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juushika 's review for:
Wicked Lovely
by Melissa Marr
Thoughts upon reread, May 2014: My reactions now are almost a complete inverse but focus on the same subjects: Glaring to me this time was Marr's roughness; her fairies are creative but they come in a rough littering of descriptions instead of a unified aesthetic, and the voice is amateur, full of head-hopping and utterly without artistry. The plot, meanwhile, drags and suffers contrivances, but while it may have only one feasible ending that end has nice complexity--there's a real sense that Aislinn's choice matters, despite the restrictions placed on it. It's by no means good, it even feels teenage, awkward and idealized all the way down to the word choice, and I'd recommend against it. But it has potential; I wish I could read the book it might have been, probably if another author had written it.
Aislinn can see faeries--but has lived her whole life pretending she can't. Faeries are mischievous and sometimes malicious, especially to those that see them, and Ash must feign ignorance to protect herself. But when the faeries start to notice her--the Summer King Keenan, who has chosen her to be his Queen--it endangers Ash and budding relationship with her best friend Seth. This books strength is its premise and its faeries, which are vividly conceptualized and more than a little creepy; its weakness is its plot, which begins well but becomes increasingly narrow, leading to just one possible solution and a flat ending. This is a strong first novel and I recommend it (although not enthusiastically) to YA and adult readers.
More than character, plot, or relationships, the true joy and strongest point of Wicked Lovely is Marr's original, vivid concept of the faeries that grace its pages. Ranging from eerily beautiful to purely chilling, the range of faeries is vast and Marr's description of them is atmospheric and incredibly well-worded. As a result, the book's premise is delightful and the half fantastic, half urban setting adds a magical edge to our everyday world. It was the premise that drew me to the text, and I recommend it on that basis alone.
The plot, however, is weak in comparison. It begins well, but as the story and backstory expound, it becomes increasingly contrived and Ash's choices become more and more limited until there's really only one choice that will guarantee the happy ending that is common in the young adult genre. As clever as this choice is intended to be, the fact that it is the only viable option makes the would-be-exciting ending of the book predictable and flat. While the text is readable enough, it leaves the reader feeling somewhat empty at the end.
All in all, this is a very strong first novel, and I'm anxious to read more from Marr and to see her improve as a writer. I enjoyed the book and I do recommend it to both young adult and adult readers, especially those that like mysterious, shady atmospheres or unconventional fantasy (as the book is a prime example of the urban fantasy subgenre). It is an enjoyable but not astounding text, and so while I recommend it, I don't do so with the overwhelming enthusiasm I have for some other books.
Aislinn can see faeries--but has lived her whole life pretending she can't. Faeries are mischievous and sometimes malicious, especially to those that see them, and Ash must feign ignorance to protect herself. But when the faeries start to notice her--the Summer King Keenan, who has chosen her to be his Queen--it endangers Ash and budding relationship with her best friend Seth. This books strength is its premise and its faeries, which are vividly conceptualized and more than a little creepy; its weakness is its plot, which begins well but becomes increasingly narrow, leading to just one possible solution and a flat ending. This is a strong first novel and I recommend it (although not enthusiastically) to YA and adult readers.
More than character, plot, or relationships, the true joy and strongest point of Wicked Lovely is Marr's original, vivid concept of the faeries that grace its pages. Ranging from eerily beautiful to purely chilling, the range of faeries is vast and Marr's description of them is atmospheric and incredibly well-worded. As a result, the book's premise is delightful and the half fantastic, half urban setting adds a magical edge to our everyday world. It was the premise that drew me to the text, and I recommend it on that basis alone.
The plot, however, is weak in comparison. It begins well, but as the story and backstory expound, it becomes increasingly contrived and Ash's choices become more and more limited until there's really only one choice that will guarantee the happy ending that is common in the young adult genre. As clever as this choice is intended to be, the fact that it is the only viable option makes the would-be-exciting ending of the book predictable and flat. While the text is readable enough, it leaves the reader feeling somewhat empty at the end.
All in all, this is a very strong first novel, and I'm anxious to read more from Marr and to see her improve as a writer. I enjoyed the book and I do recommend it to both young adult and adult readers, especially those that like mysterious, shady atmospheres or unconventional fantasy (as the book is a prime example of the urban fantasy subgenre). It is an enjoyable but not astounding text, and so while I recommend it, I don't do so with the overwhelming enthusiasm I have for some other books.