Review: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Who couldn't relate to seventeen-year-old Aislinn? She's facing all the usual teenage problems of how to act around boys, saying no to alcohol and drugs, doing schoolwork, and getting ready for college. She's got a few girlfriends and one young man who may just turn into a real boyfriend. Sounds like your average girl . . . but Aislinn can see faeries.
And faeries are everywhere, even in a small steel town outside of Pittsburgh. Fey folk are not nice. Ever wonder where those mysterious bruises come from? Why you tripped on that smooth sidewalk? It's faeries; they poke and prod and do mean things to humans. And when they put on their glamor and become visible, they seduce and kidnap unsuspecting lovers.
The ability to see faeries runs in families, and Aislinn, who was raised by her grandmother, has been well taught. She's been told to never, ever let the faeries know she can see them. Aislinn can maintain a blank face even as she watches the fey play their tricks on the unsuspecting. She knows all the rules and has never once slipped up.
The faery world is made up of a number of kingdoms. And Aislinn's town is the current home of the summer king, Keenan, and the winter queen, Beira. For centuries, Keenan has been searching the human realm for his destined summer queen. Not until he finds her will he come into his full power and strength. Meanwhile, Beira is gathering her forces and making progress in her quest to bring the whole world under the influence of winter.
Wicked Lovely is classified as an urban fantasy and has been called a modern fairy tale. There are few surprises in the book, but that is of no significance. What surprises do we find in Cinderella? Yet that story has endured. This tale, however, takes place in our world, our time. As I look out my window, I wonder, What is really happening on that seemingly empty lawn?
The novel is elegant in its simplicity, and we are drawn in as easily as is a child listening to a bedtime story.
I experienced this book via digital download from my library. Wicked Lovely may be the perfect audiobook and is perhaps my all-time top listen (and I've heard hundreds of audios). Alyssa Bresnahan doesn't read the book, doesn't narrate the novel; she tells you a story in the finest of oral traditions. I was spellbound.
Print published by HarperCollins, 2008
ISBN-13: 9780061214677
Audio published by Harper Audio 2008
Challenges: Audiobooks, YA, A-Z Author, New Author, 999, Support Your Library, 100+
YTD: 25
Rating: A+
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31 comments:
The best audio book ever! Wow! I'm off to try to find a copy!
Great review! I'm going to look out for this book!
Sweet!! Great review of a book that I just picked up at the library!! Sounds like a winner.
Why I still haven't read this is a mystery. All the reviews I see make me think I'll love it, and yours is no exception.
Wow! That's high praise coming from an audio book fanatic like you! I'll have to look for this one.
I just can't seem to find the time for audio books. The book does sound awesome though!
Sounds like a fun book :D
Oooh i'm glad you enjoyed it, I have it to read (at some point)!
Well now I'm bummed, because my library doesn't have this in audio. I guess I'll go ahead and reserve it in paper form (sigh). Thanks for the great review!
Oooooh! Sounds good. I want to read it.
wowowow! i love ya books...and audio books are my friends because of all the traveling i do. i'm making a point to pick this one up! thanks for the review and tip. :)
I really enjoyed this book, but LOVE the next one. I am listening to it now. Can't wait for the 3rd one to come out now. Great series!
Wow! I may have to get the audio, and I don't do audio books!
Sounds very good, added to the list.
I can't believe I haven't heard of this one before. Now I'm going to have to read it (or, if I listen to it, it will be my first audio-book ever!)
First of all, I love the title to this book. Second, I love Pittsburgh. Third, I love incredible audio books. This will be my next Audible download. Thanks so much for the wonderful review!
This is not my normal kind of read but you make it sound so good. An A+ rating!! I get the point.
An audio with this recommendation coming from you is something. I'll have to see if I can find it in the library. Do you think it would be OK for the kids?
Ok --- I am not a fan of fantasy literature and I have a VERY difficult time with audio books (I am a visual learner in spades) but somehow you have convinced that I absolutely must "hear" this book. GREAT review!!
This is yet another book that's been on my TBR. Glad you gave me several reasons to move it to the top.
I've been waiting for your review and now I know I have to add it to my TBR pile! Thanks.
What a terrific review! Now I want to listen to this on audio, I can totally see how it would be amazing.
I'm so glad you liked it!! I loved this book.
I'm wondering if you have received the Proximidade Award yet! I always want to pass awards on to you, but you always have at least ten of each by the time I get it! Come on by and get your karma!
I keep meaning to read this. It sounds exactly the kind of book I would love!
Thanks for the review
Great review. Now, I really want to go and get the audio from the library. It seems like a deliverance from all the dreadful audio books I have subjected myself to recently.
I have a copy of this one in my TBR pile. I couldn't resist a book about faeries and the cover and title are quite enticing all by themselves. I am glad to hear you liked this one, Beth. Great review!
Great review! I've been wanting to read this one.
This sounds kind of intriguing. Never read a book with fairies as the focus ... wizards, witches, vampires, yes ... but never fairies.
This audio book is really rare in the UK. I haven't managed to find a copy at a reasonable price at all. This is about the third title I've struggled to get hold of - it is making me consider joining an audio book download company - I love a good excuse for signing up!
Isn't this story amazing?! I really need to read Ink Exchange (which thanks to you, I'll have to pick up the audio too lol) but I'd like to wait until the third one comes out first.
Here's my review for Wicked Lovely.
Wow, that sounds good. Unfortunately, my library doesn't have that one in its NetLibrary collection, so Audible.com here I come...
Thanks for your review.
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