Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr

Published: HarperTeen

Publisher: June 2007

Pages: 328

Copy Provided by: Christinabean

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

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. He 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 andymore, 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 stunnning twenty-first century faery tale.

Review

Since I'm new to the whole faery/fairy scene, I must tell you up front that this book is not for a younger teen audience. Where I pictured faeries to be fine and dainty in Aprilynne Pike's Wings and Spells, in Wicked Lovely, they were completely opposite. Marr painted faeries to be deceptive, dark, devious and well, wicked. Some of them were very scary faeries!

One aspect of the book that I enjoyed was how Marr drew real issues into her story without making it overtly obvious. There were lessons, hints and small whisperings of right and wrong, particularly as Keenan struggled to convince Aislinn of her destiny. Wicked Lovely also had nuances of rape and sexual abuse. One scene in particular made me squirm uncomfortably as a young fairy was pinned and molested by dark fey.

Can't imagine what the darker side of faery life is like? Well, you're in luck! Wicked Lovely has been optioned for a movie and it will be directed by Kimberly Peirce (Corpse Bride). Can't wait for this to come out!!

So....I was about 20 pages from finishing Wicked Lovely when we went to the Smart Chicks Kick it signing. I ended up reading the rest while standing in line, waiting for autographs. Just prior to weaving our way in and out of the bookshelves, we were lucky enough to have a one-on-one interview with all 7 Smart Chicks. Upon hearing that we were librarians, Melissa Marr donated a stack of booksmarks to our teen program. It was so sweet and our teen book club attendees are going to love it. What a unexpectedly generous thing to do! Thank you Melissa!!

So what's she like in person? She's wickedly lovely.

BTW Melissa, Keenan reminds me of an old boyfriend I used to date. Marry, Shag or Toss? I think he'd be on my toss list. No offense.