Gr 9 Up-Aislinn knows about faeries. She has seen them all her life and her grandmother has taught her the rules. Don't stare at faeries. Don't speak to faeries. Don't attract the attention of faeries. She has seen the malicious behavior of faeries and wants a normal high school life. The rules have kept her safe for years. Imagine her dismay when the faeries begin stalking her and whispering, "do you think she's the one?" When Keenan, a faerie king, pursues Aislinn, she confides in her best friend Seth who accepts the idea of the unseen with ease. Together they face the faeries and learn that Keenan is the Summer King and believes Aislinn to be his queen. What develops is an intriguing triangle as both Seth and Keenan begin to court Aislinn. Melissa Marr's debut novel (HarperTeen, 2007) shows strength in both character and setting. Aislinn is an admirable protagonist, insisting on following her own path. Teen girls will flip over strong, sexy Seth. Marr's faerie world Marr is a fascinating mixture of the ancient and the modern. The story translates beautifully to audio, and narrator Alyssa Bresnahan is pitch-perfect in her delivery. The sexual tension is subtle but makes the story more appropriate for older listeners. Recommend this intriguing fantasy romance to fans of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series.-Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
First-time novelist Marr gives the oft-tried modern faerie story a fresh infusion of glamour, thanks to a likable pair of protagonists, a page-turning plot and an ample dose of sexual tension. Seventeen-year-old Aislinn has a secret; she sees fairies everywhere-working their mischief and doggedly following her for reasons she does not understand. "Even when she looked away, she heard them: laughing and squealing, gnashing teeth and beating wings.... They were out in droves now, freer somehow as evening fell, invading her space, ending any chance of the peace she'd sought." One of them, the handsome Keenan, takes a particular interest in her. He is the Summer King, on a centuries-long quest for his queen, the one person who will be able to help him unseat his vicious mother, Beira, the Winter Queen. Keenan has chosen incorrectly over the years; the latest to accept his offer is Donia, who now lives in Beira's icy thrall. Beira offers Donia a deal: prevent Keenan from finding his proper queen, and Beira will release her spell over her soul. Aislinn confides her secret to her friend Seth, whose steel-walled home (an abandoned train) protects her from the fey. As Keenan pursues Aislinn, convinced she is his true mate, secrets emerge about Aislinn's family history and she wrestles with the decision to become the Summer Queen. Aislinn and Seth are a smart and compelling couple who must make tough choices throughout. Marr offers readers a fully imagined faery world that runs alongside an everyday world, which even non-fantasy (or faerie) lovers will want to delve into. Ages 12-up. (June) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
"A modern-day fairy tale, wherein the girl saves herself. Many fantasy readers will find themselves happily at home here.--Library Journal
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Reviews
4.0
out of 5 based on
4
reviews.
– Customer review on 29/08/2008
Really enjoyed it.Its a perfect young adult fiction book for someone looking for romance, with a little bit of suspense...not a whole lot but still...
it was a good mix of paranormal,romance as well as a little bit of teenage confusion thrown in...
2.0
out of 5 based on
4
reviews.
– Customer review on 11/01/2010
I enjoyed the story and appreciate the research Marr did to create such a fantastic world, however the editing of this book was horrible! It caused me such distraction having to figure out what the sentences were SUPPOSED to say rather than just reading, it took the joy out of the reading and made it a chore.
However the story and the characters become developed enough to keep you in their world. A good read, if you can get past the editing.
5.0
out of 5 based on
4
reviews.
– Customer review on 04/11/2009
One of the big things I love about Wicked Lovely is the obvious effort Marr has put into her research and her world-building. Each chapter begins with an epigraph from reference books about fairy mythology which ties in somewhat to the chapter it belongs to. Both the human world and each of the faerie Courts are fully-realised. The in-story mythos is strong and in place, and the rules of the created canon are stuck to. This is always a very good thing in fantasy, and where a lot of fantasy falls short these days. Some authors seem to think that fantasy doesn’t require research or rules – thankfully Marr is not one of these authors, and her positive attitude towards research and in-universe rules shows through in her story.
The characters too, are fully-realised, too, with the exception of the Winter Queen. Someone else (I forget who) mentioned that she seemed too much like a stock villain, too full of cliches. I have to partially agree with that – she seemed like she was trying too hard, and that she was written in a way that expressed it not to be a character issue but more a mild reflection on the author’s skill of handling her. But apart from her, the characters were all vibrant and interesting, and definitely with more than one note. Seth is probably the hallmark of that attitude, as, given the way he looks and where he lives, one could easily write him off and turn him into a stereotype. Not Marr though: she handles him well. He’s complex and interesting and I’m not surprised he is a favourite amongst many female readers. He could easily have been portrayed in the way his exterior might have others do so but no. So well done on that, Marr.
My favourite thing about Wicked Lovely is the theme of choice, and Marr’s understanding of it. Choice is evident right from the prologue and stays right until the end. From one’s role in life to who you love, choice is woven throughout the novel and is an important part of the plot. One thing I loved most about choice in Wicked Lovely is the understanding to not make a choice is in fact a choice itself. That is something that is often looked over, so well done there.
Wicked Lovely is a fast-paced novel with a fully-realised world full of wonderful characters. The writing is clean and true, and wonderfully evocative without having to resort into the depths of purple prose. The story will keep you hooked and wanting more. So go on and read Ink Exchange and Fragile Eternity … we all have a while to wait until Radiant Shadows comes out.
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