Greetings! As much as my best intentions determined that I would be very active over here this summer, it just didn’t happen. However, I’ve read many amazing books that I can’t wait to share and review for you!

This is one of them! I read Secrets in the Mist in less than 24 hours and found myself hanging on every word!

Additionally, Secrets in the Mist enters the world today, so a very happy book birthday to Morgan Busse!

Summary:

What’s lurking in the Mist is the least of their worries…

In a world where humanity lives in the sky to escape a deadly mist below, Cass’s only goal is survival. That is, until she finds a job on the airship Daedalus as a diver. Now she explores ruined cities, looking for treasure and people’s lost heirlooms until a young man hires her to find the impossible: a way to eradicate the Mist.

Theodore Winchester is a member of one of the Five Families that rule the skies. Following in his father’s footsteps, he searches for the source of the Mist and hopes to stop the purges used to control overpopulation. But what he finds are horrifying secrets and lethal ambition. If he continues his quest, it could mean his own death.

The Mist is rising and soon the world will be enveloped in its deadly embrace, turning what’s left of humanity into the undead.

Personal Review:

Following the Plague Wars, life has become a lot more…complicated. The affluent are those who have risen to the top by playing political games. Their heirs inherit their power and prestige. Below them (literally and metaphorically), the peasantry lives in daily fear of the Purges and the ever-growing Mist.

It’s not often that I can finish a book in less than 24 hours these days, but in the case of Secrets in the Mist, I did just that. From the characters to the steampunk setting, this adventure is the perfect way to end a summer of reading.

Cass and Theo are engaging main characters, and following their journey gradually sucked me into the novel. I love how their personal stories are explored before the reader sees them interact together. Gaining insight into their motivation was so valuable in understanding them and their relationship as it develops (which, may I say, I hope develops even more in the next book because I love them together). It’s rare to see both a strong male and female lead, but Busse delivers both alongside a cast of side characters that I grew to adore.

The themes in this book carry as much weight as the characters, making the story so evenly balanced. Theo’s search for and devotion to truth is both an inspiration and a conviction. The element of self-sacrifice that broke my heart is beautiful in its depth. Finally, the found family trope is executed to perfection.

Banter and serious moments are balanced as well. There’s also enough buildup to intense moments that they carry great emotional weight.

If there’s one thing I didn’t love about this story, it’s that I wonder if a couple of plot points will become a tad cheesy in the following book. However, I’ve read so many Morgan Busse books that I trust her to deliver all the feels and all the depth at the same time.

Another aspect that I appreciated is how clean it is without feeling clean. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but in some books, it feels like a great effort was made to sanitize it for the audience. However, I feel as though this steampunk journey had the right amount of grit while remaining clean.

I do wish there had been a bit more world-building, but there’s never enough atmospheric cogs and steam for me.

Overall, I can’t wait for the next book (that ending, why?!), and I’m sure I’ll reread Secrets in the Mist before its companion is released.

Content Review:

Language – Some made-up swear words, but nothing else!

Sexual – None!

Violence – The undead products of the Mist are called the Turned. Some younger readers might find them a tad disturbing as they resemble zombies. The process is also seen on-page.

Spiritual – A few references to ghosts as well as the fact that the Turned no longer have souls as the people themselves have already died. Elaeros represents God.

Other – Some older characters drink.

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I received a complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Interested in more of Morgan Busse’s stories? Or love fantasy stories filled with assassins and intriguing magical abilities?

Check out my review for her previous series, The Ravenwood Saga!

https://www.bookishmusings.com/mark-of-the-raven/

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That’s all for now!

My next post will be a Summer Reading Wrap Up, so stay tuned!