Wondrous Strange Review

  Title: Wondrous Strange (Wondrous Strange #1)

  Author: Lesley Livingston

Publication Date: September 22, 2009

Published By: HarperCollins Canada

Format: Paperback, 336 pages

*this book was purchased by me

Summary

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.

My Thoughts

Wondrous Strange was a really great story. The mythology was awesome, really detailed and interesting. I loved Lesley Livingstons take on Faeries and the realm they live in. There were so many new supernatural creatures I've never heard of before, and faerie legends incorporated into the story. Especially the story about Herne and The Wild Hunt it was really fun to read.

Wondering why I didn't rate this book a five? Kelley fell flat for me. She seems under-developed, interchangeable. There wasn't anything about Kelley that was relatable or intriguing. If you've ever read one of my reviews, you'll notice I put a lot of focus on the characters, they are a very important part of the reading experience for me. Which is why Kelley single-handedly brought down the rating of the book. She was very average, almost like a place holder. Although she started to develop a little more towards the end so I have higher hopes for the sequel Darklight. Wondrous Strange gets 3 out of 5.