First time novelist Marr gives the oft-tried modern faerie
story a fresh infusion
of glamour, thanks to a likable pair of protagonists, a page-turning
plot and an ample dose of sexual tension. … Marr offers
readers a fully imagined faery world that runs along-side an everyday
world, which even
non-fantasy (or faerie) lovers will want to delve into.
--Publisher’s Weekly, starred
review
Melissa Marr adds elegantly to the sub-genre of Urban
Faery with this enticing,
well-researched fantasy for teens … The romantic scenes
are delicious. The fantasy of being pursued by two young men is
alluring in itself, but when one is a pierced and tattooed sexy
outsider and the other is
a blindingly beautiful King of Faery, how much better can it get?
Halfway through the book, I knew which characters I wanted to
end up together, and that made me read greedily on. Readers will
beg for a sequel.
--The Washington Post, "Book World" review
by Annette Curtis Klause
Marr does a number of things very well. I've already
mentioned her characterization
and the easy way she has of getting background information
across without being obvious about it. But she also has
a fine ear for both dialogue and descriptive prose. Her
plot and subplots keep you on the edge of your seat, and
continue to surprise right through to the end. And she's
done a terrific job of integrating the dangers, folklore,
and flexible morality of faerie with the real world. What
I like best, however, is how, except for the evil Winter
Queen who's a bit of a stock villain, Marr's characters
don't fit easily into "good" and "bad" designations.
They have good motivations
for why they do the things they do, and they're fallible.
Better yet, they learn from their mistakes. This is a debut
that reads like the work of a seasoned pro and I can't wait
to see what she comes up with next.
--Charles de Lint, “Books to Look For,” The
Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
A modern-day fairy tale, wherein the girl saves herself.
Many fantasy readers will find themselves happily at home
here.
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s
Books (recommended)
Aislinn knows that fairies are real and that they aren't
the small, cute, winged beings
that most people imagine. She has inherited the gift of
Sight from her mother's family, allowing her to see them.
She lives by rules that have kept her safe from their notice.
All of that changes when Keenan, the Summer King, chooses
her as his queen, involving Aislinn in a 900-year power
struggle between him and his mother, the Winter Queen. If
Aislinn refuses him, summer will cease to exist, killing
both mortals and fairies alike. If she accepts, she loses
her humanity and ties to the mortal world-as if life as
a teenager isn't hard enough when you're "normal." This
story explores the themes of love, commitment, and what
it really means to give of oneself for the greater good
to save everyone else. It is the unusual combination of
past legends and modern-day life that gives a unique twist
to this "fairy" tale.
--School Library Journal
All booksellers know there are too many galleys and not
enough time to read them all. So why would I take the
time to read one twice? Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
(HarperTeen, June), a dark and romantic urban fantasy
about a girl who can see faeries, proved to contain that
rarest of combinations: both an exciting plot and gorgeous
writing, the kind that makes you want to stop and reread
a sentence or an entire paragraph. . . . Amazingly, this
is Marr's first novel, and it's expertly crafted, alternating
effortlessly between four different characters. Furthermore,
it's chockful of ancient faery lore, while at the same
time bringing to life an ultramodern girl. Captivating!
--Galley Talk in Publisher’s
Weekly
“Riveting and dark: I love this tale of a smart,
tough girl who walks the razor’s edge between
an ancient fairy curse and her future!”
-- Tamora Pierce, bestselling author
“Wow, what a debut! I especially liked Ash and
Donia; each in her own way is brave and smart, and just
the kind of character a reader roots for in the face of
a Gordian-knot problem like theirs. I look forward to
seeing lots more of Melissa Marr’s fiction.”
-- Emma Bull, author of The War for
the Oaks
“Wicked Lovely is a sexy, updated fairy tale as
timeless as the seasons and as modern as titanium body
jewelry. Marr’s fey are gorgeous, terrifying creatures.
I couldn’t put this book down.”
--Clare B. Dunkle, author The Hollow
Kingdom trilogy
. . . paint a tantalizing picture of the faerie world:
the sensuous, vapid Summer Girls, the revelry of the Rath
and Ruins club where the faeries congregate, and Donia,
the Winter Girl who was so certain that she was the one
meant to reign at Keenan's side. Aislinn's ability to
straddle the real and faerie worlds is quite breathtaking,
and readers will rapidly turn pages to see if she chooses
the mortal Seth or the Summer King.
--Shelf-Awareness (newsletter for
booksellers)
Wicked Lovely is an imaginative, compelling story, deftly
crafted and rife with delicious romantic conflict. That
Aislinn and Keenan both have others who call to them -
Aislinn's longtime best-friend-turned-secret-crush Seth
and Donia, a former mortal in love with Keenan who failed
his test long ago - sets in motion not one but two love
triangles that will keep readers flipping pages to see
how it all turns out.
--Journal of Mythic Arts, Endicott
Studio
"Wicked Lovely doesn't blaze new trails in contemporary
fantasy, but it plays the
old tunes very well. ... The blend of faery lore, contemporary
small-town setting, and frank consideration of sexuality
is reminiscent of Holly Black's Tithe, though the plot and
characters are quite different. Like Tithe, this is an assured
debut, and I look forward to seeing Marr's future work."
--Locus Magazine(SF & F pro
industry magazine)
This is an edgy, modern take on classic fairy tales,
with a stubborn, feisty heroine
and an intriguing cast to back her up. Marr doesn't go the
expected route, either, throwing in plenty of twists and
turns right up to the very end, delivering a satisfying
story with an ending that isn't quite "happily ever after." This
is a strong debut for the
author, and I'll be looking forward to more from her.
--Realms of Fantasy Magazine
Rife with plot twists, great character development, crisp
dialog and a truly modern point of view; this is one of
the best reads I've had this year. I recommend it to you
without reservation; confident you will find it as refreshing
as I did.
--Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic
Medicine Show (SFF magazine)
Wicked and Lovely is a book, though, I will be taking
down regularly from my shelf.
It’s a keeper. Maybe
even a classic.
--Dear Author (Romance Novels Review
Site)
Melissa has crafted a riveting tale that intertwines
classic Celtic faerie tales with an urban setting and
very modern characters. Somewhere between Holly Black
and Stephenie Meyer, Wicked Lovely was one of the few
books I finished in one day because I just couldn't put
it down. Pick it up, and I don't think you'll be able
to either.
--Mysterious Galaxy Books, San Diego
CA
All teenagers have problems, but few of them can match
those of Aislinn, who has the power to see faeries. Quite
understandably, she wishes that she could share her friends'
obliviousness and tries hard to avoid these invisible
intruders. But one faery in particular refuses to leave
her alone. Keenan the Summer King is convinced beyond
all reasoning that Aislinn is the queen he has been seeking
for nine centuries. What's a 21st-century girl to do when
she's stalked by a suitor nobody else can see? A debut
fantasy romance for the ages; superlative summer read.
--Barnes and Noble, editorial review
I don’t like faery stories, but Wicked Lovely has
now replaced A Great and Terrible Beauty, Harry Potter,
and the Lioness Quartet as my favorite book(s). My problem
with Faery tales is that I can’t identify with them.
But in this book, I saw myself in mortal and faery alike.
. . . I often motivate myself by thinking of characters
in the books I’ve read, of what they’ve been
able to accomplish. But few of them have character journeys
as starkly real as Donia’s and Aislinn’s are.
I think really what this book is about is accepting yourself,
and learning just how perfect that person can be. It’s
got such a powerful message, I can’t even begin
to describe it. Not to mention
the absolutely stunning plot.
--Bookstore Buddies (teen readers
review site)
. . . a notable debut novel from the unique Melissa Marr.
It is highly recommended for fans of dark fantasy, faeries
and a little out-of-the- ordinary romance(s), as well
as for anyone who appreciates heroines who may seem vulnerable
but can surely stand up for themselves and others.
--Teensread.com
Intertwining the everyday human world with the hidden,
invisible to all but very few world of Faerie, Wicked
Lovely is a pacy, suspenseful and verging on unputdownable
romantic tale which presses all the right buttons for
its target demographic. I think I would have absolutely
loved it at 14 or even 16 and I enjoyed it very much at
more than twice the age.
--The Bookbag (U.K.)
This is a dark and fairly unsettling novel about Aislinn,
a girl who has the Sight and is able to see fairies everywhere.
The terrifying creatures she is surrounded by are invisible
to everyone else, but are intent on capturing her, so
in addition to all the normal travails of being a teenager,
she has to battle with the fairy realm - and get her maths
coursework done. This is Melissa Marr's first novel and
is extremely well-written and imagined.
--The Guardian Unlimited (U.K.)
Although aimed at teenagers this book is a fabulous uncomplicated
read for adults too, particularly those who enjoy a good
all round fantasy read. This light and dark tale of an
invisible fairy realm complete with engaging romantic
characters is a delightful, absolute must for all fairy
fans.
-- Kerry Ebbrell, Waterstone's Stockport
Mersey (U.K.)
A fantastic story. I didn't know quite what to expect
when I first started it, but soon found the book to be
well worth the read. Keenan, the Summer King, was my favourite
character, so sweet, gentle and protective of Donia. Once
finished I was tempted to begin the book again, it grabbed
my imagination so well. If you like romance or faeries
then this is a book for you.
--Victoria Wall, WATERSTONE'S NEWCASTLE
GREY ST (U.K.)
So you think Fairies are all pink and pretty, sweet and
innocent? Think again! Like many generations of her family
she can see Fairies. She sees the trouble they cause and
the havoc they play with peoples lives. She ignores them
until one day two Fairies, one rather handsome and the
other rather pale and sickly looking start to follow her,
but if she lets on that she can see them the punishment
is blindness, for Fairies wish to stay unseen. What do
these Fairies want with her? A fantastic modern-day Fairy
story which I could not put down, I can't wait for the
sequel.
--Rebecca Wilks, WATERSTONE'S MERRYHILL(U.K.)
Absolutely fabulous! A classic teenage story that follows
Aislinn's struggle to resist the will of the Summer King,
Keenan and protect her relationship with the gorgeous
Seth! Utterly believable and superbly written!
-- Sheena Robinson, WATERSTONE'S
WORCESTER HIGH ST (U.K.)
A fast-paced tale of Urban Faerie that will certainly
appeal to fans of Holly Black. The plot's intriguing and
refreshingly different to other books within this genre,
but all the staples are in place and satisfyingly teased
out. We have romance of both the requited and unrequited
variety, sexy boys and angry girls, faeries that can be
both seductive and sinister and plots that threaten more
than just the leads in this drama. If you still think
fairies spend most of their days flitting around the bottom
of the garden, this could be a bit of an eye-opener. Those
more knowledgable, however, can simply sit back and savour.
--Fiona MacIntyre, WATERSTONE'S CRAWLEY
MARTLETS (U.K.)
Superb dark and definitely non-cute faery tale - not
for the faint of heart....The tale of a king's search
for his queen, love and promises.....
--Sue Chambers, WATERSTONE'S HARRODS
(U.K.)
This debut novel has so much attitude crammed in, you
may never see faeries in
the same light again. The story oozes realism and you will
crave to be Aislinn, who knows her own mind with an enviable
certainty and lives an urban American life where there are
no definitive rules. It is a read that pushes boundaries
and is not afraid to be honest. Keenan is a faerie with
both attraction and fear and he wants Aislinn. All the things
that make a great teen novel are there, including angst
and romance, but in a refreshingly edgy way that may well
entice a new audience to teen fiction. ‘Wicked’!
--From Bump to Grump (U.K.)
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr weaves together threads
of Celtic faerie mythology an contemporary life. Aislinn
has the Sight and so has always been able to see faeries.
And that is quite a dangerous thing, since she must never
let them know that she can see them. Her strategy of blinkered
avoidance works until she is seventeen when suddenly two
faeries are stalking her, and even the steel in her friend
Seth's train-car home may not keep her safe any longer.
This is a sultry faerie-tale with a modern twist that
whisks readers away on a compelling journey.
--Encountering Enchantment
Wicked Lovely has a classic good vs. evil storyline,
but it’s not your typical black vs. white clash;
just when I thought a conclusion was approaching, yet
another conflict was created, complicating the storyline
further. With ups and downs, this complex, adventure-filled
novel is complete with a bit of everything; love, destiny,
discovery, romance and, of course, what teen novel would
be complete without a few good-looking guys? . . . .Wicked
Lovely is what I consider to be a truly modern faery-tale.
The faeries that Melissa Marr creates are not you typical ‘flower
petals for clothes and living under a mushroom’ creatures,
but rather a new breed who
party at night clubs and tote around cell phones. The
way she portrays this new image of faeries was one of
the aspects of this novel that really captured my attention,
because it was a fresh and unique idea.
--AnE Vibe (arts & entertainment
magazine)
Filled with inner conflicts and just the right balance
of romance, passion and teenage angst, this is a true
faerie tale for our age and will enchant all who read
it. My advice: buy two copies; one to read and the other
to keep safe for the future - this story is going to be
a classic one day.
--Spiral Threads
