Rule #3: Don’t stare at invisible faeries.
Rule #2: Don’t speak to invisible faeries.
Rule #1: Don’t ever attract their attention.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan, and I have to say I was very impressed with the production, Bresnahan doesn’t so much as narrate or read the story, as tell it to you, a small distinction possibly, but one which really works. (and I’m not the only book blogger to think this!)

Okay, it would appear that every blogger and their poppet pal has read this one before me, so rather that tell you the plot in a new and interesting way, I’m just going to qoute the cover!

Synopsis

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the 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.

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.

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.

Keenan, made for an interesting “bad-guy” and while I don’t want to give the reasons for this away to the 3 people yet to read this one, much of it has to do, with the definition of “what is bad” and the motivations behind each characters actions and choice.

Little is what it initially seems. And most people are neither wholly good or wholly bad, and are prepared to do what they need to, to get what they want. If they need to, and your opinions of them are likely to fluctuate until you approach the final few chapters.

I also liked the fact that Aislinn, is very independent, and fighting, fighting, fighting to maintain her sense of self, even as the odds begin to stack against her, and isn’t prepared to just give up her life and future, unlike some other recent heroines I might mention!

There is quite a strong thread of sexual desire throughout the book, drink and drugs feature prominently, so this is a book definitely aimed squarely at the older end of Young Adult. In my opinion, however it doesn’t descend in to gratuitousness, though some will find that line more blurred than others. (If I had been reading the book instead of listening to it – and if it wasn’t horribly clichéd – I’d have been tempted to dig out some classic 80s goth albums. Fields of the Nephilm, anyone? )

Rating:  

Buy,, from Amazon.
Buy Wicked Lovely, from The Book Depository.