Book Review of The Island of Mystics by Alisse Lee Goldenberg
Book Review / by The Chrysalis BREW Project / 67 views
What if the sea could hear your regrets and answer back? In The Island of Mystics by Alisse Lee Goldenberg, discover how love and choices ripple beyond control—read on.
Book Info
The Island of Mystics by Alisse Lee Goldenberg
Genre
Fantasy
Sub-genres: Young Adult Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Adventure
Themes: Love vs duty, grief, identity, mental health, family bonds
Suggested minimum age: 13+
Review
Some stories begin with a map; others begin with a feeling. This one begins with an ache. From its opening moments, The Island of Mystics invites readers into a world where magic exists alongside something far more complex: emotional truth.
At its core, this is a story about young people trying to understand themselves while the world insists they already have a role to play. Audrina is a princess, yes—but more importantly, she is someone caught between expectation and authenticity. Her relationship with Gertrude feels refreshingly grounded. It isn’t framed as spectacle, but as something quietly significant, like gravity: always present, always shaping the path forward.
Lucas, however, may be the most striking character. His internal conflict mirrors real psychological patterns. Studies in cognitive science suggest that individuals experiencing guilt often overestimate their responsibility for negative outcomes. Lucas embodies this with painful clarity. He doesn’t just feel responsible—he reconstructs reality to make that belief unavoidable. Watching him navigate that mental landscape is both difficult and deeply human.
The setting enhances everything without overwhelming it. The island kingdom is vibrant—lush vegetation, unusual wildlife, and architectural detail—but it never distracts from the characters. Instead, it acts like weather in a well-told story: reflective, sometimes turbulent, often symbolic. When the narrative shifts to the sea, it becomes something else entirely. The ocean is no longer scenery; it’s a force, unpredictable and indifferent, much like the consequences of impulsive decisions.
There’s an interesting balance here between fantasy and realism. Magic exists, but it doesn’t solve problems neatly. In fact, it often highlights limitations. This aligns with a broader literary trend where magic systems mirror human constraints rather than eliminate them—a choice that makes the stakes feel more authentic.
The pacing occasionally lingers, particularly in introspective moments, but this is also where the book finds its voice. It doesn’t rush emotional development, which may frustrate readers looking for constant action, yet rewards those willing to sit with its characters.
Who is this book for? It’s for readers who value emotional depth alongside adventure, who don’t mind pausing to consider why a character makes a choice rather than just what happens next. It may not suit someone seeking fast-paced escapism with minimal introspection.
Anecdotally, many readers remember stories not for their plot twists, but for how they made them feel at specific moments in life. This book seems designed for that kind of memory. It doesn’t demand attention—it earns it gradually, through sincerity.
And perhaps that’s its quiet strength. It reminds us that even in worlds filled with magic, the hardest journeys are still internal.
Content Warning
Includes themes of grief, emotional distress, and references to self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
About the Author
Alisse Lee Goldenberg writes children’s literature, horror, young adult paranormal romance, and fantasy. Her works include The Sitnalta Series, The Children of Colonodona, The Dybbuk Scrolls, and The Bath Salts Journals with An Tran. She holds degrees in education and fine arts, and works in screenwriting and theatre. She lives in Toronto with her family.
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