Review: Into the Mist: Silver Hand by Steve Finegan

Reading Level: Young Adult
Self-published
First in the Into the Mist series
*This book was gift to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Thirteen-year-old Gabe Wrenn has always taken refuge in his imagination. Refuge from his hovering mom and bullying brother. Refuge from the smirks and stares of his classmates. Refuge from his epilepsy. But now his imagination seems to be running wild. And he can’t stop it. And the only person Gabe can confide in is a girl who thinks his "weird brain" is the key to unlocking the secret of the Brynmor Witch.

I didn't really know what to expect when I started this book. I was pleasantly surprised when I finished it. This was a nice story about a damaged boy with a crumbling family, a girl and a witch.
It was a nice mix of fantasy and real life.

When Gabe Wrenn was six he had an accident and was diagnosed with mild epilepsy. Ever since then his mom has kept him at arms length. His epilepsy means he has these things called 'auras' every once in a while and he has a talent for drawing. He draws the story of a character named Corvus. He never though his drawings were anything but a story in his head. Until he moves to a new house with an mysterious forest behind it, meets a girl named Ellie who tells him the legend of the Brynmor Witch who is buried in the forest and his auras get more frequent and longer. From there the plot just takes off. There's drama with his family, a new school and he starts wondering if his auras are really just in his head. With the help of Ellie he learns more about the Brynmor Witch and starts making connections between real life and his auras of Corvus' story. I really liked how both stories were intertwined and I couldn't wait to see how they came together.

I liked Gabe. He had a hard life but he tried to stay a positive person and didn't want anyone to pity him. Ellie was a really cool character. I loved how she stood up for herself and for Gabe she didn't care if he was different. She liked him better that way. I loved reading about their friendship. It kind of reminded me of Bridge to Terabithia. Though a lot less sad in the end. Gabe's mom annoyed me. I understood why she was so protective of him but she needed to let him go a little bit. I liked how his dad was always there for him. His brother was a jerk but by the end I liked him.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was a little slow at times and it felt like a lot of build up and the ending was less epic than I thought it would be. But that just gives me high hopes for the next one. Which I want very badly.
4/5 stars.

-Marissa