Canada
UK
)by Maggie Stiefvater (Website, Blog, MySpace, Facebook)
Publisher: Flux
Paperback: 336 pages
Excerpt: Prologue and First Chapter in PDF
Flux's Blurb:
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.
Mulluane's Take:
This sounds like a fun YA read especially if it holds true to Celtic lore. ( I have a soft spot for all things Celtic.) The blurb does not show it, but this is a contemporary fantasy, not my usual fare, but the premise intrigues me enough to possibly break my own rules. The sequel BALLAD: THE GATHERING OF THE FAERIE is due out fall of 2009. For a taste of Maggie Stiefvater's writing check out Merry Sisters of Fate where she contributes short stories every Friday.
Tia's Take:
A musician protagonist? Faery assassins and solders? Music as magic? Call me hooked. This showcase introduces another publisher that I've never featured here at Fantasy Debut. I checked them out and they are the YA imprint of Llewellyn, a Wicca/Pagan publisher. This novel has starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist.
4 comments:
This sounds like a real find. I look forward to your review. Charles de Lint is also big on combining themes of music and faerie. I look forward to your reviews. Two for the price of one!
I used to read Charles de Lint as well, but it's been a while.
Now, to obtain a copy!
Oh I bought this book last week! I can't wait to read it....
I've read LAMENT and it is absolutely gorgeous. Lush, evocative prose, compelling characters, high stakes, and an intoxicating romance. The author doesn't give her characters an easy way out of the consequences of their decisions (or the rules of faerie), either. Very well done.
Post a Comment