanger would be exaggeration as the book never really leads you to anything that could be called a cliff) and calls for a second installment.
- It is not a page-turner. First half of the book is filled with superfluous dialogues followed by events that repeat the dialogues. The narration is for the most part about the MC’s inner struggle - and not in a «this novel is character-driven» kind of way. I got bored rather fast but kept reading because of my stubbornness and hope for something exciting or unexpected to finally happen someday really, really soon. While there are fights, races and romantic moments, they never made my heart beat faster.
+ Well, the last 10% were all about action - somewhat awkward, messy and filled with some eye-rolling revelations - but still action.
World-building
- The world is poor and flat. The Upland is described in general, rather unimaginative terms and doesn’t give you a sense of a real place. We are offered a glimpse at the lands’ history, but there’s nearly nothing on its culture, traditions, everyday life. Some chapters end with an excerpt from either «A History of The Uplands» or «The Book of the Waters» or «The Declaration of Peace», which is a very promising and potentially fruitful way of enriching the story, but, unfortunately, they fail to add anything to the world and make you want to skip to the next chapter. We know some details about the plateau’s infrastructure and technological achievements, but not enough to draw a whole picture. I also don’t think that calling a phone a «voicebox» and TV a «picturebox» counts as creating a unique fantasy element. And while the main conflict is based on the race difference, our knowledge is limited to visual description - Plats have dark complexion and dark hair, are high and thin, while Lefties have a pale skin, light curly hair, are shorter and their females are rather curvy. In other words, the world lacks colors, nuances and dimension.
+ I loved that Myra and her friends ride beasts - grand magical creatures that they have a really strong connection with. I enjoyed Lefties’ language, it sounds really melodic and authentic, and I wish there was more of it in the narration. Another thing that I was really pleased with is «misting», which is another aspect of Flickerkins’ ability to become invisible. It carries their powers beyond merely physical and transfers them into a mystical, philosophical even plane.
Character development
- Characters lack depth. We are provided with a basic core, a list of features that differentiate characters, but nothing more. Moreover, the methods used to give a feel of what the character is like are somewhat straightforward, pushed, lacking elegance. The narration is told from Myra’s point of view, which should offer reader a full access to her personal transformation (which it doesn’t) and cause problems in reflecting what the secondary characters go through emotionally (which it does). Moreover, I found nothing unique about these personalities. Myra is your average girl with special abilities, insecure about herself and her body and confused by her new powers. Caster is a privileged child with a kind heart and unnatural for his upbringing tolerance for the minorities. Myra’s friend, Porti, is all chirpy and fun, a perfect comrade in crime and as loyal as one can be. Nolan is a rebel - avengeful and ruthless, trying to get Myra to Flickerkins’ side. These personalities are fine but flat, insipid. They lack dimension, real-life traits that could’ve made them more believable, vivid. As a result, I couldn’t relate to any of them and found myself almost indifferent to what happens to them in the end.
+ Despite all, I was still wondering what some characters - like the Deputy or Myra’s grandmother - are really standing for. Are they sincere, do they mean what they say, do they care for Myra at all? And I found myself pleasantly surprised by how everything turned out in terms of characters’ personal agendas. Things turned out differently from what I had expected from some characters - including Myra - which makes me hope for an even greater development in the second installment.
Ending
There’s no information on whether Flicker and Mist is a part of a series, but this book is worth reading only if it is. This is definitely not a case were open ending serves as a dramatic last touch to a powerful novel. But maybe it is an introductory book that gives way to something better in the second installment.
***
May 22, 2016
1.5 stars and I can't decide whether to round it up or down yet.
Detailed review will come closer to the release date.
1.5 stars
This book’s release is planned for the next year and I couldn’t find anything about it except for a rather ambiguous blurb, so I had neither expectations nor demands for the novel. I’m telling this so that there won’t be any misunderstanding as for the reasons for this negative review - it is not out of disappointment with the overhyped book or failing to find something you were promised. I simply didn’t like it. The characters are flat. The world-building is poor. And the plot doesn’t make you want to turn another page. It would have been just 1 star, but one should always try and find something good in bad, so I tried. And found. And have hopes for the book’s future.
Plot
The plot is rather simple and straightforward. There’s this plateau, the Upland, surrounded by the sea (which is sacred and called the Waters), inhabited by two races - Plats, the superior cast, and Lefties, the serving minority. Long time ago Lefties had mixed with the people of legends, Flicker Men, and inherited their extraordinary power to flicker - that is, to become invisible. People with such a gift are called Flickerkins, perceived as a threat and persecuted by Plats. Unfortunately for the main character, Myra, she’s a mixed race child of a powerful Plat and a Leftie AND is also a Flickerkin. This is bad enough, but when sudden invisibility-related incidents start to happen across the city with one of them ending in death, she appears at the epicentre of the racial conflict. Being raised as a privileged Plat child but discovering her powers and heritage as a Flickerkin, Myra is torn between a desire to keep her normal life and speak for her mother’s people. The sides of the conflict are represented by the Deputy, Myra’s Plat boyfriend’s father and Pinwin, her Flickerkin relative, who she’s never met before. Both kill, lie and manipulate her feelings and both push her to take sides. There’s also a hint on a love triangle as she feels close to both her Plat boyfriend, Caster, and a Flickerkin, Nolan. Myra fears for her parents’ lives, she’s anxious about her best friends’ reaction to what she really is and she faces lots of hatred from people who knew her since childhood. Eventually the course of events makes her make a decision and the book ends with Myra being confident and assured in what she should fight for, even if this means making some big sacrifices. The story has an open ending (calling it a cliffhanger would be exaggeration as the book never really leads you to anything that could be called a cliff) and calls for a second installment.
- It is not a page-turner. First half of the book is filled with superfluous dialogues followed by events that repeat the dialogues. The narration is for the most part about the MC’s inner struggle - and not in a «this novel is character-driven» kind of way. I got bored rather fast but kept reading because of my stubbornness and hope for something exciting or unexpected to finally happen someday really, really soon. While there are fights, races and romantic moments, they never made my heart beat faster.
+ Well, the last 10% were all about action - somewhat awkward, messy and filled with some eye-rolling revelations - but still action.
World-building
- The world is poor and flat. The Upland is described in general, rather unimaginative terms and doesn’t give you a sense of a real place. We are offered a glimpse at the lands’ history, but there’s nearly nothing on its culture, traditions, everyday life. Some chapters end with an excerpt from either «A History of The Uplands» or «The Book of the Waters» or «The Declaration of Peace», which is a very promising and potentially fruitful way of enriching the story, but, unfortunately, they fail to add anything to the world and make you want to skip to the next chapter. We know some details about the plateau’s infrastructure and technological achievements, but not enough to draw a whole picture. I also don’t think that calling a phone a «voicebox» and TV a «picturebox» counts as creating a unique fantasy element. And while the main conflict is based on the race difference, our knowledge is limited to visual description - Plats have dark complexion and dark hair, are high and thin, while Lefties have a pale skin, light curly hair, are shorter and their females are rather curvy. In other words, the world lacks colors, nuances and dimension.
+ I loved that Myra and her friends ride beasts - grand magical creatures that they have a really strong connection with. I enjoyed Lefties’ language, it sounds really melodic and authentic, and I wish there was more of it in the narration. Another thing that I was really pleased with is «misting», which is another aspect of Flickerkins’ ability to become invisible. It carries their powers beyond merely physical and transfers them into a mystical, philosophical even plane.
Character development
- Characters lack depth. We are provided with a basic core, a list of features that differentiate characters, but nothing more. Moreover, the methods used to give a feel of what the character is like are somewhat straightforward, pushed, lacking elegance. The narration is told from Myra’s point of view, which should offer reader a full access to her personal transformation (which it doesn’t) and cause problems in reflecting what the secondary characters go through emotionally (which it does). Moreover, I found nothing unique about these personalities. Myra is your average girl with special abilities, insecure about herself and her body and confused by her new powers. Caster is a privileged child with a kind heart and unnatural for his upbringing tolerance for the minorities. Myra’s friend, Porti, is all chirpy and fun, a perfect comrade in crime and as loyal as one can be. Nolan is a rebel - avengeful and ruthless, trying to get Myra to Flickerkins’ side. These personalities are fine but flat, insipid. They lack dimension, real-life traits that could’ve made them more believable, vivid. As a result, I couldn’t relate to any of them and found myself almost indifferent to what happens to them in the end.
+ Despite all, I was still wondering what some characters - like the Deputy or Myra’s grandmother - are really standing for. Are they sincere, do they mean what they say, do they care for Myra at all? And I found myself pleasantly surprised by how everything turned out in terms of characters’ personal agendas. Things turned out differently from what I had expected from some characters - including Myra - which makes me hope for an even greater development in the second installment.
Ending
There’s no information on whether Flicker and Mist is a part of a series, but this book is worth reading only if it is. This is definitely not a case were open ending serves as a dramatic last touch to a powerful novel. But maybe it is an introductory book that gives way to something better in the second installment.
***
May 22, 2016
1.5 stars and I can't decide whether to round it up or down yet.
Detailed review will come closer to the release date.
February 6, 2017
Disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to read this based on the description, but it sorta fell flat to me. I found the characters unreachable and the world building poor. Although the concept is very different, It could have been carried out better, I found it Repetitive, and I as expecting a more elaborate fantasy than what I got. Although i do not think this was for me I would recommend this to some one who is looking for a place to start in the fantasy genre.
I was really excited to read this based on the description, but it sorta fell flat to me. I found the characters unreachable and the world building poor. Although the concept is very different, It could have been carried out better, I found it Repetitive, and I as expecting a more elaborate fantasy than what I got. Although i do not think this was for me I would recommend this to some one who is looking for a place to start in the fantasy genre.
June 26, 2016
What a wonderful book! I knew I wanted to read it but wasn't sure how much I'd like it. I'm glad to say it was pretty damned good! It's so much more than an awesome fantasy it has some very deep issues that go well with what's going on in the world today. I really hope there's a sequel!
February 6, 2017
If you love fantasy, this is the book for you. In this book, we meet Myra who has special abilities. She has never wanted to use those, but with the world changing around her, she has to make a decision. In this learning about who you are, where you stand against the world book, Myra learns about herself and where she can help.
I enjoyed this book because not only was it entertaining, but the themes throughout made you think about loyalties. What is it that you believe in and what is it that you are willing stand for. I appreciated those concepts very much.
I recommend this book for those looking for an imaginative read that keeps you entertained. Thanks Mary for the opportunity to review this book. And please check out her event tonight if you get the chance! :)
Disclaimer: I was awarded this book from the author. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.
I enjoyed this book because not only was it entertaining, but the themes throughout made you think about loyalties. What is it that you believe in and what is it that you are willing stand for. I appreciated those concepts very much.
I recommend this book for those looking for an imaginative read that keeps you entertained. Thanks Mary for the opportunity to review this book. And please check out her event tonight if you get the chance! :)
Disclaimer: I was awarded this book from the author. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.
December 30, 2016
Flicker and Mist was one of those books that as soon as I read the summary I found myself intrigued. This is the first book I have read by Mary G. Thompson but it won’t be the last.
This story had an interesting premise and I found myself sympathizing with Myra as she is continually faced with some very tough situations. As a mixed-race, she isn’t really welcomed by those around her because while her father is a respected Plat, her mother is a Leftie and to some of those around her, that makes her less. Add to this the fact that she and her mother are hiding that they are Flickerkin (this means they can flicker in and out …or make themselves invisible) because if the Plats around them knew that they were more than just Lefties, they would be in a lot of trouble.
I liked Myra and she clearly struggled with who she was and her identity. She grew up in a life of privilege but with her mixed background she wasn’t always treated the same as other full blood Plats. As Myra continues to try to hide these things about herself, she also finds out who she can really trust. One of the things I enjoyed in this story was the relationship Myra had with her parents. Her mom and dad played a key role in the book and that isn’t always the case in YA books.
I loved Myra’s friendship with Porti and seeing them eventually come to realize that they didn’t need to keep secrets from each other was great. Of everyone in the whole book, I think Porti’s character was the most open-minded and her ability to pull Myra out of her bubble helped make Myra more engaging and not as isolated.
In that same vein, I liked Myra’s relationship with Caster. Despite who his father is, his actions and beliefs were supportive of Myra. With that said, when he did find out Myra’s secret he did act a bit standoffish but I didn’t blame him considering she wasn’t being completely upfront about herself. In the end he did realize she was the same person as before and I’m happy about that.
The other character I will mention is Nolan. He is someone that challenges Myra and forces her to face who she really is. There are things I liked about him but also things I didn’t like. He is a Flickerkin and isn’t afraid of it. He is also the one to show Myra what she is really capable of but he also pushes when he probably shouldn’t.
As for the world building in this story, I thought Thompson did a good job. There were pieces that were confusing to me but didn’t pull me out of the rest of the book. As I learned more about the division between the Plats and the Lefties as well as how the Flicker Men impacted these groups, I was able to understand the fear the Plats had for the Flickerkin. Of course, I would say here that prejudice that some of the Plats had for anyone who wasn’t pure Plat was frustrating and unfair.
Overall I liked this book. There was quite a bit of action in the end and it seemed to be left a bit open ended so I’m not sure if that means this will be a series or if that was done purposely. I wouldn’t say that this book was groundbreaking in terms of the topic but the writing is done well and the world and characters are something a bit different than other YA fantasies out there. If that is something that interests you, consider checking this one out.
This story had an interesting premise and I found myself sympathizing with Myra as she is continually faced with some very tough situations. As a mixed-race, she isn’t really welcomed by those around her because while her father is a respected Plat, her mother is a Leftie and to some of those around her, that makes her less. Add to this the fact that she and her mother are hiding that they are Flickerkin (this means they can flicker in and out …or make themselves invisible) because if the Plats around them knew that they were more than just Lefties, they would be in a lot of trouble.
I liked Myra and she clearly struggled with who she was and her identity. She grew up in a life of privilege but with her mixed background she wasn’t always treated the same as other full blood Plats. As Myra continues to try to hide these things about herself, she also finds out who she can really trust. One of the things I enjoyed in this story was the relationship Myra had with her parents. Her mom and dad played a key role in the book and that isn’t always the case in YA books.
I loved Myra’s friendship with Porti and seeing them eventually come to realize that they didn’t need to keep secrets from each other was great. Of everyone in the whole book, I think Porti’s character was the most open-minded and her ability to pull Myra out of her bubble helped make Myra more engaging and not as isolated.
In that same vein, I liked Myra’s relationship with Caster. Despite who his father is, his actions and beliefs were supportive of Myra. With that said, when he did find out Myra’s secret he did act a bit standoffish but I didn’t blame him considering she wasn’t being completely upfront about herself. In the end he did realize she was the same person as before and I’m happy about that.
The other character I will mention is Nolan. He is someone that challenges Myra and forces her to face who she really is. There are things I liked about him but also things I didn’t like. He is a Flickerkin and isn’t afraid of it. He is also the one to show Myra what she is really capable of but he also pushes when he probably shouldn’t.
As for the world building in this story, I thought Thompson did a good job. There were pieces that were confusing to me but didn’t pull me out of the rest of the book. As I learned more about the division between the Plats and the Lefties as well as how the Flicker Men impacted these groups, I was able to understand the fear the Plats had for the Flickerkin. Of course, I would say here that prejudice that some of the Plats had for anyone who wasn’t pure Plat was frustrating and unfair.
Overall I liked this book. There was quite a bit of action in the end and it seemed to be left a bit open ended so I’m not sure if that means this will be a series or if that was done purposely. I wouldn’t say that this book was groundbreaking in terms of the topic but the writing is done well and the world and characters are something a bit different than other YA fantasies out there. If that is something that interests you, consider checking this one out.
January 25, 2023
I was captivated by the plot of Flicker and Mist. It revolves around Myra, who is mixed with human (plats) and a race of people that can turn invisible (flickermen), plus a few others that inherited the same abilities, and then a colony that welcomed them with open arms (lefties). They were chastised, mistreated, and cast out by most of society. While they attempt to fight for their right to equality Myra grapples with trying to decide which side of herself she wants to claim until things in the city take a turn for the worst. The author did great with giving us an in-depth view into a lot of the characters' lives and different points of view it helps you to immerse yourself in the story. Myra was a strong lead who continually grows throughout the story is persistent and overall tries to fight for what is right no matter the cost. I'm so sad there was never talk of a second book from what I could find.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2017
The author does a great job of creating a world in which people can flicker to invisibility. Myra is a teenager who can flicker but has to hide it because she lives in a community that is biased against flickering. Several attacks from invisible people cause concern and prejudices increase.
March 13, 2017
So disappointed.
When I picked up this book, my first thought was, How can you write a whole book about invisibility?
Answer: you can’t.
I thought it was an interesting premise: the people of the uplands are divided into two races, the Lefties, and the Plats. Some Lefties, called Flickerkin, can become invisible. The Plats fear this power. As a result, Lefties are treated with mistrust, and Flickerkin are persecuted.
The main problem I had with this book was that it was just so boring! I think Thompson's basic idea just wasn't enough for a whole novel. The main character, Myra, is half-Leftie, and half-Plat, and the only person of mixed blood in the city. (I mean really. What are the chances of that?) She finds out she’s Flickerkin.You can guess what happens next.
But the whole first half of the book forced me to trudge through Myra’s irritating friends, chemistry-less romance, and cringe-worthy social life. Worse, Myra refuses to acknowledge her Leftie heritage, and comes home from school every day practically spouting anti-Leftie propaganda.
And after the first part was entirely devoid of action, I’m sorry to say the second part wasn’t much better. By the time the action had picked up, I had already stopped caring. Myra remains weepy and racist, and there is still no real action beyond the final thirty pages.
There really isn’t much world-building, either. Everything seems pretty modern, but then suddenly Thompson will slip in some out-of place, proper phrase. There are references to television (“photoboxes”), radio, and scanners that can force Flickerkin to reveal themselves. However, many aspects of the society are outdated, such as the transportation (“beasts”), and the inherent sexism and racism.
One thing this book had going for it, though, was the religion. Though it wasn’t expanded much, the people of the Upland worship the ocean, which they call “the Waters.” I really wish I could have seen more of this.
Unfortunately, the rest of the book was utter chaos. The main characters are gullible and childish, the theme is clumsy and blatantly obvious, and the plot is so rambling, I struggled to figure out what was happening.
Maybe it’s just a matter of taste, but Flicker and Mist was not worth it for me.
When I picked up this book, my first thought was, How can you write a whole book about invisibility?
Answer: you can’t.
I thought it was an interesting premise: the people of the uplands are divided into two races, the Lefties, and the Plats. Some Lefties, called Flickerkin, can become invisible. The Plats fear this power. As a result, Lefties are treated with mistrust, and Flickerkin are persecuted.
The main problem I had with this book was that it was just so boring! I think Thompson's basic idea just wasn't enough for a whole novel. The main character, Myra, is half-Leftie, and half-Plat, and the only person of mixed blood in the city. (I mean really. What are the chances of that?) She finds out she’s Flickerkin.You can guess what happens next.
But the whole first half of the book forced me to trudge through Myra’s irritating friends, chemistry-less romance, and cringe-worthy social life. Worse, Myra refuses to acknowledge her Leftie heritage, and comes home from school every day practically spouting anti-Leftie propaganda.
And after the first part was entirely devoid of action, I’m sorry to say the second part wasn’t much better. By the time the action had picked up, I had already stopped caring. Myra remains weepy and racist, and there is still no real action beyond the final thirty pages.
There really isn’t much world-building, either. Everything seems pretty modern, but then suddenly Thompson will slip in some out-of place, proper phrase. There are references to television (“photoboxes”), radio, and scanners that can force Flickerkin to reveal themselves. However, many aspects of the society are outdated, such as the transportation (“beasts”), and the inherent sexism and racism.
One thing this book had going for it, though, was the religion. Though it wasn’t expanded much, the people of the Upland worship the ocean, which they call “the Waters.” I really wish I could have seen more of this.
Unfortunately, the rest of the book was utter chaos. The main characters are gullible and childish, the theme is clumsy and blatantly obvious, and the plot is so rambling, I struggled to figure out what was happening.
Maybe it’s just a matter of taste, but Flicker and Mist was not worth it for me.
March 23, 2017
Appropriate for: age 14+
January 4, 2017
FLICKER AND MIST surprised me in all the best ways. It is not just the story of a girl who has to keep her abilities secret to live the life she wants. It does not have a typical love triangle where the girl’s heart is torn in two. The love story does not overshadow the more important aspects of the book. The characters’ actions and decisions aren’t predictable. The heroine’s choices aren’t easy. Who’s right and who’s wrong isn’t so clear-cut.
Mary G. Thompson created a world with an interesting, if archaic, belief system that consisted of the people of the Left Eye and those of the Plateau. While currently at peace with one another, the Plats lived a very different life than the Lefties. The Plats had freedoms and opportunities the Lefties weren’t given. They were the rule-makers, the enforcers, the deciders.
They weren’t the ones that the Flicker Men mixed with all those years ago, leaving behind Flickerkin whose abilities were feared and who were forbidden from entering the Plateau. They weren’t the ones whose existence risked the wrath of the Waters.
Myra hated that she was different from all the other Plats. She envied their darker skin, their straighter hair, their height. Even though her father was on the Council, she could never really fit in. Not having inherited many of her physical characteristics from her mother, who was from the Left Eye. And not with the fear that she might reveal herself to be a Flickerkin.
Still, she hoped to someday inherit her father’s seat on the Council. She hoped to prove to all that she was the best female rider. She hoped that her friend Porti was right and that the Deputy’s son, Caster, liked her as much as she liked him.
But with the growing threat of the rising waters that could bring back the Flicker Men, the recent pranks that had everyone on edge that somehow those who could make themselves invisible had infiltrated the Plateau, and the very real possibility of discovery, Myra’s hopes seemed less and less likely to become reality.
A tumultuous past, civil unrest, fear, hatred, oppression, betrayal, bravery, love, honor, acceptance, strength, FLICKER AND MIST has it all. It introduces a unique world, tackles many real-life issues, gives much food for thought. It gives readers a strong heroine to connect with, puts many obstacles in her way, tests her values and beliefs, forces her to make difficult decisions, and asks her to trust those she has no reason to trust.
And with a number of unexpected reactions, choices, outcomes, a wondrous ability, tragedy, heartbreak, romance, plenty of action and the possibility of more to come, this is a story that is not to be missed.
Mary G. Thompson created a world with an interesting, if archaic, belief system that consisted of the people of the Left Eye and those of the Plateau. While currently at peace with one another, the Plats lived a very different life than the Lefties. The Plats had freedoms and opportunities the Lefties weren’t given. They were the rule-makers, the enforcers, the deciders.
They weren’t the ones that the Flicker Men mixed with all those years ago, leaving behind Flickerkin whose abilities were feared and who were forbidden from entering the Plateau. They weren’t the ones whose existence risked the wrath of the Waters.
Myra hated that she was different from all the other Plats. She envied their darker skin, their straighter hair, their height. Even though her father was on the Council, she could never really fit in. Not having inherited many of her physical characteristics from her mother, who was from the Left Eye. And not with the fear that she might reveal herself to be a Flickerkin.
Still, she hoped to someday inherit her father’s seat on the Council. She hoped to prove to all that she was the best female rider. She hoped that her friend Porti was right and that the Deputy’s son, Caster, liked her as much as she liked him.
But with the growing threat of the rising waters that could bring back the Flicker Men, the recent pranks that had everyone on edge that somehow those who could make themselves invisible had infiltrated the Plateau, and the very real possibility of discovery, Myra’s hopes seemed less and less likely to become reality.
A tumultuous past, civil unrest, fear, hatred, oppression, betrayal, bravery, love, honor, acceptance, strength, FLICKER AND MIST has it all. It introduces a unique world, tackles many real-life issues, gives much food for thought. It gives readers a strong heroine to connect with, puts many obstacles in her way, tests her values and beliefs, forces her to make difficult decisions, and asks her to trust those she has no reason to trust.
And with a number of unexpected reactions, choices, outcomes, a wondrous ability, tragedy, heartbreak, romance, plenty of action and the possibility of more to come, this is a story that is not to be missed.
October 25, 2016
Thanks to the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't influence my opinion and review of this book
I wasn't too sure what to expect going into Flicker and Mist but I didn't expect to fall very much in love with it like I did. I've read many YA fantasy but I can never get tired of finding awesome ones such as this.
Myra is an extremely funny and lovable character. The idea of the Flickerkin was brilliant and got my interest from the very beginning. It has a great set of character's that I can't help but love. Porti the steadfast friend, Caster the perfect hero, Nolan the dark rebel, Hoof a great companion (Though she's an animal).
The love triangle between Caster and Myra and Nolan is very sweet and adorable, I liked seeing them relate with each other. But I'm on Team Caster, I can't get tired of shipping those two together.
The worldbuilding is quite impressive and well put together. It was easy to understand the dynamics of Lefties, Plats, Flickerkin, Flicker Men and The Waters. Mary G. Thompson weaved a very intriguing world that I'm very much in love with.
Everything is well written especially the display of powers, the narration was never lost on me and I never got bored. The ending had surprising twists and turn that shocked me, but it left me quite excited for future installments in the series.
There is mystery, adventure, romance, powers, friendships and an unforgettable heroine.
Flicker and Mist is one book that pleasantly surprised me and I definitely hope for more books from this author. I recommend this to lovers of YA Fantasy and anyone hoping for a good time.
P.S: The beautiful cover has a significance that will be understood at a later point in the book.
I wasn't too sure what to expect going into Flicker and Mist but I didn't expect to fall very much in love with it like I did. I've read many YA fantasy but I can never get tired of finding awesome ones such as this.
Myra is an extremely funny and lovable character. The idea of the Flickerkin was brilliant and got my interest from the very beginning. It has a great set of character's that I can't help but love. Porti the steadfast friend, Caster the perfect hero, Nolan the dark rebel, Hoof a great companion (Though she's an animal).
The love triangle between Caster and Myra and Nolan is very sweet and adorable, I liked seeing them relate with each other. But I'm on Team Caster, I can't get tired of shipping those two together.
The worldbuilding is quite impressive and well put together. It was easy to understand the dynamics of Lefties, Plats, Flickerkin, Flicker Men and The Waters. Mary G. Thompson weaved a very intriguing world that I'm very much in love with.
Everything is well written especially the display of powers, the narration was never lost on me and I never got bored. The ending had surprising twists and turn that shocked me, but it left me quite excited for future installments in the series.
There is mystery, adventure, romance, powers, friendships and an unforgettable heroine.
Flicker and Mist is one book that pleasantly surprised me and I definitely hope for more books from this author. I recommend this to lovers of YA Fantasy and anyone hoping for a good time.
P.S: The beautiful cover has a significance that will be understood at a later point in the book.
October 17, 2025
We have fantasy, dystopian, combined with _BOOM_ high school drama. I give it three stars just because some of it could have been done a crap-ton better.
I'm an author, by the way, so I'm criticizing from a teenage author's perspective.
Why did I give it ⭐⭐⭐?
Reason 1.) The cover art didn't even match the main character's face. Obviously, it goes to say not to judge a book by its cover. I do that all the time, though, I feel like that's the one stereotype that doesn't apply to the subject of the stereotype. The girl on the front cover looks semi-Oriental, and the hair is pin-straight. In the book, Myra had blonde curly hair(maybe the girl on the front had blonde hair, but it's definitely not the same). So yes, don't judge it by its cover.
Reason 2.) The dang names!!! Did anyone else realize the main character's name is literally just a respelling of the author's name? (Mary/Myra) I mean, it's not a huge issue, since authors do that all the time (e.g., Jane in Jane Austen's books). But literally, there wasn't much imagination used for the naming. And then Caster. I first thought of castor oil. Porti. Porter potty. Orphos. Nolan. Just no. It sounds like a pasta brand. I'm sorry, but naming is a huge deal when I'm writing novels. People can criticize my writing and choice of names all they want, since they have(e.g., Earnest Farthing, Phoenix Thane, Tamika, Hashi, etc. Some people actually hated Earnest being used as a girl's name.) already.
Reason 3.) I don't actually mind the instant "guys, just so you know, these people have been shipped and will be for the rest of the book" thing. Like, oh, that's nice, we don't have to build up to "OHMIGOD WHEN ARE THESE PEOPLE GONNA GET MARRIED", we're already in the relationship. But some people really don't like that. They want *~.*climax~*.*!!! It's different when you're a YA author, but this woman is an adult, and she can't make climaxes well. I'm sorry. You could tell she was a newbie when it came to writing for YA. (It even says that on the back flap: "Flicker and Mist is her first fantasy for teen readers.) I really felt like she was trying to tone it down. So much kissing, though. It was nondescriptive, too! "He kissed me." "We kissed again." "He held me." "He kissed my cheek." UGH! If two people are in love, you shouldn't need to use kissing to display it, or you're a bad author. I thought the part in pages 331-334 was forced. Myra wanting to get into bed with Caster(no intimacy happened); it's just unnecessary. I skipped over it since it was so strangely written. Myra sounded like an immature girl, and Caster--Don't get me started. The whole thing was unnecessary.
Reason 4.) The thing with the weird scripturish stuff. (THE BOOK OF THE WATERS, and A HISTORY OF THE UPLAND.) You might as well just give us another book. It wasn't anything like Myra was fulfilling a prophecy, so it wasn't necessary to put in there. It would have been enjoyable without.
Reason 5.) I liked Nolan, but the dynamics were like The Phantom of the Opera. Raoul and Christine are already dating, and then IN POPS PHANTOM, he convinces Christine to like him, but is overly protective and hates Raoul, and wants only the soubrette. Nolan, why did he have to stoop so low? Like, I get the love triangle thing you were trying to make, but Nolan was so overprotective and obsessive. Sorry, but no. I still liked his personality otherwise.
Reason 6.) The map before page 1. It's so bland.
Reason 7.) I watched Lego Friends when I was seven years old, and they lived in Heart City. It took all my brainpower to stop making Myra and Caster into Lego minifigures.
I liked the book otherwise, and it spoke to me, since I'm in a difficult situation with my parents as well. My mother has cancer, and I've been doing horseback riding lessons, which has been helping to put my mind off of everything. Myra's mother being put in prison, and then her riding her wetbeast(horse thing) reminded me of what I was going through, and that's what made me want to keep reading.
It's a good read if you want to take a break from something like, say, Fahrenheit 451 or Pride and Prejudice. It's just plain reading that still feeds your mind, so read the book. It's knowledge, and nothing is wrong with knowledge and taking in more information.
I'm an author, by the way, so I'm criticizing from a teenage author's perspective.
Why did I give it ⭐⭐⭐?
Reason 1.) The cover art didn't even match the main character's face. Obviously, it goes to say not to judge a book by its cover. I do that all the time, though, I feel like that's the one stereotype that doesn't apply to the subject of the stereotype. The girl on the front cover looks semi-Oriental, and the hair is pin-straight. In the book, Myra had blonde curly hair(maybe the girl on the front had blonde hair, but it's definitely not the same). So yes, don't judge it by its cover.
Reason 2.) The dang names!!! Did anyone else realize the main character's name is literally just a respelling of the author's name? (Mary/Myra) I mean, it's not a huge issue, since authors do that all the time (e.g., Jane in Jane Austen's books). But literally, there wasn't much imagination used for the naming. And then Caster. I first thought of castor oil. Porti. Porter potty. Orphos. Nolan. Just no. It sounds like a pasta brand. I'm sorry, but naming is a huge deal when I'm writing novels. People can criticize my writing and choice of names all they want, since they have(e.g., Earnest Farthing, Phoenix Thane, Tamika, Hashi, etc. Some people actually hated Earnest being used as a girl's name.) already.
Reason 3.) I don't actually mind the instant "guys, just so you know, these people have been shipped and will be for the rest of the book" thing. Like, oh, that's nice, we don't have to build up to "OHMIGOD WHEN ARE THESE PEOPLE GONNA GET MARRIED", we're already in the relationship. But some people really don't like that. They want *~.*climax~*.*!!! It's different when you're a YA author, but this woman is an adult, and she can't make climaxes well. I'm sorry. You could tell she was a newbie when it came to writing for YA. (It even says that on the back flap: "Flicker and Mist is her first fantasy for teen readers.) I really felt like she was trying to tone it down. So much kissing, though. It was nondescriptive, too! "He kissed me." "We kissed again." "He held me." "He kissed my cheek." UGH! If two people are in love, you shouldn't need to use kissing to display it, or you're a bad author. I thought the part in pages 331-334 was forced. Myra wanting to get into bed with Caster(no intimacy happened); it's just unnecessary. I skipped over it since it was so strangely written. Myra sounded like an immature girl, and Caster--Don't get me started. The whole thing was unnecessary.
Reason 4.) The thing with the weird scripturish stuff. (THE BOOK OF THE WATERS, and A HISTORY OF THE UPLAND.) You might as well just give us another book. It wasn't anything like Myra was fulfilling a prophecy, so it wasn't necessary to put in there. It would have been enjoyable without.
Reason 5.) I liked Nolan, but the dynamics were like The Phantom of the Opera. Raoul and Christine are already dating, and then IN POPS PHANTOM, he convinces Christine to like him, but is overly protective and hates Raoul, and wants only the soubrette. Nolan, why did he have to stoop so low? Like, I get the love triangle thing you were trying to make, but Nolan was so overprotective and obsessive. Sorry, but no. I still liked his personality otherwise.
Reason 6.) The map before page 1. It's so bland.
Reason 7.) I watched Lego Friends when I was seven years old, and they lived in Heart City. It took all my brainpower to stop making Myra and Caster into Lego minifigures.
I liked the book otherwise, and it spoke to me, since I'm in a difficult situation with my parents as well. My mother has cancer, and I've been doing horseback riding lessons, which has been helping to put my mind off of everything. Myra's mother being put in prison, and then her riding her wetbeast(horse thing) reminded me of what I was going through, and that's what made me want to keep reading.
It's a good read if you want to take a break from something like, say, Fahrenheit 451 or Pride and Prejudice. It's just plain reading that still feeds your mind, so read the book. It's knowledge, and nothing is wrong with knowledge and taking in more information.
January 3, 2018
Myra can turn invisible - or as they call it in the Upland, can flicker – and she absolutely hates it.
Flicker and Mist is a book about a privileged girl yearning to forget the half of her blood that is different, which many can take the wrong way and presume she is racist. The story takes place on an island (are they cut off from the rest of the world?) that is governed by a Council and Deputy of single race, the Plats, in which her father (a full-blooded Plat) is a member of. The Council and Deputy strive to please the Waters, the “deity” of their religion, and so ban any Flickerkin from their land due to ancestral strife.
Myra’s mother is secretly a Flickerkin and is constantly being torn apart by the citizens of New Heart City for being a Leftie. Leftie’s are the fair-skinned, fair-haired, physically smaller race that came directly from the first Flickermen and are said to be dangerous because of their mixed blood. They live in the Left Eye and do not live among the Plateau people due to the tests and grievances subjected to them. Myra of course, being Myra, cares far too much about what people say behind her back and what her mother thinks so she strives to suppress her flickering and balance her love for Caster and wetbeast Hoof, friendship with Porti, and connection to the Leftie Nolan by constantly deceiving and complaining.
I have a like/dislike relationship with this book. Mainly because, albeit a fantastical idea, the world of the Upland is missing the connection between world, character, and reader.
The characters are bland, you could just as easily get confused on who is speaking if the author eliminated the names in dialogue. This takes out a huge chunk of the story because, to me, if you can’t connect to a character and understand at least a little bit of why they make certain decisions – taking away unpredictability and human urges – the whole book is ruined. Myra is described well on the outside, sure (physically and on how she prefers training with Hoof over shopping for dresses with her best friend Porti), but internally, her turmoil seems selfish and one-sided.
Again, this is not a poorly created world, just poorly executed. There is a fair amount of betrayal, romance, and intrigue just as much as there are moments where I skipped pages out of boredom and found myself sighing and with second-hand-embarrassment with the characters. The fact that there is talk of a sequel makes me think of how I will read it only to rest my mind on the long list of unanswered questions I was left with. Hey, maybe the sequel is better? Hopefully.
Flicker and Mist is a book about a privileged girl yearning to forget the half of her blood that is different, which many can take the wrong way and presume she is racist. The story takes place on an island (are they cut off from the rest of the world?) that is governed by a Council and Deputy of single race, the Plats, in which her father (a full-blooded Plat) is a member of. The Council and Deputy strive to please the Waters, the “deity” of their religion, and so ban any Flickerkin from their land due to ancestral strife.
Myra’s mother is secretly a Flickerkin and is constantly being torn apart by the citizens of New Heart City for being a Leftie. Leftie’s are the fair-skinned, fair-haired, physically smaller race that came directly from the first Flickermen and are said to be dangerous because of their mixed blood. They live in the Left Eye and do not live among the Plateau people due to the tests and grievances subjected to them. Myra of course, being Myra, cares far too much about what people say behind her back and what her mother thinks so she strives to suppress her flickering and balance her love for Caster and wetbeast Hoof, friendship with Porti, and connection to the Leftie Nolan by constantly deceiving and complaining.
I have a like/dislike relationship with this book. Mainly because, albeit a fantastical idea, the world of the Upland is missing the connection between world, character, and reader.
The characters are bland, you could just as easily get confused on who is speaking if the author eliminated the names in dialogue. This takes out a huge chunk of the story because, to me, if you can’t connect to a character and understand at least a little bit of why they make certain decisions – taking away unpredictability and human urges – the whole book is ruined. Myra is described well on the outside, sure (physically and on how she prefers training with Hoof over shopping for dresses with her best friend Porti), but internally, her turmoil seems selfish and one-sided.
Again, this is not a poorly created world, just poorly executed. There is a fair amount of betrayal, romance, and intrigue just as much as there are moments where I skipped pages out of boredom and found myself sighing and with second-hand-embarrassment with the characters. The fact that there is talk of a sequel makes me think of how I will read it only to rest my mind on the long list of unanswered questions I was left with. Hey, maybe the sequel is better? Hopefully.
March 23, 2021
Myra can turn invisible - or as they call it in the Upland, can flicker – and she absolutely hates it.
Flicker and Mist is a book about a privileged girl yearning to forget the half of her blood that is different, which many can take the wrong way and presume she is racist. The story takes place on an island (are they cut off from the rest of the world?) that is governed by a Council and Deputy of single race, the Plats, in which her father (a full-blooded Plat) is a member of. The Council and Deputy strive to please the Waters, the “deity” of their religion, and so ban any Flickerkin from their land due to ancestral strife.
Myra’s mother is secretly a Flickerkin and is constantly being torn apart by the citizens of New Heart City for being a Leftie. Leftie’s are the fair-skinned, fair-haired, physically smaller race that came directly from the first Flickermen and are said to be dangerous because of their mixed blood. They live in the Left Eye and do not live among the Plateau people due to the tests and grievances subjected to them. Myra of course, being Myra, cares far too much about what people say behind her back and what her mother thinks so she strives to suppress her flickering and balance her love for Caster and wetbeast Hoof, friendship with Porti, and connection to the Leftie Nolan by constantly deceiving and complaining.
I have a like/dislike relationship with this book. Mainly because, albeit a fantastical idea, the world of the Upland is missing the connection between world, character, and reader.
The characters are bland, you could just as easily get confused on who is speaking if the author eliminated the names in dialogue. This takes out a huge chunk of the story because, to me, if you can’t connect to a character and understand at least a little bit of why they make certain decisions – taking away unpredictability and human urges – the whole book is ruined. Myra is described well on the outside, sure (physically and on how she prefers training with Hoof over shopping for dresses with her best friend Porti), but internally, her turmoil seems selfish and one-sided.
Again, this is not a poorly created world, just poorly executed. There is a fair amount of betrayal, romance, and intrigue just as much as there are moments where I skipped pages out of boredom and found myself sighing and with second-hand-embarrassment with the characters. The fact that there is talk of a sequel makes me think of how I will read it only to rest my mind on the long list of unanswered questions I was left with. Hey, maybe the sequel is better? One can only hope, yet I will not be interested in reading it.
Flicker and Mist is a book about a privileged girl yearning to forget the half of her blood that is different, which many can take the wrong way and presume she is racist. The story takes place on an island (are they cut off from the rest of the world?) that is governed by a Council and Deputy of single race, the Plats, in which her father (a full-blooded Plat) is a member of. The Council and Deputy strive to please the Waters, the “deity” of their religion, and so ban any Flickerkin from their land due to ancestral strife.
Myra’s mother is secretly a Flickerkin and is constantly being torn apart by the citizens of New Heart City for being a Leftie. Leftie’s are the fair-skinned, fair-haired, physically smaller race that came directly from the first Flickermen and are said to be dangerous because of their mixed blood. They live in the Left Eye and do not live among the Plateau people due to the tests and grievances subjected to them. Myra of course, being Myra, cares far too much about what people say behind her back and what her mother thinks so she strives to suppress her flickering and balance her love for Caster and wetbeast Hoof, friendship with Porti, and connection to the Leftie Nolan by constantly deceiving and complaining.
I have a like/dislike relationship with this book. Mainly because, albeit a fantastical idea, the world of the Upland is missing the connection between world, character, and reader.
The characters are bland, you could just as easily get confused on who is speaking if the author eliminated the names in dialogue. This takes out a huge chunk of the story because, to me, if you can’t connect to a character and understand at least a little bit of why they make certain decisions – taking away unpredictability and human urges – the whole book is ruined. Myra is described well on the outside, sure (physically and on how she prefers training with Hoof over shopping for dresses with her best friend Porti), but internally, her turmoil seems selfish and one-sided.
Again, this is not a poorly created world, just poorly executed. There is a fair amount of betrayal, romance, and intrigue just as much as there are moments where I skipped pages out of boredom and found myself sighing and with second-hand-embarrassment with the characters. The fact that there is talk of a sequel makes me think of how I will read it only to rest my mind on the long list of unanswered questions I was left with. Hey, maybe the sequel is better? One can only hope, yet I will not be interested in reading it.
February 6, 2017
Origionally posted on novelcravings blog
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication Date: January 3rd 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Soure: ARC from Raincoast
Link to the author: http://marygthompson.com/
Summary:
This is a story about a girl named Myra, she is the daughter of a Plat and a Leftie, the only mixed blood girl in her town. There are physical differences between Plats and Lefties but what really sets them apart is the Lefties relations to Flickerkin, people who can make themselves invisible. The Flickerkin left quite some time ago after confrontation with the Plats but the Lefties are still considered lower class and viewed with suspicion (in case they inherited the ability to Flicker). Myra has had a typical life regardless of her heritage because her father is on city council and they are seen as standup Plat citizens. All Myra ever has to worry about is the annual Games, in which she competes in a race with her Wetbeast Hoof. That is until mysterious things start to happen and someone with the ability to Flicker is suspected. Everyone is worried that the Flickermen have returned and there will be violence once again.
I had a love-hate relationship with Myra. I really liked her character but she very often did things that seemed out of character? She would talk about how much she shouldn’t do something and then come to the conclusion that it was exactly what she needed to do? As a result, there were a lot of events in the story that felt unnecessary because one of Myra’s acts would directly undo her previous one. It felt forced at times, just to move the story in the direction it needed to go without any natural flow. As Myra discovers how deep her Leftie blood runs some secrets are revealed and Myra’s reactions didn’t feel realistic. She was too accepting of all these new revelations, dangers, and abilities, as well as being a five second natural when it came to learning new skills. One thing I did really enjoy were the friendships between Myra, Orphos, Castor and Porti. Often when the main characters secrets are revealed her friends turn away from her, adding to the protagonist struggle, however in this story they very strongly supported her. I liked that a lot, it was unexpected and was defiantely one of the best parts of the story. I really found the constant, constant reminder of the physical differences between Plats and Lefties to be annoying. I only need to be reminded so many times in 377 pages of how short and round the Lefties were and how dark the Plats hair was. There is some romance in Flicker and Mist and almost a love triangle? I couldn’t stand Nolan because he was SO pushy and constantly telling Myra what to do, even physically forcing her to Flicker. Castor was great but I wasn’t swooning at any point, there was no build up or slow burn, or any kind of burn to his and Myra’s relationship it was just easy and sweet.
The World building. I hope someone else reads this books and creates some fan art of the Wetbeast because I have no idea what this thing is or looks like. It runs on land and swims underwater with a rider, it also moos and screeches? I really like fantasy creatures but the whole time I was picturing a cow and it made all the actions scenes very comical in my head and I don’t think that was the authors intention. There is constant reference to the height of the water around this island where they all live and I still don’t know what the point of that was? The original Flickermen came over the ocean on boats and left the same way and with them the ocean receded. The people on the island see the water as their god and submit criminals to its depths to be judged and no one travels on the water out of respect for the god. The rising waters are part of why the people begin to panic but nothing actually happens on the water, at least in this book. All of the trouble is caused by some Lefties who are tired of being oppressed by the Plats so I’m just wondering why the reader was constantly told how high the water was rising? Again this could be explained in the following book but it all felt a little scattered and didn’t give me enough information to become invested in the mystery.
The writing definitely set a mood well, there was a sense of fear and urgency. There was also an air of mystery- why are the waters rising? what really happened between the Flickerkin and Plats all those years ago? – but it was really deflating that none of that was explained. I felt like the author was nudging the reader that these were important to the story but in they end they were irrelevant. I had no idea where the story was going, and not in the good way, with surprising twists and reveals.
Overall I felt the Flicker ability or magic was interesting and I haven’t read a story with anything like it before. If the main character had taken it on willingly and taken time to learn it, I think I would have enjoyed it more. The first time she Flickers in the story it is forced upon her by Nolan, rather than feel violated or furious she ends up letting him teach her to Flicker which involves the two getting very close and cozy. I can’t believe someone would so easily trust a guy they barely know who just violated their personal freedoms? But she does and then after a day or so of practice she’s able to Flicker her Wetbeast as well, a rare ability, followed the same day by Misting. From what I understood Misting is when a Flickerkin goes from invisible to atomized and weightless, sort of like a cloud or a fog? Myra learns this almost instantly despite it being described as an advanced ability. A Flickerkin can also make one appendage solid and visible in cloud form, in one scene Myra Mists out over the water and lifts Castor to safety and I just couldn’t see it or buy it.
I feel like there were so many elements in this story I liked and had potential but they all just went in a direction I didn’t enjoy. I might pick up the second book when it releases just to see if any of my questions are answered but I can’t honestly say that I would recommend this because it left me so frustrated and unsatisfied.
A big thank you to Raincoast Books for sending me a copy of Flicker and Mist for this review!
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication Date: January 3rd 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Soure: ARC from Raincoast
Link to the author: http://marygthompson.com/
Summary:
This is a story about a girl named Myra, she is the daughter of a Plat and a Leftie, the only mixed blood girl in her town. There are physical differences between Plats and Lefties but what really sets them apart is the Lefties relations to Flickerkin, people who can make themselves invisible. The Flickerkin left quite some time ago after confrontation with the Plats but the Lefties are still considered lower class and viewed with suspicion (in case they inherited the ability to Flicker). Myra has had a typical life regardless of her heritage because her father is on city council and they are seen as standup Plat citizens. All Myra ever has to worry about is the annual Games, in which she competes in a race with her Wetbeast Hoof. That is until mysterious things start to happen and someone with the ability to Flicker is suspected. Everyone is worried that the Flickermen have returned and there will be violence once again.
I had a love-hate relationship with Myra. I really liked her character but she very often did things that seemed out of character? She would talk about how much she shouldn’t do something and then come to the conclusion that it was exactly what she needed to do? As a result, there were a lot of events in the story that felt unnecessary because one of Myra’s acts would directly undo her previous one. It felt forced at times, just to move the story in the direction it needed to go without any natural flow. As Myra discovers how deep her Leftie blood runs some secrets are revealed and Myra’s reactions didn’t feel realistic. She was too accepting of all these new revelations, dangers, and abilities, as well as being a five second natural when it came to learning new skills. One thing I did really enjoy were the friendships between Myra, Orphos, Castor and Porti. Often when the main characters secrets are revealed her friends turn away from her, adding to the protagonist struggle, however in this story they very strongly supported her. I liked that a lot, it was unexpected and was defiantely one of the best parts of the story. I really found the constant, constant reminder of the physical differences between Plats and Lefties to be annoying. I only need to be reminded so many times in 377 pages of how short and round the Lefties were and how dark the Plats hair was. There is some romance in Flicker and Mist and almost a love triangle? I couldn’t stand Nolan because he was SO pushy and constantly telling Myra what to do, even physically forcing her to Flicker. Castor was great but I wasn’t swooning at any point, there was no build up or slow burn, or any kind of burn to his and Myra’s relationship it was just easy and sweet.
The World building. I hope someone else reads this books and creates some fan art of the Wetbeast because I have no idea what this thing is or looks like. It runs on land and swims underwater with a rider, it also moos and screeches? I really like fantasy creatures but the whole time I was picturing a cow and it made all the actions scenes very comical in my head and I don’t think that was the authors intention. There is constant reference to the height of the water around this island where they all live and I still don’t know what the point of that was? The original Flickermen came over the ocean on boats and left the same way and with them the ocean receded. The people on the island see the water as their god and submit criminals to its depths to be judged and no one travels on the water out of respect for the god. The rising waters are part of why the people begin to panic but nothing actually happens on the water, at least in this book. All of the trouble is caused by some Lefties who are tired of being oppressed by the Plats so I’m just wondering why the reader was constantly told how high the water was rising? Again this could be explained in the following book but it all felt a little scattered and didn’t give me enough information to become invested in the mystery.
The writing definitely set a mood well, there was a sense of fear and urgency. There was also an air of mystery- why are the waters rising? what really happened between the Flickerkin and Plats all those years ago? – but it was really deflating that none of that was explained. I felt like the author was nudging the reader that these were important to the story but in they end they were irrelevant. I had no idea where the story was going, and not in the good way, with surprising twists and reveals.
Overall I felt the Flicker ability or magic was interesting and I haven’t read a story with anything like it before. If the main character had taken it on willingly and taken time to learn it, I think I would have enjoyed it more. The first time she Flickers in the story it is forced upon her by Nolan, rather than feel violated or furious she ends up letting him teach her to Flicker which involves the two getting very close and cozy. I can’t believe someone would so easily trust a guy they barely know who just violated their personal freedoms? But she does and then after a day or so of practice she’s able to Flicker her Wetbeast as well, a rare ability, followed the same day by Misting. From what I understood Misting is when a Flickerkin goes from invisible to atomized and weightless, sort of like a cloud or a fog? Myra learns this almost instantly despite it being described as an advanced ability. A Flickerkin can also make one appendage solid and visible in cloud form, in one scene Myra Mists out over the water and lifts Castor to safety and I just couldn’t see it or buy it.
I feel like there were so many elements in this story I liked and had potential but they all just went in a direction I didn’t enjoy. I might pick up the second book when it releases just to see if any of my questions are answered but I can’t honestly say that I would recommend this because it left me so frustrated and unsatisfied.
A big thank you to Raincoast Books for sending me a copy of Flicker and Mist for this review!
January 16, 2017
I went into this book with not very high expectations, so that I wouldn't be disappointed. I feel like it was above those expectations I set, but not by much.
The whole premise and concept of the book is really amazing and something that could be really powerful if used in the right way.
The way that Mary G. Thompson took this simple idea of people having the capability to disappear at will and expanded it into something that somewhat mirrors our own racial discrimination is something that I feel there should be more of in books.
I feel like as a society we tend to shy away from that sort of topic, not wanting to portray it in a way so that it appears that one side is superior to another.
I also liked the way that she portrayed the female characters in the story. Thy were all strong smart women who had a purpose in their world and weren't just trophy wifes who are stay at home moms who do nothing. Myra and Porti were both beautiful people who also were amazing athletes who were even better than the men (supposedly).
The one thing I did find amiss was that the actual plot was somewhat predictable/stereotypical. It wasn't hard to guess what Myra would do or the way she, or others, would react to certain events.
Overall I thought it was a decent book, but I felt like there was something missing.
The whole premise and concept of the book is really amazing and something that could be really powerful if used in the right way.
The way that Mary G. Thompson took this simple idea of people having the capability to disappear at will and expanded it into something that somewhat mirrors our own racial discrimination is something that I feel there should be more of in books.
I feel like as a society we tend to shy away from that sort of topic, not wanting to portray it in a way so that it appears that one side is superior to another.
I also liked the way that she portrayed the female characters in the story. Thy were all strong smart women who had a purpose in their world and weren't just trophy wifes who are stay at home moms who do nothing. Myra and Porti were both beautiful people who also were amazing athletes who were even better than the men (supposedly).
The one thing I did find amiss was that the actual plot was somewhat predictable/stereotypical. It wasn't hard to guess what Myra would do or the way she, or others, would react to certain events.
Overall I thought it was a decent book, but I felt like there was something missing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2017
When the Flicker Men came, many years ago, the world changed. They introduced new technologies and new ideas. Some intermarried. They passed on their abilities to "flicker" or turn invisible. Now they are gone, but the legacy lingers. The people are divided into two groups, the privileged people of the plat, and the people of the Left Eye where most flickerkin can be found. The people of the Left Eye are oppressed, overtaxed, and discriminated against. Myra was born a plat, yet her mother is a "leftie". Her father's position as a member of the political elite has kept them safe, but now an old war is restarting. Those who can flicker are being sought out for exile or death. Myra's own parents are imprisoned. Which side should be belong to, now that she has discovered she can flicker, too? This is YA, with romance, friendship, and social themes. Maybe I've been reading too much YA recently, but I'm growing tired of themes involving oppressed people set apart by appearance or special magical ability and the one or two who can bridge that gap. I'm looking for someone to come up with an original idea. In the meantime this is the first book in a proposed series and is acceptable, if predictable, fare.
January 11, 2018
This goes squarely in the category of "meh, I don't regret reading it, probably wouldn't recommend it, but could be convinced to read a sequel if one came out."
Like many others, I found it to be a bit of a let down, the synopsis made it sound a lot more exciting than it actually was. Myra was blah to me, and a bit forced, and very short-sighted.
Actually most of the main characters were flat and didn't really feel any connection to them. The plot also didn't flow amazingly (says the girl who read it in two days, it clearly can't have been that bad), found it was a bit choppy.
However, I liked the concept and the overall story line, and I'm a sucker for a cheesy/happy ending #spoiler
Oh, and I'm totally on Team Nolan. But that might be because I just like the idea of invisible, revenge seekers (but really just fighting for equal rights, but whatever), sounds like fun to me.
Like many others, I found it to be a bit of a let down, the synopsis made it sound a lot more exciting than it actually was. Myra was blah to me, and a bit forced, and very short-sighted.
Actually most of the main characters were flat and didn't really feel any connection to them. The plot also didn't flow amazingly (says the girl who read it in two days, it clearly can't have been that bad), found it was a bit choppy.
However, I liked the concept and the overall story line, and I'm a sucker for a cheesy/happy ending #spoiler
Oh, and I'm totally on Team Nolan. But that might be because I just like the idea of invisible, revenge seekers (but really just fighting for equal rights, but whatever), sounds like fun to me.
September 4, 2019
Mixed-race Myra lives with her Leftie mother from whom she inherited the forbidden Ability of Flickering (going invisible) as well as her looks, and her Plat father, a law-abiding Councilman. After Myra accidentally flickered at age five, her father secretly taught her how to control it. Now sixteen, right before the Games in which she anticipates being named best rider with her beast Hoof, nasty pranks allegedly by illegal “flickerkins” turn violent and engage public panic. In a government crackdown, Myra’s parents are jailed for violating the Declaration of Peace and Myra, her Ability undetected, is placed on house arrest. Forced to withdraw from the Games and amidst the political chaos, Myra discovers allies in unexpected places as she searches for meaning in her life and must make an important decision: Choose the Lefties or the Plats.
April 20, 2020
When asked what you wish your superhero power would be, Invisibility was always an option. Before it seemed like a pretty good contender in my eyes but now after this maybe not so much. Myra is the main character who has to keep her secret that she can Flicker (turn invisible), a blood trait, because its deemed inhuman and a danger. I enjoyed this read overall.
Things I liked:
The concept of the invisibility was done in a way I havent personally seen.
I liked the beasts and the competition.
It had a strong beginning.
Things that could have been improved on:
The character development of other characters was little to none. The love interest didnt really have much character and I felt like the love triangle was forced and should have been left out. The ending action scene could have been done so much better as well.
Things I liked:
The concept of the invisibility was done in a way I havent personally seen.
I liked the beasts and the competition.
It had a strong beginning.
Things that could have been improved on:
The character development of other characters was little to none. The love interest didnt really have much character and I felt like the love triangle was forced and should have been left out. The ending action scene could have been done so much better as well.
July 16, 2022
This was tough. Concept is great, as it brings awareness to discrimination/racism however, the execution is poor…or at they very least has left me confused. What I mean is why did the author write it such that dark-skinned people oppressed light-skinned people? I couldn’t tell if she was trying to make it easier for white people to understand the experiences of POCs or if she genuinely believe white people are oppressed.
September 28, 2017
An interesting concept but I felt like the first 4/5 of the book was slow and kind of plodding, with Myra fretting over the same ideas over and over and over again. Then the last 1/5 of the book just kind of raced manically to a conclusion. Not very satisfying in the end.
May 4, 2017
Townspeople fear the Flickerkin. I, too, would fear people who can turn invisible.
May 20, 2017
DNF due to sheer boredom.
August 25, 2017
It was amazing and I wish it was part of a series
June 5, 2018
I thought this book was very interesting, fun, and It was very difficult to put down
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews