Book Review: Wicked Lovely
Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely #1)
By: Melissa Marr
Published By: HarperTeen
Publication Date: June 2007
Page Count: 328
Buy it at Amazon or Barnes& Noble
Source: Purchased by Reviewer
Audience: Young Adult - Paranormal
Wicked Lovely was the first YA series I really got into after the Twilight Saga reignited by love of reading. I read this one before Reading Lark was founded and decided that I needed to go back and spend some time sharing my thoughts on this series. The Wicked Lovely books and Melissa Marr's writing are things that have captivated me from moment one.
Before reading Wicked Lovely, I thought all fey stories were about the happy sprites like Tinkerbelle. I never imagined that these beings could be so dark. Melissa Marr does a gorgeous job of creating a universe in which the fey are something to be feared. Wicked Lovely marks our first chance to spend time in this world. This one mainly revolves around Aislinn as she tries to understand more about her sight. She catches the eye of the Summer King, Keenan, who believes she just might be the girl to set him free. The only problem is Aislinn doesn't want to have anything to do with the fey. She has been taught to fear and avoid them all of her life. Her grandmother has given her three strict rules to keep her safe: Don't stare at invisible faeries. Don't speak to invisible faeries. Don't ever attract their attention. However, in spite of her attempt to follow these rules, the world of faerie can't seem to leave Aislinn alone.
I loved learning more about the war between the Summer and Winter courts. I found this to be one of the most interesting plot points. Overall, I think what makes this series so appealing to me is the plot. I don't always enjoy the characters - in fact both Keenan and Aislinn annoy me most of the time - but the world is so fascinating to me that it doesn't matter. I also am very drawn to Seth and Donia. They are the ones that keep my attention.
I also love Melissa Marr's writing style and how she weaves together her own imagination and folklore. She is one of my favorite writers and I can't wait to see what she will produce now that the Wicked Lovely series has come to an end. I highly recommend this series to fans of YA paranormal romance, fey stories, and folklore. However, this series is not for the feint of heart. It's dark and things don't always go the way you want them to. Wicked Lovely is like a dark, rich chocolate - delicious, fleetingly sweet, and laced with just the right amount of bitterness.
Wicked Lovely was the first YA series I really got into after the Twilight Saga reignited by love of reading. I read this one before Reading Lark was founded and decided that I needed to go back and spend some time sharing my thoughts on this series. The Wicked Lovely books and Melissa Marr's writing are things that have captivated me from moment one.
Before reading Wicked Lovely, I thought all fey stories were about the happy sprites like Tinkerbelle. I never imagined that these beings could be so dark. Melissa Marr does a gorgeous job of creating a universe in which the fey are something to be feared. Wicked Lovely marks our first chance to spend time in this world. This one mainly revolves around Aislinn as she tries to understand more about her sight. She catches the eye of the Summer King, Keenan, who believes she just might be the girl to set him free. The only problem is Aislinn doesn't want to have anything to do with the fey. She has been taught to fear and avoid them all of her life. Her grandmother has given her three strict rules to keep her safe: Don't stare at invisible faeries. Don't speak to invisible faeries. Don't ever attract their attention. However, in spite of her attempt to follow these rules, the world of faerie can't seem to leave Aislinn alone.
I loved learning more about the war between the Summer and Winter courts. I found this to be one of the most interesting plot points. Overall, I think what makes this series so appealing to me is the plot. I don't always enjoy the characters - in fact both Keenan and Aislinn annoy me most of the time - but the world is so fascinating to me that it doesn't matter. I also am very drawn to Seth and Donia. They are the ones that keep my attention.
I also love Melissa Marr's writing style and how she weaves together her own imagination and folklore. She is one of my favorite writers and I can't wait to see what she will produce now that the Wicked Lovely series has come to an end. I highly recommend this series to fans of YA paranormal romance, fey stories, and folklore. However, this series is not for the feint of heart. It's dark and things don't always go the way you want them to. Wicked Lovely is like a dark, rich chocolate - delicious, fleetingly sweet, and laced with just the right amount of bitterness.
One Last Gripe: Less whining from Aislinn would have been nice.
My Favorite Thing About This Book: The universe Marr has created
First Sentence: The Summer King knelt before her.
Favorite Character: Donia
Least Favorite Character: Keenan
Rule #3: Don’t stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.
Rule #2: Don’t speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.
Rule #1: Don’t ever attract their attention.
But it’s too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost-regardless of her plans or desires.
Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything.
Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr’s stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.
Rule #2: Don’t speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.
Rule #1: Don’t ever attract their attention.
But it’s too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost-regardless of her plans or desires.
Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything.
Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr’s stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.
I loved Seth & Donia & the Fae world too. I stopped at Wicked Lovely though.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy hearing who people chose as their favorite characters from the series. It interests me that most of the time the main characters in book one aren't the ones people gravitate to.
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