Author: Maggie Stiefvater (Illustrations by Julia Jeffrey)
Publisher: Flux
Copyright Date: 2008
Print Date: October 2008
ISBN: 9780738713700
Pages: 325
Series: 1st of the Books of Faerie
Book Description (from first page):
Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand — one who can see faeries.
Unexpectedly, Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass — a soulless faerie assassin — and his interest in her might be something darker than summer romance. An sinister faerie named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. They both carry the same assignment from the Faerie Queen, one that forces Dee right into the midst of Faerie. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend.
Deirdre had been wishing her summer weren't so dull, but taking on a centuries-old Faerie Queen isn't exactly what she had in mind.
Music:
It seems Maggie Stiefvater is into writing her own music. She did so for the shiver trailer, and she has written some songs for this book as well. If you're interested, you can find and listen (free) here (scroll past the book description info).
Comments:
It seems every Faerie book (and can't someone decide on one spelling? How'm I supposed to tag reviews when each one has it's own spelling?) I read is creepy dark. That being said, I was drawn into this story just as I was shiver — though the feel is definitely different — this is darker and more haunting.
The book is divided into parts, and each part has a black and white one page illustration that helps portray the mood and emphasize the story.
Regarding the characters, Deirdre/Dee is likeable, as is Luke (despite his past). James is cool in that he doesn't have any drawn out "you're crazy" hesistations when Dee tells him what's going on. The family is a mixed bunch...full of secrets, some likeable (in that you know they care about Dee), and others most definitely not likeable. The faeries are not to be trusted, and most certainly self-interested, but not all bad (some are, of course).
And as for the ending... In the short-term it's satisfying but in the long-term (In a "How will things work out beyond the night?" way) — I need to read the next book, Ballad.
Ballad has been published; I've requested it through the local library. I'm the only one in line, but since it's newly acquired, I don't when they'll actually have it available. Hopefully soon. I want my questions answered.
