Most of the books I've read this summer have been OK,,not good,not bad. This is the first time I have really enjoyed reading and finishing a book.
Barbara F. (mama2timmy-daphne) reviewed Darklight (Wondrous Strange, Bk 2) on + 35 more book reviews
The second in the Wondrous Strange series leaves you with more questions at the story's conclusion. It begins with Kelley in New York rehearsing 'Romeo & Juliet' & Sonny in the Otherworld hunting & killing the last of the Wild Hunt. But, as close to normal as things may seem, the repercussions from Samhain eve are just starting to be felt. Kelley is attacked by a leprechaun trying to recover the stolen clover charm that she's worn since she was a baby. We meet Gwynn Ap Nudd, the Vernal King & Titania, the Summer Queen. Auberon is ailing from a mysterious condition, Mabh is, well, Mabh. Fragments of secrets are revealed, but there isn't enough information given for anyone, even the reader, to truly discern what is happening. We learn that someone is plotting to take control of a lot of power, power that is somehow tied to Kelley & to Sonny. That someone, and the truth behind the attacks, is yet to be revealed...
Having developed the characters & plot line in the first story, Livingston sends us on a bit of an adventure in this story. We travel to Otherworld with both Kelley and Sonny, and we learn a bit more of the history of the Fae Race. There are more questions than answers in this book, making me want to read the third series as soon as it's released :)
http://readerbarbara.blogspot.com/2010/12/darklight-by-lesley-livingston.html
Having developed the characters & plot line in the first story, Livingston sends us on a bit of an adventure in this story. We travel to Otherworld with both Kelley and Sonny, and we learn a bit more of the history of the Fae Race. There are more questions than answers in this book, making me want to read the third series as soon as it's released :)
http://readerbarbara.blogspot.com/2010/12/darklight-by-lesley-livingston.html
Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com
Since the frightening events of last Halloween, which ended with her beloved, Sonny, forced to leave her and return to the Faerie world, Kelley has been rehearsing for a new play, testing her powers, and trying to keep hope that she'll see Sonny again soon.
His Janus friends provide her with protection and company, but they hardly compare. And her unnerving Faerie mother keeps sending her images of Sonny on his violent quest that make Kelley wonder just how well she knows the boy she fell in love with.
But Kelley soon finds she's got far more than romance to worry about. An old enemy of her friend Bob (otherwise known as Puck) is after her, and it looks as though he won't be happy until he's murdered her. And the father Kelley no longer wants to acknowledge is sick - perhaps on the verge of dying.
As Kelley struggles to stay alive and decide who deserves her loyalty, she discovers that a danger far greater than she imagined threatens not only her and Sonny, but all of Faerie.
DARKLIGHT picks up several months after the events of WONDROUS STRANGE, and readers who enjoyed the first book will immediately get wrapped up in the story. Livingston weaves a tale full of twists and turns few will see coming, leaving major villains unknown and everyone's motives except narrators Kelley and Sonny's uncertain.
The new mythology introduced is fascinating, and this book's main villain is creepy and horrifying. The story overall is serious, but bits of humor involving a kelpie named Lucky, Kelley's roommate, Tyff, and Bob keep if from seeming too solemn.
Unfortunately, the book also suffers somewhat from middle-of-the-trilogy syndrome, in which many conflicts are introduced or hinted at and very few are resolved. Of course, this will leave readers ravenous for the final volume!
Recommended to all fans of urban fantasy for a fresh take on Faerie lore; best to read WONDROUS STRANGE first, though, to follow the story properly.
Since the frightening events of last Halloween, which ended with her beloved, Sonny, forced to leave her and return to the Faerie world, Kelley has been rehearsing for a new play, testing her powers, and trying to keep hope that she'll see Sonny again soon.
His Janus friends provide her with protection and company, but they hardly compare. And her unnerving Faerie mother keeps sending her images of Sonny on his violent quest that make Kelley wonder just how well she knows the boy she fell in love with.
But Kelley soon finds she's got far more than romance to worry about. An old enemy of her friend Bob (otherwise known as Puck) is after her, and it looks as though he won't be happy until he's murdered her. And the father Kelley no longer wants to acknowledge is sick - perhaps on the verge of dying.
As Kelley struggles to stay alive and decide who deserves her loyalty, she discovers that a danger far greater than she imagined threatens not only her and Sonny, but all of Faerie.
DARKLIGHT picks up several months after the events of WONDROUS STRANGE, and readers who enjoyed the first book will immediately get wrapped up in the story. Livingston weaves a tale full of twists and turns few will see coming, leaving major villains unknown and everyone's motives except narrators Kelley and Sonny's uncertain.
The new mythology introduced is fascinating, and this book's main villain is creepy and horrifying. The story overall is serious, but bits of humor involving a kelpie named Lucky, Kelley's roommate, Tyff, and Bob keep if from seeming too solemn.
Unfortunately, the book also suffers somewhat from middle-of-the-trilogy syndrome, in which many conflicts are introduced or hinted at and very few are resolved. Of course, this will leave readers ravenous for the final volume!
Recommended to all fans of urban fantasy for a fresh take on Faerie lore; best to read WONDROUS STRANGE first, though, to follow the story properly.
This is the second book in the Wondrous Strange series. There are supposed to be three books total in this series. I liked this book a bit better than the first one; but it still wasn't anything extraordinary. You definitely need to read the first book, Wondrous Strange, to follow what happens in this book.
Kelley is trying to get on with her life as an actress in New York. Sonny is off in fairyland eliminating the Hunt one by one. They miss each other horribly. Kelley feels a need to take a walk through Central Park and is mugged by a man there. Ends up the man is a Leprechaun and he is after Kelley with a vengeance. In an attempt to save herself and Fennrys (one of the Janus guard) from a brutal attack, Kelley pulls them into fairyland. Once in Fairyland she faces a hoard of fairy politics and other fairy problems; one of which is Sonny himself.
There were some good things about this book. You get to learn more about the fairy world and meet a few more crazy fairy creatures. There is a lot of action and also a lot of romance between Kelley and Sonny. The story holds a couple interesting surprises for the readers and is relatively well put together. It is a quick read and an easy read.
There were also a lot of things that bothered me about the story. Sonny is kind of a jerk to Kelley, and she is kind of a jerk back. Still they are forever in love, and I still haven't figured out why. The strongest character in this book was Fennrys, then halfway through the story he disappears, only to reappear at the end. Most of the side characters are a far sight more interesting than Kelley and Sonny, and it is kind of a bummer that the story focuses on them. There are a lot of fight scenes but, as in the first book, they are missing something. None of the fight scenes seem to have the sense of urgency or action to them that you would expect. In general the story itself doesn't have much urgency. In fact I was hard-pressed to figure out why these evil Leprechauns were taking center stage in this story to begin with.
Overall, I got through the book and it was okay. It just left a lot to be desired in the areas of characterization, plot development, and action scenes. I was hoping this series would get better after the first book, but it hasn't. So, I guess, if you liked the first book a lot then you will like this one because they are similar in style. I will probably read the last book in the trilogy for some closure, but after that I don't think I will be picking up anymore of Livingston's books. If you are interested in book with a similar subject but stellar character development I would check out Holly Black's Modern Fairy Tale.
Kelley is trying to get on with her life as an actress in New York. Sonny is off in fairyland eliminating the Hunt one by one. They miss each other horribly. Kelley feels a need to take a walk through Central Park and is mugged by a man there. Ends up the man is a Leprechaun and he is after Kelley with a vengeance. In an attempt to save herself and Fennrys (one of the Janus guard) from a brutal attack, Kelley pulls them into fairyland. Once in Fairyland she faces a hoard of fairy politics and other fairy problems; one of which is Sonny himself.
There were some good things about this book. You get to learn more about the fairy world and meet a few more crazy fairy creatures. There is a lot of action and also a lot of romance between Kelley and Sonny. The story holds a couple interesting surprises for the readers and is relatively well put together. It is a quick read and an easy read.
There were also a lot of things that bothered me about the story. Sonny is kind of a jerk to Kelley, and she is kind of a jerk back. Still they are forever in love, and I still haven't figured out why. The strongest character in this book was Fennrys, then halfway through the story he disappears, only to reappear at the end. Most of the side characters are a far sight more interesting than Kelley and Sonny, and it is kind of a bummer that the story focuses on them. There are a lot of fight scenes but, as in the first book, they are missing something. None of the fight scenes seem to have the sense of urgency or action to them that you would expect. In general the story itself doesn't have much urgency. In fact I was hard-pressed to figure out why these evil Leprechauns were taking center stage in this story to begin with.
Overall, I got through the book and it was okay. It just left a lot to be desired in the areas of characterization, plot development, and action scenes. I was hoping this series would get better after the first book, but it hasn't. So, I guess, if you liked the first book a lot then you will like this one because they are similar in style. I will probably read the last book in the trilogy for some closure, but after that I don't think I will be picking up anymore of Livingston's books. If you are interested in book with a similar subject but stellar character development I would check out Holly Black's Modern Fairy Tale.
A typical faerie scenario - political intrigue between the Seelie and Unseelie courts. And of course, Sonny and Kelley are caught up in the middle. As a matter of fact, Kelley and Sonny are separated for most of the book. Kelley in the mortal world and Sonny in Faerie hunting down the last of the Wild Hunters. By King decree, Sonny can't return until they are all dead. Meanwhile, Kelley has her hands full in Central Park where evil leprechauns are trying to kill her for stealing their amulet. This is a wonderful though barbaric tale of love and betrayal. The trilogy conclusion ought to be very interesting.
The Wondrous Strange trilogy by Lesley Livingston is a modern day fairy tale surrounding the young and aspiring, stage actress Kelley, who has the world of Faeries thrust upon her very unexpectedly. If you haven't read the first book Wondrous Strange, I highly recommend that you do before reading Darklight.
After reading Wondrous Strange, I eagerly went straight to reading Darklight. Darklight had strong character growth, a deepening romance and a darker story line that continued to grab my attention. Kelley had more of an angst attitude and Sonny isn't as trusting as he was before plus fighting the Hunters has giving him a harder edge. These changes in Kelley and Sonny causes tension between them but it also deepens their feelings for one another. I also enjoyed seeing Fennrys in a whole new light, proving he is capable of more then just fighting and growling (Yes, he growls!) as he was previously portrayed.
I found it fascinating how Lesley created hints at parallels in this story to theatre production of Romeo & Juliet. She did the same thing in Wondrous Strange with A Midsummer Night's Dream. Lesley's portrayal of the Faeries, are just as I have pretty much imagined them to be: whimsical, fickle in nature, and loving and hating in the same breath. You never know if you can trust them. This is what makes them so dangerous in this story and antes up the mystery. Oh, and not all the Fair Folk are magically delicious either the leprechauns are terrifying.
The ending was one I didn't see coming. It left me feeling awed and frustrated in a good way. I'm eagerly looking forward to the final conclusion to this trilogy.
Cover note: I think the covers of the books in the Wondrous Strange trilogy do a terrific job depicting what Kelley looks like. She looks just as I would imagine her to be.
After reading Wondrous Strange, I eagerly went straight to reading Darklight. Darklight had strong character growth, a deepening romance and a darker story line that continued to grab my attention. Kelley had more of an angst attitude and Sonny isn't as trusting as he was before plus fighting the Hunters has giving him a harder edge. These changes in Kelley and Sonny causes tension between them but it also deepens their feelings for one another. I also enjoyed seeing Fennrys in a whole new light, proving he is capable of more then just fighting and growling (Yes, he growls!) as he was previously portrayed.
I found it fascinating how Lesley created hints at parallels in this story to theatre production of Romeo & Juliet. She did the same thing in Wondrous Strange with A Midsummer Night's Dream. Lesley's portrayal of the Faeries, are just as I have pretty much imagined them to be: whimsical, fickle in nature, and loving and hating in the same breath. You never know if you can trust them. This is what makes them so dangerous in this story and antes up the mystery. Oh, and not all the Fair Folk are magically delicious either the leprechauns are terrifying.
The ending was one I didn't see coming. It left me feeling awed and frustrated in a good way. I'm eagerly looking forward to the final conclusion to this trilogy.
Cover note: I think the covers of the books in the Wondrous Strange trilogy do a terrific job depicting what Kelley looks like. She looks just as I would imagine her to be.
