"Ballad" by Maggie Stiefvater [3 1/2]

James Morgan has an almost unearthly gift for music. And it has attracted Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and then feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. James has plenty of reasons to fear the faeries, but as he and Nuala collaborate on an achingly beautiful musical composition, James finds his feelings towards Nuala deepening. But the rest of the faeries are not as harmless. As Halloween - the day of the dead - draws near, James will have to battle the Faerie Queen and the horned king of the Dead to save Nuala's life and his soul.

I have so been looking forward to reading this next novel in the Lament series ... well I was just a little disappointed. It took me what seemed forever to get into the story. The first part of the book deals with James and his coming to music school and how Nuala and James meet up. There is a lot of background information that is also setting up the story for you, but it just seemed to take forever to get into the juicy bits. The last 100 pages or so is where all the action picked up and it only took me an hour to finish the book from there. James is an interesting character who has this devil may care sort of attitude and is totally typical of the sarcastic youth of today ... he is quite likable. Nuala is part faerie part human and is a little tortured in her life and for some reason or another has chosen not to make a deal with James but can't seem to leave him alone either. The two of them together make an unusual couple but it does seem to work and you want them to find happiness together. Dee has really only a minor role in this story but it is all about her in the end and how James and Nuala can save themselves and Dee from the Faerie Queen.

I did finally enjoy reading Ballad but for me it wasn't as good as the first book, where you just couldn't put it down until you'd read it all. I do look forward to seeing where the story goes, and there would be some interesting characters to write about. One thing that I do love is the covers of this series, they are unusual but quite pretty too.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore (5)

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.

I purchased this book because: I heard so much about this novel and how great it was ....


Opening Lines: The audience didn't understand a word we sang. They came to see our legs.


Well I have to say I really loved this book ..... And I just wanted more ...... Very sad that I have finished it and hoping that there will be a sequel to this .... PRETTY PLEASE .....

My copy as soooo many post it notes in it because I loved the way the author Jaclyn described the world around her ...... It just transported you into the story .... BRILLIANT ...

The main Character of Nimira is just a wonderful character .... And you cannot help be love her ... There is the mysterious Mr Parry who has hidden secrets of his own ( with a hint of Jane Eyre ... maybe that is why I love this novel sooo much ... lol )

There is the wicked Mr Smollings who you just love to hate ..... And the gorgeous Erris who is trapped in an enchanted spell .... Can Nimira save Erris and live happily ever after .... or is their love for each other doomed from the start ....

Some of my favourite quotes: "They passed me by without notice" pg 12


"We stepped into the elevator - I knew of them but had never ridden unside one. It reminded me of a gilded birdcage." pg 15


"You must, admit, its a testament to human tenacity that we can survive in any condition" Pg 50


"In Tiansher, at least beggars and princes alike had the same priceless view of the Shai Mountains." pg 50


"I felt a little sick, but pretending was a woman's lot." Pg 65


"Every person has a reason to walk the earth, Mother always said. Sometimes the path leads in strange directions." Pg 93


"I just wondered what was up here. I heard a strange noise. .... Likely it was the sound of your common sense dashing off." pg 101 love that ... :)


"Love isn't sure,' he said, .... 'It's frightening. But its full of possibility. And hope." pg 127


For this to be a debut novel I am really impressed ... I loved everything about this book ... And felt that I was really there with the characters ... This wee novel has everything you could ask for ... Historical Romance, mystery, fantasy and lots of action .... All wrapped up in a wonderful package .. my only fault with this novel was that it ended ....... The perfect stand alone book but you are itching to find out what happens with the characters in the end ....

I rate this book 5*****

Love the white cover which I have it is really pretty ... Abit of a problem with the book cover .... I have the UK version which I think it really nice ... But the USA cover has a picture of a white girl on the front .... Which is totally wrong as the main character is dark skinned ... So the USA after alot of backlash changed the cover .... Sad to see that they changed it only after the backlash ... Shows that there is some misconceptions and prejudice still there ...

"Glimmerglass" by Jenna Black [3 1/2]

Dana Hathaway doesn't know it yet, but she's in big trouble. When her mother, an alcoholic, shows up at her voice recital drunk, Dana decides she's had enough of playing the role of her mother's keeper, so she packs her bags and travels to see her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the magical world of Faerie intersect. Dana is a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds. She has always known that her father is a big-deal Fae, but what she doesn't realize is that she could be the key to his rise to power. When she arrives in Avalon, Dana finds herself a pawn in the game of magical politics. Avalon is a place where both magic and technology work, and humans and Fae coexist in something resembling peace. How can she change the winds of fate, find a boyfriend, and make new friends when she's not sure who, if anyone, can be trusted?

Of course it was the cover that first drew me to this book, and then reading the review on the back it sounded quite interesting ... The story certainly has a slightly different take on all the other faerie novels that I've read. In this one it seems that the world is aware that faerie's exist and we have a common place where we can interacted with each other to a degree. It does take a little while to get into the story but once you have what's going on sorted out it does become interesting. The writing style is very easy to read and the story does move along fairly quickly.

The characters are appealing and you become absorbed in their plights. This book will appeal to the teens ... it has intrigued, romance, a determined female lead and hot young fae boys ... what more could you wish for. I'm interested to see where this series will go. "SHADOWSPELL" is the next in the series and will be release in 2011.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"Ironside" by Holly Black [3 1/2]

A rash declaration, an impossible quest.

Kaye is forced to find the one thing she knows doesn't exist: a faerie who can tell a lie. Miserable and convinced that she belongs nowhere, Kaye is propelled back to the dangerous world of faerie. Once again, she finds herself caught up in the rivalries of the Seelie Court. In this twisted game of wits and power, can a pixie outplay a queen?

OK so this is my next read for the four month challenge and it came under the heading of a 'one word title.'

Ironside is the final installment to the Tithe series and thankfully Holly Black has finished it off, sometimes the authors tend to drag out their series a little too long.

While I have maintain that another faerie series has been my favourite, I did enjoy this final book. I think everything has been wrapped up well and the conclusion will satisfy everyone who reads it.

It has been two months since Kaye first found out who she really was and what else existed in the world, now she is about to go to the coronation of her boyfriend Roiben who defeated the old Queen of the night court. But as usual things are not quite that easy and as they are about to discover, War has been declared by the Queen of the Seelie Court. Kaye doubts who she is and if Roiben even loves her and somehow she manages to get tangle in a quest that seems impossible to solve. With her friend Corney by her side they set out to discover what they can do to help Roiben end the war, along the way they meet up with Luis who has a gift with the sight. {we met him from the second book}

All the lose ends will be tied up and things turn out how they are meant too in the end. Well written, plot will keep you interested and it's good to have a finish. As I've said before this is a series for young adults as it has bad language in it and adult concepts.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"Valiant" by Holly Black [3]

When seventeen year old Valerie runs away to New York City, she's trying to escape a life that has utterly betrayed her. Sporting a new identity, she takes up with a gang of squatters who live in the city's labyrinthine subway system.

But there's something eerily beguiling about Val's new friends. And when one talks Val into tracking down the lair of a mysterious creature with whom they are all involved, Val finds herself torn between her new found affection for an honourable monster and her fear of what her new friends are becoming.


Second book in this series and just like another that I mentioned with the previous review, it has taken a side step with the story. Again bad language dominates this book and it has a lot of adult content in it as well. It wasn't to bad ... easy to read ... it's edgy and powerful ... and it's about a young girl coming to terms with a major disappointment in her life, and how she finds the courage to fight and be valiant in herself and with her friends. Not for young readers.
I rate this book 3 stars.

"Tithe" by Holly Black [3 1/2]

Sixteen year old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band until an ominous attack forces Kaye back to her childhood home. There, amid the industrial, blue-collar New Jersey backdrop, Kaye soon finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms - a struggle that could very well mean her death.

I've had this series sitting in my book self for about one year now, and kept saying I'll get around to reading it. Well with the four month challenge I thought I'd start and use the last novel in the series as part of that challenge.

I came into reading 'Tithe' with an open mind as I thought I won't compare it too the 'Wicked Lovely' series which I think is fantastic ... but I have been a little disappointed and I cannot help comparing to the other series. First of all it has quite a bit of bad language in it and it definitely is only suitable for young adults. The basic story is interesting, but again I like the 'Wicked Lovely' series better. I couldn't really gel to any of the main characters and I guess the constant swearing put me off.

The story reads well, it flows and you read it quiet quickly, it's dark and edgy and if you don't mind bad language you'll probably quite enjoy it. Wouldn't recommend to those under 16 at least. Next in the series is 'Valiant'.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"Radiant Shadows" by Melissa Marr [4]

Hunger for nourishment.

Hunger for touch.

Hunger to belong.

Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers.

Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries' coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani's death.

Ani isn't one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin's plans - and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the Faerie realm mean losing each other?

Fourth book in this series and it has all that the rest have... romance, danger and intrigue. It's breathtaking, complex and involving and you won't rest until you've finished the novel.
So what's it about?

Ani has been born to a half-faerie mother and a Hound for a father and her abilities are unique. She needs to feed from emotions but also from skin contact. Ani feels like she doesn't fit in anywhere and her father treats her with kid gloves ... then she meets Devlin.
Devlin was made for one purpose and that was as an assassin for the High Queen, he has given his whole life to serve her and the faerie court. But something is missing in his life ...then he has to assassinate Ani as a child, which he couldn't do. Years later they meet again and the sparks fly.
Many secrets have been kept from both of them and as they struggle to survive against those that would have them dead, they realize that the fate of Faerie is a stake as well as their own lives.

This series is fast becoming one of my favourites. I love the authors writing style, it's very easy to read and you absolutely get lost in the story. This one will definitely have another to read as it's left with a ending ... well that doesn't end.

I rate this book 4 stars.

"Rebel" by RJ Anderson [4 1/2]

Linden's caged glowed with fiery heat, burning her fingers when she tried to cling to the bars. She fluttered helplessly in midair, wing muscles aching with the effort, knowing that she couldn't hover much longer before her strength gave out - and that the moment it did, she would die...

A Magical second novel to the first, "Knife" and I think this was even better. Faerie novels seem to be all the rage at the moment and the couple of series that I've picked up have been really great.

Again this series will have a third novel out in Jan 2011 called 'Arrow' and hopefully that will finish it off beautifully.
Linden is a young faerie of 15 years and she has been fostered by 'Knife' or Peri as she is called now. It has been about 14 years since Knife chose to become human and marry Paul and they both do everything in their power to protect the faeries that live in the Oak in the back garden. Linden has been their foster daughter and she has been living in both human and faerie world alike.Things change when their queen dies and Linden is sent on a mission of mercy to save her people.
Timothy is Paul's cousin and he comes to stay with them after getting into trouble at school. Tension in the household is not good and Timothy decides to run away and that's where he meets Linden.

Between the two of them they get into a lot of trouble, but in the end they both save the faeries in the Oak tree...but for how long is the question. Both Linden and Timothy learn the lessons of friendship and trust and how to believe in themselves.

A really great faerie series this turning out to be, because while it's a good story the author has woven into it a few wonderful life lessons on friendship and the importance of believing in yourself. Wonderful novels for young teenage girls. Easy to read, flows beautifully and nothing to worry about in the writing, so suitable for teens.

I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.

Spells" by Aprilynne Pike [4]

A year ago Laurel discovered that she is a faerie, placed among humans when she was a baby. Although she's come to accept her true identity, Laurel refuses to turn her back on her human life - especially her boyfriend, David.

But the faerie realm is in grave danger and when Laurel is summoned, she must trust charismatic faerie-guard Tamani. Laurel's feelings for him are strong, and she is soon forced to make a choice that could break her heart...

The second book in this series and it starts off about six months after where "Wings" the previous book left off. Laurel is summoned to the Academy of Avalon to start learning her role as a faerie and while it is all quite thrilling and adventurous she is struggling to learn the basics as a faerie. Her friendship with the guard Tamani is starting to have an impact on her relationship with her boyfriend David, lines are starting to get blurred.

Then there is the danger of the trolls and Barnes who has been hunting her. Life couldn't be anymore difficult but wait...yes there is always something more and Laurel has to find the "faerie" in her to stay alive.

Really well written second novel to this series....but as usual we have to wait for the next installment!

I probably enjoyed the first book a little more than the second, but that doesn't mean that the series isn't good because it is. Great books for young teenage girls, they will love reading it.
I'm assuming the next installment is out sometime in 2011. Looking forward to it.
Beautiful covers too, I bought the U.K versions but the others are pretty too.

I rate this book 4 stars.

"Fairy Tale" by Cyn Balog [3]

Morgan Sparks and Cam Browne are a match made in heaven. They've been best friends since birth, they tell each other everything, and oh yeah - they're totally hot for each other.

But a week before their joint sixteen bash, everything changes. Cam's awkward cousin Pip comes to stay, and cam starts acting distant. Morgan is stunned when her formerly perfect boyfriend seems to be drifting away.

When Morgan demands answers, she's shocked to discover the reason for Cam's distance.

It isn't another girl - it's another world.

Pip claims that Cam is a fairy. No, seriously. A fairy. And now his people want Cam to return to their world and take his rightful place as Fairy King.

I have been waiting a while to read this book and found it to be a little disappointing.

This is definitely a book for the 13-15 yr old. I've read a few books now to do with faeries and found the story on each is kind of similar...which is fine, but I just thought this one was a little weak compared to some of the others I've read.

The character of Morgan was a little whiny and I got feed up with it all being about her. Cam to me also came across as a little weak too.

Look the younger ones will probably enjoy it, but for adults you can find better out there.

I rate this book 3 stars.

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr (41/2)

“Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone—but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he'd ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

Aislinn never expected to rule the very creatures who'd always terrified her—but that was before Keenan. He stole her mortality to make her a monarch, and now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd ever imagined.

In Melissa Marr's third mesmerizing tale of Faerie, Seth and Aislinn struggle to stay true to themselves and each other in a milieu of shadowy rules and shifting allegiances, where old friends become new enemies and one wrong move could plunge the Earth into chaos.”

The third book in the series and it has to be one of my favourites !!!!!!!! ......... Melissa definitely has to write a fourth book ...... Please ........ You cannot keep us hanging to find out what happens next !!!!!!

The story line continues with Keenan, Aislinn and Seth the love Triangle ........ Now that Aislinn is Faerie and no longer mortal will her relationship with Seth still continue ...... Or will her strong pull toward her King Keenan draw her into his arms ......... Seth has made some powerful allies in the faeirie kingdom considering he is mortal but will it be enough to hold onto Aislinn ......

Love it ...... New characters being introduced and your old faithful characters that you will love ... This is such an easy book to read my only complaint is that it ended and I wanted more !!!! :( .....

A great book on relationships and trying to juggle them to make everyone happy ....... If you love your fantasy and Faeries you will eat this book up !!!!!!!

I rate this book 41/2 ****

Books in order of series

Wicked Lovely

Ink Exchange

Fragile Eternity

P.S Did I mention that I love the covers to this series ......... I would buy them just on that alone :) ...

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr (4)

"Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance between the Faerie Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly-vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.

17-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind that Leslie had dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faerie world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils.

Melissa Marr continues her tales of Faerie in a dark, ravishing story of temptation and consequences, and of heroism when least expected. "

Even though this is the second book in the series it follows the story of Leslie a moral who finds herself strangely drawn to Irial one of the Faerie Kings ..... I would advise to read this book 2nd as it does continue the story with Aislinn and Keenan but only in tiny snippets ....

Melissa has a great way of writing the male characters especially when one minute you really love them and then the next you dislike them .... It is a love/hate relationship .... Brilliant ......

Leslie the main character is getting drawn into a world that no one else can see ...... Those closest to her try to protect her but will not telling her about the other world do her more harm than good? ........

There is abit more violence and graphic descriptions in this book than in the first but you are talking about the Dark Faerie King here not a nice grant your wishes faerie .......

I felt it wasn't as good as the first book but still a really good read .....

I rate this book 4 ****

Books in the series in order

Wicked Lovely

Ink Exchange

Fragile Eternity

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (41/2)

Rule #3: Don’t stare at invisible faeries. Aiislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don’t speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don’t ever attract their attention. But it’s too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything. Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in this 21st century faery tale.

The first installment of a new series and I loved it ........ Rumours are that it is getting made into a movie as well which is exciting ......

Well seems to be the fad at the moment with the number of Faery books that are floating around at the moment .... And I have to say that this one would be right up there ... I love the characters and especially love Keenan ..... He is one of those characters that you love one moment and dislike the next ........

The story is great with Aislinn suddenly finding herself with some unwanted Royal Faery attention !!!!!!! ......... Will she be able to stay mortal to stay with Seth or will the devilishly handsome Keenan win her over !!!!!!!!!

This book has abit of everything in it with fighting, Fantasy and Romance ....... Looking forward to reading the rest of the series ......

I rate this book 41/2 ****

Books in the series

Wicked Lovely

Ink Exchange

Fragile Eternity

"Lament" by Maggie Stiefvater [4 1/2 ]

Sixteen year old Deirdre Monaghan is a prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand - one who can see faeries.

Unexpectedly, Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy named Luke who enters her ordinary life, seemingly out of thin air. But his interest in her might be something darker than summer romance. When a sinister faerie named Aodhan shows up with deadly orders from the faerie Queen, it forces Dee right into the midst of Faerie. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend.

Deirdre had been wishing her summer weren't so dull, but taking on a centuries-old Faerie Queen isn't exactly what she had in mind.

Another wonderfully told Faerie love story about a young musically gifted girl,

who meets and falls in love with a faerie assassin who is sent to kill her. He is intrigued by her, and after getting to know her falls in love as well. It is a forbidden love and now the Faerie Queen is after both of them.

Beautifully written, it is magical and musical and radiates romance and every teenage girl will just love reading this novel.

Of course the story doesn't end here... it continues with the next novel entitled

"Ballard".

Quite enjoying reading the faerie books at the moment and comparing the authors.

A great read... you will enjoy!

"Wicked Lovely" by Melissa Marr [3 1/2]

Rule 3: Dont stare at invisible faeries.

Rule 2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Rule 1: Don't ever attract their attention.

Suddenly none of those rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Now faeries are stalking her and trying to talk to her. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost - regardless of her plans or desires.

I have been dying to read this book... the cover alone is stunning!

Wow... if ever a book can draw you into a world of make believe this one can. I've now read a couple of faery books and it seems that the common theme is that faeries are nasty creatures who only look after themselves... it continues with this one as well.

This really is a book for teenagers as it deals with all the confusing emotions that happens in this period of your life. Very well written, but I did get a little frustrate with it, probably just an adult thing. Teens will relate to the feelings that are dealt with in this book and I'm sure they will just love it. Don't wont to give too much of it away. I did love the friendship between Aislinn and Seth and how it develops between them, brings back a lot of memories of my teenage years.

Did enjoy it but more for the teens.

"Ink Exchange" by Melissa Marr [3]

Seventeen- year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their shadowy power struggles. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes - not the kind that Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that bind Leslie to Irial, a dark and dangerous faery king fighting for the soul of his court. Slowly, Leslie is drawn deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils...

Melissa Marr continues her tales of Faerie in a dark story of temptation and consequences, and of heroism when least expected. While this book isn't supposedly directly after 'Wicked Lovely' you really do need to read it next

as it contains characters that will continue into the next novel.

Another beautiful cover to this book and easy to read.

The character of Leslie is a poor girl that has some deeply distressing issues in her young life that she is trying to escape from, only to find she gets entangled into the world of faery and that makes things worse. As a mother my heart just bleeds for this girl and you want to just hug her and make everything better. Her knight in shining armour is Niall but even he can't help her, it is something she has to deal with herself. I really felt drawn into this one, but again the emotions of the teenage characters start to annoy you a little. Well written, teens will love it.

Look forward to reading the next..."Fragile Eternity"

"Fragile Eternity" by Melissa Marr [3 1/2]

Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone - but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he'd ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

Aislinn never expected to rule the very creatures who'd always terrified her - but that was before Keenan. He stole her mortality to make her a monarch, and now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd ever imagined.

In this third spellbinding tale of Faerie, Seth and Aislinn struggle to stay true to themselves and each other in a background of shadowy rules and shifting allegiances,

where old friends become new enemies and

one wrong move could spell total destruction, and plunge the Earth into chaos.

I know I must be getting old when I start to find that reading some of these teen books becomes frustrating when all you seem to be reading about is all the emotions of young love and the indecision's that come with it. I felt like shaking the characters sometimes and telling them to grow up, but then that's what happens when your 17 years old.

The author has left it for another novel to be written which hopefully will finish of the series.

Look did enjoy it, and the teens will love it, but I guess as an adult now I have a hard time relating to the indecision's of teens.

Not quite a good as the first but still enjoyable, covers are beautiful.

Ironside by Holly Black (31/2)

"In the realm of Faerie, the time has come for Roiben’s coronation. Uneasy in the midst of the malevolent Unseelie Court, pixie Kaye is sure only of one thing--her love for Roiben. But when Kaye, drunk on faerie wine, declares herself to him, he sends her on a seemingly impossible quest. Now Kaye can’t see or speak with Roiben unless she can find the one thing she knows doesn’t exist: a faerie who can tell a lie.

Miserable and convinced she belongs nowhere, Kaye decides to tell her mother the truth—that she is a changeling left in place of the human daughter stolen long ago. Her mother’s shock and horror sends Kaye back to the world of Faerie to find her human counterpart and return her to Ironside. But once back in the faerie courts, Kaye finds herself a pawn in the games of Silarial, queen of the Seelie Court. Silarial wants Roiben’s throne, and she will use Kaye, and any means necessary, to get it. In this game of wits and weapons, can a pixie outplay a queen?

This is the second part of the Holly Black Series 'A Modern Faerie Tale' .......... There is way less language in this book than in the first which is good ........ But be warned there is some quite graphic violence scenes ....

I have to say I enjoyed this book better than the first ... Kaye has figured out that she is a Pixie and is trying to figure out her place in Fairyland ... And her boyfriend is now getting crowned King of Unseelie Court ....... Things seem to be looking up ....... But not for long ........

The Queen of the Seelie Court is out for blood and Kaye seems to find herself stuck in the middle again .....

Again like the first novel Tithe I would say this book is for the older Teen as a few parts of it is quite Dark .......

If you are looking for a more edgy Faeire Tale with lots of gore and where the Faeires are more likely to kill you then grand you wishes then this series is for you !!!

I rate this book 3 1/2 ***

P.S .... Valient is the also part of this series but is set before this book ........... He tells the story of the brothers Luis and Dave who are introduced in this novel .... My advise read Tithe, Ironside then Valiant ..

Tithe by Holly Black (3)

Do you believe in faeries? Not the soft, gentle kind, but the sinister, feral kind - the ones that wreak havoc on everything in their path... As a small child Kaye used to talk to faeries. Now at sixteen she is fierce and independent, travelling from city to city with her mother's rock band, until an ominous attack forces them to return to her childhood home and friends. Once there, Kaye discovers that her childhood memories were real and she is drawn into a secret faerie world by an attraction that she is unable to fight. Finding herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient and violent power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms, Kaye agrees to go along with a plan to disrupt the human sacrifice that binds her faerie friends to their unkind masters. But not everyone has been telling her the truth and she is soon in grave danger...

I think this cover that I have is the UK version which is pretty ........ I have had this series sitting on my book shelf for a while now and finally getting around to reading them ... Holly Black is better known for writing the Spiderwick Chroncles but this is her 3 part series on Faeries ..

OK let me start by saying the beginning of the story is not really what I was expecting ... I have been reading alot of teen books recently but I would class this book as more like an adult book then a teen book ... Mainly because of the language ......... Gosh there is alot of bad language in the first 60 pages to which I was actually going to give up reading the rest of the book ....... But it does calm down and then the real story begins ......

It is an interesting concept of Faeries being not so the nice Faeries that we have been led to believe ... I feel that this book really is more so setting up the characters for the rest of the series ...

Who can Kaye trust? ......... It meant just surprise you !!! ........

I rate this book 3 ***

WARNING: I would have rated it higher expect for the language there was way to much of it that alot of people would not continue reading the novel which is a shame .... There is some violence also in the book which at some cases can be graphic ..... Definitely an older adult read not a young teen which it is marketed for ......

'Knife' by R.J Anderson [3 1/2]

Knife woke in a cold sweat, the torn edge of her wing sizzling with pain.

How long had she lain unconscious?

Her worst fears had come to pass: she was trapped, flightless, a prisoner.

The humans had put her in a box, and now they had come to torment her...

Second faerie book read,

this one is well suited to 13 /14 year old girls, they will love reading it.

This has been written from a faerie's point of view.

Well written you will not want to put it down until your finished.

Knife is the main character and she is a young faerie who has spirit and determination to have some freedom in her life. Though at the time she thinks freedom is flying outside her realm.

The book was a little confusing at first because the character of Knife starts with a different name but it all falls into place.

If you have any daughter's that love faerie's, they will love reading this then.

The cover is really beautiful and that's what attracted me to it.

Not a bad read.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.