Review MYSTIC CITY by Theo Lawrence @tlawrencebooks @RandomBuzzers @randomhousekids

Book Description

Release Date: October 9, 2012 | Series: Mystic City (Hardcover – Trilogy)

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City’s two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents’ sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn’t remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can’t conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.

About the Author

THEO LAWRENCE is a graduate of Columbia University and the Juilliard School. A Presidential Scholar in the Arts for Voice, he has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Off-Broadway.

SOURCE: AMAZON VINE

MY THOUGHTS

LOVED IT

In the dystopian future, Manhattan is underwater. Wow, how prophetic is that? Instead of streets, there are now canals and upper class live in skyscrapers while workers and others live down below, near the canals. Magic is severely restricted and those with powers are subjected to regulated purges of their powers which sap their strength and possibly their lives. Of course, this sets up sides, with a ruling class regulating the power of those with magic, having depleted their strength. Of course, there are those with magical powers who have hidden themselves, not registering with the government and saving their powers, hiding and planning a revolt.

Aria, wakes with amnesia, finds herself engaged to the rival powers‘ son, Thomas, in a bid to united the city against those with magic and continue their suppression. She is living a Gossip Girls lifestyle, filled with shopping, her three best friends and a hidden romance, supposedly with Thomas, but it just doesn’t ring true. So as their families plan the wedding of the century, Aria starts to remember bits and pieces of the Romeo and Juliette romance and reconnects with the true love of her life, Hunter. He, of course, lives in the Depths and has magical powers. Oh, and his mother, Violet, is running for control of the city.

So, there is a lot of heart pounding complications in this romance. There is class warfare as well as violence between the groups, especially with Aria’s father and his enforcers. Hunter opens Aria’s eyes to the unfairness of the majority’s lives and of course, there is war on the horizon. This is basically a retelling of Romeo and Juliette, but with magic. I really like all the characters. There is some violence, some kissing, but overall, this is pretty safe for teens. Now, I can’t wait for the next installment