Featuring steampunk and adventure themes, Secrets in the Mist recently caught my attention for this book review. It’s a fast-paced read with engaging worldbuilding and strong tension throughout each scene. However, it has its shortcomings, which I’ll explore in the review below. For a brief summary, check out the book review at the bottom of the page. Spoiler alert.
Worldbuilding
The book offered an immersive experience, blending steampunk with zombies and mad science. Each chapter felt like an adventure, driven by a sense of intrigue. Exploration and lore are central themes, as characters navigate a post-apocalyptic world with aerial-based civilizations.
Characters
The characterization and prose were lacking, with each protagonist missing emotional depth and effective presentation. Cass, who has an intriguing backstory as a street urchin turned airship diver, didn’t fully deliver in terms of exposition and emotional reactions, which diminished her potential as a strong female lead. I found her more engaging than Theo, the second protagonist, who suffered from similar issues but to an even greater extent.
Plot
The plot was captivating, thanks to its mix of steampunk, mad science, and horror elements, which kept me engaged throughout. The story ended with several cliffhangers, suggesting a sequel. However, the antagonist wasn’t clearly defined until much later in the narrative.
Prose
The writing was decent, with few typos or awkward sentences—though those that did appear were quite amusing. The prose could have benefited from tighter editing, as some unnecessary details overshadowed more important ones. Despite this, the overall pacing was smooth, and there were no significant readability issues.
Overview
Overall, I enjoy the plot and worldbuilding, but the characters and unpolished prose dampened the experience.
- Characterization
- Worldbuilding
- Prose
- Plot
- Overall
