Night Myst by Yasmine Galenorn (Indigo Court #1)
June 29, 2010
Urban Fantasy
Paperback, 336 Pages
Berkley


Reviewed by Mandi


Why I read: Offered for review and I really wanted to try this author.


Favorite Quote: Don’t count your chickens before they turn into KFC.

Cicely Waters has found it is time to return home to New Forest, her hometown in the state of Washington. Having lived most of her life on the streets, going from town to town with her drug addicted mother, now that her mother is dead, Cicely is going home. But it is not a welcoming homecoming.  People in New Forest are dead and going missing at an alarming rate – both humans and those that are magic-born. The crimes are too brutal and messy for the Vein Lords, or vampires to be held responsible. Cicely hears from her aunt Heather, that Marta, the town witch has been brutally murdered and has left everything to Cicely -including her spot the secret Thirteen Moons Society. But the membership is being depleted by a dark, evil force.

Although physically Cicely is returning home alone, she always has her wind elemental, Ulean, at her side, whispering in her ear of dangers that lurk ahead. Cicely is not just returning to confront this new, dangerous presence, but she also must confront the man she loved and left behind nine years ago. Grieve is a Fae prince and she has no idea if he still wants her in his life. When she finally finds him, the situation is dire. Grieve is not the same man she left years ago, now fearing this evil force may have affected him. When Heather goes missing, Cicely turns to her friends for all the help she can get. Grieve warns Cicely, Myst, the Mistress of Mayhem has moved into town – and mayhem is just what Cicely is about to dive into.


Night Myst is the first book I have read by Yasmine Galenorn and I am so glad I finally got my act together! She sets up a very interesting world, told in the POV of Cicely, with many characters walking that fine line between good and evil. You don’t always know who to trust and I love the tension that comes along with this type of story line.

The vampires in this book are very predator in nature, and what makes it really fun is that they are evil, and bid Cicely to do things she regrets – yet they aren’t the worst evil in the world. Cicely must resign herself to work with these viscous creatures in order to fight the Indigo Court, the even more viscous beings that roam the woods. She has to pick the lesser of two evils to survive, and it makes for a very interesting story. She is not the only one with tough decisions. Her love, Grieve has had to make sacrifices with very intense consequences. He is so dark, mysterious and her heart breaks for him. You want Cicely to say – screw it, come her you sexy man – but Grieve is not one to toy with.

While overall I enjoyed our heroine, I thought a few times Cicely made some silly mistakes while in the throes of great danger. Her and her friends tromp into the extremely dangerous woods ill prepared for what they are about to face. At one point, after sneaking into the woods and then making an unnecessary noise which alerts the villains of her presence she then questions whether Myst, the leader of the baddies will punish her victims for her intrusion. I think she might, Cicely!

Otherwise, this is a cool world Yasmine Galenorn has set up. I love the hard choices Cicely is forced to make. Grieve and Cicely also have some very sexy moments and there are many twists that really add to this urban fantasy.  My favorite part is how the books ends – because you will be dying for book two, Night Veil due out next summer. Night Myst is a great start to a new series.


Rating: 4/5

Recent Reviews:
Book Binge – 4.5/5


Yasmine Galenorn will be back later today with a guest blog!