Saturday, July 24, 2010
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
7/24/2010 | Posted by
Sarah (My World of Books)
Title: Wondrous Strange
Author: Lesley Livingston
Series: Wondrous Strange #1
Published: December 23, 2008
Genre: Young Adult
*from Library
Why I am reading: I have heard so many great things about this novel. I just had to pick it up and give it a try.
Book Description:
17 year-old Kelley Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what she thinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelley's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye.
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Rating: 4 Stars-Loved it!
Everything about the novel was great! A very enjoyable read
Everything about the novel was great! A very enjoyable read
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Review:
I finally got my hands on Wondrous Strange after convincing myself to get it from the library. This is my first faery novel I read so everything about this novel was new to me. Overall, I really love the plot, the characters, and the world Livingston created.
Wondrous Strange follows the life of Kelley Winslow, a seventeen year-old aspiring actress. She is an understudy for the play A Midsummer Night's Dream. She dreams of making it big on stage, but for now, she does what she can to make rent. After the actress playing Queen Titania got injured, Kelley is thrust on stage for her big moment. After fumbling her way through rehearsal, Kelley goes to Central Park to practice her lines and this is where the story really begins.
The main characters Kelley and Sonny are both strong and vulnerable. Kelley is a teenager who is trying to make it on her own in New York. Sonny, a newly appointed Janus guard, is making the rounds in Central Park when he stumbles upon Kelley. I loved both characters, but I thought they “fell in love” too fast. Characters, especially young characters, falling in love within a few days is a pet peeve of mine. I know it is typical of teenagers, but it makes the romance unbelievable to me. I do think they are intensely attracted to each other, but I do not think they know each other well enough to swear undying love.
I really enjoyed Lesley's writing style. I would not say I was completely engrossed, but I really enjoyed the easy flow of words. Occasionally when I start a new series, I have a hard time understanding the world the author created, not with this novel though. Livingston handled it beautifully and I really appreciated it.
The novel was a great read and I immediately placed a hold on Darklight. I finished it a few days ago so I will post the review sometime next week.
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3 comments:
yes yes YES! woo-hoo!
Isn't WONDROUS STRANGE excellent?
well, umm okay you've already said that.
But I am sO gLaD you liked it!! this is definitely my favorite faerie series ever :DD
on to DARKLIGHT!
Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series and Holly Black are both amazing writers and have written some of the best "faery" books out there. Glad you liked it overall!
I only have Melissa Marr and Holly Black books of faeries. While I have not read any of those, I like the sound of this one too. Thanks for the review.
p/s: I don't like if YA characters fall in love very quick either.
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