Review: Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352
Source: Personal Copy
Category: Young Adult/Series
Rating: 4/5


Synopsis:

17 year-old Kelley Winslow has moved to New York, and dreams of pursuing a career in theatre. She’s moved in with a very strange roommate, and attempts to make the best of it. Kelley’s world is consumed with theatre. When Kelley walks on stage, she can feel the magic of acting running threw her veins. In her recent play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Kelley is an understudy, but enjoying every minute of it. When she least expects it, the lead falls ill and Kelley has her chance to shine. Shine, she does not, she stumbles over and over her lines, she falls asleep onstage, and the director is not pleased. Kelley decides to focus and study in central park, she knows her lines but she can’t understand her sudden stage-fright. While Kelley is sitting quietly, she meets Sonny Flannery- a mortal who was taken as an infant and raised by fey. Sonny just seems like just another boy, but he’s about to have a bigger role in her life, and disclose a new world to Kelley. Kelley is studying when she hears a horse in the pond, it sounds like the horse is in trouble, and as she gets closer, she realizes the horse might drown if she doesn’t help. Kelley doesn’t think twice about it, she jumps in and helps the horse out. In the freezing cold, Kelly runs home to warm up, hoping the horse will go home and be safe. Shortly after arriving home, Kelley realizes the horse followed her home, he’s made his way into her bathtub and she can’t figure out how to get him out. Animal control has repeatedly hung up on her, and her very strict roommate is about to come home. Kelley has no idea what to do, and there’s more about to come her way.


Overall Impression:

I really enjoyed “Wondrous Strange,” Lesley Livingston wrote an incredible, fast paced story filled with unique, and memorable characters. This was her debut novel, and I can’t wait to continue the series. I’m new to the fey world, I haven’t read many books dealing with the fey, but this one felt distinct. I loved the characters, they all had great personalities. Kelley was snarky, strong, and a great heroine. The romance between Sonny and Kelley was charming. The emotions that Kelley goes through is very realistic, she’s in denial, shock, and slowly she moves to acceptance. The ending was really good, and i’m ready to jump into “Darklight.” Another great Young Adult read.