It's wartime, and the Carver family decides to leave the capital where they live and move to a small coastal village where they've recently bought a home. But from the minute they cross the threshold, strange things begin to happen. In that mysterious house still lurks the spirit of Jacob, the previous owners' son, who died by drowning.
With the help of their new friend Roland, Max and Alicia Carver begin to explore the strange circumstances of that death and discover the existence of a mysterious being called the Prince of Mist--a diabolical character who has returned from the shadows to collect on a debt from the past. Soon the three friends find themselves caught up in an adventure of sunken ships and an enchanted stone garden--an adventure that will change their lives forever. (Publisher's summary from Powell's Books)
Although I found The Prince of Mist mildly scary, it definitely was a suspenseful read. From the moment the Carver family arrived in the small coastal town and their new home, strange things occur. Each new mysterious event serves to propel the story forward, and as the characters learn about the “mysterious being called the Prince of Mist,” an extremely creepy villain, the spook factor certainly rises.
Zafon’s writing makes this book a true horror story. There is an eerie atmosphere that pervades the setting, and creeps into the consciousness of the reader very much like a mist. This is achieved through the author’s sensory details. Most of his description provides strong visual, auditory, tactile, and even olfactory experiences geared at provoking an emotional or psychological response.
The Prince of Mist is suspenseful with interesting characters that have the ability to hold the story together. The mystery is intriguing enough to maintain the reader's attention through out. While I liked the book, I did not love it. I definitely wanted a bigger scare factor and for me this fell short.
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8 comments:
I didn't realise that Ruis Zafon had another book out so quickly after the last one. I read Shadow of the Wind years ago and loved it.
I have got to read this book. I have read his two other books and loved them . :)
hmmm... interesting. might have to look more into the book. i do love a good mystery.
Your last lines described exactly how I felt about his last book, Shadow of the Wind - I liked it but didn't love it...and I know lots of people did LOVE it!
So, I'll probably pass on this one....so many good books and so little time!
Sue
I really want to read it!
I am one of those who loved "The Shadow of the Wind" but it seems that after that Zafon hasn't delivered quite at the same level.
I didn't know he had a new book out, I will be looking into this.
I liked his two big books-loved would be a push-I will read this one also-I really enjoyed your post on the book
I loved this book - I thought it was the perfect introduction book to his writing and would be enough to spark readers into checking out The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game.
I scare really easily though.. and this one had me jumping!
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