Turning Kids Into Bookworms: A Book List For Parents.Successful Author or Illustrator Visits.Schedule a Skype Visit with a Mixed-Up Files Author.Author Websites With Discussion/Activity Guides.Reviewed from copy received from Delacorte Press.Įnter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.Īrchives Archives Categories Categories Tags adventures African-Americans American history animals art artists bears bedtime biographies birds bullying cats community creativity death diversity dogs emotions fairy tales families fantasy fathers food friendship friendships grandparents grief historical fiction history humor imagination LGBTQ magic mothers music mysteries nature pets poetry rabbits racism romance school science science fiction seasons self esteem siblings toddlers trees Blogroll While I wouldn’t mind more adventures from Jemma, I look forward to seeing what Grindstaff has to offer us next.

This is a strong debut novel that reads like a stand alone. It also took away from the reader the ability to predict what would happen, making the ending a much more immediate experience. It made for a very complex and exceptional read. I particularly enjoyed the part towards the end when she had to continually revise her plans based on what was happening at the time. Yet she is an incredibly brave heroine, risking herself for others. Jemma is a compelling heroine with her self-doubt and fear. The plotting during the time that Jemma is lost in the mist does meander a bit, but happily that is not made up by speeding up the ending. She does not flinch away from true horrors here, never hiding from what it would truly take to create a force like the mist and have such dark powers. This is such a compelling read! Grindstaff’s slow reveal of the truth is very deftly done in this carefully plotted novel.

Jemma has to learn the truth of not only her own past but of the castle and the horrors that are hidden there. As she travels, ghostly children try to seek her help, crying for their brothers and sisters in the castle. Lost and wandering in the mist, Jemma has to battle monsters, flee from those sent to find her, and convince the mist itself that she is not a threat. She only has the help of her two golden rats, a decrepit old servant, and a trusted friend, Digby. Now she has to escape their castle and enter the dangerous mist that can read a person’s intentions. But before that can happen, her true past is revealed and Jemma understands why she has never been able to do the black magic that her family does so easily. Jemma thinks she is the youngest daughter of the Agromond family, readying herself for the day her Powers will finally reveal themselves fully.

The Flame in the Mist by Kit Grindstaff