Book Review: Tempestuous

Tempestuous (Wondrous Strange #3)

By: Lesley Livingston

Published By: HarperTeen

Publication Date: December 2010

Page Count: 368

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Young Adult - Fantasy

I. N.E.E.D. M.O.R.E.!!!!!

An exhilerating conclusion to the Wondrous Strange trilogy... only it left me wanting--needing--MORE!!!!

Tempestuous starts off literally moments where Darklight left off. Kelley had just told Tyff, knowing that Sonny was listening, that she didn't love Sonny and never did... all in a ruse to drive Sonny and his green magick away for his own safety. The domino affect of this semi-regretful lie ripples right to the end of the story. 

This last book ends triumphantly with all of our questions resolved. We find out who was behind all the diabolical events in the story thus far... who was behind the awakening of the Wild Hunt, who/what was behind Auberon's illness, as well as the mystery of the death of the Greenman, among other wonderings.

Aside from this awesome cast of characters we knew and loved in the first two books, namely Sonny & Kelley, Fennrys really shined in this last installment and became a huge favourite of mine! His character was complex but strong yet wasn't too proud to admit his weaknesses and vulnerabilities in his wolfish way. He had me whispering, "NOOOOOOO.. Fennnnnnn..." and I'll have to leave it at that!

The rest of the cast of characters in Tempestuous and throughout this trilogy were so richly written. I truly cared for them, even the not-so-good-guys, because Lesley made them so dimensional. I loved the wit and snarkiness throughout this entire story, too.

The story telling was so rich in Shakespeare and faerie folklore. Some characters that we thought trustworthy, were anything but. The loyalties of friends/allies were also in question... some were quite surprising while others I had suspected all along.

One teensy complaint I had was that I really wanted more of Kelley & Sonny working as a team--together--in the same promiximity! Their chemistry is palpable when they are by each other's side... they have a magical love story between them and I definitely wanted more of that. But then that made the parts when they were together soooo appreciated.

The ending left me breathless. I so desperately willed the book to materialize more pages... but to no avail.

Although everything is fully resolved by the end of this great finale, there were a couple of 'doors' left open, for perhaps more story to tell. I have no doubt Lesley can continue to work her 'magick' and imagine new stories with this wonderful cast of characters. I'd be soooo on-board!

*Note* Lesley has recently announced that there WILL be more story to tell in Starling one of our beloved characters from the Wondrous Strange trilogy! 

Summary:

"I don't love Sonny Flannery."

That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.

But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley.

The intrigue and romance that began with Wondrous Strange and Darklight come to a stormy head in Tempestuous, the breathtaking conclusion to Lesley Livingston's ravishing urban Faerie trilogy.