Wondrous Strange [Hardcover]

Lesley Livingston (Author)

Book Description

Series: Wondrous Strange | Publication Date: December 23, 2008

Since the dawn of time, the Faerie have taken. . . .

For seventeen-year-old actress Kelley Winslow, faeries are just something from childhood stories. Then she meets Sonny Flannery, whose steel-gray eyes mask an equally steely determination to protect her.

Sonny guards the Samhain Gate, which connects the mortal realm with the Faerie's enchanted, dangerous Otherworld. Usually kept shut by order of icy King Auberon, the Gate stands open but once a year.

This year, as the time approaches when the Samhain Gate will swing wide and nightmarish Fae will fight their way into an unsuspecting human world, something different is happening . . . something wondrous and strange. And Kelley's eyes are opening not just to the Faerie that surround her but to the heritage that awaits her.

Now Kelley must navigate deadly Faerie treachery—and her growing feelings for Sonny—in this dazzling page-turner filled with luminous romance.

Wondrous Strange is a richly layered tale of love between faerie and mortal, betrayal between kings and queens, and magic . . . between author and reader.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7–10—When Kelley moves to New York to pursue her dreams of theatrical success, she expects that her only encounters with mythical beings will be confined to the stage, in the Avalon Grande Theatre's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. All of that changes when she meets Sonny Flannery, who introduces Kelley to a world she never knew existed. A member of Auberon's Janus Guard, he patrols the portal (in Central Park) between the human and faerie worlds on the few dangerous nights when it opens and members of the Unseelie Court can pass into the mortal realm. He is strangely drawn to Kelley, and as he gets to know her, he begins to suspect that there is more to her history than either of them know. Through encounters with sirens, hellhounds, and kelpies, Kelley and Sonny are drawn irrevocably into a battle among the Fey. Despite the budding attraction between them, forces they can hardly understand seek to keep them apart. Set against the backdrop of present-day New York City, this enchanting first novel weaves together the worlds of theater and magic in a way that is sure to please fans of both. Readers will revel in the hints of Shakespeare within the text as they are introduced to faerie creatures both familiar and "wondrous strange."—Misti Tidman, Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, KY
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From Booklist

This addition to the bevy of books about teenage girls turned faerie princesses stands out with a balanced mix of faerie lore and authorial invention. Kelley, 17, gets her big break when the woman playing Titania in an off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is injured. But the world of Faerie becomes too real after Kelley rescues what she thinks is a drowning horse in Central Park Lake only to have it appear later on her balcony and station itself in her bathtub. Suddenly she’s caught the eye of Sonny Flannery, a human changeling who guards the Gate between Faerie and Manhattan, and the longer he watches, the more certain he is that she is Auberon’s stolen daughter. Kelley is appealingly feisty and stubborn, and her romance with Sonny develops quickly but believably. Some of Livingston’s plot twists strain credibility, but the big reveal of Kelley’s parentage is well played. With an ending that promises a sequel, this book will capture readers eager for romance, magic, and suspense. Grades 7-10. --Krista Hutley

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (December 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061575372
• ISBN-13: 978-0061575372
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #769,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not fantastic, but a really good book., February 25, 2009

By 

SilverSparrow04 "Sandy" (Caribbean) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Wondrous Strange (Hardcover)

Now I'm not great at expressing my view on things very effectively but I will try my best.

Good - description, characters, unpredictable most of the times, an ending that wasn't sad or happily ever after and "closed"
Bad - the middle dragged a little, ended with questions in my head (but this is OK since there are at least two more books in the series), and the name Sonny (I like the name itself but to me it didn't really suit the character).
__________________________

The book basically had me hooked from beginning to end and only had me putting it down once to get a drink. The character of Kelley (protagonist) is both funny and lovable. She is 17 year old actress living in Manhattan working in an off, off, off, off Broadway production of A Midsummer's Night Dream with a bunch of kooky yet lovable actors and a crazy director.

Sonny Flannery is a changeling (a mortal child taken by the faeries and raised by them) who guards the Samhain Gate in Central Park with 12 other changelings. Though they aren't technically faeries this has made them immortal.

The story switches POV between Kelley and Sonny giving you an effective view of both Kelley's world and the world of faeries.

Like I said before there was good description throughout the book, the switching of POVs carries the story along smoothly and there are many lovable characters. For me my favourites were Kelley, her roomate, Maddox, Jack ( actor) and Bob (another actor). I also liked how the author kept true to the dark and tricky nature of faeries and their uncanny ability to deceive very effectively when they cannot lie.

There was however a point in the middle of the story were I felt the plot (right term?) dragging and my mind kept drifting away or I was debating whether I should skip over. The scene I suppose is necessary but I think it should have been shorter. Also the name Sonny kept me from really liking the character despite his actual characterization which is loyal, noble and sweet but also very strong. I don't know the name just kept me from seeing him as a capable strong young man and more of a boy or immature (but he isn't!)

There were also a couple of surprises that I did not see coming especially in the climax and before then.

The ending I liked and disliked for the same reason. It wasn't a happy ending but it also wasn't a complete conclusion (you'll see).

But I also accept it because this book is the first in a series of three Cheesy.

Hope I explained myself well. Overall this is a really good book filled with a lot faery creatures and folklore and lovable characters and surprises. And I most definitely will be reading the second book.

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Feisty and Obvious, January 20, 2009

By 

Jennifer L. Rinehart (United States of America) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wondrous Strange (Hardcover)

So many things were right and wrong with this novel. First off the premise, the girl with the mysterious heritage, a horse in her bathtub, Oberon/Auberon. Those are the things right with the book. The inside look at a working theater was great too.

But the story's potential was only hinted at.

The guys especially are oddly emasculated.

Sonny is sorta mysterious. He's handsome and has an irresistible need to protect the girl. His friend Maddox feels wrong too.

Then there's Mabh, oh, I don't even want to go there, it makes me want to reconsider the three stars I gave this book.

The heroine's Aunt, well, I'm paraphrasing here, but anyway this is how it went in the book; "Auntie dear, was I like, adopted?" gasps Kelley.

"Um, oh my golly gee, I didn't want you to know . . .but, yes. Yes you were, sorta . . ."says Auntie.

"Ohhhh, well, let's never talk about this again, cause it will drag the story down, alright?" says Kelley.

"Sure honey," says Auntie.

Okay, so I shortened the scene a bit, but really, not by much.

I was so excited to read this book. I love stories that involve the Fae (Stormborn, The Pillars of the Earth Series and Eragon) but this wasn't as fun or interesting as I thought it would be.

All in all, I did finish the book, if a book is bad I give it just 80 pages and then set it aside. I guess it's a buyer beware situation. I'm not saying don't read Woundrous Strange. I am saying that there are so many great series out, that I personally would save money for them and borrow this one from a friend or the library.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wondrous and Strange in a Good Way!, December 24, 2008

By 

Catt "The Dreamer Reader" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wondrous Strange (Hardcover)

There is definitely magic between author and reader, props to you Lesley! Can I just say how much I absolutely LOVE this book?! The awesome Lesley Livingston has woven an incredible story including fairies and memorable cast of characters. Not to mention embedding humor and romance onto every page.

Even though the story is told in third person, Lesley has described everything vividly. I was absolutely dazzled by how amazing this debut book is. Every once in awhile, there's a special book that is absolutely a gem. This is it. For me, this is one of the best books I have ever read!

The characters come to life and you feel like you've known them all your life. You'll feel their emotions like they were your own. Kelley has become one of my favorite characters and so has Sonny and practically everyone in the book.

Wondrous Strange includes the excitement of theater and the magical elements of the Celtic myths. The whole experience leaves you breathless and hungry for more even though the last page satisfies you... but only for a little while. Luckily for me and all the readers that want to read this book, there will be a sequel!!

I cannot use enough words to express how much I LOVE this book! It'll appeal to teens as well as adults too, so I strongly suggest it as a Christmas present. Trust me, the person you give it to will love it!