Review: Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston

WARNING: If you haven't read books 1 & 2 of the Wondrous Strange trilogy , then you probably shouldn't read this review. Especially since it may contain spoilers!

T e m p e s t u o u s by Lesley Livingston

Release Date: 12/21/10 (Hardcover)
Upcoming: Once Every Never

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Young Adult (13+)

Pages: 368

Source: Public/Local Library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle
Word Blurb: Magical, mystical, pretty good!

 

Synopsis-"'I don't love Sonny Flannery.' That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.
But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley.
The intrigue and romance that began with Wondrous strange and Darklight come to a stormy head in Tempestuous, the breathtaking conclusion to Lesley Livingston's ravishing urban Faerie trilogy." Goodreads»»

Quick Thinking: Although not as magnificent as anticipated, Tempestuous was a satisfying closing to this amazing trilogy! Love is majorly tested...bad guys turning up most unexpectedly...hateful crimes and killings...intense fighting and spell-casting...griping best friends and roommate...Tempestuous carries all of the qualities that made me fall in love with this trilogy to begin with! From a joyous love to an exhilarating whirlwind of a plot all they way down to the humor pouring out of the characters, this third book once again leads fans into the wondrous unknown. Uncover the deeply puzzling events that have spanned across these three books alongside the fiery Kelley Winslow, and read as she fights to save the parents she never knew, a world she's only just discovered and the world that housed her, and for a love she's just turned away from. 

My Thoughts In-Depth: *Note: May not be spoiler-free.*  I was a little disappointed in this book, not going to fib. After that amazing ride in Darklight, I had expected the novel to go up a few notches. For this installment to be as explosive and as unparalleled as the second. But, it wasn't. Maybe, my expectations were a little too high. I just felt as if the trilogy ended too...neatly, I guess. I love that sensation when you're reading and everything has just fallen into place, but it felt more planned, more controlled. Tied up too neatly.

Added to that, the Sonny and Kelley conflict consuming almost the first half of the book didn't sit well with me. I was prepared for their separation, or thought I was. But, in truth, I hated every second they were apart. And I was actually pushed to anger when I saw how they were starting to realize attraction to other people, conveniently. It just bugged me, you know? While I got Kelley's reasoning for turning Sonny away, it just didn't seem entirely necessary. I live for Kelley-Sonny action and the fact that I was deprived for much of the book made me want to tear something up or throw something. You love him, so why aren't you protecting him by being with him and helping him?! Why couldn't you have trusted him with the secret lurking within him and help him the best you could instead of pushing him away?!

Review: Darklight by Lesley Livingston

WARNING: If you haven't read WONDROUS STRANGE, then you probably shouldn't read this review. Especially since it may contain spoilers!

D a r k l i g h t

Author: Lesley Livingston (Site Bio)

Release Date: 12/22/09 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Harper Teen

Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Pages: 310

Source: Public Library (Local)

Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Utterly, completely fantastical!
Summary: Goodreads

Kelly [Winslow] stretched out her arm. Her fingertips crackled with eldritch energies as she wound up and threw a handful of unformed magick like a fastball at the surface of the stream. The water erupted in a boiling geyser, and when the roiling subsided, the nyxxie floated motionless, stunned by the blast, its seaweed-black hair spread wide...Kelley's breath came in gasps, her muscles ached...lacertations on her leg from the nyxx claws stung fiercely. But she knew she was grinning from ear to ear. Kelley hadn't felt this truly alive in months" (16).

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I have to say that Darklight took me by pleasant surprise as this novel has more...just, more compared to the first novel in this wonderful series. Darklight's predecessor didn't captivate me as well as this one had. There was a greater, bigger intriguing mystery festering behind the plot, a brilliant, fascinating adventure, a possible, brewing love triangle, a stunning romance between the two main leads, and a whole heck of a lot more unanswered questions and hardships to be faced. New power...secret plots...boiling resentments...suspicious persons around every corner...I tell you, the novel was a delicious, enchanting read that I'm almost sad to put down!

I admire Kelley far more now than I had before...her growing Fae power dazzles me and her developing strength as a fellow teen who has to endure the burden of her heritage, her origins amazes me. She commands so well, and her stubbornness both amuses me and leaves me exasperated. Still, I must say that I love Sonny, Kelley's love, a great deal more. He's just such a beautiful person AND he's great in battle, in a fight. *grins* I just delight in that aspect of a guy, especially in this guy.

"Sonny pulled Lucky up short and swung around to face Fennrys. 'I'm not afraid to die. I just don't want to die surprised. And I swear to all the gods, if the last thought that goes through my mind is What the hell was that? I will hunt you down in the afterlife and punch you in the face throughout eternity" (178).

The side characters made for an excellent, well-thought-out array of individuals, including those newly introduced in this novel. There was not one that I deeply disliked. I adore Queen Mab, her likeness to Kelly, and enjoy her exquisitely dark, twisted nature that seems to continually provoke chaos for not only Faerie-kind but humankind as well. King Auberon reminds me of Kelley as well, which is also fun. He makes an interesting, dubious king, to me at least, but he's pretty neat all and all. Puck Goodfellow, or Bob, is an entertaining, whimsical, humorous boost to this novel. But, my favorite of the side roles bunch would be Tyffanwy, or Tyff, Kelley's stylish, sarcastic roommate who knows how to crack a hilarious joke or kick some serious butt...my kind of gal pal indeed.

"Tyff came stalking through the loading doors, carrying a lead pipe in one fist and trailing a hulking menace in her wake.
'I heard there's a party going on in here,' the Summer Fae sang out. 'I forgot snacks, but I brought my own ogre...' With Tyff and Harvicc's arrival the fight intensified" (282).

"Tyff's brow furrowed in concentration. 'Well there was four or five of those trashy goat bimbos in my direct line of sight when blank when all apocalypto with the light show...'" (294).

The two new Fae additions were the only other monarchs that hadn't been introduced in the last novel: Titannia, Queen of Summer, and Gwynn ap Nudd, King of the Court of Spring. An intriguing duo if you ask me, though I met them separately. They both make me suspicious, though neither one has done anything to indicate they mean any harm. In fact, more in Titannia's case at least, they seemed friendly which right away sets off alarms of suspicion in my mind.

The Janus Guard had less of a strong appearance in this novel; Darklight didn't really focus on them as much as the first one, apart from Fennrys Wolf, Kelley's current protector and possible...hm, attraction. I would say I liked him if that were the case, but I don't. He, too, set off numerous warning bells in my head. I don't trust him, not in the slightest. But, on the bright side, he is pretty handy in a fight which he coolly proves repeatedly throughout the novel. There most definitely is a lot of fascinating, fast-paced action scenes in this second installment of Livingston's current series and it made Darklight all the more thrilling.

As far as seeing a sparkling romance, love I was absolutely not disappointed, so much so that I encountered an immense amount of sadness by the time I got to the ending (which I will touch on briefly in a moment). There are truly no words to describe the way Sonny loves Kelley...and I just adore Kelley's fierce protectiveness of Sonny as well. There relationship is based on devotion and contains so much emotion, passion and tenderness, it's charming, touching even.

"'Sonny?' She looked up into his face, certain she was dreaming.
'Firecracker,' he whispered, his silver-gray eyes sparkling.
His voice in the dimness was music. His arms around her were the feeling of coming home as he tightened his embrace. And his kiss...
His kiss was joy" (244).

"Sonny ran his fingertips over Kelley's cheek and through her hair. She was so beautiful to him, and when he had seen her hovering the air, surrounded by the darklight glow of her wings, he had felt his heart swell in his chest" (245).

Darklight's closing left me flustered; a tangled mess of volatile emotions. I was frustrated, upset, confused, astonished all at once, while enjoying the sensation of excitement and anticipation for what's to come. I'm far beyond anxious to bring home the finale, Tempestuous, of this fantastical series.

Thanks for reading!

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Look out for the final installment of the Wondrous Strange trilogy,

Tempestuous

(to-be-released: 12/21/10)

Review: Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Wondrous Strange (Book 1)

Author: Lesley Livingston (Website)

Release Date:9/22/09

Publisher: Harper Teen

Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Source: Borrowed (Public Library)

Go Buy It! Amazon/Barnes&Noble/BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Very good!

"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." (Goodreads)

Plot & Ending: So, this passed Sunday I participated in In My Mailbox and one of the books I picked up was this one and it's sequel, Darklight. I started Sunday afternoon and it took me a little long to finish this one. Why? Because the plot was a little too slow for me in the beginning.


But, it was pretty cool. The story behind Wondrous Strange revolves around the Fae, and this dangerous power, The Wild Hunt. It's centered in New York, more specifically Central Park. In fact one of the four gates designed to restrain the Fae from entering the mortal realm, Samhain, is disguised in Central Park. Pretty neat, right?


Kelley Winslow (a rad name, by the way) is the heroine. A seventeen year old actress chasing a big dream, accidentally starring in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, playing the role of Queen Titania. Turns out that she isn't just playing a role. While she may not be Queen Titania, she's definitely not human. But, her secret was totally unexpected, at least in the beginning.


In comes Sonny Flannery. Oh, how I love knights in shining armor! Not that he actually does have armor, but he is one of the thirteen Janus. Guardians of the Samhain gate. 


As I mentioned before, the plot went a little too slow for me, at least in the beginning. Once I got halfway through, things started to pick up speed, and  my interest piqued. BUT, this wasn't one of my most loved reads, though it was good.


The ending was actually my favorite part. If you've ever read it, you may be wondering why due to Sonny's predicament. For me, it was a very emotional scene. *this may be a tiny little bit spoilerish, so skip over this part if you don't want to know* Being that Sonny and Emma were basically reunited, the whole "I love thee", and Bob's dedication to Kelly all add up to a really great ending, one that pulled and tugged on a lot of warm emotions. 


All and all it was a pretty good read and you'll probably like it, so go pick up a copy!


Characters: While I wouldn't say these characters are necessarily flat, they aren't exactly all that memorable, if that makes sense? I don't feel like there's any real depth to them. I loved Kelley's fiery temper, gift of being raised by the Irish. Sonny didn't turn out to be one of my favorite characters, but I fell in love with the romance that blooms between the both of them. It's so very tender and heart-felt, you can't help but love it. The humor brought to the book comes from Tyff, Kelley's roommate. Hilarious as hell would be the best was to describe her. Another cool character was Bob, aka Puck in this novel, who is very dedicated to Kelley, and is sort of funny too. 


I was a little disappointed by the fact that there isn't too much revealed about the Janus guards. I felt like there was a lot more to them than what is revealed in the book. Other than that I liked the whole cast. (:

Cover: I adore the cover! She is so beautiful, the reddish hair, the lipstick color, the pale skin, and then the dark background. Very nice. 


Stay tuned for a review on the sequel, Darklight...