I had high hopes for this book based on its description, but I had some problems with it. I loved the beginning with the fog surrounding the town and the mystery behind it, but I just couldn't connect with the characters. There was a disconnect between their words and their actions, and the dialogue didn't really flow very well. It felt a bit choppy. I liked the last 1/3 of the book better, but it still had problems.

Because I love the idea behind the book, I'm giving it 3/5 stars. ( )

This has to be one of, if not the, worst books I’ve read this year.

The prose is simplistic and abuses adjectives, adverbs, and simile, and particularly tired old ones at that. There is far more telling than showing, with the two occasionally at odds with each other, showing one thing and then telling another. On the odd occasion when showing is done well, the author, not trusting the audience to get it, tells us anyway. The language of the novel can’t seem to decide what tone it wants, leaving it a tad anachronistic.

Worldbuilding is sparse, inconsistent, and uninspired. Everything about the world is derivative and uses clichés as if they were a checklist to follow rather than something to avoid or transform. Every story beat was ham-handedly telegraphed, with clumsy romance, clunky exposition, and twists that surprise no one.

It reads like the work of a teenager that just completed their first NaNoWriMo. The dialogue is artificial and stilted. Both the action and sex scenes are written as if the author has never seen either. Ever.

Characters are flat. Tressa is generic and not fleshed out. Bastian’s characterization and personal history are constantly in flux, as if the author is retconning parts of him halfway through the novel. The villains are complete cartoons with no motivation other being evil. Many of the decisions made by the characters, from the protagonists to the villains to the NPCs that show up for a few pages, are out of character or make no sense given the situation. If you are willing to cheat on your wife, why are you unwilling to cheat on her with the woman you love? If you know the woman transforming into a dragon is helpless now and will be close to invincible in a few minutes, why sit and chat about it now rather than take the sword in your hands and stabbing the shit out of her? If you are paranoid about rivals coming to kill you, why take a complete stranger as a bodyguard? Why put your life at risk for a random barmaid you know is lying to you? How could anyone master the arts of stealth, disguise, and combat in a few short months with zero experience?

And did the master spy really mean it when he said a man's belly fat could be pushed up to make fake boobs? If it was a joke, it fell completely flat. If it was serious...we have bigger issues at hand.

It’s a disaster of a book.




Megg Jensen…your book…woof ( )

Dragons, can never get enough of them.

The living conditions put people’s true character to the test. Such close living makes it hard to hid their true colors. The characters are vindictive, revengeful, heroic and brave. I love ’em and hate ’em.

What is the fog? Is it treacherous, benign, hiding something? What happens to those who go into the fog?

I was engrossed from the beginning. The fog had me very curious and I wanted to walk into it with Tressa. When I first started reading the book, I was looking for dragons, but once I met Tressa, it became all about her. I love her strength. Her personality demanded she do what is right, no matter the consequences. She wasn’t reckless, she felt it was her duty to her people…as if she were their leader. Bastion, her true love since childhood, meant, fated, to be together.

The longer I read, the more I find is going on. I am loving my journey to the answers. It is exciting and dangers at the same time. I was bummed when a favorite of min bit the dust, added an unexpected twist, but I love when an author doesn’t walk the usual line and isn’t afraid to kill of their characters. Not predictable and plenty of surprises. Would love to read more.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Hidden by Megg Jensen.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com ( )

As volume 1, this is a good start. ( )

This is a Great Fantasy book which I received from NetGalley In exchange for an honest review.

Tresaa and Bastian Lovers forced to be apart. Bastian Trapped in a loveless Marriage to a hateful woman. A Dying village Plaque with a Mysterious DIsease. And a Mysterious Fog trapping the villages inhabits for 80 years.

I found the story to be original and filled with interesting twist and its obvious there's more twist to come in book 2. The writing was good the author has a smooth voice.
Dragons and Magic some of my favorite topics when reading Fantasy, and don't forget shape shifters are even higher on my favorites list. This book has a little something for everyone. ( )