The Problem with Promises (Mystwalker, #3)

by Leigh Evans

Never make a promise you can't afford to keep . . .

Half-fae Hedi has tried to live by this rule, yet however fast she runs, trouble tracks her down. So this time, she's meeting it head on. In the fae realm, a mage has imprisoned her twin brother Lexi, and she swore to set him free. However, to save Lexi she must find him, and her path is blocked by vengeful witches. They must be challenged, but Hedi and her Alpha werewolf mate Trowbridge face a dangerous diversion.

They've been framed as prime suspects in an illegal fae drugs trade - and the Council of North American Weres is now on their trail. Hedi must harness her talents to save those she loves. But once she claims her full powers, there will be no going back.

• ISBN13: 9781250006424
• Publish Date: 25 February 2014
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 16 June 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 395
• Language: English

Reviews

[layawaydragon]

At the end of Mystwalker's first and second installments, I was cautiously optimistic about continuing. Because while entertaining, I found major flaws in each. Finally, The Problem with Promises builds upon everything that came before without letting me down. The main cause for celebration is Hedi's comeback!

My dark hero, forever flawed, has been resurrected and kicking ass. Not only does Heidi's spark return, she progresses wonderfully throughout. There's no more losing herself in Trowbridge. Heidi finds inner harmony, rather than falling victim to her magic and past. She makes some good snap decisions and even better plans. In lieu of waiting around for Balto, she goes to save his hairy ass. Seeing her stand firm fighting to protect all her "mines" was a thing of fucking beauty.

Further, it has the same refined feel as The Thing about Weres and continues world building. Including, surprising details about their Earth. We also progress towards finding and seeing The Big Bad behind all their earthly troubles.

The Problem with Promises continues from where The Thing about Weres stops. No stalling or moping time-outs required. It hits the ground running and doesn't stop, leaving our characters coming out of a barrel roll when it ends.

There's more surprises than before without any convenience or bullshit moments that I recall. I was so embroiled in their dramatic action. At 30% finished, it's surprising how much happened and remained.

The Saving Trowbridge plot line does wind up nicely settled so no cliffhangers. It's Merenwyn's continuing  story arc I can't wait to follow. I'm ecstatic for Mystwalker's fourth installment now.      
Rating: 4 stars; great, cut above the rest.

Recommendation: Wholeheartedly fucking worthwhile. Whether you just finished The Thing about Weres or are deciding on starting the series, I'd recommend trying it. There may be ramp up time before dazzling for the series, but I love Hedi's dark hero progression and the world building. Cordelia's also a top-notch best-friend and a great character. Trowbridge has grown on me though I'm not usually one for salivating over alpha wolves in general. So, if that's your bag, you could do worse than Bridge.

[littleread1]

This third installment in Evans Mystwalker really takes the series to a whole new level. The first two, while good and interesting, were a little bogged down with world building and character development. So jumping into Promises I was excited to see where the story went. And I certainly wasn't let down.

We pick up just a few hours after the end of the last book. Shit had just hit, and kept hitting, the fan and Hedi and Trowbridge certainly have some issues to work through. I was really hoping, after everything, that they would catch a small break. Because they have been through the wringer. Every time it seemed like they would get some peace and quiet ... BAM!

I guess Hedi finally reached her breaking point. She grew as a character and a person, and finally, FINALLY, stood up for herself, and didn't rely on others to save the day. She really kicked ass and didn't care enough to take names. I am firmly on team Hedi. I want everything for her, and while I know she will have to work for it some more, I think (hope!) Evans makes her happy.

And Trowbride certainly makes her happy. Her "One True Thing" in this world, the world she has spent many years hiding from, the world that keeps kicking her when she is down. The romance was always clear on her side of things, but for me it wasn't clear on Trowbridge's side of things ... until Promises. There is a scene near the end that really seals the deal for me. I was excited to see the growth of their budding relationship and that they are apparently on the same page now, that their situation is more than either one of them can handle on their own.

And the ending, it is pretty epic and satisfying, at least for me it was! It certainly wraps up Promises, leaving you wanting for the next book, and still managed to leave me with a feeling of completion and contentment at the end. I am super excited to see how they move forward over the next million obstacles now that they have both put on their big kid pants! Anyone who has liked the first two Mystwalker books will love Promises, and if you haven't started them yet, they are well worth the journey.