Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception (Books of Faerie, #1)
by Maggie Stiefvater
by Maggie Stiefvater
Pages: 325
My rating: A
Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She’s about to find out she’s also a cloverhand―one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass―a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky―and equally dangerous―dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen’s sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren’t so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn’t exactly what she had in mind…
Deidre is your average 16 year old musical genius, trying to blend in to the high school crowd. She seems to be doing just fine. That is, until the regional music competition. She meets the gorgeous Luke Dillon, and her world changes forever. Luke convinces Deidre that she can do anything that she puts her mind to. At first, Deidre thinks it is all just a pep talk before her big stage performance. Then, she begins to discover that she really can. Just who is this strange boy that appeared from nowhere, and why are all of these changes happening so suddenly?
Let me just say…I love Maggie Stiefvater. I read Shiver a few months ago and fell in love with it. I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of its sequal, Linger (out July 20th, in case you’re interested). I have to say, it was very refreshing to read a paranormal YA book that didn’t include vampires. This is the first book that I’ve read dealing with the world of faeries. I do know some of the lore (have you seen my rockin’ fairy tattoo? I’ll post a picture at the end!), but this book made me want to do some research and dig deeper into the legends. Maggie wove the faerie myths into the book in a way that made them meld perfectly with present day. She didn’t push and overdo it. I love that about her.
Deidre is such a great character. As a matter of fact, all of the main characters in this novel were wonderful. They were realistic. Well, as realistic as can be in a paranormal/fantasy novel. I love that Deidre felt guilt in such a realistic way and was really torn by the decisions that she faced. Her best friend James, was so funny! He was a very vivid character, and I can’t seem to get him out of my head. I love the way that Stiefvater creates a world that is so absolutely filled with mystical creatures, yet I could totally see myself hanging out there. Way to go, Maggie Stiefvater!