Magical Fate

  I seem to be on a YA faerie kick lately. I was worried at first that I would read the same story over and over again by different writers, but was glad that I thrown a curve ball when I picked up Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston. Livingston's debut novel combines faerie folklore with literary allusions to make a fun, quick read filled with romance, magic, and suspense.

Description: Kelley Winslow came to New York to fulfill her dream of being an actress. She is working as an understudy for a production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and gets her big break when the actress playing Titania is injured. Suddenly the world of Faerie becomes too real after Kelley rescues what she thinks is a drowning horse in Central Park Lake only to have it appear later on her balcony and station itself in her bathtub. She also seem to caught the eye of Sonny Flannery, a human changeling who guards the Gate between Faerie and Manhattan, who believes Kelley is more than human.

Review: Wondrous Strange is an enjoyable read. Shakespeare popular problem-comedy, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", sets an appropriate back drop to the story. Many characters, particularly the major faeries involved in the play come to life. Readers who have read many faerie stories before will recognize the familiar personality traits of the faeries, the various Faerie courts, and a distant, brooding love interest, yet Wondrous Strange stands on its own thanks to its interesting twist involving Kelley's connection to the world of Faerie.
  I loved Kelley. She is feisty, stubborn, and smart. For once, here is a heroine who doesn't passively take instructions from the love interest. She stands her own, even after discovering who she is. Sonny is equally appealing: vulnerable, yet caring and not too overprotective. There is plenty of action, a complex setup, sprinkles of Shakespearean and Arthurian allusions, and humorous plot strands to keep the pages turning. I read the book in one sitting and never felt bored. This would be a great book for those who want to read about faeries without the too dark and scary atmosphere. I'm looking forward to reading the book's sequel called Darklight.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is mild language and violence in the book. I would recommend this book to strong 6th graders and up.

If you like this book try: Darklight by Lesley Livingston or Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
****

14 days left to win your own copy of Mockinjay by Suzanne Collins.   Did you enter yet?