The Book Scout: Review: Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Review: Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

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.

Review:

Wondrous Strange was a fantastic mix of mystery and romance, and the plot was completely original, with great characters and suspense that made me sit for two hours straight and read. From the first page I was pulled in. Kelley’s script for A Midsummer’s Nights Dream was the first thing I saw when I opened up the book. It immediately intrigued me, as I have acted in that very play before. Kelley was a great main character, but at times I think she accepted things too quickly. Kelley’s romance with Sonny was terrific. It was so believable and real. One of my favorite parts of this book was how you never knew who was who. Many people Kelley thought were mortal were not and this really kept the book moving. The setting was such a great idea- Central Park in New York City. It was such a creative place to have the majority of the novel take place.

I’ve read a few other faerie books like Wings and Wicked Lovely and I’ve loved them all. Something about faeries really intrigues me. Wondrous Strange was an original idea and I loved that faeries weren’t the only creatures in the book- Sirens, kelpies, Black Shucks (don’t ask), all made an appearance. The Wild Hunt added a whole new dimension to the book and the ending involving the Hunt made me feel like I couldn’t read fast enough! It was so intense and exciting. I have to mention Sonny again- I loved him! He was brave and knowledgeable and never gave up on Kelley even when she hated him at first. Sonny was honest and the character I’m most excited about hearing more things about in Darklight. The ending of Wondrous Strange was just…amazing! Fight scenes, drama, excitement…it had it all and I was literally at the end of my seat at some points. Definitely go pick up a copy of Wondrous Strange as soon as possible (it recently came out in paperback!) because not only is it an amazing book, the cover is just gorgeous!