Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely #1)

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.

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 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.  :)

Reader reviewed by GRgenius

Aislinn is your normal teenage girl.  She hangs with her friends, goes to school, lives with her grandmother....oh yeah, and she has the Sight.  What is that you may ask?  The Sight allows her to see the faeries that live among us.  She has been told all of her life to pretend that she doesn't see them, but not the reason as to why.  Never did she inquire as she witnessed the horrible tricks they would play on unsuspecting humans, but perhaps curiousity in this case would be best.  Successfully managing her abilities has kept her out of their focus thus far, but now the Summer King, Keenan, has his sights set on her.  Believing her to be his long-lost Summer Queen, he steals her mortality giving her one of two choices.  Believe in the fate he sees for her and challenge the Snow Queen to become an equal ruler of fey, or accept defeat and linger as a Summer girl....  What a decision to make!  Let's not forget her recent love life development with her long time friend Seth!  Can she leave her world behind?

The first in a series of books dealing with the fey, it will captivate your heart and steal you away to their world.  Happy reading!

Reader reviewed by fayeflame

SYNOPSIS
Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk
hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if
they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence
as other teens.



Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal
parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking
questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.



Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his
queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His
is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any
cost-regardless of her plans or desires.



Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working
anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend,
Seth; everything.

Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and
modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning
twenty-first-century faery tale.

REVIEW
I love fairies, it was dark and fun. It was a great book but my heart
was torn between Seth and Keenan. I'm not gonna lie i wanted Ash with
Keenan. But i don't know if he just wants a stronger court or if he
really loves Ash. I can't see how Seth will fit in the Fairy realm. But
i'll have to wait and see.

I always thought fairies were like
Tinker bell, but Melissa Marr's fairies are the total opposite, dark
and unpredictable. I love her fairies And this book.

Reader reviewed by Sarah

I enjoyed this book. It was different but captivating all the same.
I liked how Marr had somebody for everyone to love and no one was left alone.
There was some fighting scenes in the latter part of the book that was hard for me to read. They weren't hardly graphic at all but I had already fell in love with the characters and so it was hard for me to read about them getting hurt.
I am glad I read this book and I eagerly await reading Ink Exchange.
It is a modern fairytale and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys science fiction.

Reader reviewed by Debbie

Im not normally too into the whole fairie idea so I was surprised
how much I enjoyed this book.  The story draws you in almost
immediately and I did not want to put the book down until I found out
how things would end up between Aislinn, Seth, Keenan and Donia.  The
best part of this book for me was I did not predict the ending.  I know
what I wanted to happen but I was surprised by what actually took place.

I hate to compare this book to Twilight because its totally
unrelated but I did prefer Aislinn as the heroine over Bella in
Twilight.  Bella was a little to clingy and overly dependent on
Edward.  Aislinn has a nice balance of a slightly vulnerable yet strong
heroine.  So you have to admire her and hope she ends up with a happy
story.  I cannot wait to start Marrs next book.

Reprinted here with author's permission.

Reader reviewed by AlliBalli

I thought that this is a really good book. I really loved all of the descriptions and the faeries. There aren't that many books that use faeries. Aislinn's conflict with the whole having to pretend that she couldn't see faeries was pretty intense. And I loved the way that the prologue started out. I couldn't tell if it was Aislinn's ordeal or what.
I got so mad when Keenan wanted her, because Seth had been with her for so much longer, and I just wanted them to be together, so I was really happy when Keenan and Donia got together and Seth and Aislinn were together. That was great.