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World of Vindor #2
Mists of Paracosmia
Return to the land of Vindor and explore new nations, meet new allies, and face new perils in the sequel to the award-winning novel, Escape to Vindor.
Several years have passed since Megan banished the Shadow from Vindor. Now her world faces a new threat: a menacing fog that wipes out identities. It’s an ideal time for Megan to return—but in a a strange twist of events, Vindor gets her brother, Arden, instead.
Arden knows nothing about his sister’s secret world, but he’s tired of being dominated by school bullies and jumps at the chance to train as a hero. Guardian Selena sends him on a quest to the Dembeyan city of N’gozi, accompanied by a spirited Nomad girl and a grumpy Selk mermaid.
Meanwhile, Megan discovers the goblin Bat—now in human form—near
her college campus. The two race to find a way back to Vindor to set
things right. Does a mysterious new friend hold the key to traveling between dimensions?
Journeying along the Blackwater River, Arden and his companions face unexpected dangers when they stumble into a deadly conspiracy—and discover a terrible truth about the world of Vindor.
Several years have passed since Megan banished the Shadow from Vindor. Now her world faces a new threat: a menacing fog that wipes out identities. It’s an ideal time for Megan to return—but in a a strange twist of events, Vindor gets her brother, Arden, instead.
Arden knows nothing about his sister’s secret world, but he’s tired of being dominated by school bullies and jumps at the chance to train as a hero. Guardian Selena sends him on a quest to the Dembeyan city of N’gozi, accompanied by a spirited Nomad girl and a grumpy Selk mermaid.
Meanwhile, Megan discovers the goblin Bat—now in human form—near
her college campus. The two race to find a way back to Vindor to set
things right. Does a mysterious new friend hold the key to traveling between dimensions?
Journeying along the Blackwater River, Arden and his companions face unexpected dangers when they stumble into a deadly conspiracy—and discover a terrible truth about the world of Vindor.
- GenresFantasy
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2019
2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Emily Golus
4 books144 followersEmily Golus is an award-winning fantasy author with nearly 20 years of professional writing experience. Golus aims to engage, inspire, and show how small acts of courage and love can create meaningful change. Her books feature diverse cultures, authentic characters, and cinematic fantasy settings.
Her first novel, Escape to Vindor, won the 2017 Selah Award for Young Adult Fiction. A spin-off novel, Crack the Stone, won the 2024 Kudos Award for Fiction and was a finalist in the 2024 Realm Awards. Golus enjoys teaching workshops for teens and adults about storytelling, worldbuilding, and creativity.
Golus lives in Greenville, SC with her husband, Mike, who is her greatest supporter. They have two active little boys and enjoy hiking, making Thai food, and exploring small towns in the Carolinas.
Discover more at WorldofVindor.com and EmilyGolusBooks.com, and keep up with book news at Instagram.com/WorldOfVindor.
Her first novel, Escape to Vindor, won the 2017 Selah Award for Young Adult Fiction. A spin-off novel, Crack the Stone, won the 2024 Kudos Award for Fiction and was a finalist in the 2024 Realm Awards. Golus enjoys teaching workshops for teens and adults about storytelling, worldbuilding, and creativity.
Golus lives in Greenville, SC with her husband, Mike, who is her greatest supporter. They have two active little boys and enjoy hiking, making Thai food, and exploring small towns in the Carolinas.
Discover more at WorldofVindor.com and EmilyGolusBooks.com, and keep up with book news at Instagram.com/WorldOfVindor.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 29, 2019
Warning: This review contains some spoilers.
It's a struggle to articulate what exactly it is about this series that I love so much. There is something completely and unabashedly fun about it. There’s a simple, straightforward heart to the Vindor series that is simply irresistible. Something about it moves me to pleasure, joy, and near-tears . . . especially the endings! At the end of Mists of Paracosmia, I was very nearly crushed and spent the last chapter in the most horrid fear, but the author did not disappoint me, and left me with the same bitter-sweet surprise and contentment at the end of Mists of Paracosmia as she did with Escape to Vindor.
Vindor and its surrounding regions reminds me just a bit of J. M. Barrie’s Neverland in the fact that children’s imaginations directly affect the development of this mirror world – resulting in the most delightful hodge-podge of world building. The world was expanded even more in this sequel and added samurai and a host of other interesting peoples to the centaurs, goblins and mermaids of the previous book.
Mists of Paracosmia also offers an added fun twist to portal travel by shoving fantasy creatures onto college campuses. I was especially excited (and tickled) by the fact that Bat the Goblin (my favorite character from book one) is transported to Megan’s campus, resulting in one hilarious scenario after another as he struggles to blend in with the normal world.
Our heroine from the former novel, Megan, is now attending college and her younger brother is the one doing most of the world building. At first, this gave me a start, but as the pages kept turning, I began to appreciate the theme that Golus was building. This time, it’s really Arden who must take the otherworldly journey to discover his courage and self-worth. And, in a theme that struck closer to home for me, Megan is learning to embrace the wonder of what’s right in front of her and the magic of an ordinary life.
It's a struggle to articulate what exactly it is about this series that I love so much. There is something completely and unabashedly fun about it. There’s a simple, straightforward heart to the Vindor series that is simply irresistible. Something about it moves me to pleasure, joy, and near-tears . . . especially the endings! At the end of Mists of Paracosmia, I was very nearly crushed and spent the last chapter in the most horrid fear, but the author did not disappoint me, and left me with the same bitter-sweet surprise and contentment at the end of Mists of Paracosmia as she did with Escape to Vindor.
Vindor and its surrounding regions reminds me just a bit of J. M. Barrie’s Neverland in the fact that children’s imaginations directly affect the development of this mirror world – resulting in the most delightful hodge-podge of world building. The world was expanded even more in this sequel and added samurai and a host of other interesting peoples to the centaurs, goblins and mermaids of the previous book.
Mists of Paracosmia also offers an added fun twist to portal travel by shoving fantasy creatures onto college campuses. I was especially excited (and tickled) by the fact that Bat the Goblin (my favorite character from book one) is transported to Megan’s campus, resulting in one hilarious scenario after another as he struggles to blend in with the normal world.
Our heroine from the former novel, Megan, is now attending college and her younger brother is the one doing most of the world building. At first, this gave me a start, but as the pages kept turning, I began to appreciate the theme that Golus was building. This time, it’s really Arden who must take the otherworldly journey to discover his courage and self-worth. And, in a theme that struck closer to home for me, Megan is learning to embrace the wonder of what’s right in front of her and the magic of an ordinary life.
April 29, 2019
There is so much I want to say as this story really exceeded any and all my expectations when starting this book.
I absolutely loved it! Such an inspiring tale with simple messages that are not just for young readers, but for older readers too. The world of Vindor pulled me in as it did with the prequel, but now with a different hero whose story is just as powerful as his sister's. His need to be a hero is one I think anyone can relate too and loved seeing his ending journey.
One of the exciting parts about this story is that though I originally thought we would be in the same parts as Vindor, we're able to explore other lands in this huge and incredible world. And the ending was simply perfect! I can't even begin to describe the feelings of child-like awe and excitement it stirred in me that the author would invite us readers into this world she has imagined. I think for any reader it would be incredibly empowering and fuel a strong urge to create what some may say is the unimaginable.
Though I won't go into too many details, it was so awesome visiting with a few characters from book one. I LOVED seeing one particular character experience new things that sometimes I take for granted.
Overall, Emily Golus brings back the thrill, mystery, and danger of Vindor and its people in this engaging sequel! I couldn’t wait for any chance I could find to dive back into this thrilling story with diversity and powerful messages of heroism. Both Megan and Arden left me breathlessly cheering them on through every high and low (and finding opportunities to sneak read some more). Another fantastic and on-edge story in this excellent series for fantasy readers of all ages!
Now I too shall go daydream of Vindor and help keep it alive.
I absolutely loved it! Such an inspiring tale with simple messages that are not just for young readers, but for older readers too. The world of Vindor pulled me in as it did with the prequel, but now with a different hero whose story is just as powerful as his sister's. His need to be a hero is one I think anyone can relate too and loved seeing his ending journey.
One of the exciting parts about this story is that though I originally thought we would be in the same parts as Vindor, we're able to explore other lands in this huge and incredible world. And the ending was simply perfect! I can't even begin to describe the feelings of child-like awe and excitement it stirred in me that the author would invite us readers into this world she has imagined. I think for any reader it would be incredibly empowering and fuel a strong urge to create what some may say is the unimaginable.
Though I won't go into too many details, it was so awesome visiting with a few characters from book one. I LOVED seeing one particular character experience new things that sometimes I take for granted.
Overall, Emily Golus brings back the thrill, mystery, and danger of Vindor and its people in this engaging sequel! I couldn’t wait for any chance I could find to dive back into this thrilling story with diversity and powerful messages of heroism. Both Megan and Arden left me breathlessly cheering them on through every high and low (and finding opportunities to sneak read some more). Another fantastic and on-edge story in this excellent series for fantasy readers of all ages!
Now I too shall go daydream of Vindor and help keep it alive.
June 4, 2019
_Mists of Paracosmia_ levels up the world you came to love in _Escape to Vindor_. A little more adult in theme, with Vindor cracking at the seams with internal threats of genocide, Emily Golus' sequel is an adventure that makes you think.
_Mists_ tackles A LOT. Returning protagonist Megan Bradshaw is grown up, in college, and falling more in love with her native universe than her invented universe. This sequel focuses on her brother Arden, an artistically inclined boy antagonized by bullies every day at school. Arden finds himself in Vindor and, like his sister, grapples with his own personal demons in addition to the magical monsters that chase him across the disappearing landscape of his sister's private world.
Golus's sequel is more cerebral than its predecessor. The action doesn't clip by as quickly as it did in _Escape_, but I don't consider that a drawback. Vindor's mythical beasts--and our beloved protagonists--are dealing with issues that are uncomfortably current and real. Vindor has politics, regimes, biases and culture wars. The patterns appearing in the conflicts between peoples and nations mirror the conflicts polluting our real-world headlines. But with wisdom, sensitivity, and lucid writing, Golus's characters address them all with empathy, sensitivity, and truth.
Let's just say I cried through the last several chapters of this book. This is a series worth your emotional investment. It's a series beneficial and enriching to any reader, no matter the age. Highly recommend. Purchase a copy for you and a friend; spread the wonder of Vindor to your teenage nieces and nephews and your 30-something friends. Emily Golus does not disappoint.
_Mists_ tackles A LOT. Returning protagonist Megan Bradshaw is grown up, in college, and falling more in love with her native universe than her invented universe. This sequel focuses on her brother Arden, an artistically inclined boy antagonized by bullies every day at school. Arden finds himself in Vindor and, like his sister, grapples with his own personal demons in addition to the magical monsters that chase him across the disappearing landscape of his sister's private world.
Golus's sequel is more cerebral than its predecessor. The action doesn't clip by as quickly as it did in _Escape_, but I don't consider that a drawback. Vindor's mythical beasts--and our beloved protagonists--are dealing with issues that are uncomfortably current and real. Vindor has politics, regimes, biases and culture wars. The patterns appearing in the conflicts between peoples and nations mirror the conflicts polluting our real-world headlines. But with wisdom, sensitivity, and lucid writing, Golus's characters address them all with empathy, sensitivity, and truth.
Let's just say I cried through the last several chapters of this book. This is a series worth your emotional investment. It's a series beneficial and enriching to any reader, no matter the age. Highly recommend. Purchase a copy for you and a friend; spread the wonder of Vindor to your teenage nieces and nephews and your 30-something friends. Emily Golus does not disappoint.
December 31, 2021
Real review coming soon, but wow, oh my word, I’m crying that was so good.
October 9, 2023
Okay, now I'm obligated to write a Vindor cross-over fanfic...
Loved seeing Bat again. I'd say he's my favorite resident of Vindor. So many times during this book, he made me laugh out loud. I hope he has many wonderful adventures ahead of him.
This book resonated with me in a special way. As someone who has a unique relationship with a story, the Vindor duology is something I relate to in a very different way than a lot of readers might.
If you have ever loved a story--truly loved it so your heart reaches out for it even in your dreams, and every interaction with it draws you close to Truth--you will find this book (and its predecessor) to be small pieces of an even greater wonder.
Loved seeing Bat again. I'd say he's my favorite resident of Vindor. So many times during this book, he made me laugh out loud. I hope he has many wonderful adventures ahead of him.
This book resonated with me in a special way. As someone who has a unique relationship with a story, the Vindor duology is something I relate to in a very different way than a lot of readers might.
If you have ever loved a story--truly loved it so your heart reaches out for it even in your dreams, and every interaction with it draws you close to Truth--you will find this book (and its predecessor) to be small pieces of an even greater wonder.
August 3, 2019
More awesomeness from Emily's world. I really enjoyed it. Get the word out to whoever will listen. I need book three.
September 21, 2023
A brilliant sequel. A journey of comfort, hope, worth, healing, danger, understanding, friendship, family, trust, faith, and true love.
I longed for the chance to enter the world of Vindor again. MISTS OF PARACOSMIA was everything I wanted and nothing I expected.
Emily Golus's Vindor is the only book world I've entered that compares with C.S. Lewis's Narnia. Golus does justice to the heart, message, warmth, depth, land, and people of her world. She took pm a journey of growth and mending.
Arden was a wonderful main character. Megan and her journey were real and compelling.
Orlando is too good for this world, and he's just right.
I squealed when I met old friends again. I cried when Bat appeared. I want more. But I'm deeply satisfied.
I can't wait to revisit and reread the original Vindor duology.
And I'm ecstatic for the sequels and companion novels that are being published now and someday.
Emily Golus is one of my dedicated favorite authors. Her books are worth reading and sharing, again and again.
Follow me to the incredible world of Vindor. Read ESCAPE TO VINDOR and then dive into this sequel, MISTS OF PARACOSMIA.
It will comfort your heart and bring your soul to life.
I longed for the chance to enter the world of Vindor again. MISTS OF PARACOSMIA was everything I wanted and nothing I expected.
Emily Golus's Vindor is the only book world I've entered that compares with C.S. Lewis's Narnia. Golus does justice to the heart, message, warmth, depth, land, and people of her world. She took pm a journey of growth and mending.
Arden was a wonderful main character. Megan and her journey were real and compelling.
Orlando is too good for this world, and he's just right.
I squealed when I met old friends again. I cried when Bat appeared. I want more. But I'm deeply satisfied.
I can't wait to revisit and reread the original Vindor duology.
And I'm ecstatic for the sequels and companion novels that are being published now and someday.
Emily Golus is one of my dedicated favorite authors. Her books are worth reading and sharing, again and again.
Follow me to the incredible world of Vindor. Read ESCAPE TO VINDOR and then dive into this sequel, MISTS OF PARACOSMIA.
It will comfort your heart and bring your soul to life.
December 16, 2022
Wow.
That was.
Wow.
Amazing and beautiful and heart-stopping and all the good things a story should be. I was terrified for many of the characters for a good long while at the end.
Arden is such a sweet little bundle of nerves and he grows into such a great guy by the end. Megan and Bat and Orlando just absolutely have my heart. Talu.... I have no words for how sweet and strong and inspiring Talu is. Dark Morning is a perfect grumpy guide.
All that to say, I stayed up way too late so I could finish the book and then I sat there and sobbed for all the right reasons because the end of the story was just so perfect and beautiful.
That was.
Wow.
Amazing and beautiful and heart-stopping and all the good things a story should be. I was terrified for many of the characters for a good long while at the end.
Arden is such a sweet little bundle of nerves and he grows into such a great guy by the end. Megan and Bat and Orlando just absolutely have my heart. Talu.... I have no words for how sweet and strong and inspiring Talu is. Dark Morning is a perfect grumpy guide.
All that to say, I stayed up way too late so I could finish the book and then I sat there and sobbed for all the right reasons because the end of the story was just so perfect and beautiful.
September 12, 2019
Love this expansion of the Vindor universe. New characters, new lands, new peoples, and new problems. There is SO MUCH here, and so much that I think will stick with me for a long time. This book was kind of my "for dessert" read this month--the book I got to read just for the love of it--but it refused to be a sugary light fluffy thing. At every turn, it was deeply character driven, high stakes, occasionally painful, mysterious, and thoughtful--and still remained a fun, delicious read. 5 stars.
I'd be overjoyed to see a Book 3 in this series (and, indeed, a Book 300). Keep Vindor alive.
I'd be overjoyed to see a Book 3 in this series (and, indeed, a Book 300). Keep Vindor alive.
May 12, 2023
Mists of Paracosmia is the sequel to the award-winning novel Escape to Vindor. Megan’s brother, Arden, has no knowledge of Megan’s secret world. Yet due to strange happenings Arden ends up in the portal to Vindor, while the character, Bat, lands in the real world on Megan’s college campus.
Arden, once bullied, experiences dangers and a deadly conspiracy. The book is an exciting adventure that transforms the inner character of Arden and satisfies the reader. A fabulous read !
Arden, once bullied, experiences dangers and a deadly conspiracy. The book is an exciting adventure that transforms the inner character of Arden and satisfies the reader. A fabulous read !
January 28, 2020
Another fun read! If you liked the first book, chances are you'll enjoy the second!
September 19, 2020
Fabulous! What a fantastic return to this incredible world! I loved seeing how the characters grew up and what the world was like from a different perspective.
July 26, 2019
What a delightful story as we spend time with Megan again and get to know her brother for the first time. Of course Bat is my favorite and he returns with all the Bat-isms I’ve come to love. If your teenager has seemed disinterested in reading this series will perk them up. I’m salivating just waiting for book 3!
April 29, 2019
Golus spins another page-turning fantasy adventure in this sequel. This time, instead of Megan translating to Vindor, her younger brother finds himself there. Arden has been bullied at school, and when he hears there are Samurai in Vindor, he thinks he’s found his chance to train and teach the bullies a lesson when he returns home. However, though his journey, he learns the qualities that make a real warrior and hero are sacrificial, not selfish. Plus, Vindor’s problems are much larger than his own, and somehow, he must find a way to help.
I loved how Golus developed the sibling relationship between Megan and Arden. While Arden is trapped in Vindor, Megan is desperate to find a way to get him back—and risks everything in the process. We also see a more mature Megan in this story as she is now in college and learning what true friendship, and perhaps romance, looks like.
The ending was well-foreshadowed and still offered a delightful surprise. Why do the mists destroy memories in Vindor, and who controls them? This fantasy, with its well-crafted world building and lovable characters, offers a clean, thought-provoking, and memorable story readers of all ages will enjoy.
Note: I was given a copy of this book by the author/publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I loved how Golus developed the sibling relationship between Megan and Arden. While Arden is trapped in Vindor, Megan is desperate to find a way to get him back—and risks everything in the process. We also see a more mature Megan in this story as she is now in college and learning what true friendship, and perhaps romance, looks like.
The ending was well-foreshadowed and still offered a delightful surprise. Why do the mists destroy memories in Vindor, and who controls them? This fantasy, with its well-crafted world building and lovable characters, offers a clean, thought-provoking, and memorable story readers of all ages will enjoy.
Note: I was given a copy of this book by the author/publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
April 29, 2019
This highly anticipated sequel to Escape from Vindor met all my expectations and more. Golus’s gift of world building quickly draws you into Vindor just like Megan and her brother Arden were. Megan’s and Arden’s adventures are equally engaging and the messages Emily weaves through the story are moving. It is definitely a page turner, so be prepared to go through the portal to Vindor yourself!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2019
Golus does an excellent job of carrying unexpected threads throughout her new book, Mists of Paracosmia. This fantasy/mystery carries the reader's imagination between the real worlds of young college students and the yet to be revealed world of Vindor. Her characters are very well developed with the exception of one supporting character. Maybe he/it will come alive in the next book. A great read with a plot perfect for the young adult reader.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews