Mystic City by: Theo Lawrence

Synopsis: 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.

Thoughts: This is one of those books that grab your attention right in the first chapter. One of the books that has a heroic protagonist with a sexy love interest and a set of secondary characters that you cannot help but feel something for. Plus, the cover for this book is absolutely stunning… totally does it justice. Overall, Mystic City is a magical and thrilling book that will rouse all of your emotions.

Aria Rose awakens one day and is told that she overdosed on a drug called Stic, which is pulled from mystic energy. She is told that she is engaged to Thomas Foster, the son of her parent’s political rivals. Aria doesn’t remember being engaged to Thomas nor does she remember being in love with him or her parents and the Fosters uniting. As much as she tries to remember her memories before her “overdose” she can’t seem to grasp them and the ones that do slip forward don’t seem quite right. The night is about to confront Thomas about it, she is attacked and saved by a rebel mystic. Hunter is built, blonde-haired blue-eyed and feels like someone Aria can trust. As she starts to see more of Hunter and learn more about the world around her she soon understands that Hunter may be key to unlocking her lost memories and that she can’t trust everyone around her… a war just may be coming.

I really loved this book. I absolutely love the magical feel of the world of mystics. It quite beautiful actually. The unfortunate side of the city is the political feud that keeps the city under lock. All the Roses and Fosters are, are power hungry animals. All but one… Aria. Aria is the type of protagonist you root for. The one who is the “black sheep” of the family, yet her heart is in the right place and she fights for what she believes is right. As Aria grew to hate her family and the people around her, I did as well. It’s truly amazing what people, who you think love you, will do for power. And despite almost everything going against Aria she constantly prevails and fights and I absolutely adored her for it.

Other than our protagonists though, we have people like Kiki who I loved her funny outgoing personality, yet sometimes I wanted to slap her for her naivety around Aria and what was going on. Also people like Benedict and Davida who you need and end up loving by the end of the story. There’s also Turk who is probably one of my favorite secondary characters in Mystic City. Hellloooo sexy mohawk boy with powers. Turk is the funny, outgoing best friend who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. A boy with a golden heart who I just wanted to hug. Then finally there is Hunter. Oh Hunter, I want you. First, I love his name. Second, blonde hair blue eyes and built. Third… he has a heart of gold and the mind of a warrior. I just could not get enough of him. He always tried to do the right thing for himself and Aria. His protective side and the way he could sacrifice himself just because it’s the right thing… just killed me. Definitely a new book boyfriend.

Overall, this is one of those books that has the adventure, romance, and thrilling moments I live for. There were so many parts that I just couldn’t put the book down and so many parts where I was nervous to see what was coming next. Completely loved Mystic City and cannot wait until I can get more of this world.