Review: Wicked Lovely

Author: Melissa Marr

Publisher: HarperCollins 2007

Genre: YA, Urban fantasy, sci-fi

Trade paperback 328 pages

From the author's website:

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. He 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; her life; everything. Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in this 21st century faery tale.

My Thoughts:

Well if you read the teaser above, that is exactly what this book is about. Aislinn is 17 so her teenage angst isn't too great, and considering what she is up against, she does a pretty remarkable job. She is one tough cookie.

Her relationship with Seth is so sweet, and how a young girl's first love relationship should be. Seth's concern and protection for Aislinn makes the reader like him even more. This relationship is then contrasted with Aislinn's relationship with Keenan, the faerie Summer King. Keenan wants and needs Aislinn in more ways than one, but I believe his true heart belongs to another. It's as if theses relationships are two sides of a coin. One starts out as a friendship and progress, but the other one....wait, that starts out as a friendship also. Guess I have to see what happens in book two.

Regardless, Aislinn hold the fate of both the real and faerie world in her hands, and she handles it with grace and aplomb, for the most part. All of the characters we meet along the way are interesting, and not just their faerie descriptions.

Overall this book was a fun read. It was quick and entertaining, taking my mind away from current life events, which I desperately need at the moment. I recommend this book, and will be borrowing book two, Ink Exchange.

My Rating: 4/5

Challenges Met: TBR Challenge 2009, Library Challenge 2009