Review: Wondrous Strange

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

4/5 stars

(Amazon , Goodreads)

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (December 23, 2008)

17 year-old Kelley Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what she thinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelley's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye.

 So, I'm a bit late on this review, seeing as Wondrous Strange came out in 2008. But I loved it! I have a soft spot for anything Faery, and let me tell you, this IS Faery. And they combined it with my all-time favorite play. Could it get any better?  Well, maybe.
 Kelley is perfect for her role in this book, but I feel like the characters are kind of shallow. It;s probably just because I'm not a huge fan of third person, because I just feel like you can't get a REALLY close feel to the characters. Don't get me wrong! When Kelley and Sonny were in danger or in battle, I cared about them. But I just couldn't get a really personal feel.
 But the Faery world writing is exquisite. It's a bit different from what I'm used to, as when I think of Faery I think of Oberon as the Seelie King and Mab as Winter. But this book totally pulls it off.
  I learned some more about Faery legends which is awesome, I love it when authors let you learn a little in their books. I know, I know. Nerd alert.
 Overall, this is a great read. I recommend it all the way.