Recent Reads: Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
Series: Book of Faerie #1
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date:  October 2008

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Bought/ Owned

Rating:




 

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind . . .

Lament is a dark faerie fantasy that features authentic Celtic faerie lore, plus cover art and interior illustrations by acclaimed faerie artist Julia Jeffrey.

 Review: 

More than a few years ago, I worked for a writing non-profit. I worked with teachers looking to teach better writing and write for themselves, and I also worked with a lot of young writers. At our young writers summer camp we had the pleasure of hosting Maggie Stiefvater to talk to them one evening  (to this day I kick myself that I did not attend) … what does this have to do with a book review? Well I have had Lament sitting on my home bookshelf since then…since about 2009… (I know I am a huge slacker). For the month of May it was the book pulled from my TBR jar, so I finally read it. I am so happy that I did.

Lament is one of Stiefvater’s earlier books, the first in a series about faeries. I love books about faeries most of the time so I was hoping to love this one as well and I definitely did. Stiefvater produced a beautifully sad love story that made me want to keep reading – and that is what I did, I read this whole book in a matter of two sittings. The characters have growth and the plot is entertaining – sometimes a little frustrating, but very good overall. Deirdre the main character begins as shy and reserved and a bit of a loner and later falls head over heels for a mysterious boy she barely knows but who gives her confidence and the lift she needed to become a stronger person. Luke is…well… a swoon-worthy character, but also very funny to read.

I really enjoyed the love story but also the other faerie elements of the book. I think the only pet peeve I have about it was the lack of freaking out. I mean if you told me faeries were trying to take me and kill me, I am pretty positive I would freak out a LOT more than Deirdre does as she learns about everything…just saying…