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tania_mybookishsecret's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
erindurrett's review against another edition
4.0
Ballad is best described as the companion book to Lament, the first book by Maggie Stiefvater that introduces the world of the faeries. While it leaves off following the tragic events that occurred at the end of Lament, Ballad is told from the voice of James Morgan, that funny, witty, best friend of Dee’s who was undoubtedly my favorite character in Lament. And of course from the point of view of Nuala, a faerie muse that is at first determined to bargain her abilities for years of James’ life. At first James is resistant to Nuala’s offers of help, and as Nuala gets to know James she inspires his musical talent into beautiful creations at no cost to him. Sullivan, one of James’ teachers at Thornking-Ash, the school James and Dee have enrolled in, is concerned about Nualas influence over James. Add in a wacky roommate Paul and James has a lot going on his first year at the conservatory. As James spends more time with Nuala, his feelings for her deepen. And with the approach of Halloween, James will have to decide between helping Nuala or saving Dee’s life. Spoiler alert: At the beginning of the book, I was so excited by seeing the world through James’ eyes as he was my favorite character in Lament. I love his sense of humor and personality and devotion to Dee. And to be honest I didn’t even like Nuala at the start, I thought her pesky and annoying and just wanted her to go away. I kind of only find her redeeming in the fact that she makes James happy, and because of him learned compassion and of human nature. Once I finished the book, I was confused about whether or not the ending suited. I’m unhappy that Dee’s alone (she got the short end of the stick in this series) and not much of her was mentioned other than sparsely strewn unsent text messages to James following some of the chapters. Although it did suit that Sullivan became king of the dead, I almost wanted something more tragic to happen to Dee, just so the faeries wouldn’t be tied down and drawn to her and the school, and so I wouldn’t worry so much about what becomes of her. Maybe there's a relationship for her and Paul on the horizon? Although, I do feel like that may be settling a bit. Even though I was a bit unhappy with the outcome, this book is a good follow up to Lament and a beautiful contribution of writing by Maggie Stiefvater. I love her sense of humor and she has a lyrical style in describing the faerie world and her imagery haunts your thoughts after emerging from her world. I recommend this book if you liked Lament or even Shiver.
dknott715's review
In this intense sequel to Lament, Nuala, a faerie who feeds off of the creativity of others, is drawn to James. She is as dangerous as she is beautiful. The music she inspires in him is haunting and fierce. Faeries are known for many things but human emotions like love are not among them so it is with fear and amazement that Nuala and James begin to realize that love is what is growing between them. This has not gone unnoticed by the Others. As the situation escalates and James realizes that the faeries are hunting both Deidre and Nuala and to save them and his own soul, he will have to do battle with the Queen of the Fae.
wims's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as the first book. I felt less secure with James as narrator, and was often confused as to what was going on.
chloeodonoghue_'s review against another edition
2.0
Not as good as lament I wished Luke would come back and honestly I don't really care about James
orlaelan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jadelee_ls's review against another edition
4.0
Par Džeimsa un Nualas tēliem - 5 zvaigznes. Par Dī šņukstēšanu fonā - 2.
Beigas joprojām spēcīgas un parādās īstā Stīvotera. Kaut kas gan tajā uzbūvē sagāja grīstē, jo Dī skatapunkta pievienošana būtu bijusi ellīgi laba. Kaut tikai kā pierādījums, ka ļoooove ar tūkstošgadīgu feju džeku nav laba doma.
Beigas joprojām spēcīgas un parādās īstā Stīvotera. Kaut kas gan tajā uzbūvē sagāja grīstē, jo Dī skatapunkta pievienošana būtu bijusi ellīgi laba. Kaut tikai kā pierādījums, ka ļoooove ar tūkstošgadīgu feju džeku nav laba doma.
qgg's review against another edition
3.0
In book 1 of Maggie Stiefvater's faerie series, James was a loyal, funny, psychic guy in love with Dee who we don't really get a chance to know well. In book 2, he's one of two voices and we see inside his head. It turns out that he's bitter, deeply sarcastic, bristly, neurotic and cocky. Yes, nearly dying and being stuck in the friend zone could make one bitter, but why is he an asshole to his roommate and the one teacher who cares about him? Add his intense neuroses and a peek inside his head and I really struggled to give a crap about him for the first half of the book.
The second voice of the book was Nuala, the muse. She's a part faerie, part human, ethereal mind reader and dream weaver with a gift for music. She's unable to make music herself or write it down. Also she's a killer and James can see right through her tricks. Nuala was, by far, the most interesting part of this book.
Book one Dee had all sorts of powers, but in this book she seemed to only retain the ability to write texts and not send them. Helpless Dee was no fun to read at all. Plus, it was jarring to read a new female interest while the original was still around and not acting like herself at all.
Then there is Sullivan, the language arts teacher who doesn't act like a teacher at all. He lives in the boys' dorm and seems to be on 24 hour watch over James. I found myself questioning this "school" and it's methods even more than James.
So all of this adds up to a book that I had to finish but a story that I could never sink into. I spent too much time questioning the characters and their motivations. Maggie Stiefvater's writing, mood setting and story weaving are still amazing, but the characters and their changes from book one to two didn't fully work.
The second voice of the book was Nuala, the muse. She's a part faerie, part human, ethereal mind reader and dream weaver with a gift for music. She's unable to make music herself or write it down. Also she's a killer and James can see right through her tricks. Nuala was, by far, the most interesting part of this book.
Book one Dee had all sorts of powers, but in this book she seemed to only retain the ability to write texts and not send them. Helpless Dee was no fun to read at all. Plus, it was jarring to read a new female interest while the original was still around and not acting like herself at all.
Then there is Sullivan, the language arts teacher who doesn't act like a teacher at all. He lives in the boys' dorm and seems to be on 24 hour watch over James. I found myself questioning this "school" and it's methods even more than James.
So all of this adds up to a book that I had to finish but a story that I could never sink into. I spent too much time questioning the characters and their motivations. Maggie Stiefvater's writing, mood setting and story weaving are still amazing, but the characters and their changes from book one to two didn't fully work.
blacksheepdigitalva's review against another edition
5.0
This was a sensational book. Honestly, I loved it. I sort of forgot the exact details of what happened in the first book, but it didn't really matter because Ballad was told from James's point of view. His humor and cockiness is hilarious. Nuala is a great character too. Ballad has a great love story that keeps you reading and leaves you wanting more.