Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely #1)

This fast paced, action packed series is focused on the world that is filled with a variety of faeries that are invisible to humans. These are not the nice, friendly faeries from tales but fearsome creatures they prey upon humans. The first book follows a young girl, Aislinn, who has the ability to see the faeries for what they are. She is chosen, against her efforts, by the Summer King to undergo a trial to become his long lost Summer Queen. Together they must face trials, challenges and the terrifying faerie world.

The entire series follows a variety of character some human, some faeries from the Summer Court, Dark Court, Winter Court and the High Court. The range of characters keeps the series fast paced and interest with very few slow moments.

I remember reading this when it first came out, it was everything I was looking for in a book, great plot, girl finding her own strength, and hot alternative guys. I fell in love with this dark world, the fairies and the power struggle. I recently reread this book and it still gets me, it's just so wonderfully written and the characters seem so real.

It's wonderful and entertaining. Though, it is slightly rushed in some areas. The ending would've been better if it had, well, more. The final showdown with The Winter Queen seemed far too easy, too quick. It should've been harder than that.

I still love Seth so much! That will never change. If he was a real person I'd run away with him. He's one of my ultimate favorite fictional guys.

Donia happened to be my favorite character this time around while before it was Aislinn. The later was a bit too whiney for me. If I got the chance to live forever and be a fairy queen I'd be happy, yes it would suck to have all your friends and family die but you'd get to be with all generations of your family.

Overall, I'd recommend it to anyone who loves fairies or urban fantasy. It's a quick read that you'll enjoy immensely.

First of all—the cover. I realize the cover has nothing to do with the actual book, but it’s a very nice cover, you must agree.
Aside from the cover, the story itself was good. It wasn’t too predictable, like so many YA books happen to be. I wouldn’t say that I was kept on my toes, but I didn’t guess what was going to happen the second I finished the first chapter. I liked that. If you know what’s going to happen, why even bother to read? So that was a big plus.

I liked the characters a lot as well. They were all charming and fun to read about. Adam is a swoon-worthy leading man, and Warner is a bad guy who I think has a bit more depth than your average villain (I’ll will look forward to reading more about him in the sequel). Juliette herself wasn’t my favorite character, as far as female progatonists go, but she wasn’t horrid or dull or stupid, and I liked being inside her head.

But the best thing about this was the writing. It was fantastic, absolutely amazing. It reminds me of Lauren DeStefano’s style, only I think Mafi’s goes beyond that and brings something more to the table. Every sentence was an image, every paragraph a metaphor, especially in the beginning. As the plot progressed, Mafi’s prose got a bit lighter on the imagery, just by necessity of keeping the action moving. But it still showed up.

One very intersting aspect of Mafi’s writing was the strikethrough text. I’ve never seen that in a book, and though at times it was distracting for me, I thought it was a lovely touch on the whole.

I could not find the locale used in the beginning—the insane asylum—to be believable. This sounds like a trivial detail, but in the long run I think it’s important. The asylum is where Mafi chose to open her book, and as far as world-building goes, I don’t think she did a good job here.

Mostly my issue my the asylum is with the “shower scene” described in chapter 3. I have a hard time believing that, even when the world is in chaos, a government institution like a hospital would function the way it was described. Opening all the prisoners’ cells at one time to let them find their way through a pitch-black maze of hallways to the showers? Not even realistic. Who in their right mind, if they wanted to keep control, would let a bunch of “disturbed” kids roam around a dark building with no idea where they are or what exactly it is they’re looking for? This sounds like a romantic plot device to get our two love interests alone together in the dark. Unimpressive.

However, my real issue with this book was Juliette’s character. Self-loathing does not make for a good plot. I can only put up with so much “woe-is-me-I-killed-a-person” and “I’m-so-isolated-from-everything” and “my-parents-hated-me.” It gets old. And it’s hard to have a strong female lead who thinks she’s worthless and should just die to save other people. The only thing that made Juliette’s character palatable was the fact that she snapped out of her woebegone self-loathing. Mind you, it happened in the second-to-last chapter. But it happened, so I forgive her.

This was a fantastic read! It’s only my second YA dystopian novel, but if there are others out there like this one, I see the appeal. Mafi’s brilliant writing was the big seller here, but in most respects it was a very good debut.

As with so many other young adult paranormal books I expected it to be on the shallow end but it really wasn’t. This had a gritter feel to it and wasn’t just about someone falling in love with someone else. There is a plot behind the attractions and there are actual consequences to their actions.

I really like the change in pace with the use of the Fae court and it’s fairly original in storyline. The different type of Fae are really interesting to read about and pretty fun to try and visualize. I was a little surprised with the level of sexual content at first though, not entirely use to that in “young adult” novels, so that is something to be noted before reading this book. It’s not overwhelming and it’s in the right moments but there is a fair amount of sexual tension. Rating aside it is an interesting storyline with a likable and strong female lead, as well as likable men to compliment her. There is a “love triangle” of sorts but it’s not the typical one so that doesn’t become too annoying either. Keenan is an interesting male interest and his situation isn’t typical, I also like the fact that just because he’s attractive and interested doesn’t mean that the girl will automatically fall in love with him and plan out their future. Seth is I suppose the typical ‘bad boy’ interest in the story, though he wasn’t so caught up in being a rebel that he didn’t have his depth. I was also pleased with the way that it ended, a little surprised at the lack of a cliff hanger since series typically thrive on them but I’m kind of glad she didn’t add one because I have enough to read at the moment without feeling like I’m missing out on something. Some parts were a little see through in the plot but it didn’t really detract from the interest level. I did find it a bit stereotypical that with the type of the school she was in that her and her friends were the typical “bad” girls, but that wasn’t a huge part of the story so it’s fine.

Overall really good book though and I look forward to reading the next one. I do recommend this, but if you are looking for something for younger teens I’d check out the level of sexual content first and see if you are comfortable with it.

I didn't read this book for a very long time because I was unsure about whether I would enjoy it. It seemed like such a hit or miss book, I could either love it a lot or really hate it, so I just didn't read it. Finally, after reading a review that praised certain aspects of it, that I was sure I would like it I decided to borrow it from the library. I am certainly glad I did! It was an amazing book, I love the background story, the imperfections of the characters and the way things ended. While I enjoy a happy ending, I find I prefer an imperfect ending, where while everything wasn't resolved to make everyone happy, things worked out in the best way that would be realistic. I was very pleased with how everything went, there were so many ways that everything could have been resolved in a way that would have been terribly cliche and bleh. Fortunately that was not the case, which made me love it more than I thought I would, I can't wait to read the next book now.

I really enjoyed this book. I love that the Summer King is conflicted. I love that he can't really have what he wants. I love the relationship between Ash and Seth. Oh how I LOVE the relationship between Ash and Seth!

The plot and the writing are both wicked and lovely. I was intrigued and captivated from the very start. A gorgeous addition to dark fairy tales.

ash is a teenage high school student who can see the Fey not that she tells anybody its a secret shes kept since a child... her grandmother raised her to pretend NOT to see them. WHY? because they would kill her just like they did her mother.
Until one starts stalking her Keenan is a summer king and he believes ash to be his summer queen who can save his court and make it strong.
One problem Ash doesnt want anything to do with him! but he wont take no for an answer which causes problems between ash and her bf seth.

Melissa marr has started this series really strongly! and i feel it can only get better

Reader reviewed by Nikki aka SpunkiiReader

This story starts off with a normal (well almost normal) girl, see she can see Faeries, and not the cute fairies such as Tinker Bell. This is the world of the folklore, elves, pixies, goblins, ect.  Aislinn grew up seeing faeries, her grandmother told her to never talk, look at or even acknowledge them. If the faeries find out you can see them they will harm you or worse kill you. For years shes been doin a good job keeping to herself, until one day she starts being stalked by one faerie in particular, Keenan. He's choosen her. What will Aislinn do to try and stay out of the world of faerie? What is it that Keenan wants with Aislinn?

This book is a must read if you love fantasy, faeries, and romance. You will not want to put this book down. Pick it up, read and enjoy.

Reader reviewed by Margay Justice

Melissa Marr did a wonderful job of building a world unlike any I had ever read prior to this book. Rich in detail and lore, this book is an interesting read that will have you guessing until the very end about its outcome. There are many twists and turns as this story unfolds and believe me, you will be kept guessing about the resolution of certain relationships until the very end. You may be happy with it or it may make you wish for a different outcome but, ultimately, you will realize that this is more than a story about finding love; it's a story about finding oneself. And that is just what Aislinn does and she does it without compromising her principals.

Reader reviewed by Mary

When i started reading it.. it was kinda boring but when i got on 100 something it got better and its actually nice. I love Seth and the other characters. Before reading this book i wasn't into fairy tales but my friend told that i should read it and now i love reading fairy tales.

So if you're into fairy tales then you should read this! If not then you should still try reading this.  :)