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Wondrous Strange #1
Wondrous Strange
Seventeen-year-old actress Kelley Winslow thinks that playing the role of the fairy queen Titania in a production of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream could be her lucky break—if she can pull it off. But when she meets the handsome Sonny Flannery, Kelley has to face the shocking truth that the world of Faeries is all too real—and that she is an unwitting part of it. Sonny warns Kelley that she is no mere mortal, and that she is being haunted by powerful forces from the Faerie realm. Now, Kelley must come to terms with her heritage—and her growing feelings for Sonny—if she wants to save not only herself, but also the human world that she holds dear.
327 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,541 reviews
October 5, 2016
I think I’ve written and then rewritten this review about a hundred times now! And I know it’s going to come across one way, and that’s just how it’s going to have to be, because I simply cannot write it any other way. So here is goes... fangirly-ness and all. I hope you last through it.
I loved it, I LOVED it. I love it so much I want to marry it. If you are a fan of faerie books, you’ll want to read this one. If you’ve tried faerie books before, but didn’t like them, you’ll want to read this. If you aren’t a fan of faerie books, you’ll still want to read it. It’s that good.
Incredible characters, incredible writing, incredible plot. It was really just so fricking fantastic, it’s hard to find the words to describe it. I never in a million years would have guessed this was a debut novel. The key to my heart is great characters and story line, and this book had it all and then some. Even the minor characters stood out to me, and they were fascinating. Like Chloe, she is a siren, a very minor role and yet she is very memorable. As well as a few other characters..... but I don’t want to give all the goods away.
Completely original plot! I figured a few things out, but other things I was oblivious to, until they were revealed. I’ve read other faerie books about the faerie “royalty” if you’ve read Melissa Marr you know what I’m talking about here. Not that I’d even compare this book to Marr’s because they are at totally two different ends of the spectrum. And I don’t mean that in the quality of writing, because they are both fabulous writers. Did I just write fabulous... don’t you just love the plethora of “f” adj.!? Do you think I’m subconsciously doing it because of the whole faerie thing... freaking fantastic fascinating fabulous faeries! I promise I did NOT do that on purpose!
Great writers write what they know.... what movie is that from? Never Been Kissed! I think that statement definitely has some truth to it. Kelley is an actress. (a struggling actress to be more specific) The theater scenes within the novel were marvelous (notice no ‘f’ here!) so I wasn’t surprised to learn that the lovely Lesley Livingston herself is at home on the stage. I wonder if she knows any faeries personally?
I think the thing I loved most about this novel was Kelley. She is an exceptional female protagonist. I was instantly drawn to her character. She’s honest, she imperfect, and she doesn’t pull the Bella card. When a cute guy tells her that faeries are real. She reacts like a normal person and laughs in his face. LOVED IT.
And I must mention Sonny. Ah... Sonny.. Mom can I have one? Yeah that’s really all I’m going to say about him, because if I tell you, they you’re going to want him too, and you can’t have him because he’s mine. No really, I’m not going to tell you how incredibly cute he is, and how he kicks major faerie ass, because he’s all protecting the mortal world from the mean faeries.. And yet, he can still rescue the damsel in distress even if she is mean to hin and laughs in his face.
I simply cannot say enough good things about this novel. I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book. It would make an awesome Christmas present! And I’m even more thrilled to mention that this novel is the beginning of a trilogy!
I loved it, I LOVED it. I love it so much I want to marry it. If you are a fan of faerie books, you’ll want to read this one. If you’ve tried faerie books before, but didn’t like them, you’ll want to read this. If you aren’t a fan of faerie books, you’ll still want to read it. It’s that good.
Incredible characters, incredible writing, incredible plot. It was really just so fricking fantastic, it’s hard to find the words to describe it. I never in a million years would have guessed this was a debut novel. The key to my heart is great characters and story line, and this book had it all and then some. Even the minor characters stood out to me, and they were fascinating. Like Chloe, she is a siren, a very minor role and yet she is very memorable. As well as a few other characters..... but I don’t want to give all the goods away.
Completely original plot! I figured a few things out, but other things I was oblivious to, until they were revealed. I’ve read other faerie books about the faerie “royalty” if you’ve read Melissa Marr you know what I’m talking about here. Not that I’d even compare this book to Marr’s because they are at totally two different ends of the spectrum. And I don’t mean that in the quality of writing, because they are both fabulous writers. Did I just write fabulous... don’t you just love the plethora of “f” adj.!? Do you think I’m subconsciously doing it because of the whole faerie thing... freaking fantastic fascinating fabulous faeries! I promise I did NOT do that on purpose!
Great writers write what they know.... what movie is that from? Never Been Kissed! I think that statement definitely has some truth to it. Kelley is an actress. (a struggling actress to be more specific) The theater scenes within the novel were marvelous (notice no ‘f’ here!) so I wasn’t surprised to learn that the lovely Lesley Livingston herself is at home on the stage. I wonder if she knows any faeries personally?
I think the thing I loved most about this novel was Kelley. She is an exceptional female protagonist. I was instantly drawn to her character. She’s honest, she imperfect, and she doesn’t pull the Bella card. When a cute guy tells her that faeries are real. She reacts like a normal person and laughs in his face. LOVED IT.
And I must mention Sonny. Ah... Sonny.. Mom can I have one? Yeah that’s really all I’m going to say about him, because if I tell you, they you’re going to want him too, and you can’t have him because he’s mine. No really, I’m not going to tell you how incredibly cute he is, and how he kicks major faerie ass, because he’s all protecting the mortal world from the mean faeries.. And yet, he can still rescue the damsel in distress even if she is mean to hin and laughs in his face.
I simply cannot say enough good things about this novel. I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book. It would make an awesome Christmas present! And I’m even more thrilled to mention that this novel is the beginning of a trilogy!
May 6, 2020
Wondrous Strange is one of those gems that I stumbled across completely by accident. I was in the book store looking to grab the second book in the BIFN series and of course I had to spend some time browsing while I was there. The cover of this book (gorgeous yes?) caught my attention, as did the title. Both of them put me in mind of "Wicked Lovely."
It was too much to resist. Without even reading the inside flap, I grabbed the book and headed to the register. This was a fortuitous happening.
I'm not going to say too much, as to not give anything away (since you know me well enough by now to know that I will hound you until you read this)but I couldn't get enough of these characters! The story is chock full of fae lore, which is fantastic for those already mildly versed in it (whether through the myths themselves or vicariously through other authors such as Holly Black or Melissa Marr) and explained enough that complete novices in that world will not be lost.
The first half of the story is very whimsical and fun. So many of the little details that I crossed made my lips turn up into that grin that makes my husband shake his head tolerantly at me; the smile of a satisfied and enchanted reader. The last half of it made my head spin with the suddenness of some of the plot points. That sounds like a negative, but it honestly wasn't. The chaos of that part of the story flows with the sudden chaos and confusion of the main characters. It works. Well.
The romance is sweet without being overtly cheesetastic. Parts of the interaction between Kelley and Sonny are hilarious, as he isn't quite accustomed to some modern speech patterns, and they sort of baffle and confuse each other when they first meet (and later as well.) It's a cute and sweet little commentary on communication that I really enjoyed.
The end was satisfying (again with the looking hopefully to the future as opposed to the everyting-is-so-happy-with-rainbows-and-pants-that-never-wrinkle ending) though it left me desperately hoping that a sequel is in the works.
PLEASE LET THERE BE A SEQUEL IN THE WORKS.
All in all, I'm very pleased. Even more so that my copy of the book is a first edition. I have a suspicion this author is going places. ;)
It was too much to resist. Without even reading the inside flap, I grabbed the book and headed to the register. This was a fortuitous happening.
I'm not going to say too much, as to not give anything away (since you know me well enough by now to know that I will hound you until you read this)but I couldn't get enough of these characters! The story is chock full of fae lore, which is fantastic for those already mildly versed in it (whether through the myths themselves or vicariously through other authors such as Holly Black or Melissa Marr) and explained enough that complete novices in that world will not be lost.
The first half of the story is very whimsical and fun. So many of the little details that I crossed made my lips turn up into that grin that makes my husband shake his head tolerantly at me; the smile of a satisfied and enchanted reader. The last half of it made my head spin with the suddenness of some of the plot points. That sounds like a negative, but it honestly wasn't. The chaos of that part of the story flows with the sudden chaos and confusion of the main characters. It works. Well.
The romance is sweet without being overtly cheesetastic. Parts of the interaction between Kelley and Sonny are hilarious, as he isn't quite accustomed to some modern speech patterns, and they sort of baffle and confuse each other when they first meet (and later as well.) It's a cute and sweet little commentary on communication that I really enjoyed.
The end was satisfying (again with the looking hopefully to the future as opposed to the everyting-is-so-happy-with-rainbows-and-pants-that-never-wrinkle ending) though it left me desperately hoping that a sequel is in the works.
PLEASE LET THERE BE A SEQUEL IN THE WORKS.
All in all, I'm very pleased. Even more so that my copy of the book is a first edition. I have a suspicion this author is going places. ;)
January 6, 2018
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When you're as busy as I am, you want to have a book on you at all times. At any given moment, I have one to two books in my purse, even if I'm just going to the hair salon. You never know when you might be kept waiting! WONDROUS STRANGE was my most recent book purse and I finished it in just two days.
I was a bit hesitant about starting this book. It came out in 2009, at the start of the post-TWILIGHT YA paranormal craze, except it's about faeries instead of vampires. These trends are cyclical and right now, faeries are popular again because you-know-who wrote you-know-what, and I honestly don't get it, because I'd take vampires over faeries any day -
But then, I figured it out.
Faeries are basically the Kardashians of the paranormal universe. They're beautiful and they have nice clothes and they command attention - but what do they do? Yes, we know that they're magical - but what do they do - apart from being larger-than-life and slightly supernatural and getting into petty squabbles for no apparent reason? We don't know. The glamor lies in the glamor (or the glamour, if you're a faerie), and from there, it just becomes a cyclical argument consisting of self-hype and pixie dust. Vampires are like the counter-culture version of vampires (so, like, I dunno what that would be in terms of pop-culture... punk rock? Grunge?); there's the whole blood thing, for start, and then there's the fact that they're dead and tied to the occult. Faeries are like the squeaky-clean version of vampires: immortal and powerful without that whole "gross and dead and bloody" thing.
Anyway, getting back to the book, the main character is a girl named Kelley who is involved with the Avalon theater company in New York. Due to a fluke, she was promoted from understudy to Queen Titania (this is called foreshadowing) in the play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Then one day, she meets a weirdo in a park and ends up rescuing a kelpie from a pool in Central Park, and that ends up pulling her into the supernatural world of the faerie.
The Samhain gate to Faerie lies in Central Park, and the time when it opens is drawing close. The faeries are pulling their usual games of intrigue, but this time it's more malicious than usual: one of them is planning on starting up the tradition of The Wild Hunt - a ruthless band of faerie hunters who kill and raze until enough blood is spilled to satisfy them. And this time, they'll want difficult prey.
Obviously, since this is a YA paranormal book, the heroine is not all that she seems, has a secret past, blah blah blah, etc. Likewise, the hero is not all that he seems, is instantly attracted to the heroine, must betray his nature to be with her, blah blah blah, etc. By the end of the book, they are already saying "I love you" (actually, it's I love thee, which makes it extra pretentious). Because of course.
I'm not sure if I would have liked this as much if I was reading it at home, surrounded by my (infinite) array of options, but as a captive audience trapped in the middle of a very slow bus with nothing better to do, it was okay. The writing is actually very gorgeous, and I loved the way the author incorporated faerie mythology into the storyline, and interwove theater into it. Especially since I recently read another YA book about theater called ECHO AFTER ECHO, which left me wanting more.
The beginning of this book is much better than the end, however. In the beginning, I was getting total Labyrinth vibes, and this is important, because Labyrinth is the yardstick by which I judge all books about faeries and goblins. The lame insta-love and lame love interest cost this book an entire star, though. I hated Sonny. For a semi-immortal, he was incredibly immature and lame. There are boys at middle school dances with more maturity than Sonny.
All complaints aside, I liked it enough to buy the sequel (this book and the sequel are $1.99 ea. on Kindle right now), so I suppose I can't really complain. It kind of reminded me of Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series, except with a less swoon-worthy hero and fewer intrigue/action scenes.
3.5 stars
April 4, 2013
Unreadably bad.
If I found a fairy horse in my bathtub, I'd call animal control. Come on, you're mature enough to move to NYC on your own and make a living as an actress but you don't know how to call the police?
It probably didn't help the book that the main love interest's name is Sonny, and when I think of Sonny, I think of an annoying, chubby little boy in 4th grade who annoyed the f*** out of me.
If I found a fairy horse in my bathtub, I'd call animal control. Come on, you're mature enough to move to NYC on your own and make a living as an actress but you don't know how to call the police?
It probably didn't help the book that the main love interest's name is Sonny, and when I think of Sonny, I think of an annoying, chubby little boy in 4th grade who annoyed the f*** out of me.
February 2, 2009
I see that most people seem to have really liked this book, but it really rubbed me the wrong way. It felt very flat and predictable. I would have liked to have had a sense that there was real danger at hand, but the writing lacked the necessary tension to pull off the New York City apocalypse scenario. (See: The City's End Two Centuries of Fantasies, Fears, and Premonitions of New York's Destruction) I generally really enjoy books like this, but it just didn't draw me in. I love the cover art, though!
That said, I'll most likely read the next book in the series when it comes out. I think this author has a lot of potential, and I sincerely hope that she grows as a writer.
That said, I'll most likely read the next book in the series when it comes out. I think this author has a lot of potential, and I sincerely hope that she grows as a writer.
November 15, 2012
Reviewed by The Story Siren for TeensReadToo.com
I loved it, I LOVED it. I love it so much I want to marry it. If you are a fan of faerie books, you'll want to read this one. If you've tried faerie books before, but didn't like them, you'll want to read this. If you aren't a fan of faerie books, you'll still want to read it. It's that good.
Incredible characters, incredible writing, incredible plot. It was really just so fantastic, it's hard to find the words to describe it. I never in a million years would have guessed this was a debut novel. The key to my heart is great characters and storyline, and this book had it all and then some. Even the minor characters stood out to me, and they were fascinating. Like Chloe - she is a siren, has a very minor role, and yet she is very memorable. As well as a few other characters..... but I don't want to give all the goods away.
Completely original plot! I figured a few things out, but other things I was oblivious to until they were revealed. I've read other faerie books about the faerie "royalty" - if you've read Melissa Marr you know what I'm talking about here. Not that I'd even compare this book to Marr's because they are at totally two different ends of the spectrum. And I don't mean that in the quality of writing, because they are both fabulous writers. Did I just write fabulous...don't you just love the plethora of "f" adj.!? Do you think I'm subconsciously doing it because of the whole faerie thing... freaking fantastic fascinating fabulous faeries! I promise I did NOT do that on purpose!
Great writers write what they know.... what movie is that from? Never Been Kissed! I think that statement definitely has some truth to it. Kelley is an actress (a struggling actress to be more specific). The theater scenes within the novel were marvelous (notice no `f' here!) so I wasn't surprised to learn that the lovely Lesley Livingston herself is at home on the stage. I wonder if she knows any faeries personally?
I think the thing I loved most about WONDROUS STRANGE was Kelley. She is an exceptional female protagonist. I was instantly drawn to her character. She's honest, she imperfect, and she doesn't pull the Bella card. When a cute guy tells her that faeries are real, she reacts like a normal person and laughs in his face. LOVED IT.
And I must mention Sonny. Ah... Sonny.. Mom, can I have one? Yeah, that's really all I'm going to say about him, because if I tell you, they you're going to want him, too, and you can't have him because he's mine. No really, I'm not going to tell you how incredibly cute he is, and how he kicks major faerie butt, because he's all about protecting the mortal world from the mean faeries.. And yet, he can still rescue the damsel in distress even if she is mean to him and laughs in his face.
I simply cannot say enough good things about this novel. I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book. It would make an awesome Christmas present! And I'm even more thrilled to mention that this novel is the beginning of a trilogy!
I loved it, I LOVED it. I love it so much I want to marry it. If you are a fan of faerie books, you'll want to read this one. If you've tried faerie books before, but didn't like them, you'll want to read this. If you aren't a fan of faerie books, you'll still want to read it. It's that good.
Incredible characters, incredible writing, incredible plot. It was really just so fantastic, it's hard to find the words to describe it. I never in a million years would have guessed this was a debut novel. The key to my heart is great characters and storyline, and this book had it all and then some. Even the minor characters stood out to me, and they were fascinating. Like Chloe - she is a siren, has a very minor role, and yet she is very memorable. As well as a few other characters..... but I don't want to give all the goods away.
Completely original plot! I figured a few things out, but other things I was oblivious to until they were revealed. I've read other faerie books about the faerie "royalty" - if you've read Melissa Marr you know what I'm talking about here. Not that I'd even compare this book to Marr's because they are at totally two different ends of the spectrum. And I don't mean that in the quality of writing, because they are both fabulous writers. Did I just write fabulous...don't you just love the plethora of "f" adj.!? Do you think I'm subconsciously doing it because of the whole faerie thing... freaking fantastic fascinating fabulous faeries! I promise I did NOT do that on purpose!
Great writers write what they know.... what movie is that from? Never Been Kissed! I think that statement definitely has some truth to it. Kelley is an actress (a struggling actress to be more specific). The theater scenes within the novel were marvelous (notice no `f' here!) so I wasn't surprised to learn that the lovely Lesley Livingston herself is at home on the stage. I wonder if she knows any faeries personally?
I think the thing I loved most about WONDROUS STRANGE was Kelley. She is an exceptional female protagonist. I was instantly drawn to her character. She's honest, she imperfect, and she doesn't pull the Bella card. When a cute guy tells her that faeries are real, she reacts like a normal person and laughs in his face. LOVED IT.
And I must mention Sonny. Ah... Sonny.. Mom, can I have one? Yeah, that's really all I'm going to say about him, because if I tell you, they you're going to want him, too, and you can't have him because he's mine. No really, I'm not going to tell you how incredibly cute he is, and how he kicks major faerie butt, because he's all about protecting the mortal world from the mean faeries.. And yet, he can still rescue the damsel in distress even if she is mean to him and laughs in his face.
I simply cannot say enough good things about this novel. I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book. It would make an awesome Christmas present! And I'm even more thrilled to mention that this novel is the beginning of a trilogy!
January 2, 2009
Always choose a book by its cover... ahem.
First, a disclaimer! I liked this book. Despite what I am about to say next.
Definitely better written and far less angsty than Wicked Lovely, somewhat lacking in the descriptive area (esp. in comparison to the Marillier I just read--Wildwood Dancing) but the story ties up nicely and the characters are amusing. It was more humorous than I expected, which was good. It was less dramatic than I expected, which was not so good. (I know, ambiguous, huh? I expected it to be more balanced, and I feel it tips more toward the less serious.)
The romance is a bit flat and undramatic, and makes me wonder if this is series material (currently I'm thinking not, unless Livingston ups the drama ante). Not enough conflict! Twilight-haters will probably hate this, too. I would recommend this for someone as young as maybe 11 or 12 since there is little in the way of R-ratedness.
On the MarySue-issue, ding! We have a winner. Shiny, twinkly, nothing-wrong-with-her, everyone-loves-you MarySue.
It did really make me want to re-read A Midsummer Night's Dream, which is the thematic basis for the book.
I'll keep this book but I doubt I'll read it again... Man, I wish we had half-stars! I'd give this another half up, for Bob and possibly Lucky.
First, a disclaimer! I liked this book. Despite what I am about to say next.
Definitely better written and far less angsty than Wicked Lovely, somewhat lacking in the descriptive area (esp. in comparison to the Marillier I just read--Wildwood Dancing) but the story ties up nicely and the characters are amusing. It was more humorous than I expected, which was good. It was less dramatic than I expected, which was not so good. (I know, ambiguous, huh? I expected it to be more balanced, and I feel it tips more toward the less serious.)
The romance is a bit flat and undramatic, and makes me wonder if this is series material (currently I'm thinking not, unless Livingston ups the drama ante). Not enough conflict! Twilight-haters will probably hate this, too. I would recommend this for someone as young as maybe 11 or 12 since there is little in the way of R-ratedness.
On the MarySue-issue, ding! We have a winner. Shiny, twinkly, nothing-wrong-with-her, everyone-loves-you MarySue.
It did really make me want to re-read A Midsummer Night's Dream, which is the thematic basis for the book.
I'll keep this book but I doubt I'll read it again... Man, I wish we had half-stars! I'd give this another half up, for Bob and possibly Lucky.
September 21, 2020
Actual Rating: 1 star. I did not like this book.
The story is meh.
The characters are dum, it is appalling how stupid Sunny is. This is another case of TSTL characters.
No, thank you.
The story is meh.
The characters are dum, it is appalling how stupid Sunny is. This is another case of TSTL characters.
No, thank you.
Read
February 1, 2018I'm a huge Shakespeare fan so I loved all the references. Also really liked Bob and the kelpie horse. There's a great twist you won't see coming. If you're in the mood for fairies, give this one a try.
April 5, 2010
At seventeen, Kelley Winslow has finished school and moved to New York to pursue a career on the stage. Being promoted to understudy for Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream is a dream come true; when the actress playing Titania has to pull out and Kelley is given the role, it's so much, so suddenly, she's terrified and messes up all her lines. She finds a quiet spot in Central Park to practice, and it's there that she meets Sonny Flannery.
Sonny is a stolen child in Auberon's Fae realm, now serving as a Janus: a guard to the gate between the realms that has a crack in it - the gate in Central Park. It's the time of Samhain, when fae creatures try to pass through; more than that, there's every indication that this year, one of the Fae rulers is trying to resurrect the Hunt.
It doesn't take Sonny long to realise there's something different about Kelley. It could be the water horse living in her bathtub, or her slightly pointed ears, or the blast of god-like power that blazes from her when her necklace comes off. Or it could be the Black Shuck - a hell hound - that tries to attack her. It's apparent to Sonny, at least, that something huge is afoot, that one of the Faerie rulers in up to something that could spell disaster for the mortal world - and that Kelley is somehow pivotal.
I've been meaning to read this for a while - since last year's Polaris convention, actually, where I got to meet Livingston and hear her do a reading from the book. She has such a great, entertaining theatrical flair, I was immediately drawn into this world. It has a different tone from most YA books of the same kind, witty and yet dark, somehow timeless, more mature and yet with moments of light-hearted fun. More to the point, it was believable. One of the things I really liked about it: there was no school! No American high school, no teenage melodrama. It was refreshing.
There were a few times when it seemed like the plot was moving without me - conversations characters didn't have but should have (or I was expecting them to have but they didn't); conclusions arrived at without clear (to me) evidence of how they got there - but generally the story moved well and wasn't confusing. I would have liked to have seen more chemistry build up between Kelley and Sonny; I don't like being told it's there: I want to feel it too, or it doesn't seem genuine.
I was a bit confused about the changeling thing. I had always understood - and I still do - that a changeling was the fake, replacement fae baby fairies leave behind when they steal a human child. It's the humans who believed a child was a changeling and the real baby was with the fairies. Here, the stolen mortal children are called Changelings - and the fae didn't leave behind replacement babies. Not sure that that really makes sense to me.
This was definitely one of the better YA fae novels I've read - light years ahead of Carrie Jones' Need. Fun, glittering, seductive, dark and menacing: the Fae really came alive. Kelley is an intelligent, spunky protagonist, and Sonny is lovely. They both have their flaws, but they make great heroes.
Sonny is a stolen child in Auberon's Fae realm, now serving as a Janus: a guard to the gate between the realms that has a crack in it - the gate in Central Park. It's the time of Samhain, when fae creatures try to pass through; more than that, there's every indication that this year, one of the Fae rulers is trying to resurrect the Hunt.
It doesn't take Sonny long to realise there's something different about Kelley. It could be the water horse living in her bathtub, or her slightly pointed ears, or the blast of god-like power that blazes from her when her necklace comes off. Or it could be the Black Shuck - a hell hound - that tries to attack her. It's apparent to Sonny, at least, that something huge is afoot, that one of the Faerie rulers in up to something that could spell disaster for the mortal world - and that Kelley is somehow pivotal.
I've been meaning to read this for a while - since last year's Polaris convention, actually, where I got to meet Livingston and hear her do a reading from the book. She has such a great, entertaining theatrical flair, I was immediately drawn into this world. It has a different tone from most YA books of the same kind, witty and yet dark, somehow timeless, more mature and yet with moments of light-hearted fun. More to the point, it was believable. One of the things I really liked about it: there was no school! No American high school, no teenage melodrama. It was refreshing.
There were a few times when it seemed like the plot was moving without me - conversations characters didn't have but should have (or I was expecting them to have but they didn't); conclusions arrived at without clear (to me) evidence of how they got there - but generally the story moved well and wasn't confusing. I would have liked to have seen more chemistry build up between Kelley and Sonny; I don't like being told it's there: I want to feel it too, or it doesn't seem genuine.
I was a bit confused about the changeling thing. I had always understood - and I still do - that a changeling was the fake, replacement fae baby fairies leave behind when they steal a human child. It's the humans who believed a child was a changeling and the real baby was with the fairies. Here, the stolen mortal children are called Changelings - and the fae didn't leave behind replacement babies. Not sure that that really makes sense to me.
This was definitely one of the better YA fae novels I've read - light years ahead of Carrie Jones' Need. Fun, glittering, seductive, dark and menacing: the Fae really came alive. Kelley is an intelligent, spunky protagonist, and Sonny is lovely. They both have their flaws, but they make great heroes.
February 21, 2024
Wondrous Strange to me offered a very clever, very interesting amount of mythology and folklore to explain the faerie world. This is particularly interesting because the entire story takes place in New York City - the "Otherworld," as it is known, is only referenced.
There's something in particular that I found really neat: So often in faerie fiction, you hear the same things over and over: Seelie/Unseelie, Winter & Summer Courts. Well, those concepts are all here, but Livingston brings more to the table by having 4 courts: yes, Autumn and Spring are represented too! That was really cool. And the Midsummer monarchs: Titania and Auberon (instead of Oberon--cool!) are here as well, but they're not near as stereotypical. In fact, Titania is only referenced, and Auberon is portrayed in a way that makes sense with his character background.
And the Love Story: Yes! Finally a love interest who actually cares about the girl and doesn't want to kill her and doesn't treat her like garbage!
*does the macarena*
Oh, how I love Sonny! And I love Kelley and Sonny together! I didn't particularly think their relationship was rushed, but some reviewers have said that. I also like that Sonny is a bit of an... unconventional love interest (don't want to spoil anything here, but I will say that he's not a Faerie Prince). Three cheers for variety!
There were a few passages and quotes that made me laugh out loud! I like when Mabh says to Sonny: "I like you! You're an angry little thing!" For some reason, I just thought that was funny. And then the word "hag." I just think that word sounds hilarious.
Also, I loved that Livingston chose to tell Wondrous Strange using double perspectives. It's 3rd person rotated between Sonny and Kelley, and wow, what a good idea! Sometimes just seeing things from the point of view of the "normal girl character" can be a bit limiting. It was really cool to have Sonny's perspective and be able to have a window into the faerie world. And the POVs were rotated very nicely by chapter, which made transitioning very smooth.
I liked Kelley Winslow a lot. It may sound like an understatement, but I really love it when I read a book with a main character I like. I found Kelley to be a near-perfect MC: she's smart, spunky, and capable, but she's also able to let somebody else take the lead, too - a very good quality to have in a well-rounded and mature person. And she graduated early - very cool. I think she's the first character I've encountered who's done that (I graduated early too!) She's 17 and living in New York City as an actress. On the surface, that sounds really far-fetched, but actually, that's believable. Kelley reminded me of a girl in my dance class who tested out of her senior year so she could move to LA. Of course, New York theatre is so much more suave than silly Hollywood! But I digress.
I loved this book, and I would highly recommend it to fantasy lovers and fans of faerie fiction - particularly those (like me) who were unimpressed by Marr, Black, and some of the others :P But even if you liked those books, you'll probably like this one, too!
There's something in particular that I found really neat: So often in faerie fiction, you hear the same things over and over: Seelie/Unseelie, Winter & Summer Courts. Well, those concepts are all here, but Livingston brings more to the table by having 4 courts: yes, Autumn and Spring are represented too! That was really cool. And the Midsummer monarchs: Titania and Auberon (instead of Oberon--cool!) are here as well, but they're not near as stereotypical. In fact, Titania is only referenced, and Auberon is portrayed in a way that makes sense with his character background.
And the Love Story: Yes! Finally a love interest who actually cares about the girl and doesn't want to kill her and doesn't treat her like garbage!
*does the macarena*
Oh, how I love Sonny! And I love Kelley and Sonny together! I didn't particularly think their relationship was rushed, but some reviewers have said that. I also like that Sonny is a bit of an... unconventional love interest (don't want to spoil anything here, but I will say that he's not a Faerie Prince). Three cheers for variety!
There were a few passages and quotes that made me laugh out loud! I like when Mabh says to Sonny: "I like you! You're an angry little thing!" For some reason, I just thought that was funny. And then the word "hag." I just think that word sounds hilarious.
Also, I loved that Livingston chose to tell Wondrous Strange using double perspectives. It's 3rd person rotated between Sonny and Kelley, and wow, what a good idea! Sometimes just seeing things from the point of view of the "normal girl character" can be a bit limiting. It was really cool to have Sonny's perspective and be able to have a window into the faerie world. And the POVs were rotated very nicely by chapter, which made transitioning very smooth.
I liked Kelley Winslow a lot. It may sound like an understatement, but I really love it when I read a book with a main character I like. I found Kelley to be a near-perfect MC: she's smart, spunky, and capable, but she's also able to let somebody else take the lead, too - a very good quality to have in a well-rounded and mature person. And she graduated early - very cool. I think she's the first character I've encountered who's done that (I graduated early too!) She's 17 and living in New York City as an actress. On the surface, that sounds really far-fetched, but actually, that's believable. Kelley reminded me of a girl in my dance class who tested out of her senior year so she could move to LA. Of course, New York theatre is so much more suave than silly Hollywood! But I digress.
I loved this book, and I would highly recommend it to fantasy lovers and fans of faerie fiction - particularly those (like me) who were unimpressed by Marr, Black, and some of the others :P But even if you liked those books, you'll probably like this one, too!
April 18, 2009
Wondrous Strange is another YA fantasy take on the 'normal girl becomes a fairy princess' theme. The setting is New York City, and the scene opens with a 17 year-old living on her own, with a job as an understudy in a way-off Broadway production. Predictably, the star twists her ankle, and the heroine is thrust into the main part, as Titania in Shakespeare's play, and fairy-fueled chaos ensues shortly thereafter.
The main problems with the book are over-used cliches, poorly-drawn characters, wildly improbable settings and happenings, along with overall predictability. There are no surprises for a reader familiar with the genre. And the romance is under-developed.
Good bits: use of Shakespeare, descriptions of Central Park, range of different fairy creatures.
The main problems with the book are over-used cliches, poorly-drawn characters, wildly improbable settings and happenings, along with overall predictability. There are no surprises for a reader familiar with the genre. And the romance is under-developed.
Good bits: use of Shakespeare, descriptions of Central Park, range of different fairy creatures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2010
this book was hilarious but in a bad way. intrigued me because it was a modern take on shakespeare's a midsummer night's dream but it was so poorly written and executed that it had me laughing at it's sheer stupidity. ashamed to say i finished it. dialogue could've been written by a 12 year old.
May 24, 2011
Kelley is an actress. Well, actually more of an understudy/glorified stagehand, but when the person playing the faerie queen breaks an ankle it’s . . . show time! Or more accurately time for Kelley to forget half her lines and stomp off to Central Park for some serious rehearsal AKA self-reproachment.
Which results in . . .
A. Kelley receiving a rose from “the mysterious good-looking guy” (whose real name is Sonny, and who is actually a changeling human in charge of guarding the gate to faerie and keeping all the scary creatures from wreaking havoc on New York).
B. Kelley rescuing a horse (actually a kelpie) from “drowning” and winding up with said horse living in her bathtub,
C. Kelley finding out that she is perhaps not as ordinary as she seems and is in fact in mortal danger.
If you guessed D, all of the above, you are correct!
Poor Wondrous Strange. This book had the hardest time reaching the top of my priority list. Ultimately, though, I read the final 250 pages in a day and a half. I loved the alternating points of view between Kelley & Sonny as well as the fast-paced build up and climax at the end. And the fact that Kelley’s kelpie eats Lucky Charms.
Which results in . . .
A. Kelley receiving a rose from “the mysterious good-looking guy” (whose real name is Sonny, and who is actually a changeling human in charge of guarding the gate to faerie and keeping all the scary creatures from wreaking havoc on New York).
B. Kelley rescuing a horse (actually a kelpie) from “drowning” and winding up with said horse living in her bathtub,
C. Kelley finding out that she is perhaps not as ordinary as she seems and is in fact in mortal danger.
If you guessed D, all of the above, you are correct!
Poor Wondrous Strange. This book had the hardest time reaching the top of my priority list. Ultimately, though, I read the final 250 pages in a day and a half. I loved the alternating points of view between Kelley & Sonny as well as the fast-paced build up and climax at the end. And the fact that Kelley’s kelpie eats Lucky Charms.
May 10, 2017
Being a Shakespeare lover would help with this book. That's not really me. I mean, I like Midsummer Night's Dream, but actors, especially theater people who do Shakespeare are annoying as hell. I was born and raised in L.A., every other person I knew in my twenties was an actor. Most of them are fine, unless they are in character, but this brand, the Renaissance festival folks...ugh!
My next gripe is the love interest guy's first name is Sonny. Really? My dog's name is Sunny - a big yellow lab. It's a girl dog. She has allergies and lays on the couch licking herself all day. So, yeah. Not really working for me. ( I'm not kidding)
Other than that, this was a fun story. It took a while to get going, but I liked when Puck entered the picture, the Wild Hunt origin scene, and when we got a little of Mabh's darkness.
I also really want a pet Kelpi that doesn't try to kill me. I will name him Sonny 2.
My next gripe is the love interest guy's first name is Sonny. Really? My dog's name is Sunny - a big yellow lab. It's a girl dog. She has allergies and lays on the couch licking herself all day. So, yeah. Not really working for me. ( I'm not kidding)
Other than that, this was a fun story. It took a while to get going, but I liked when Puck entered the picture, the Wild Hunt origin scene, and when we got a little of Mabh's darkness.
I also really want a pet Kelpi that doesn't try to kill me. I will name him Sonny 2.
January 28, 2022
I'm learning that I don't really love books about fae. They can be good, but it's not a favorite subject of mine. This was an alright fae story, with main character Kelley finding out that she might not be completely human and there are creatures out to get her. Kelley also starts to fall for Sonny, a faerie knight who's trying to help her stay alive.
I kind of zoned in and out through the audiobook. I did like Sonny and that he wanted to help Kelley. And Lucky the "horse" was funny and sweet. The plot moved pretty quickly and I appreciated that this was a shorter book. The narration was pretty well done and if you like YA faery books, you should give this one a try.
I kind of zoned in and out through the audiobook. I did like Sonny and that he wanted to help Kelley. And Lucky the "horse" was funny and sweet. The plot moved pretty quickly and I appreciated that this was a shorter book. The narration was pretty well done and if you like YA faery books, you should give this one a try.
January 5, 2013
The rating is a gift, I know it's a book certain people will really enjoy. I didn't finish it. I didn't care for the way it was written, the tone nor the way the story was laid out. I suppose it might be that I'm just too old, too male, and too well read.
Please enjoy this if it's your cup of tea...or fairy wine. It's not mine. I have a long to be read list and I really wasn't enjoying this, so please my "friends" who have enjoyed this series, don't hold it against me...I just didn't care for it.
I went with 2 because I've read far worse and see what some will like. It's more that I don't care for the "type" of book than this book in particular.
Please enjoy this if it's your cup of tea...or fairy wine. It's not mine. I have a long to be read list and I really wasn't enjoying this, so please my "friends" who have enjoyed this series, don't hold it against me...I just didn't care for it.
I went with 2 because I've read far worse and see what some will like. It's more that I don't care for the "type" of book than this book in particular.
January 18, 2009
I got this one for Christmas...YAY!!!
February 8, 2009
After a couple false starts, I read this book. Honestly, the first chapters were pretty weak. There was nothing about it that made me interested in the rest of it and the flash forward at the beginning didn't really add anything for me. In fact, I dislike those.
Once I got past the rather boring beginning to the point where Kelley meets Sonny and finds the kelpie, it started to get better. It was all really predictable. Still, it's always interesting to see how someone takes something like fairies and tries to make them their own.
This was not a bad version of the fairy stories and it tried to uses the elements from A Midsummer Night's Dream in the story. It was easy to read and the characters weren't annoying. I particularly enjoyed the moments with Kelley and the kelpie.
The end set up the sequel where Kelley has to use Mabh's dark fairy magic to rescue Sonny from Auberon. Still, the story was completed for this section so, unless you're particularly interested in the Kelley/Sonny love story, I don't know that it's necessary to read more. I'm undecided as to whether I would read more. Maybe. It was pretty good. It just tied up any ends that I was interested in.
There was one thing, though, that really bothered me while I was reading. Kelley was 17 but was living in New York without any adult supervision. There was an attempt at an explanation- she graduated early from high school. But who was paying for her to live there? She sure didn't seem to have a job. Were we supposed to assume that the overprotective aunt who didn't want her to leave (and should have been really concerned about Kelley being so close to the fairy gate) was paying her rent, grocery bills and any other expenses? I really thought this was just a convenience added so Kelley could run around and do anything she wanted without question.
Once I got past the rather boring beginning to the point where Kelley meets Sonny and finds the kelpie, it started to get better. It was all really predictable. Still, it's always interesting to see how someone takes something like fairies and tries to make them their own.
This was not a bad version of the fairy stories and it tried to uses the elements from A Midsummer Night's Dream in the story. It was easy to read and the characters weren't annoying. I particularly enjoyed the moments with Kelley and the kelpie.
The end set up the sequel where Kelley has to use Mabh's dark fairy magic to rescue Sonny from Auberon. Still, the story was completed for this section so, unless you're particularly interested in the Kelley/Sonny love story, I don't know that it's necessary to read more. I'm undecided as to whether I would read more. Maybe. It was pretty good. It just tied up any ends that I was interested in.
There was one thing, though, that really bothered me while I was reading. Kelley was 17 but was living in New York without any adult supervision. There was an attempt at an explanation- she graduated early from high school. But who was paying for her to live there? She sure didn't seem to have a job. Were we supposed to assume that the overprotective aunt who didn't want her to leave (and should have been really concerned about Kelley being so close to the fairy gate) was paying her rent, grocery bills and any other expenses? I really thought this was just a convenience added so Kelley could run around and do anything she wanted without question.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2010
It had such promise, and it disappointed.
The premise intrigued, but the writing was flat and immature. The characters were two dimensional, not well developed, and did not grow. Questions were left unanswered, certain plot developments were glossed over, and there was a serious lack of character introspection, which would have given the book more depth.
The romance was poorly written. It seemed as if one moment they are somewhat friendly strangers, and the next in love. It also suffered from a case of tell than show; much of the book seemed to be a narrative of backstory and/or explanations with little action or dialogue to advance the storyline. What dialogue there was was awkward. The more I read, the more distant I felt from characters and book.
As much as I wanted to like this book (and I liked the humor and the author's use of Shakespeare and Celtic myths; has made me interested in reading up on both), this book had too many flaws for me to fully enjoy.
I may or may not get around to reading the next book.
The premise intrigued, but the writing was flat and immature. The characters were two dimensional, not well developed, and did not grow. Questions were left unanswered, certain plot developments were glossed over, and there was a serious lack of character introspection, which would have given the book more depth.
The romance was poorly written. It seemed as if one moment they are somewhat friendly strangers, and the next in love. It also suffered from a case of tell than show; much of the book seemed to be a narrative of backstory and/or explanations with little action or dialogue to advance the storyline. What dialogue there was was awkward. The more I read, the more distant I felt from characters and book.
As much as I wanted to like this book (and I liked the humor and the author's use of Shakespeare and Celtic myths; has made me interested in reading up on both), this book had too many flaws for me to fully enjoy.
I may or may not get around to reading the next book.
August 13, 2011
WONDROUS STRANGE is one of those books you read on a crisp fall day--and seeing as fall has already fallen here in Deutschland, it was the perfect story to fill my YA/paranormal/fantasy cravings.
I loved Kelley's character. She's spunky, funny, and strong--things I always look for in a heroine. The way the Shakespeare elements were woven in with the Faerie elements was fantastic. I mean, *spoiler!!* having Puck actually be Puck? Genius!
And oooooh, I loved the Queen Mabh element. Just imagining her sends chills down my spine, Ms. Livingston did a GREAT job bringing that wicked Faerie and Auberon to life.
All in all, this is a fun take on fairy lore. If you're in the mood for romance, fairies, or kick-butt heroines, be sure to pick up WONDROUS STRANGE!
I loved Kelley's character. She's spunky, funny, and strong--things I always look for in a heroine. The way the Shakespeare elements were woven in with the Faerie elements was fantastic. I mean, *spoiler!!* having Puck actually be Puck? Genius!
And oooooh, I loved the Queen Mabh element. Just imagining her sends chills down my spine, Ms. Livingston did a GREAT job bringing that wicked Faerie and Auberon to life.
All in all, this is a fun take on fairy lore. If you're in the mood for romance, fairies, or kick-butt heroines, be sure to pick up WONDROUS STRANGE!
March 23, 2018
I love Midsummers Night Dream and The Fae so I absolutely loved this book!
June 15, 2017
Non potevo scegliere un titolo migliore di "Wondrous Strange" per affrontare il mio periodo di ritorno al passato, a quando leggevo i meravigliosi fantasy della collana Lain della Fazi.
Questo libro mi è piaciuto tantissimo, partendo dai personaggi per poi arrivare a tutta la trama. Ho amato in particolar modo i continui riferimenti a Shakespeare e Sonny, il protagonista maschile.
Ci sono dei libri che semplicemente, con poche pretese, hanno una struttura fatta molto bene e riescono a coinvolgere il lettore senza faticare troppo. È questo il caso del libro della Livingston e sicuramente in questi giorni leggerò i seguiti perché era da tempo che un fantasy non mi piaceva così tanto.
Le fate sono sempre le fate ed è grazie a loro se mi sono avvicinata alla lettura de piccola, grazie a loro continuo ancora ad amarla.
Questo libro mi è piaciuto tantissimo, partendo dai personaggi per poi arrivare a tutta la trama. Ho amato in particolar modo i continui riferimenti a Shakespeare e Sonny, il protagonista maschile.
Ci sono dei libri che semplicemente, con poche pretese, hanno una struttura fatta molto bene e riescono a coinvolgere il lettore senza faticare troppo. È questo il caso del libro della Livingston e sicuramente in questi giorni leggerò i seguiti perché era da tempo che un fantasy non mi piaceva così tanto.
Le fate sono sempre le fate ed è grazie a loro se mi sono avvicinata alla lettura de piccola, grazie a loro continuo ancora ad amarla.
August 25, 2009
17-year-old Kelley is the red-headed understudy for role of Titania in an off-off-off-off Broadway production of Mid-summer Night's Dream who gets the literal lucky break. The leading lady "busts an ankle" and joy of joys she has the part. Hooray, great story about alternative career paths and following your dreams.
Except not, at all. This is yet another story about an ordinary girl who finds out she's a fairy princess, specifically Irish and with all the fun trappings and problems. After reading Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely, or any of the numerous American Urban Fantasy takes on the exact same theme I'm actually pretty done and pretty bored. Which isn't to say that the book isn't readable, and it makes a pretty good read-alike to all the Cassandra Clare/Holly Black/Melissa Marr/and even yes, Laurell K. Hamilton for your older audience. And there are some unique elements that sets the story apart: I like that this book pays homage to The Bard. I like the changeling storyline and the human guards of the fairy realm, The Janus Guards, some of whom are ass-kicking ladies. I like the Central Park central location and a certain kelpie who moves into a bathtub.
Unfortunately all of that which I liked, and which fans of the Irish-specific mythology as Urban Fantasy genre will also like doesn't lead to a great book. The discovery of Lucky the kelpie and the fact that she's a fairy princess takes up too much time and the actual battle and conflict is rushed into the last few pages of the book. I did not believe the romance between Sonny Flannery, Janus Guard, and Kelley Winslow, mediocre actress/fairy princess. And by not believe I mean I'm completely unsure when he went from being creepy stalker dude to love interest but it happened somehow without ever actually convincing me that her character would actually not see him as a creepy stalker anymore. Also, despite all the time spent on her discovery of fairy princess powers it is just so ho-hum. Her reaction didn't jump off the page or do anything new, she just came around after a short time. Which might be better than pages and pages of ranting and railing and disbelief, which also would have been terrible, but still...boring.
Except not, at all. This is yet another story about an ordinary girl who finds out she's a fairy princess, specifically Irish and with all the fun trappings and problems. After reading Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely, or any of the numerous American Urban Fantasy takes on the exact same theme I'm actually pretty done and pretty bored. Which isn't to say that the book isn't readable, and it makes a pretty good read-alike to all the Cassandra Clare/Holly Black/Melissa Marr/and even yes, Laurell K. Hamilton for your older audience. And there are some unique elements that sets the story apart: I like that this book pays homage to The Bard. I like the changeling storyline and the human guards of the fairy realm, The Janus Guards, some of whom are ass-kicking ladies. I like the Central Park central location and a certain kelpie who moves into a bathtub.
Unfortunately all of that which I liked, and which fans of the Irish-specific mythology as Urban Fantasy genre will also like doesn't lead to a great book. The discovery of Lucky the kelpie and the fact that she's a fairy princess takes up too much time and the actual battle and conflict is rushed into the last few pages of the book. I did not believe the romance between Sonny Flannery, Janus Guard, and Kelley Winslow, mediocre actress/fairy princess. And by not believe I mean I'm completely unsure when he went from being creepy stalker dude to love interest but it happened somehow without ever actually convincing me that her character would actually not see him as a creepy stalker anymore. Also, despite all the time spent on her discovery of fairy princess powers it is just so ho-hum. Her reaction didn't jump off the page or do anything new, she just came around after a short time. Which might be better than pages and pages of ranting and railing and disbelief, which also would have been terrible, but still...boring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2010
Wow. This book was really good. Lesley did an incredible job at creating a magical fay story based on a Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was fantastic. The writing was beautifully done- it pulled me in from the beginning. I had a hard time putting the book down.
The characters were amazing. Kelley was perfect. I loved that she would not believe Sonny about what he was trying to tell her. She would have none of it, convinced that Sonny was stalking her, which any woman in her right mind would think about some guy always showing up where she is and taking intense interest in her. She was smart to not let herself get caught up in his handsomenes, which a lot of girl protagonists do. Kelley was for real, she actually acted like how a real person would act, and not just the way some lovey-dovey girl swooning at the regal, beautiful mythical man would, and believing everything he says because he’s so perfect and beautiful. Gah.
And Sonny, mmm. I fell in love with Sonny the moment he jumped up on the railing in the beginning of the book. He was so frustrated that Kelley wouldn’t trust him and believe him, and that she just wouldn’t stop telling him to shove off. It wasn’t the typical story where the girl falls hard at the first sight of the boy, and would do anything for him, believe anything he says. Although she ended up doing this in the end because she realized she loved him.
The plot was well thought out and written. The ending kept me on the edge of my seat, quickly turning the pages in the thrill of it. An incredible read-another outstanding novel by an amazing author. I’m excited to read Darklight, and am anxious for the last book to come out.
The characters were amazing. Kelley was perfect. I loved that she would not believe Sonny about what he was trying to tell her. She would have none of it, convinced that Sonny was stalking her, which any woman in her right mind would think about some guy always showing up where she is and taking intense interest in her. She was smart to not let herself get caught up in his handsomenes, which a lot of girl protagonists do. Kelley was for real, she actually acted like how a real person would act, and not just the way some lovey-dovey girl swooning at the regal, beautiful mythical man would, and believing everything he says because he’s so perfect and beautiful. Gah.
And Sonny, mmm. I fell in love with Sonny the moment he jumped up on the railing in the beginning of the book. He was so frustrated that Kelley wouldn’t trust him and believe him, and that she just wouldn’t stop telling him to shove off. It wasn’t the typical story where the girl falls hard at the first sight of the boy, and would do anything for him, believe anything he says. Although she ended up doing this in the end because she realized she loved him.
The plot was well thought out and written. The ending kept me on the edge of my seat, quickly turning the pages in the thrill of it. An incredible read-another outstanding novel by an amazing author. I’m excited to read Darklight, and am anxious for the last book to come out.
August 10, 2010
Wondrous Strange was a magical mix of fun and adventure. With every faerie story I’ve read, it’s either been strictly intense or dolled up, but I love that Lesley Livingston found a happy medium.
Kelley is probably one of my favorite literary characters of all time. She’s snarky, sarcastic and strong, and she doesn’t let the sudden intrusion of powerful faeries into her life get her down. Her stubborn but highly entertaining attitude stayed in check throughout the entire novel, and I loved every minute of it. Her interaction and budding romance with Sonny, a human who guards the faerie Samhain Gate, was hilarious and refreshing - a definite role reversal to the usual “guy is laid back, girl is serious and determined” cliché.
I love that I felt so educated afterwards! Prior to reading this book, besides seeing an episode of Suite Life Of Zack And Cody, I knew absolutely nothing about A Midsummer’s Night Dream. I learned enough about the play to actually interest me in finding out more about it. And despite my lack of knowledge on the play, it was adapted wonderfully into the rest of the story, making Kelley’s self-discoveries and adventures a bit more relatable and a lot more ironic.
Overall, I really enjoyed Wondrous Strange. I’m a not huge fan of faerie books, but when they’re informative yet enthralling such as this one, I can’t help but be drawn in! Mixing magic, romance, some intense action scenes and a lovable kelpie that lives in Kelley’s bathtub, it’s a fun thrill-ride. I definitely recommend!
Kelley is probably one of my favorite literary characters of all time. She’s snarky, sarcastic and strong, and she doesn’t let the sudden intrusion of powerful faeries into her life get her down. Her stubborn but highly entertaining attitude stayed in check throughout the entire novel, and I loved every minute of it. Her interaction and budding romance with Sonny, a human who guards the faerie Samhain Gate, was hilarious and refreshing - a definite role reversal to the usual “guy is laid back, girl is serious and determined” cliché.
I love that I felt so educated afterwards! Prior to reading this book, besides seeing an episode of Suite Life Of Zack And Cody, I knew absolutely nothing about A Midsummer’s Night Dream. I learned enough about the play to actually interest me in finding out more about it. And despite my lack of knowledge on the play, it was adapted wonderfully into the rest of the story, making Kelley’s self-discoveries and adventures a bit more relatable and a lot more ironic.
Overall, I really enjoyed Wondrous Strange. I’m a not huge fan of faerie books, but when they’re informative yet enthralling such as this one, I can’t help but be drawn in! Mixing magic, romance, some intense action scenes and a lovable kelpie that lives in Kelley’s bathtub, it’s a fun thrill-ride. I definitely recommend!
January 30, 2009
I loved this book, I hated the ending though. - cause it made me cry. :( Ah- who am I kidding, I LOVED it! It was hard to put it down. I finished it the night after I got it, because I sat around and read it the entire weekend. I love the characters, even the ones I love to hate. You never expect what will happen next.
I just could NOT believe that Sonny couldn't stay with Kelly, ooh- if I could get my hands on Auberon. He's so EBIL! That final scene made me cry for a whole hour. They're so in love!
But as for Sonny becoming the rider in the wild hunt, WOW! That was the park that got my adrenaline pumping.
My favorite quote though, was between Auberon and Kelly; "...My deadbeat dady from fairy tale land..." I laughed at the part, I thought it was awesome!
I just could NOT believe that Sonny couldn't stay with Kelly, ooh- if I could get my hands on Auberon. He's so EBIL! That final scene made me cry for a whole hour. They're so in love!
But as for Sonny becoming the rider in the wild hunt, WOW! That was the park that got my adrenaline pumping.
My favorite quote though, was between Auberon and Kelly; "...My deadbeat dady from fairy tale land..." I laughed at the part, I thought it was awesome!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2017
No bueno.
I really didn't like this book. I went into it thinking this was actually going to be enjoyable BUT I'm not sure where it went wrong. It took such a long time for the story to actually get going that I trailed off a bit. Kelley was such an inconsistent character. She had attitude but then was incredibly insecure. She tried to be a badass but failed miserably. I didn't like her. I didn't like any of these characters. Even the idea that she was stolen because Sonny was stolen was this weird coincidence that I found unnecessary. I liked the fae elements like the wild hunt and even the siren but it just wasn't enough.
Overall, I know already I won't continue this series. But if I ever did I would hope that it's actually action packed and interesting!
I really didn't like this book. I went into it thinking this was actually going to be enjoyable BUT I'm not sure where it went wrong. It took such a long time for the story to actually get going that I trailed off a bit. Kelley was such an inconsistent character. She had attitude but then was incredibly insecure. She tried to be a badass but failed miserably. I didn't like her. I didn't like any of these characters. Even the idea that she was stolen because Sonny was stolen was this weird coincidence that I found unnecessary. I liked the fae elements like the wild hunt and even the siren but it just wasn't enough.
Overall, I know already I won't continue this series. But if I ever did I would hope that it's actually action packed and interesting!
August 25, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Wondrous Strange. The main character Kelly was brave and spunky, but not so much so that she lost her femininity. It was romantic without being over the top and it had an element of innocence to it that I loved. There was also humor in there that was a nice surprise. As soon as she found the horse in her bathroom I was hooked. I also loved how A Midsummer Night’s Dream was woven into the plot.
February 10, 2017
Non mi fa piacere vedere un'unica storia divisa in tre volumi senza apparente motivo e questo è proprio il caso della trilogia di Wondrous strange. Ciò premesso: la prosa della Livingston è buona, forse un po' troppo ricca di orpelli qua e là, ma buona.
Il punto di forza di questa serie sono indubbiamente i suoi personaggi che risultano essere credibili e di gradevole lettura, ma veniamo alla nota dolente da parte mia: la trama.
Il sistema magico/fantasy funziona bene e, come scrivevo poco fa, i suoi personaggi sono davvero convincenti, ma essere sbatacchiati tra un'ovvietà e l'altra non farebbe bene nemmeno a Renzo e Lucia, diciamocelo. [★★☆ 2.5, valido per tutta la serie].
Mi ha ricordato Wicked Lovely, Città di ossa e Un bacio nell'ombra per motivi diversi. Se vi sono piaciute queste serie, potrebbe piacervi anche questa.
Sul primo volume in particolare: I personaggi intrigano e le citazioni a Shakesperare aiutano a godersi la lettura, ma non c'è fase della vicenda che non avessi previsto con largo anticipo. L'edizione italiana presenta una splendida copertina.
Il punto di forza di questa serie sono indubbiamente i suoi personaggi che risultano essere credibili e di gradevole lettura, ma veniamo alla nota dolente da parte mia: la trama.
Il sistema magico/fantasy funziona bene e, come scrivevo poco fa, i suoi personaggi sono davvero convincenti, ma essere sbatacchiati tra un'ovvietà e l'altra non farebbe bene nemmeno a Renzo e Lucia, diciamocelo. [★★☆ 2.5, valido per tutta la serie].
Mi ha ricordato Wicked Lovely, Città di ossa e Un bacio nell'ombra per motivi diversi. Se vi sono piaciute queste serie, potrebbe piacervi anche questa.
Sul primo volume in particolare: I personaggi intrigano e le citazioni a Shakesperare aiutano a godersi la lettura, ma non c'è fase della vicenda che non avessi previsto con largo anticipo. L'edizione italiana presenta una splendida copertina.
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