The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón - 4 stars

[Joy D]

The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón - 4* - My Review

The Prince of Mist is an old-fashioned ghost story. It is a gothic tale with supernatural elements. The Carver family relocates to a coastal town during World War II, only to discover that their new home may be haunted by a sinister figure known as the Prince of Mist. The main characters are thirteen-year-old Max Carver, his fifteen-year-old sister Alicia, and the lighthouse keeper’s seventeen-year-old grandson, Roland. These three young people will encounter evil for the first time.

The young characters are engaging and sympathetic. It is nicely paced, with enough twists to keep readers guessing without becoming overly convoluted. Zafón's prose is lyrical (hats off to the translator). It is Zafón's debut novel, aimed at young adults, so it lacks some of the complexity of his later work. It is creepy, haunting, and perfect for Halloween. It will appeal to those who enjoy atmospheric mysteries with a supernatural edge.