Heart of Mist

The Oremere Chronicles #1

by Helen Scheuerer

In a realm where toxic mist sweeps the lands and magic is forbidden, all Bleak wants is a cure for her power.

Still grieving the death of her guardian and dangerously self-medicating with alcohol, Bleak is snatched from her home by the Commander of the King’s Army, and summoned to the capital.

But the king isn’t the only one interested in Bleak’s powers.

The leader of an infamous society of warriors, the Valia Kindred, lays claim to her as well, and Bleak finds herself in the middle of a much bigger battle than she anticipated.

Heart of Mist is the gripping first book in The Oremere Chronicles, a fantasy series of epic proportions.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Magic, Young Adult Fantasy, High Fantasy, Fiction, Romance

13 pages, Audible Audio

First published August 25, 2017

About the author

Helen Scheuerer is the fantasy author of the bestselling series, The Oremere Chronicles, the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet and The Legends of Thezmarr. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots.

Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a creative writing degree and a Masters of Publishing. She has been a full-time author since 2018 and now lives amidst the mountains in New Zealand where she is constantly dreaming up new stories.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!

Spoiler Free Review...

I have so many questions relating to this, I went in knowing nothing about this, I can't even remember why I bought the book, but this was my number one read for January and I'm so glad that I've read it. This is a slow build kind of book, there's a lot of things you have to learn and still lots of things I don't know (hopefully I'll find out when Reign of Mist arrives so I can read that ASAP).

There's so much that drew me in with this, the characters, the setting, the magic, the slow burn and the un-ravelling throughout. Not all of the characters are likeable at time I wanted to shake them and just be like WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS, but with their flaws it made them be more personable and to know that they're not perfect made it even more enjoyable for me. My god the setting I honestly pictured a certain place like the trees from Avatar, I can't tell you why, it just did, and once my mind was made up it was stuck with that. Then we have the elements of magic, there's so much more that I want to know about it and learn about the Ashai but not only that what on earth is happening with Bleak and other characters (I'm not going to mention names because spoilers...).

Characters

Bleak is the main character, and has the ability to hear people's thoughts, she's always thought of it as a curse and wants to be rid of her magic. I think Bleak will be like marmite, you'll either like or her or you won't, luckily for me I found her interesting. She comes across as proud and doesn't like the help from others, she lost her parents at a young age and is referred to as a "gutter rat" quite often. You feel for her quite a bit because so many people treat her like absolute dirt, throughout you see her gain more strength and make relations with other characters. My gripe with Bleak is how she's always looking for her next drink, she's had a difficult life but she knowws what it does to her and yet she continues. This is one of them times as previously mentioned where I just wanted to shake her! Her best friend Bren is just so lovable, I couldn't dislike him, he always as her back and tries to help her even when she doesn't want it. He's loyal and tries to do what's best for Bleak!

Henri and Allehra are part of the Valia Kindred. They're tough female warriors and take no shit! Henri comes off as stand off ish and it sometimes looks like she's jealous of Bleak for a few different reasons, I can honestly say I didn't know what to think of either of these characters. Henri intrigued me and there were a few moments where things happened and I really warmed to her character, Allehra is a tricky character to place. She's the matriarch and well respected within Valia, I still don't know what to think of her!

My two favourite characters by far are Fiore and Swinton they are complete polar opposites and even now I'm still scratching my head at Swinton. Where do I even begin? Fiore is such a lovely character, he is second in command for Swinton and when he doesn't think something is right, he questions it and has all of the right morals I could ever wish for in a character. Swinton on the other hand is loyal to the king and questions nothing, but why is he a favourite you may add? I'm going to put my hand in the air and say he's not the most likeable character BUT there is so much depth to his character that I'm honestly just engrossed in him. There's so much I want to know, and he's so intriguing. He's a shadey character to say the least but he has his reasons (not gunna lie, I need my answers and my eyes are going to be on the lookout for my Amazon delivery tomorrow). Never thought I'd see the day where I liked the morally bad character, but here we are!

Then finally we have Dash, he's friends with the princess and his "Pa" is in charge of the stables. He's hopelessly desperate to become a Kings Queens Guard. He's obsessed with being more than what he is. I just loved his character so much, and I am SO eager to see what's to come!

What I liked?
- The kindred are AMAZING! They take no shit, their training is Brutal and they are true workers
- I can't praise enough the world building, I was just so immersed in it all... the crossing had mother fucking VINES. I just, I loved it!
- The representation, a character was blind and I loved her determination and strength. She held her head high and taught herself to do so many things, not only that but she taught another character to read a certain way, it was GREAT
- The training, I wish we'd of seen more because it was so interesting to see!
- Brens tattoos, MY HEART
- The development of Bleaks powers, it's starts off as one thing, but when it divulges and we learn more, I still need more!
- Even in the hardest of the characters we get to see their back stories and what makes them vulnerable, it adds so much more to them and makes you understand why they act in certain ways
- THE MAZE
- I have so many questions, and I'm hoping these are answered!

What I didn't like?
- Some things confused me a bit, I'm unsure about certain timings/pacing in the book because there are a few narratives throughout.
- I didn't order the next book... I have to wait

Overall I am so so soooo happy I read this, I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did, and for me personally this is one book I haven't seen enough people read! I'm hoping I'll enjoy Reign of Mist as much as I did this and if I don't get my answers I don't even know what I'm going to do!

I am desperate for more people to read this, hands down one of my favourite books of the year and not enough people have read!

Heart of Mist - 5 Stars
Reign of Mist - 5 Stars
War of Mist - 5 Stars

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’m gonna start this review by saying that it’s not the book, it’s me. I think I’ve read too many fantasy books one after another that my expectations are set very high—a little too high, in fact.

Heart of Mist had an interesting premise. The reading experience is hard to explain because while the descriptions in the book were beautiful, I found the plot going much faster than I anticipated. The world building was intertwined with its fast-paced plot and I had trouble keeping up.

Some things I want to point out about the book:

1. The plot took off too fast. No warm ups, no jogs. We sprinted at full speed in the first chapter with little to no character background or at least a more concrete idea of the setting.
2. The pacing was inconsistent. There are parts where it goes too fast and other parts that were too slow and dragging.
3. Info dumping. Too much at one go. I understand that we’re reading from the perspective of Bleak, who is just as clueless as any reader, but it felt like having to swallow my an entire meal in one bite.
4. The premise of magic was very confusing to me. It’s a common trope but in this universe, the concept of magic wasn’t explained very well so I had to fill in some gaps.
5. The Valian kindred. Man, I hated them. Other than the condescending-high-horse-I’m-better-and-stronger-than-you attitude, I couldn’t care for them. Henri was too uptight and started to turn off Bleak—and me. And Athene’s function as a counterbalance to Henri was too obvious.
6. The dialogue. It tried too hard and didn’t feel natural at all.
7. Annoying main character. Bleak was stubborn, arrogant, and annoying. She whined most of the time and kept pushing everyone’s buttons. I’m not surprised that nobody liked her.

Why the 3-star rating, then? Fiore, Swinton, and Olena. They were the saving grace of this book. If Fiore had his own book, I would read it in a heartbeat. The amazing ending also made up for the shortcomings of this book.

Heart of Mist caters to a specific kind of fantasy reader and I don’t think it was 100% me, but I still enjoyed it.

Original review posted on https://bookallure.com/2017/08/28/a-h...

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alcohol deadens the sounds of the voices she hears and the things she sees in her mind. Bleak lost everything in her life twice and now she is on her own, with no one to lean on, no one trust with her secret, a secret that could get her killed, a secret others want for the power it will give them and no way to find a cure that could save her life, her sanity and even her future.

She grew up in a land where magic is forbidden and her kind, the Ashai were feared, hated and put to death in “The Mist” that surrounded the land. One ruler will seek her out, chase her down like a criminal, but he wants more than to destroy her, he wants a piece of her very soul while another faction lays claim to her, the Valia Kindred, a strong warrior faction. As Bleak will discover all is not as it seems and she must learn to depend on herself, because deceit comes in all shapes and sizes and few can truly be trusted.

HEART OF MIST by Helen Scheuerer is a dark tale of one young woman’s lonely journey through self-destruction, loss and finally owning her past, her present and her future. It is a tale of war, fear and the abuse of those who are different. Will Bleak learn to accept herself as she is, to use her gifts to their best advantage or will she succumb to the hate and fear that surrounds her as she becomes a victim of her own devices?

Helen Scheuerer’s tale is intense, filled with details of scenes of action, despair and danger. Well-defined characters will leap off the pages as Bleak and the rest come to life. Wonderful descriptions of the land and the chaos of the atmosphere further pull readers into a tale that shines with depth. Ms. Scheuerer has done a fabulous job of pulling me into her story and her world. A wonderful fantasy series with a very firm foundation to build upon!

I received an ARC edition from Helen Scheuerer in exchange for my honest review.

Series: The Oremere Chronicles - Book 1
Expected publication: August 31st 2017 by Talem Press
Genre: Dark Fantasy
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Sylvia Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

HEART OF MIST is nothing short of a WOW read. It’s big, it’s epic, it’s dark . . . and it seriously took my breath away! Helen Scheuerer doesn’t pull any punches, plunging us immediately headlong into her dangerous world . . . and into the POV of her lead character, Bleak.

Bleak is a totally unusual heroine in this genre. In many ways, she’s the opposite of what I look for in a lead character. She’s a drunk, she’s self-pitying, she’s depressive (some might say whiny). But man! The author took risks with this character, and in my opinion it paid off. Bleak is such a real person, and it did not take me long to find myself rooting for her. Her journey of growth and discovery is fascinating and heartbreaking by turns, and I totally loved her by the end of this volume (and can’t wait to see how her story continues!).

But Bleak isn’t the only fascinating character peopling this world. Bern is her closest friend, who is always there fore her, always believes in her, even when she can’t believe in herself. Swinton brings a dangerous edge, with his blind devotion to duty and a strong selfish streak (though we find out by the end that there’s more to him than first meets the eye). And that’s just to name a few of the fascinating perspectives we get to see as this story unfolds.

It’s a long book—longer than I usually read in this genre. And let me tell you, I loved sinking deeply into this world and into Helen Scheuerer’s beautiful prose. I enjoyed the experience so much, I have to officially name this book my Favorite Read of 2019 . . . So Far.

Seriously, if that’s not enough to get you to try it, I just don’t know if I can help you!

I’m already deep into Book 2, and I can safely say the story is only getting deeper and more fascinating as we progress. Can’t wait to see how it all resolves in WAR OF MIST (releasing at the end of this month).

[fer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ☆

I'm not one to typically reread books but I've recently picked reading back up (so happy about that) and this book has not left my mind. I've been wanting to continue on with this series as I loved this book the first time I read and I can gladly say that it did not disappoint. I was just as enthralled by the writing and characters as I was back in 2017. I think it's a great set up for the next books and I can't wait to what's in tore for our badass leads!

˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚


4.5/5 ☆

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review*

YOU GUYS. I don’t know if there are enough words in the human language to express how much I loved Heart of Mist but I shall give it a try.

I had a feeling that I was going to thoroughly enjoy this book even before I read it because I am a sucker for forbidden magic and secrets and anyone who goes by the name ‘Bleak’. I mean, who wouldn’t be?! What I wasn’t expecting was just how much I would end up adoring this book. It left me utterly speechless. I was mesmerized by the world and the writing from the very beginning!

The realm is plagued by a toxic mist that is spreading everyday and those who happen to come in contact with it, perish. People seek to be far from the mist but that can prove to be just as dangerous. Our main protagonist Bleak has a secret, which she has kept hidden for years from the ones she loves. She is an Ashai, meaning that she has powers. In a realm where magic is forbidden, Bleak’s secret can be deadly if it catches unwanted attention. Unfortunately, it has. The king, as well as the Valia Kindred, have taken an interest in her powers and who knows what their endgame is.

Bleak copes with her powers by drinking, and over time, she has grown to be a drunk This was the very first thing that caught my attention because alcoholism isn’t a topic that we see often in YA, especially if it pertains to the main character. I loved getting to see how she, as well as those around her, dealt with her addiction. It was very refreshing.

Another thing I loved was the characters. I fell for *most* of them the minute they walked onto the page. No one character was the same, except for the fact that they all have secrets of their own. As a result, it was fascinating to see how they each interacted with one another. Characters who you wouldn’t think would mesh well together ended up being perfectly paired, whether that be from a romantic standpoint or a friendship one. There was just a lot of bonding going on and I was here for all of it! Especially the friendship, or should I say bromance, between the king’s captain, Fiore (aka Fi the most precious), and Bren, Bleak’s best friend. I was one happy camper whenever they had a scene together. And the same goes for Henri and Athene, who happen to be bad-ass Valian warriors. I need more of them in my life!

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. I absolutely love it when books are fast paced, are full of twists and turns, have action and romance, and can make me feel. Heart of Mist had this and more. I am currently dying of anticipation for the next book. Thank the heavens that there are two novellas, Break and The Gift, to tide me over. I desperately need to know what happens to my precious cinnamon rolls but that will have to wait.

If you’ve made it this far, I applaud you! My rambling has gotten worse with every passing day, and I’m sorry for that (not really), but before I sign off, ADD HEART OF MIST TO YOUR TBR! You can thank me later! Also, the cover is stunning so… definitely an added bonus to an already amazing story!!

P.S. I always thought the saying was “tie me over” but I discovered the sad, sad truth today.

You can find this review and more at The Wanderlust Reader!

[Sofii♡ (A Book. A Thought.) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“No one deserved to feel unsafe in their own skin for someone else’s pleasure.”

I want to thank the author, who has been so kind of provided me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

TW: Alcohol Addiction & Abuse Attempted

I enjoyed the book, I think it's great when a fantasy is told in a way that can be read very easily while enjoying of the world, I mean, isn't heavy at all, but still, you have the possibility to enjoy the world where the story unfolds. I like how the author has decided to touch a theme such as alcoholism, which's obviously a real-world problem, and that has been touched in such a real and cruel way in a fantasy world, I think it's great merit and something that I've appreciated. I think that after finishing it, I still have SO MANY questions, so I feel that this book was a great introduction to what will, undoubtedly, be a very interesting trilogy.



3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

You can find this one and more of my reviews on my blog A Book. A Thought.


The book follows Blake, she's a girl with a very delicate mental state, she has been very bad after the death of her guardian, and because of this, and having a power that she still can't fully understand, she has begun to medicate herself with alcohol to be able to alleviate all the things that are happening in her life. One day the king sends the Commander of his army to look for her to bring her to him, because of her power. But the king isn't the only one who's interested in his power and on the way, they come across the leader of a society of warriors, the Valia Kindred, who has her own plans for Blake. Without having anticipated Blake will be in the middle of a battle much larger than she would have imagined

I think that this book doesn't handle anticipation very well, many things happen from the first page so the story moves very fast. When you think you know the main problem of the plot, new revelations begin to appear and this causes the plot to take an inopportune turn, so you never really know what will happen, it's quite unpredictable, and I liked that. But I understand that this can be kind of confusing, I had to re-read some dialogues since there are revelations and important points in the quieter moments, then they take you by surprise and if you don't remember something later it can be a bit difficult to move trough, you know? For me, this whole book is an introduction to the next one, I really feel that the next book will be very important because the ending of this one is very open and I still have a lot of unanswered questions


I liked the magic system, although I feel that it should still be more explored, I really liked the development of Blake's power during the book, I like it because she really isn't aware of the power she possesses and her growth is incredible, I'm excited to see what she will do with this in the future. She can read minds and dive into people's minds, discovering parts of their past and even implanting things there that aren't really there, you know?. So I think it's a power that can be further explored in the next book.
People who have powers in the book are called Ashai, and the reality is that there are very few in the kingdom and is a mystery around why, another of the things that still haven't an answer in the book as such, but I've been taken by surprise with respect to this.



I would separate the book into four characters, who make the plot move, they're Dash, Swinton, Blake & Henri, so I'll talk a little about them.

Being honest, I don't feel attached to any character as such, I think that following Blake is very interesting because of her alcoholism and how this is explored in the book, but on the other hand, her attitude is very difficult to follow, I understand that she's so rebellious and impetuous, due to the fact that her power overwhelming her and also her addiction makes her character very difficult, but even so, I couldn't connect because she's very hurtful with others but we'll see, I still liked the ending, and I have a lot of faith in the next book. She has a best friend who's always taking care of her even though she treats him like trash, and that's Bren, so I loved him, he's adorable and a beautiful human being, I think she doesn't deserve him lol

Then we have Dash, and when the book jumps down on his part of the story, at first I was like, who are you? lol, but I liked the character, is a child with many convictions and great courage, I like him and although at first doesn't do much for the plot, then with him you can explore a little more the royal family, there are many secrets and things hidden in the kingdoms as well, and about magic . Is the protagonist of some very interesting revelations.

Swinton is the king's commander, he's a very interesting character and I never know how to feel about him, at first I didn't like him and then I liked him, because I started to know more about him and about his past, there are also revelations about who he actually is and I found that very compelling, but then I ended up a little disappointed about his attitude again, so I don't know how to feel, but I know I'm 100% on board with his story.
He has a very loyal companion named Fiore, and I name him because he's my favorite character in the whole book, he's funny and always goes to the front and isn't afraid to say what he feels, and I also find him very seductive, I don't know, I really like the character, and I would like to know more about his culture

And then we have Henri, and I really don't like her, her personality is not for me, I can't really connect with her, she has a quite unpredictable attitude and she's always in a bad mood. But on the other hand, I love the society which she's a part of, she's a Valian, this means that she's part of a society of female warriors who live in the forest, in a community built on trees, and I must say that it's truly amazing. It's also very interesting the way in which the society they have created is managed, those who aren't warriors and don't belong to the Valia Kindred, aren't welcome to live with them, they aren't expelled, but, instead, are sent to live below them in a place called Sticks. For me as a person, all this is a bit cruel to me especially because women force young women to fight and it's quite hard because they're friends and must fight each other anyway, and they may never see each other again after that. But as a society, I see it very interesting and I would like to know how it will continue from now on.

Henri is in a kind of romantic relationship with Athene, who's her right hand, and I want to mention that because it's always a good thing to see some LGBT+ representation in fantasy and they're two very strong warrior women, so it's really incredible



I want to talk a little about the name of the book, the book is called Heart of Mist, so although the beginning of the book is very strong and demonstrates what the mist in this world is capable of doing, I don't think it's much further explored, the mist ends up being a secondary character in the story, and I would have liked a bit more about that. In the end, there's a revelation and very valuable information about the mist and its purpose, but I don't want to say much because spoilers, so maybe in the next book this will be explored in greater depth

The book is full of plot twists and revelations around the corner, so you probably will not get bored with it. If it's something you enjoy in books this is for you. I think it's very well constructed in terms of plot and it's written in an easy form to understand and read, so if fantasy is something that you're not used to, I think it could be a good place to start with


I still have many questions and doubts about many points of the book, and that's why I'm excited to continue with the trilogy, which I'll do as soon as I can.
In summary I think it's a very good book, it has very strong points in terms of the story and world-building, but even so I think it needs more construction, in terms of dialogues and magic system, and I also need more information regarding several aspects, I like it when a fantasy moves fast and gives you many shocking moments, but at the same time I need it to stop for a moment to find out more about all those fantastic places, gods and more, which I hope will happen in the next book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Where do I even begin with this review!? Heart of Mist completely blew away the expectations I had for this novel. On receiving the synopsis from Scheuerer, I thought - okay a fantasy novel, I’m most likely going to like it, it’ll probably have some romantic plot line which will have me hook line and sinker… but I was not prepared for how much I would fall in love and for how different it was to my initial expectations.

This novel had me hooked from the very first page, which is completely surprising, as I can really struggle with novels that have minimal to no romance, and this novel only had hints – there was nothing else. I found myself forgetting the lack of romance, and it wasn’t till I started writing the review that it hit me that I was in love with a novel that had barely any, well, love(Gasps in shock)!

Heart of Mist is an incredible fantasy novel: magic, hints of romance, friendship, betrayal, secrets and deeply rooted plot twists abound. It left me wanting more and in complete despair at turning the last page and realising I would have to wait for book two to be released to find out what will happen next to my beloved characters.

The novel centres around our main protagonist Bleak, an alcoholic with a secret that could destroy her and anyone she holds dear. Seeing alcoholism portrayed in a YA novel was entirely new for me: I had not come across a novel where the main protagonist self-medicates with an addiction, and to me it was what made the novel unique, and had me crossing all my fingers that Bleak would overcome her addiction.

The novel also has POV chapters from other characters throughout, which I loved and found very refreshing and intriguing. No character is the same, they’re all different in their own way. The majority of the characters Scheuerer created harbour secrets and have dark pasts that keep you guessing throughout about who is linked to who, and if we are going to find out their mysteries.

I’ll admit I did guess one particular plot line throughout the novel, but I won’t say which one, as this is a spoiler-free review! However, the story behind it has only been half-revealed or maybe even less! I will have to wait until book two is released, and it is going to kill me, but it will be absolutely worth it!

The book itself was fast-paced and didn’t leave me bored. I was constantly turning the pages trying to anticipate what was going to happen next, and whether or not the characters I was beginning to love would make it to the end of the novel.

Scheuerer has created a unique fantasy series that I can see easily becoming one of my all-time favourite fantasy novels.

I cannot wait till this beauty is released at the end of August. I want to purchase the novel and hold it in my hands!

[Bec (becklebooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gem of a book and I need the next one! I can't wait to see how this continues, I'll have a review up shortly, too! Will link it when it's written!

REVIEW! (Spoiler free.)

Helen approached me, asking if I’d like to read Heart of Mist, and as soon as I read the synopsis I KNEW I WANTED THE WHOLE THING. I loved Bleak. She’s so sarcastic, vulnerable and flawed. It’s not often you see a protagonist in YA drinking so profusely, so the way that shaped her character was incredibly unique and interesting.

Initially I thought that this’d just be from Bleak’s perspective? BUT IT WASN’T? Reading this so soon after completing Godblind (ew no, ew), I had such a new-found appreciation for the tone of the writing and the exposition of every character we saw. I could CONNECT with them. (Side note: I love Dash to bits. Can we just wrap him in a blanket and give him a cookie? Yes thank you.) The perspectives furthered the story (even if I wasn’t addicted, I was certainly interested) and I loved the way they coalesced at the end. So satisfying, mysterious, and intriguing!

Can we have book 2 now pls.

But back to Bleak! I really enjoyed her trajectory and development. I wish I could say more but: spoilers. I found Henri frustrating, but overall she was such a steadfast, strong character and in the end I grudgingly begun to love her. I’m all for the ladies in this book, yes!!! There were female friendships, fights, making ups… so dynamic and not destructive, gals protecting gals. I may or may not have teared up once or twice.

I enjoyed the guys, too. Fiore and Bren are my faves, even if I just wanted to smack Bren and Bleak upside their heads. It’s fine. Okay I love these characters more than I expected to, since having them sit in my brain after finishing Heart of Mist, I’ve just wanted to continue their adventures. I wanna know, I wanna know.

Overall, the ending and last half were definitely more intriguing to me! And Bleak, when we first meet her, as the town drunk. The poor gal. I wanted more of the King’s evilness, but we do get a peek at the end!!! I just want to know everybody’s secrets, is that too much to ask? This was such an easy, but unique, YA fantasy to read. Heart of Mist was different in that it didn’t have an overpowering love interest element (YAAAS) and the mist, magic, and characters had slow threads that unraveled to show the impending narrative so well. Definitely pick this up if you want an easy YA to read, with tones of magic and a steadfast protagonist! There was a reveal or two that I didn’t predict as well, which made me love it that much more.

Blog link: https://becklebooks.wordpress.com/201...

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

not for me I couldn't finish it

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

No spoilers in this rapid review. I give it 4.5 stars. I have read many good novels by debut authors recently, but Heart of Mist is easily the best one. In fact, it’s the best series opener I’ve read by any author in quite some time. It does what any great initial book needs to do: introduces complex characters, builds an intriguing world, and provides many mysteries, some solved in this book and some to be solved later in the series. And Scheuerer’s prose is clean and beautiful, providing the perfect level of description to build her world without overdoing it.

The tale centers on Bleak, who is known as an orphan girl and gutter rat to those living in the seaside village of Angove. Her fairly constant world changes abruptly when the king sends his top man, Commander Swinton, to capture her. Bleak is afraid King Arden wants to question her about the one thing she has always tried to hide, her Ashai (magical) power.

Their trip to the capital city of Heathton to face the king is a perilous one, and they encounter interesting people along the way. Bleak learns about herself and her power as they travel, especially when she encounters the Valian women and their leaders Henri and Allehra. Then the one person from Bleak’s past who might still care comes looking for her. So many things are working against Bleak’s quest to live independently and keep her secret hidden, and she’s not the only one with secrets. Not by a long shot.

While King Arden appears to be a worthy adversary, the mist advancing on the various kingdoms seems just as dangerous. It gave me Game of Thrones/White Walker vibes because these rulers are often bickering among themselves while a mythical force threatens them all. Most citizens don't understand its cause or purpose, but will they eventually be forced to unite to attempt to conquer it?

I liked all the main characters for different reasons, even the ones I don’t think I was necessarily supposed to root for (I’m talking about you, Commander Swinton). 😉 Bleak, Swinton, Henri, and Dash, King Arden’s daughter’s best friend, each had a distinct voice and faced unique challenges. And two supporting characters, Fiore and Bren, really stood out to me. Their instinct to try to protect Bleak was admirable.

I fell in love with the world Scheuerer has built, particularly the Valian society. It’s made up almost exclusively of women, especially the warriors and rulers, and most of the Valian people live in the trees. The code they live by and the beauty they live among is captivating.

I definitely recommend Heart of Mist to all YA fans, especially those who love high fantasy. The characters’ interweaving tales, the fighting among various rulers, and the magical forces at play are classic fantasy. And I mean this in the best way possible as this is my favorite genre. I’m already looking forward to book two in The Oremere Chronicles! I haven’t mentioned the word Oremere until now, have I? Only a few people in Bleak’s world know what it means. Read Heart of Mist when it comes out on August 31st to discover it for yourself. The answer is fascinating!

Would you like to get a taste of Bleak’s world before Heart of Mist is published? Follow this link to the author’s website. Scroll to the bottom of the page to receive the two prequels for free!

Let us know what you think about Heart of Mist in the comments! No spoilers on this page please!

Read all our rapid reviews here.
And read our full book recaps here.

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second time read and review.

Okay, first off.. I still hate the name Bleak. Even though she was more likable this time around - still can't like the name. No matter how many times I tried saying it out loud.. I just got easily annoyed.

Besides Bleak, Henri was okay but I honestly didn't give two shits about him. Yeah, they make a great team every now and then but just like with Bleak, they both annoyed me still. I don't know what it is about these two - they are just ugh!

Unsurprisingly, all of the other characters were more enjoyable to read about/meet again. God, my love for Fiore definitely grew with this re-read. He definitely needs his own book and I hope to see more of him in the next one.

Even though I liked this book, the rating is still the same for me. Heart of Mist just has way too many inconsistencies. Just like the first go around, this one gave me the same feelings/opinions I originally had. I absolutely hated the Valian kindred. God, if they were in Game of Thrones the dragons would've burned them already. Then there's the pacing which just always throws me off. The first time around, I listened to the book. This time, I read it - and I still feel the same.

Overall, this book was just okay. Good but okay. I will admit that I am pretty excited to dive into the next one just to find out what's beyond the mist. I'm intrigued and I'm also looking for answers.
___________________________________________________________
Heart of Mist was such a good book! Well it was really okay but I also couldn't put it down! Even though I'm not a fan of the MC's name because Bleak is just so freaking weird to read and say.. I still really enjoyed the book.

Now even though I'm not a fan of her name.. I'm also not really a fan of one of the places mentioned in this book: Valia. It just seemed so freaking weird (I know I keep saying that a lot - but trust me it really was!) just because of their standards and how they viewed what was important or people's status life. Like I totally get it.. you people think you are better than everyone.. but hey.. whatever helps you sleep at night.

Characters I didn't like: Bleak, Henri, Athene, and Lennox. Bleak was just basically bleak. She was constantly annoying me because of her consistent whining. I just wanted to push her into the mist. I didn't like how she pushed everyone's buttons like a child.. but I did really enjoy their sarcastic and annoyed answers to her. She deserved it so freaking much. Then there's Henri - at first, I didn't really like Henri's character.. then I read more and more and I decided I really don't like Henri. Then there was Athene, who was wei - just really weird. After meeting them, there's a bunch of other characters I hated, like: Lennox (?) I think that's how you spell his name? Not quite sure. But yeah, I wanted him to die.. I totally accept the ending of this book.

Besides all of that it did give you a lot of magic. Some of it was a bit confusing at first but I sort of just followed along and accepted what I got. There was a ton of info dumping in the book as well.. which I could take it or leave it in any book really. I guess I just had high expectations for this book because of it's ratings? I enjoyed but I wouldn't necessarily say it's my favorite book of all time. I would probably reread it if she came out with a book 2.

[Shealea · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Heart of Mist, I don’t think I can find enough words to fully and adequately express how much I loved it. To say that I found this novel to be delightful and refreshing is a huge understatement. I was so immersed in its story that every now and then, I questioned if I was actually under a spell. In fact, I’m almost absolutely certain that the copy Helen sent me was enchanted with the strongest and most potent of Valian herbs. Heart of Mist is simply, purely, wonderfully magic.

Bleak’s moral compass fluctuated every now and then, and it made her both human and realistically flawed. She was not the only character who held this kind of trait. In fact, I’d argue that most, if not all, characters in Heart of Mist were flawed and morally gray in some way in order to protect themselves, their interests, their secrets, and the ones they loved.

The main themes Heart of Mist delved into (and quite bravely, if I may add) included adventure, loss, power, politics, feminism, and existing socioeconomic inequalities. It also took on mental and physical disabilities and LGBTQIA+ representation. Yep, you read that right. If, at any point of this book review, you start to hear the sound of someone loudly sobbing, that’s probably me.

In addition to this, all these themes were cleverly integrated into what could arguably be one of the most riveting, masterfully intricate plots I have ever encountered in any form of media, not just in books. Again, I feel that it would be best not to give too much away, but I will say this: The complexity of the story’s plot was backed up by well-founded world-building and was brought to life by effective writing.

All in all, although Heart of Mist is her first novel, Helen has definitely proven that she does not merely tell stories; she weaves fantastically phenomenal tales that will keep all eyes glued to her craft. Helen’s writing style is an entirely different form of sorcery altogether. Her impeccable imagery will paint films inside your head, and her words will trap you under her spell.

Disclosure: I received a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) of this book from the author herself. Many, many thanks to Helen Scheuerer for the incredible opportunity! She’s an absolute blessing.

[Brittain *Needs a Nap and a Drink* · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had such potential but in the end it just fell flat.

It is a case of both having way too much going on but nothing really *happens* throughout the whole book. Sure, the writing was good but there was not a strong enough plot to hold it all together. There was a lot of travelling around and waiting but very little action in the long run.

There is another point that I would like to make. I think that authors feel the need to introduce all important characters in the first book, regardless of their relevance to the plot at that point. I think this book could have focused on one part of the story, with Bleak, and left the stuff out with the princess and Dash for another book. They didn't change the plot and everything that they went through was slow and could be easily summarized. I wasn't invested in their story at all.

It's a shame this book wasn't better.

[Karlita | Tale Out Loud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars

I originally have a three-page review for this book but I really, super tried to scrape off a page that I'm sure only amounted to my unnecessary rants, and practically sounded like an old broken record. So, here I am pointing out all the important things you should know about the Heart of Mist by Helen Scheuerer.

❥ Effective multiple points of view
Each character has their own distinct purpose that surrounds them with their own challenges, interconnected and essentially needed for me to get hooked into the story. It helped me to bond with each character, root for them and get emotionally attached.

It was like reading the story with fresh start for every POV that enables me to comprehend not just what’s truly happening into the story but also learning each character’s inner conflict.<

❥  Multifaceted characters that are worth remembering
Henri’s character is a real testament of female badass not because she’s keen with The Valian Way or feared for being trained in combat but because she’s flawed, imperfect and only the readers know that side of her. She only let others see her being the queen—strong, committed, and decisive. But behind closed door, her emotions are raw and evident.

While at first, I deemed Dash character as playful and unimportant, his loyalty as a friend to Olena is unwavering. His innocence gave a youthful vibe into the story and most notably, brought narrative arc into his character. And because I already read Reign of Mist, believe me when I say that he’s more than a stable master’s boy since his role in the overall plot will put you on edge, asking too important questions that are hard to resist.

Swinton, on the other hand, is one of the most conflicted characters I have ever read. BUT (see the emphasis there) I totally get him. He’s more or less like an anti-villain in this story. Though he knew that most of his actions were unforgivable and continually struggles being loyal to the crown even he was aware that it would lead him into trouble, he’s done what he needed to do to protect his secrets (and his secrets are safe with me).

And there’s Bleak, the main protagonist in the story which started out as unlikable. As soon as the story drew me in, I was able to understand her inner struggles, her torturous need for alcohol and the fear of not knowing who she really is. But the depth of her character does not end there because the enormity Bleak has experienced during the first stages of her life taught her to be not too trusting that made her kind and compassionate to others who were looked down upon by the high society.

Altogether, they shared histories and their distinct personalities along with their Ashai powers, fall in the same web of knot (you will know more in the second book how that turned out).

❥ Academy award for best supporting characters
One of my most favorite characters were Fiore and Princess Olena. They happened to sneak in between pages, steal the show and own the stage. Oh yes! They truly shine!

For me, Fiore is the adorable sidekick who voices out reason and makes more sense to what danger could it be to every Swinton’s wrong decision making. While Princess Olena, despite her blindness, sees and speaks the truth more often than most. Her disability didn’t deter her to search for facts that may soon give help on the entire realm.

❥ Down the mystic realm of Oremere
The world building and its complexity is undoubtedly unique in structure, approachable and well developed. From its geography, ethos, societal status to politics, magic and history, I don’t think there’s more than I could say to how marvelous the world the author has created.

Oremere became an incessant question to me because it remained a mystery for the most part of the story. But learning about it bit by bit and was entirely revealed latter before the ending, I swear to Rheyah the Huntress, it gave me goosebumps! That’s why I was quick to dive in to read Reign of Mist. And it didn’t disappoint because it’s truly entrancing and magical.

The story also talked about themes like feminism and LGBTQ with an undercurrent on issues regarding division, education and social injustices.

Heart of Mist is a fast paced fantasy story with gasp-worthy action and thrilling adventure about war, magic and a young woman’s journey of finding her true identity in the midst of a formidable world that only invites fear and danger.

***Thank you to Helen Scheuerer for providing me an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Full Review at Tale Out Loud | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

[Al *the semi serial series skipper* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Book 1-3.

Just devoured this series and it was awesome. I was hoping for some romance between Bleak and anyone, that didn't happen but it didn't spoil the story. I enjoyed seeing Bleak grow into her powers as the books went by.

After reading the third book I wanted more from that epilogue. All in all an enjoyable series.

[Chelsi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Find this review and others on my blog Let Them Read Cake . This review contains spoilers!

“Bleak straightened herself; she wasn’t going to die for the king. She wasn’t going to become a prisoner or experiment of his. She’d rather die with salt water in her lungs and mist in her heart. She was free. She had to try.”

Hey, guys! I am back with a review for Heart of Mist by Helen Scheuerer! I found this book at random on Goodreads and downloaded it onto my e-reader right away. It sounded really cool and started out pretty strong. It did not quite live up to my expectations, but I am glad that I read it, nonetheless.

So, the story is about a young orphan named Bleak. She is hiding a forbidden magical ability, and “copes” with it by getting drunk and trying to forget about it. That is until the king sends soldiers to summon her and her entire world is thrown off kilter by the following events. The book grabbed my attention right away and had a promising premise. Bleak seemed like an interesting character, because she was tough, not exactly pleasant, scrappy, and was clearly battling an addition. It is not often that you see Young Adult books touch on teen alcoholism, but that one did not shy away from it. The opening scene introduces a very hungover Bleak puking in the town square, so I was impressed that the author did not try to sugarcoat or romanticize that aspect of Bleak’s character.

However, any interest I initially had in Bleak and her struggle quickly wore off, to be replaced with annoyance. I am going to try to break down exactly what did not work for me with this book, because I feel like it had some good parts, it had some potentially solid characters, and a decent idea. But it did not work as a whole. Starting with Bleak.

Bleak (and her drinking): While I was intrigued by a young woman struggling with not only secret magical abilities, but also an alcohol addiction, it was ultimately not a satisfying plot device. Nothing productive came from it. Bleak was a rude, obnoxious, and selfish character, which can be fine if it is handled correctly, but she was just wholly unlikable. And her drinking soon became tedious to read about. It was an endless cycle of Bleak wanting a drink, Bleak getting a drink, Bleak screwing something up, and Bleak wanting a drink. Now I understand that this is an accurate portrayal of the consequences of alcoholism, but nothing was actually resolved! Bleak screwed up, but not to the point that she actually cared, or others cared. People knew she was a drunk and didn’t care or try to help her. Bleak never even seemed to suffer the real effects of withdrawal, just had some convenient “vision fits” every now and then. Overall, it was monotonous and tiresome to read. It did not make me sympathize with Bleak and really, it read like a character trait just tacked on for pizzazz. Like hmm, what can make her unique and different, even though she is like every other YA protagonist with hidden powers…let’s make her get drunk all the time! Not exactly handled well. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The dialogue: This may have bothered me more than it will others, because it is a pet peeve of mine, but why the hell would you go through all the trouble of writing a high fantasy world set in some quasi-medieval time period, just to have your characters talk like bratty millennials? It is so jarring and just screams amateur writing. Like when the Commander of the King’s army, some supposedly powerful and scary dude, responds to a challenge with, “Watch me.” That just sounds wrong. Along with, “Where’s your team spirit?” “Give a pauper a bone, would you?” “Guests don’t stay long at a pity party,” “Not funny,” and many more. Honestly, that was just in the first 13% of the book. And, when the dialogue did not resemble a modern teen drama, it was very stilted and unrealistic. It never felt smooth or natural.

The pacing: The story got off to a fast start and I was totally on board with where it was headed (even if I did not yet understand everything), but after the initial couple chapters, the pacing began to feel really off. It started out too fast and failed to really give background information on some very important things like the characters, the world-building, the magic system, and the political network. None of that was explained to us, and all we knew was that this girl Bleak had magic and was now being taken to the king. And then, once Bleak got “rescued” by the Valians, the whole story just came to a lagging halt. The entire middle of the book was so boring. Nearly nothing happens for hundreds of pages and not only are we stuck with Bleak and her bland as hell thoughts, we are then subjected to the Commander’s, the leader of the Valians Henri’s, and some random kid from the castle Dash’s thoughts. What?? Why?? None of these characters were interesting enough to warrant their own POVs and really, the information they gave us did little to further the plot. It was all just way too slow. The whole thing crawled along until the very end, when there was a bit more action. At that point, though, I did not care anymore what was happening.

The characters: Again, the characters were not interesting enough, their perspectives were not distinct enough, and I did not connect with a single one of them. No one was likable in this book, even the ones that were being shoved down our throats as “good” people. Bleh.

The writing: The writing had a lot of great potential, but overall, felt quite juvenile and amateurish. The majority of writing we were given was telling us about things, not showing us. I know this is a cliche critique, but it is honestly so important. We were told how characters felt and what they were doing and what they were thinking and what we should be thinking about them, etc. etc. That does not create a mature, evolved reading experience. The structure of the book itself felt very loose and not quite together. There was no sense of urgency in the plot, which really didn’t make me want to keep reading.

I guess this book just did not click with me. I think it started with a great idea and the author has real potential, but this one needed some more work. I might pick up the sequel when it comes out, but I certainly won’t be rushing.

What did you guys think?

Thanks fore reading!

-Chelsi

[Filipa de Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I start writing coherently, I must to say: I NEED THE NEXT BOOK RIGHT NOW!!!! Okay, ufff, I just needed to get that out there.

I do admit that when I started reading Heart of Mist I thought that it was yet another YA Fantasy novel with nothing new to offer. There were several similarities with Throne of Glass and I felt like I had read all that before already. Well, I was wrong, very wrong! Yes, there are certain aspects of Heart of Mist that have already been seen on other YA books featuring magic and medieval-inspired kingdoms, but I feel that Helen Scheuerer can really be a new, exciting voice in the YA Fantasy genre.

One of the aspects of Heart of Mist that I really enjoyed was the "lack" of romance. Well, there are some hints of it here and there, but it has no importance whatsoever in the story. I find that absolutely incredible! Yes, YA Fantasy books are mostly read by girls and writers seem to think that all we want is romance. Well, NO! We also like action, fighting and incredible magic. Heart of Mist was plot-driven and it certainly did not have to rely on some romantic interest to be a great story.

I was also a big fan of the Valia Kindred. They were a society of kicking-ass women (that allowed no man to belittle them) and if you need any other reason to like them, then let me tell you that they live on top of the trees. This leads me to yet another amazing characteristic of Heart of Mist: the descriptions! They were so vivid and intricate, but at the same time they didn't drag on and become boring. I could really imagine myself in that beautiful forest with the sun rays piercing through the canopies.

Heart of Mist is written in multiple POVs. That's no easy task, and it's actually something we don't see that often in YA (most are written in 1st person). I wouldn't have it any other way, though. I believe this just created a lot more questions, which made you want to read further on. There were so many mysteries, so many things hidden between the characters that are also hidden to the reader himself. And even better, there's a lot of showing and very little telling. From certain actions, or some things said by the characters, you start putting the puzzles pieces together and slowly forming a picture. However, by the end of Heart of Mist there are still several questions unanswered. And to make it even more annoying, it finished with a damn good cliffhanger. HOW WILL I SURVIVE UNTIL THE NEXT BOOK COMES OUT!

MY FAVOURITE CHARACTER
I though all the characters were incredibly complex. For example, Bleak has a serious addiction to alcohol and I thought it was very well depicted. She is a character with flaws, strong passions such as her love for the sea, and fears, such as her own magic. I think all these details make a character seem more and more real.

The only character I would have liked to know more about was Bren. We never really got his POV. Although Bleak said several times that she heard his thoughts about her, we never know exactly what those thoughts were. I do think however that we will get much more of him in the next books.

Now, I have to admit that my favourite character was Commander Swinton. Does this have anything to do with the fact that he reminds me of Chaol from Throne of Glass a.k.a. my biggest fictional crush? Maybe... But I actually did not like Swinton in the beginning. He was arrogant and annoying. However, once we got into his POV, it was as if that strong shell he had built around him started cracking. Little by little, we got to know more about him, about his past. I believe he was actually moved by loyalty to his king, but mostly by fear (though I doubt he would ever admit it). And there were several bombshells dropped regarding him. I won't say what they were, because that would totally be a spoiler, but the most incredible plot twists in Heart of Mist actually concern Commander Swinton.

-------------------------------

This is a novel you should definitely read, especially if you're a fan of Sarah J. Mass' books. I really enjoyed that the several storylines in Heart of Mist ended up tying up perfectly in the end. And I'm sure that the next book will be incredible. Especially because there are a lot of questions that need answering and a lot more mysteries to uncover.

-------------------------------

And after you read Heart of Mist, don't forget to check out the 3 incredible companion short stories.

You can get them here: http://helenscheuerer.com/prequels-b

[Sarah {The Clever Reader} · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story takes hold of you from the very beginning. It’s a YA fantasy that features the most unlikely of main characters. Bleak is a drunk who is known to be one of the town’s most renowned gutter rats. She’s taken one day to be presented to the king, or to her death if you were to ask her, but on the way she encounters a group of warrior women known as the legendary Kindred. Only then is her world turned upside down and she becomes aware of how different she really is.

Only a few of the many secrets this book may contain have been revealed and I think that is a testament to how well Scheuerer’s writing is. The events throughout the book were not predictable and the ending leaves you wanting more. I’m so excited to see what Scheuerer has in store for us next!

For my full review check out my blog post: https://thecleverreader.wordpress.com...

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot has a lot of familiar fantasy elements: a heroine with unknown powers, a medieval high fantasy setting with kings and knights, political rivalries, forbidden magic, class tension, corrupt royalty, and rampant abuse towards women. As the story unfolds Heart of Mist adds some refreshing twists to the classic hero’s journey.

The thing that made this book really stand out to me was how the plot tackles various social issues. Bleak copes with her magical powers by drowning herself in alcohol and her struggle with drinking opens up a conversation about alcoholism in young adults, a topic not often brought up in YA novels. Bleak is a flawed heroine and her character had more depth than what I’m used to seeing.

Then there are the Valia kindred, a race of proud female warriors with their own strict way of life. I liked that even the Valians, which on the surface seems like an ideal feminist society in a world where women are second class, have their own issues with social hierarchies. There was a good mix of characters and there were very few that I disliked. Most of the characters were pretty well developed with distinct personalities, often falling into a sort of grey area between good and evil.

“She followed his gaze up to the millions of glittering stars. They winked at her, as though laughing at all her predicaments and the triviality of mortal life.”

The romance was the one piece of the story that I didn’t care for all that much, mostly because it was the one plot point that felt weak and underdeveloped. The love interest’s role in the story felt so small and the conflict between them can be predicted immediately. If their relationship was better formed I might not have minded, but sadly it was just drama I could have done without. I’m hoping that the prequel novellas and the rest of the books can convince me of their relationship because as it is I just don’t feel all that strongly about the pair.

Besides my issues with the romance, I found Heart of Mist to be a compelling read that I took my time to savor. I got drawn in more and more as the story developed and some of the sinister forces started coming to light. The revelations in the story blew me away and honestly have me excited to read the next book in the series. I want to know so much more about the other continents, particularly Battalon, and I’m dying to see more of the world expanded in the rest of the trilogy.

Disclaimer: Received a copy for free from the author in exchange for an honest review
✮ Read this review and more like it on my blog ✮

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bleak is a young girl who minds her own business and tries to keep her magical powers secret since it is illegal to use magic in the Kingdom of Arden. When King Arden's men arrest her for illegal magic use and try to hurt her, she is saved by the warrior tribe known as the Valia Kindred only to know that she is about to be part of something dark and sinister. Can Bleak survive? Read on and find out for yourself.

This is a great first book of the Oremire Chronicles Trilogy. It was action-packed, full of magic, and intrigue. If you enjoy fantasy stories like this, look for this book and the rest of this trilogy wherever books are sold. I'm looking forward to reading book two in the future.

[Kirsty Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly, I haven't heard a lot about this book around the blogosphere and the booktube community... But when I saw the cover when I was browsing Audible, I was immediately intrigued, so I read the premise and just spontaneously bought it. It sounded like just the kind of book that I really enjoy.

In a realm where toxic mist sweeps the lands and magic is forbidden, all Bleak wants is a cure for her power.

Still grieving the death of her guardian and dangerously self-medicating with alcohol, Bleak is snatched from her home by the Commander of the King’s Army and summoned to the capital.

But the king isn’t the only one interested in Bleak’s powers.

The leader of an infamous society of warriors, the Valia Kindred, lays claim to her as well, and Bleak finds herself in the middle of a much bigger battle than she anticipated.

“No one deserved to feel unsafe in their own skin for someone else’s pleasure.”

― Helen Scheuerer, Heart of Mist

The beginning was so fast, which is the only negative that I have about this book. It was full-speed ahead and we were introduced to a lot of characters and given hardly any character background, so I was just like 'whhattt?' the whole way through the beginning. So, it was like that for the first few chapters, but then the pacing seemed to slow down and reach a 'normal' pace. The flow of the story was so much better, with the tension being built in just the right places, and introducing us to the characters a little bit more.

Speaking of characters, Bleak is our protagonist and she's arrogant, stubborn and condescending... Oh, and she's also an alcoholic, which I actually really enjoyed. Everyone thought that she was just a drunk who couldn't do anything, but even when alcohol clouded her mind, she was such a strong character who went through amazing character development throughout the first book.

“The past has a way of showing us the right path. Inevitably, the same mistakes were made once before, and to know this is great power.”

― Helen Scheuerer, Heart of Mist

I think that one of the aspects that I really really loved about Heart of Mist was that there was no romance. Sure, there were some hints of it here and there between Bleak and Bren and then Bleak and Fiore, but it wasn't built upon, it was just a hint and that's it. I think it's great that more and more fantasy books aren't including romance in it. Sure, it's always good to read about an amazing romance and ship them, but I find that when fantasy novels don't include romance, the storyline is so much stronger. Does anyone else agree?

There were so many women in this story. SO MANY BADASS, FLAWED, HUMAN WOMEN, and I loved it. A big part of this was the Valia Kindred who are a community of women who live in the tops of the trees and train to be warriors (only if they want to though, they are not forced to fight.) I found their community so inspiring, and I instantly wanted to be a part of it and to be around people like Henri and Athene (who are an amazing f/f couple!) One of the major things that I loved about the Valia Kindred were that they took care of their own, meaning the Valians, but also women. They saw that Bleak was in danger, and even though they knew nothing about her, they saved her. I just find that so admirable.

“We have to play to the strengths we were given.”

― Helen Scheuerer, Heart of Mist

Finally, Helen Schuerer's writing is gorgeous. That's the only way to describe it. The lush description of Valia, the descriptions of the characters, the whole world... It's amazing, without being too over-the-top and becoming the purple prose which isn't really my favourite type of writing. Scheuerer is becoming one of my favourite fantasy authors and I can't wait to read Reign of Mist! It comes out in a few days (10th September) and as soon as it does, I'm going to buy it and then read it straight away because I can't get enough of this magical world and the GORGEOUS writing style.

I just want everyone to read this book/series because I have a feeling that A LOT of people are going to love it. At the moment on Goodreads, it has a 4.10 average rating and 227 reviews. I NEED MORE PEOPLE TO READ THIS BOOK so that I can fangirl about it and just gush all of the time.

Helen Scheuerer is going to be the new face of fantasy. Trust me on that.

[Kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

**SPOILER FREE **
Summary:
From the very first chapter I knew Heart of Mist was going to whisk me away to my dream fantasy world. I love books I can fully escape into, and Heart of Mist certainly gave me that. Not only was the worldbuillding and magic system thoughtful and interesting, but the characters (both major and minor) were well-rounded and felt real. They were going through realistic emotions that I could relate to, and they made me think about important themes (like alcoholism, family, identity, friendship) in new ways.

Pros:
- beautiful writing that was easy to read yet had stunning descriptions of settings and characters
- realistic characters (too many to name but my faves are Bleak and Henri)
- diverse characters (f/f) <3
- POV chapters that were actually all interesting to read
- really cool worldbuilding for fantasy (some really unique settings, like the Valia Forest)
- well-paced plot that kept me turning pages well into the night
- can't wait for the next book!

Cons:
- plot slows a little in one section but I didn't mind because the subject matter was interesting and I got to know the characters much better
- have to wait for the next book! But in the meantime I'll just re-read it :D

[Jen T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised how different this book ended up being from my initial look at the synopsis. Don’t get me wrong, I was pulled in from the beginning. To explain my surprise – a lot of YA fantasy lately (to me and this my opinion) has always had some sort of love interest or a little romance. Not every book but a decent chunk of them. Now, in Heart of Mist, it hinted at bits and pieces of romance but there’s no definite road that I felt was shown. This book was refreshing in it felt like it was more adventurous and stuck to the plot line to get to the overall point of the story.

The world that’s created is diverse and beautiful. Helen does a wonderful job of describing all of the landscapes as if you’re truly seeing it from Bleak’s eyes. Each continent is different and adds a different flare as they travel through. The writing is amazing and it didn’t feel like it had choppy sentences or that things didn’t flow. There were times when I was confused as to why we switched to a different character but at the end, it came together and you realize why you needed to see that part of the story from their eyes.

If you like Wonder Woman and The Queen of the Tearling series, you’ll really enjoy this book. Those were the vibes that I got off of it and I am so glad that I was able to read this.

I was given this book for free from the author for an honest review!
Full review on my blog: https://abookishpeach.wordpress.com/2...

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also posted at Library of Colors.

I want this to be as spoiler free as possible, so let’s just sum up the things that I absolutely loved about this book.

Characters. Helen’s characters are deep - I felt like I was really able to get to know them, leaving me loving most but also having strong feelings about others. Fiore <3 was a character I loved getting to know, and of course Bleak was someone I didn’t expect to connect with so much. The way Helen writes about addiction and drowning away pain is realistic - a realism that helps to build this fantasy world even more.

Which leads me to - world building. The world building had me to be a part of this universe. The Valians live in a society that is different but strong, and it was like I was there with the way Helen writes. Her descriptions are lush and full, but not too much to where I was bored while reading.

Fast-paced. This book is incredibly fast-paced with action while also leaving room for said world building. I was never bored while this book carried me through different characters, plots, and revelations. It was book that was hard to put down, though I did read it in chunks so I could really relish that world building.

Ultimately, this book is a fantastic start to a fantasy series that I was so happy to read. I’m very glad Helen sent me an e-ARC to review, and I can’t wait to hold the hardcover in my hands! I recommend this book to anyone who loves high fantasy novels like Throne of Glass and Nevernight. You’ll thoroughly enjoy this one.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to read Heart of Mist, since I'd seen so many good reviews on it. I also checked Goodreads and lots of my friends gave the book 4/5 stars. I do read and have read a lot of YA Fantasy, but sometimes I find a book that is unique in the bunch. This book was unique as well and it's highly enjoyable. I definitely want to read the other books as well. It didn't feel like 487 pages at all.

A longer review can be found at BiteIntoBooks

Definitely a series that I'd love to continue reading. This book-series feels like it has much more in store for me and I have some questions that I need answers for. The characters are also a bunch of people that I'm not ready to leave. I hope I get the chance to read the other books as well!

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unique, character-driven fantasy novel really gripped me. Helen's training in literary fiction shined through this debut, and part of what made this book strong was its emphasis on the characters' emotional development throughout the novel. There's action and adventure, but I always got the feeling that this novel is about so much more than just kingdoms rivaling each other. The Valians are the female-led battle society that make this story so fascinating!

In the novel, we have this mysterious sense of the fog that closes in on the realm. It's uncertain why this particular brand of magic wants to take over, but the Valians know that despite appearances the king is up to no good. I must say that the name of this series-- Oremere-- makes some pretty fascinating appearances throughout the book and the reason will surprise and amaze you!

Bleak and Henri were riveting characters to me, mostly because they both show female empowerment in different ways. Bleak, an orphan raised by a sailor, has never had an easy life. Her townspeople have always treated her poorly and the magic that makes her read minds is anything but a good thing in a kingdom that hates magic. We get to see her grow throughout the novel, but one of her most profound struggles is her alcoholism. This made her feel like a real person. Henri, meanwhile, is a warrior queen whose powers and physical prowess make her an obvious leader. But she has to trust Bleak if she wants to take down the king.

I also loved reading about Dash, Swinton, and Fiore, not only because they represent a range of age groups but also because they aren't perfect heroes in any sense of the word.

Also, a really great aspect of this book is that there is no main romance plot point. Helen masterfully constructs a novel that doesn't need to rely on a swoonworthy relationship to be an impactful novel with a fun reading experience.

Readers who loved Throne of Glass will love this one! But I'm glad to find that this book represents a new fantasy world with literary elements that will stay with readers long after the last page.

Note: The author gave me an ARC, but my opinions are my own!

[Aleesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already can't wait to reread this book as soon as I can get my hands on a print copy! The inside is as gorgeous as the outside. The writing is beautiful and the story is exciting, and I loved how addictive it was. Now to wait for Book Two!

[Justine from Novels and Panda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Heart of Mist was such a wonderful experience. I enjoyed every page and minute of it.

Here’s some reasons why:

~ I love the magic. Sure we had seen countless from the others before but the way it was presented? It was like eating my favorite candy the first time. It was enchanting. I adore it and excited to delve into more of it in Reign of Mist!



~ I love the pacing. Heart of Mist was fast, full of turns, palm sweating excitement, secrets, action, strong points of beliefs, that I gripped all the way.

Until it delivered me to that ending! The deal is sealed, I loved it. I am in it for the long haul with this series.

~ The narration. It was told from different characters’ view. We get a glimpse of almost everything. I usually am not comfortable with third person narrations but the way it was written I succumbed and get way into it. It entrapped me.



~ There were solid representations of LGBTQIA, mental, and physical disabilities. They are realistic. Their authenticity shows in their thoughts and actions. It’s not another fantasy book to read where everything goes the way it was “planned”. Or a story that just closes down like a puzzle completed. There were flaws to which each character. Which I have very much gone feeling and falling for them.



It was so intense to see how they interacted with each other. You view these different set of people and origins. I felt like I am in a secret, their innermost thoughts exposed to the reader yet makes ask yourself is it really? It sure will make you stick around.

Reading Dash’s P-O-V can be a bit of a drag and whiny, I didn’t like him at all! He seemed unimportant. I am an almost fool for wanting to skim through it, almost. I knew it wouldn’t make sense later on if I did. And I am glad that I didn’t because all is vital to the story. It’s filled with strong outcomes. You have to watch out for that.

~ The plot. The secrecy, the hints of betrayal, the action, the twists, umm, Y.E.S.



It deals with morality, politics, and feminism. The Valian ways, the governing monarchy in the kingdom, it explores the areas of what, why, and how is this happening with stunning execution. It has this strong aura of having every bit of information feed to the reader but completely not. And that is one of the reason it amazes me. Oh, here comes a story you need to buckle in for. I wonder what the next has to offer I really really do.

The world-building in general. Reading the premise, seeing the words, forbidden magic, toxic mist, old kingdoms, secrecy. It already was alluring to read. And the reality of diving into it with a copy in hand now? The picturesque world described and sculpted in your head. I. Enjoyed. It. So. So. Much.

Undoubtedly a strong introduction for a series that all would love and be entertained by. The writing was effectively addicting and magical. I highly recommend it!

I want to thank the author, Helen Scheuerer for providing a DRC.

[Sara Watterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good fantasy adventure and this series-starter by debut author Hellen Scheuerer didn't disappoint. If you're a YA fantasy fan, add it to your "Want to Read" list now. :)

For our full BSR review of Heart of Mist, click here...

[Nadhira Satria]

A FANTASY BOOK WITH A PROTAGONIST WHO HAS ADDICTION ISSUES? THE LORD HAS ANSWERED MY PRAYERS