The best in children’s literature, selected by Jim Whiting.
Melissa Marr
Melissa Marr grew up believing in faeries, ghosts, and various other creatures. After teaching college literature for a decade, she applied her fascination with folklore to writing. She is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange. She has also written Ink Exchange (hardcover 2008, paperback March 09) and Fragile Eternity (hardcover, April 2009). Currently, Marr lives in the Washington, D.C. area, writes full-time, and still believes in faeries and ghosts.
Rule #3: Don’t stare at invisible faeries. Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in 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 anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend Seth; her life; everything. Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr’s stunning 21st century faery tale.
Wicked Lovely
HarperTeen, 2007
Fantasy, 12+
$16.99 hardcover (2007), $8.99 (paperback (2008).
Why would grandparents want to buy this book for their grandkids?
Wicked Lovely is the first book in a multi-book fantasy romance series with roots in fairy tales and Celtic folklore. The primary protagonist in Wicked Lovely, Aislinn, is raised in a loving home by her grandmother, Elena. The novel celebrates strong, smart, modern, independent females; equality in romantic relationships; courage; and, of course, true love. Ash isn’t a fairy tale heroine who blindly accepts the prince or the role fate seems to set for her. Instead, she finds a way to pursue a college career and her fairy tale destiny.
REFERENCES/AWARDS/ACCOLADES:
Romance plus fantasy add up to a fresh, carefully plotted urban “faerie tale” that will keep many girls reading happily ever after, or at least to the last page.” (Books for Grandparents January 2008 By: Editors of Publishers Weekly/AARP The Magazine | http://www.aarp.org/family/grandparenting/articles/books_for_grandkids_0108.html)
Wicked Lovely was awarded the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award for best Young Adult Romance (2008). (http://www.rwanational.org/cs/contests_and_awards/2008_rita_and_gh_winners )
OTHER REVIEWS:
“A fully imagined faery world which even non-fantasy (or faerie) lovers will want to delve into.” – Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Enjoyably sultry.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Riveting and dark. I love this tale!” – Tamora Pierce
“A debut that reads like the work of a seasoned pro.” – Charles deLint
“The unusual combination of past legends and modern-day life gives a unique twist to this “fairy” tale.” – School Library Journal
“Melissa Marr adds elegantly to the sub-genre of Urban Faery with this enticing, well-researched fantasy for teens.” – Annette Curtis Klause
“A modern-day fairy tale, wherein the girl saves herself. Many fantasy readers will find themselves happily at home here. ” – Library Journal
For more information about Jim, please see www.jimwhiting.com. To inquire about availability of specific titles or to send a comment, write him at jimruns3@gmail.com.