Summary:
Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in 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.
Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale.
My Thoughts:
When I first heard all of the good reviews, saw the fantastic cover and read the blurb I was confident that I would fall deeply in love with the book like I did with Nightshade. However, I did not. The prologue was great, caught my attention and then I kept reading and I slowly but surely got annoyed with the author. It wasn't the characters. I loved Aislinn and her boyfriend. I liked Keenan even though he got on my nerves at times and I could relate to Dora, I think her name was, she was the girl in the beginning who thought she was meant to be the Summer Queen but turned out not to be and got the Queen's Winter frost. Maybe that was the problem. The prologue started off with a side character and not the most important character in my opinion was Aislinn. It seemed like Melissa Marr was so focused with developing the faery world and didn't focus on the main character, Aislinn. She kept flipping between all three characters. I think she was trying to focus on all three characters and make them into main characters but it didn't work.
Why? Because her focus was mostly on Dora who wasn't the main character, it was Aislinn. It seemed like we got maybe a fourth of the book dedicated to Aislinn and the rest of the chapters dealt with Keenan and Dora. I wanted more of Aislinn and unfortunately I didn't get that. Other than that, I didn't have any issues with the book. I liked the plot and the characters but I had some problems about the way she went about protraying the different points of view.
Since I didn't like the way she did the first book, I thought I would give her another chance with her other books.
I know this author's writing doesn't come close to Melissa Marr's but there is a difference: Consistency. I loved the consistency and the plot and the characters in this book. I loved the fact that we are slowly introduced to the fairy world and to all of its component (later on in the series of course) right along with the main character and the science behind it as well (not too sciency like Kathy Reichs or Patricia Cornwell. Just the basics). I also love the way Aprilynne Pike flips the idea of what a fairy is on its head. I love what she has done with the legend. I also loved how she showed the conflict of what the main character, Laurel, could be in both worlds. Like two halves of a whole slowly coming apart or trying to compromise one side of herself with another. I just simply loved how Aprilynne Pike started off simple and slowly layered it and showed off her talents. Additionally, Stephenie Meyer recommended it. Enough said on that, huh?
I guess you know by looking at it that this is not a fairy book. It's not. I haven't read a lot of fairy books hence the reason why I can't really recommend a lot of them. I've been meaning to read more of them, but lost track of time. Anyway, this is an awesome book nonetheless and got me hooked onto zombies. Yeah, that's right, zombies. Even though it's not like the typical zombie and it's not the apocalypse. Sort of. Let me explain. Basically, this starts on a normal day during this current day and age except teens are starting to come back from the grave. This phenomenon only occurs in America with teenagers. There were many theories as to why this has happened but nothing has been found why. Anyway, there are three main characters: Adam, Phoebe, and the other guy who's name is escaping me. The conflict starts when Phoebe starts to date the living impaired/differently biotic/zombie named Tommy Williams. A lot of people do not approve of these differently biotic people and are actually out there to destroy them because 'they are abonimations' of sorts and the media is keeping it under wraps about how many zombies are being murdered.
Sorry I'm just blabbing on and on about this book. I could really keep going on all day about how much I love this book, how much I love the deeper meaning to this book and how it can relate to not just the past but to the present time . . . And yet I'm still blabbing! :D Excuse my ranting and excessive praise of this book, I will really move on this time.
Last one:
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in 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.
Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale.
My Thoughts:
When I first heard all of the good reviews, saw the fantastic cover and read the blurb I was confident that I would fall deeply in love with the book like I did with Nightshade. However, I did not. The prologue was great, caught my attention and then I kept reading and I slowly but surely got annoyed with the author. It wasn't the characters. I loved Aislinn and her boyfriend. I liked Keenan even though he got on my nerves at times and I could relate to Dora, I think her name was, she was the girl in the beginning who thought she was meant to be the Summer Queen but turned out not to be and got the Queen's Winter frost. Maybe that was the problem. The prologue started off with a side character and not the most important character in my opinion was Aislinn. It seemed like Melissa Marr was so focused with developing the faery world and didn't focus on the main character, Aislinn. She kept flipping between all three characters. I think she was trying to focus on all three characters and make them into main characters but it didn't work.
Why? Because her focus was mostly on Dora who wasn't the main character, it was Aislinn. It seemed like we got maybe a fourth of the book dedicated to Aislinn and the rest of the chapters dealt with Keenan and Dora. I wanted more of Aislinn and unfortunately I didn't get that. Other than that, I didn't have any issues with the book. I liked the plot and the characters but I had some problems about the way she went about protraying the different points of view.
Since I didn't like the way she did the first book, I thought I would give her another chance with her other books.
Okay, so there's a funny story with this. For the first time, I think ever, in my reading career I read the series out of order. I started off with Fragile Eternity which I understood most of it but I was a bit confused, of course, about happened. When I found out that I skipped a novel, I laughed. I can't recall the last time I did that. So I returned Fragile Eternity to the library (thanks Hampton Public Library!) and got Ink Exchange. Now when I started reading this book I was doubly confused. Who the hell was Leslie and what happened to Aislinn?! I was furious. I think that was my breaking point with Melissa Marr.
I understand that she is a fabulous writer but introducing a whole new set of characters and not even considering the reader's attachment to the previous set really ticked me off. I know she didn't do it on purpose, but I had it. I really did. I really tried to trudge through it to be a trooper. The inner reader tried to convince me that there was some mysterious master plan behind her reasoning of leaving out Aislinn but by the time I reached like page 50, I stopped. I stopped picking up the book when I had spare time and started thinking about my plot to my books and thinking of grocery lists instead. That is like the kiss of death to books.
Despite all of this, I decided to give her one final try.
Now someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but Melissa Marr gave a good review for this book, so I thought to give a chance.
To say Matched was not my cup of tea is an understatement. Basically this book about a future dysopian soceity where the main character, Cassia, figures out that it's not all perfect as it seems.
Now what didn't I like about this book? I think the writing showed a glimmer of talent, but it just lacked some sort of refinement or something to grab me. The beginning was okay but it was misleading. It seemed like she was flying and I was like cool, she's some sort of winged creature. I can get down with that. I'm currently editing my book, Angel Diaries, so obviously I would relate to that. Um no. She was dreaming that she was flying which is just sort of cliche. To start of with a dream. But I shook it off my disappointment and continued on anyway.
I then drudged through the author describing the dress, the scenery and just going on and on without actually getting into the action. The main character was just walking to the event and the author took her sweet time, or at least it felt like it, to get to the actual event. Then when she did get to it, I was a little curious about what was happened. So I continued on. Another thing happened that was interesting but not like YOU MUST KEEP READING sorta thing. So I continued on. But then nothing else happened. It just got depressing when her grandfather was going to his killing ceremony and that's when I put my foot down. I didn't want a book to make me sad unless there was a point. It didn't seem like there was a specific reason to it and it was making me just depressed so I just decided to stop there.
I know there are probably people out there who absolutely loved the book and I'm fine with that. Please enjoy books. However, for me Matched was just not well written, not enough action and just not enough magic flavoring or spice or anything to just force me to read on.
Now moving on to happy news! I do have other recommendations:
I know this author's writing doesn't come close to Melissa Marr's but there is a difference: Consistency. I loved the consistency and the plot and the characters in this book. I loved the fact that we are slowly introduced to the fairy world and to all of its component (later on in the series of course) right along with the main character and the science behind it as well (not too sciency like Kathy Reichs or Patricia Cornwell. Just the basics). I also love the way Aprilynne Pike flips the idea of what a fairy is on its head. I love what she has done with the legend. I also loved how she showed the conflict of what the main character, Laurel, could be in both worlds. Like two halves of a whole slowly coming apart or trying to compromise one side of herself with another. I just simply loved how Aprilynne Pike started off simple and slowly layered it and showed off her talents. Additionally, Stephenie Meyer recommended it. Enough said on that, huh?
I guess you know by looking at it that this is not a fairy book. It's not. I haven't read a lot of fairy books hence the reason why I can't really recommend a lot of them. I've been meaning to read more of them, but lost track of time. Anyway, this is an awesome book nonetheless and got me hooked onto zombies. Yeah, that's right, zombies. Even though it's not like the typical zombie and it's not the apocalypse. Sort of. Let me explain. Basically, this starts on a normal day during this current day and age except teens are starting to come back from the grave. This phenomenon only occurs in America with teenagers. There were many theories as to why this has happened but nothing has been found why. Anyway, there are three main characters: Adam, Phoebe, and the other guy who's name is escaping me. The conflict starts when Phoebe starts to date the living impaired/differently biotic/zombie named Tommy Williams. A lot of people do not approve of these differently biotic people and are actually out there to destroy them because 'they are abonimations' of sorts and the media is keeping it under wraps about how many zombies are being murdered.
Sorry I'm just blabbing on and on about this book. I could really keep going on all day about how much I love this book, how much I love the deeper meaning to this book and how it can relate to not just the past but to the present time . . . And yet I'm still blabbing! :D Excuse my ranting and excessive praise of this book, I will really move on this time.
Last one:
Gorge cover! I just love looking at it! *sighs* Anyway, love love love this book. Basically, this is a young adult fantasy about this young girl Hanna who flees from her aunt who she smashed with a lamp to her mother who she has never known in Texas. Btw, she's manic depressive hence the mood swings and hitting her aunt with a lamp. And she only wears purple hence the cover and the title. She's also African American and Finnish. So high score on the main character being biracial and not being confused. Not to mention that there aren't many women of color in the young adult fantasy section. So double high five. Anyway, she moves to Texas, meets her mother, lives with her mother, and goes to school.
The first day lets her know that this school is not an average high school. I don't know if I could describe it accurately but in baby terms there are creatures and demons that attack the school and this group that wears all green tries to keep them from attacking it. It's really an interesting and fascinating read and I would highly recommend it. I wish I could describe it better, but I would like to say that this book is for an older crowd since there are some graphic scenes. Not like sex but like bloody. Especially near the end. Anyway, great book!
Has anyone else read Wicked Lovely and loved it? Or read the whole series and loved it? What about Matched? I would love to hear comments about these books and about any other fairy books that can be recommended reading. I know I want to read like Tithe by Holly Black and The Faery Path by Frewin Jones. Thanks in advance!
I absolutely loved the wicked lovely series! I am also not on the matched bandwagon. I find that there are ALOT of dystopian books coming out right now and it is just not my cup of tea. I'm guessing this is where the publishing market is shifting somewhat with the overload of paranormal. However, I will keep my paranormal's anyday!
ReplyDeleteAmen on that! I don't really love future soceities either, but I was just trying to read books that I wouldn't normally read. Break my own boundaries somewhat but it has only increased my love of the paranormal.
ReplyDeleteHello! I'm a new follower. I love Melissa Marr and probably because I read her series in order. :D But out of them all, it's say that I found Ink Exchange to be the better of them all!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Ursula and thank you for becoming a new follower to my blog.
ReplyDeleteIt's not that I don't admire Melissa Marr's writing style, it's just that I couldn't really get into the book that much. I like the ideas she has put forth in the book, but not how she presented them. Melissa Marr can write oh so beautifully and obviously has talent I just wish she wrote the story a bit differently.