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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Lament was not a bad read exactly, but this one was so much better. Lament felt very generic and, as much as I tried, I really couldn't give much of a damn about Dee and Luke. James & Nuala, however, I can totally ship.
BALLAD by Maggie Stiefvater is a compelling and enthralling tale of James a musical genius, a piper who is now attending Thornking-Ash, a school for the musically talented, alongside his ex-crush and friend Diedre. Diedre is battling her own demons that have carried over from LAMENT. But this is James’s story and James has been discovered by a mysterious girl, Nuala, who breathes into him inspiration and greatness but for a price. But all is not what it seems and Nuala makes sacrifices and some tough decisions herself all while a bigger plan is being hatched by Eleanor. James, Nuala and Diedre find themselves in a tangled web of life and death.
Maggie once again does a wonderful job of storytelling a complex and thrilling adventure. Although there were bits and pieces that felt slow, Maggie’s story is full of surprises and twists and turns. I enjoyed every minute and was left gasping at the end wondering at turn of events. BALLAD was well paced and entertaining to read and I recommended this to fans of fairies, folklore and urban fantasy.
Maggie once again does a wonderful job of storytelling a complex and thrilling adventure. Although there were bits and pieces that felt slow, Maggie’s story is full of surprises and twists and turns. I enjoyed every minute and was left gasping at the end wondering at turn of events. BALLAD was well paced and entertaining to read and I recommended this to fans of fairies, folklore and urban fantasy.
Great book! Wish that Luke had been in, but oh, well. Really great! Hope the 3rd book soon has time to be written!!!! I want more!!!
"Ballad" follows James and Deirdre to their new school, a school for the gifted musicians, Thorn-King Ash. Whilst "Lament" was mostly concentrated on Deirdre, "Ballad" has James as the main character.
I enjoyed "Lament" the writing and the story line was terrific, but I totally loved "Ballad" because of James' characteristics. In "Lament" we see him mostly from Deirdre's point of view, but in "Ballad" he becomes his own character. He's extremely funny, sarcastic and cheeky and it's so well written that you believe his character. I've never read a book where the character has really changed it for me, but "Lament" and "Ballad" story line is similar, not the same, and despite that, I really enjoyed "Ballad" so much more just because of James' character.
In "Ballad" James is starting at his new school when he meets this dangerous stranger, Nuala. Nuala is a type of fairy that live closely with humans. Nuala's job is to give musical gifts to humans and in return they must sacrifice a few years of their lives. Nuala sets off to make a deal with James but soon finds out that love does strange things, even to fairies like herself.
Then there's also the whole mystery behind Thorn-King Ash, their teachers seem to know more than what they are saying and there are a few students, including James and his room mate, Paul that hears the song of the "King of the Dead".
There are so many mysteries intertwined into the story, it is extremely well written and all characters are put together extremely well, they just sort of go together. The whole scene was so much more realistic than "Lament". Despite different avenues bridging throughout the story, the ending was wrapped up well and you get an answer for pretty much all the questions raised during the story. It's an excellent book and I cannot praise it enough!
I enjoyed "Lament" the writing and the story line was terrific, but I totally loved "Ballad" because of James' characteristics. In "Lament" we see him mostly from Deirdre's point of view, but in "Ballad" he becomes his own character. He's extremely funny, sarcastic and cheeky and it's so well written that you believe his character. I've never read a book where the character has really changed it for me, but "Lament" and "Ballad" story line is similar, not the same, and despite that, I really enjoyed "Ballad" so much more just because of James' character.
In "Ballad" James is starting at his new school when he meets this dangerous stranger, Nuala. Nuala is a type of fairy that live closely with humans. Nuala's job is to give musical gifts to humans and in return they must sacrifice a few years of their lives. Nuala sets off to make a deal with James but soon finds out that love does strange things, even to fairies like herself.
Then there's also the whole mystery behind Thorn-King Ash, their teachers seem to know more than what they are saying and there are a few students, including James and his room mate, Paul that hears the song of the "King of the Dead".
There are so many mysteries intertwined into the story, it is extremely well written and all characters are put together extremely well, they just sort of go together. The whole scene was so much more realistic than "Lament". Despite different avenues bridging throughout the story, the ending was wrapped up well and you get an answer for pretty much all the questions raised during the story. It's an excellent book and I cannot praise it enough!
This review was originally posted on Paperback Princess to view directly pls click here.
Ballad wasn't really a sequel per-se. This book concentrated on James whilst Dee only made some cameo appearances via text messages. Every 2nd chapter had text messages from Dee so we knew what was happening with her, but generally the story was about James and his introduction into the fey world. You would easily be able to read Ballad without reading Lament and you'd still be able to understand what was going on. However, I'd still recommend reading Lament, because although it wasn't as great as Ballad it was still an extremely well written story.
Had I been able to give halves for stars, I would have given Lament 4.5 stars because I felt that Ballad was definitely a bit better if not a lot better than Lament. It wasn't the story, Maggie Stiefvater's writing is always poetic, lyrical with lots of background lore that I love, but James is such a better character than Dee.
James Morgan is extremely cheeky, funny and sarcastic, I just loved the dialogue and James' character in general. I think James' character really made Ballad into the awesomeness that it is!
With an extremely well thought out storyline, amusing characters and Stiefvater's engrossing writing made Ballad a very enjoyable read. I would always highly recommend Stiefvater's books, but Ballad has so far been my favourite of all her books.
Ballad wasn't really a sequel per-se. This book concentrated on James whilst Dee only made some cameo appearances via text messages. Every 2nd chapter had text messages from Dee so we knew what was happening with her, but generally the story was about James and his introduction into the fey world. You would easily be able to read Ballad without reading Lament and you'd still be able to understand what was going on. However, I'd still recommend reading Lament, because although it wasn't as great as Ballad it was still an extremely well written story.
Had I been able to give halves for stars, I would have given Lament 4.5 stars because I felt that Ballad was definitely a bit better if not a lot better than Lament. It wasn't the story, Maggie Stiefvater's writing is always poetic, lyrical with lots of background lore that I love, but James is such a better character than Dee.
James Morgan is extremely cheeky, funny and sarcastic, I just loved the dialogue and James' character in general. I think James' character really made Ballad into the awesomeness that it is!
With an extremely well thought out storyline, amusing characters and Stiefvater's engrossing writing made Ballad a very enjoyable read. I would always highly recommend Stiefvater's books, but Ballad has so far been my favourite of all her books.
This book was good overall, albeit very irritating at times. I know the plot points were supposed to be that way, but still, it got annoying after awhile.
James, Dee's best friend who almost died in Maggie Stiefvater's first fairy book, Lament, finds himself attracted to Nuala, a soul-snatching fairy. He refuses Nuala's help, but she's not that easily discouraged. As they began to collaborate on a musical composition, James finds his feelings changing towards Nuala. But keep in mind that fairies are not as harmless as they would have you believe. As the day of the dead--draws near, James finds himself caught between saving Nuala and Dee. He has to battle the Faerie Queen and the Horned King of the Dead to save his soul and the life of the woman he loves. I did not enjoy this book as much a Maggie's first fairy book, but James' snarky comment began to grow on me after I accepted the fact that Luke would not be present.
I enjoyed this companion to lament, but for some reason not as much as its predecessor.
4.5 stars.
Hell, it was so good.
I mean, it's surprising how much changing the main character helped. I hate Dee and I absolutely adore James. He kind of came just in the time when I was starting to hate this typical funny guy which is not funny actually but has a depressing background instead. And he kind of is that, but better. And Nuala was perfect, like really.
So yes, I loved it and I can't wait to read more of this story this year.
Hell, it was so good.
I mean, it's surprising how much changing the main character helped. I hate Dee and I absolutely adore James. He kind of came just in the time when I was starting to hate this typical funny guy which is not funny actually but has a depressing background instead. And he kind of is that, but better. And Nuala was perfect, like really.
So yes, I loved it and I can't wait to read more of this story this year.