The Prince of Mist

by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Book Overview

An atmospheric young adult novel from bestselling The Shadow of the Wind author Carlos Ruiz Zaf n, translated from the original Spanish by acclaimed translator Lucia Graves.

It's wartime, and the Carver family decides to leave the capital where they live and move to a small coastal village where they've recently bought a home. But from the minute they cross the threshold, strange things start to happen. In that mysterious house still lurks the spirit of Jacob, the previous owners' son, who died by drowning.

With the help of their new friend Roland, Max and Alicia Carver begin to explore the strange circumstances of that death and discover the existence of a mysterious being called the Prince of Mist--a diabolical character who has returned from the shadows to collect on a debt from the past. Soon the three friends find themselves caught up in an adventure of sunken ships and an enchanted stone garden--an adventure that will change their lives forever.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316044776
• ISBN13: 9780316044776
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

Filled my heart and then broke it and glued the pieces back together

This book hits all the right notes, it’s like eating a perfectly balanced meal. It’s a lessen in loss and heartbreak, as well as love and loyalty. Good for a growing teen to read, which is when I first read it. I would it recommend to any age though!

A Disappointment

Being a huge fan of Shadow of the Wind and Angel's Game I was thrilled when I saw that Zafon had a new novel coming out. I even pre-ordered it. I had no idea that it was not new and that it was geared to young adults. Zafon is a gifted writer with a very creative imagination. The book itself is fine for what it is. Being a not so young adult, it was not for me. I've saved it for when my grandchildren are a bit older. I have no problem with the writing or the story. I just wish it had been marketed more accurately. Had I known, I would have chosen to wait for his next novel and passed on this one.

worth the wait

when i read the letter from the writer it was touching, that such a book could be as important to fight for just for us to read it, it was a great book yet w out his letter it wouldn't have been worth the wait.

Review of The Prince of Mist

I'm not a big fan of ghost stories. I spook easily and end up having to sleep at night with my lights on and an eye half open. I am, however, a huge fan of Zafon's writing and The Prince of Mist proved worthy. Although The Prince of Mist lacked the more poetic writing of The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game, it still captured that gothic, dark feeling that I loved about the books. I could definitely tell this was a book geared more toward a younger audience - it was short, easy to read and drew me in from the very get-go. Young Max has to move from his childhood home. With him are his two sisters (one older, one younger) and his parents. They move to a house with a history, a house on a beach, and they stumble into a story involving magic, ghosts and some of the creepiest elements of a ghost story that can be used. There was a little bit of everything in this book. It played on my fear of graveyards, clowns, "The Ring" movie and many more fears. I read the book in an evening, but had to set it down several times because of random noises that had me jumping and looking over my shoulder. It's just a book, I'd remind myself. I'm such a wimp. This is a fantastic addition to the YA world. The beginning writing is a bit simple, but push through it and you'll find a story that has every element needed to make it interesting, scary, fun, romantic, sad and just plain creepy.

Great present for avid book readers

I bought this book for my sister(she told me she liked this author) not knowing it was a trilogy. She loved it and is now forcing me to buy her the other 2 books, blaming me for getting her hooked on it.

Great book!!!!!

First I read The Shadow of the wind!!!! then I tried to get more books from Ruiz Zafon, I bought some of his previous work, I have read them and this is one of the best! not as good as "The Shadow" but is a good story, very good!!!!