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What are readers saying about Wicked Lovely?
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-05 02:18:30.
(Language: English)
  
Although not perfect, Wicked Lovely was everything I ever wanted from Twilight and never got. Deliciously dark, it makes use of fairies as they exist in folklore. I was in love with fairies long before vampires. And we're not talking cutesy, pastel-colored, wish fulfilling tinkerbells with wings and trailing pixie dust. We're talking fairies like Melissa Marr imagines them. Fey who use glamour to hide, seduce, torment and disguise their inhumanity.The thing that I loved the best about Wicked Lovely is the tightening noose of inevitability. As stars align and events unfold, Aislinn, although presented with three viable options, is forced to make the only real choice that she can. I liked that Aislinn had guts and a will of her own, that she was battling her own shifting desires as well as the events that are changing her entire life. The Winter Queen is a bit of a caricature of a bad guy and there's nowhere near enough Gram in the story. She has all the makings of an interesting character but gets reduced to a plot device. Although a wonderfully engaging read, Wicked Lovely falls prey to a very pat ending in which everyone manages to live mostly happily ever after. Dark, sexy and tense, Wicked Lovely grabbed me and kept me. Definitely an enjoyable read. 
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-07-04 09:45:35.
(Language: English)
I loved this novel. Aislinn, a strong and independent character, is a refreshing change from the stereotypical "damsel in distress" routine so often portrayed in other YA novels. While she relies on Seth to provide a safe haven, she does not look to him to solve her problem - that a group of faeries, who are invisible to most people, are following her wherever she goes. I'm so happy I decided to make this my first faerie novel, as I was not disappointed. While I found the story interesting, the sexual tension between Aislinn and Seth is enough to keep you reading!
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-03-31 05:13:09.
(Language: English)
Every so often those type of novels come along where you really, really get into them. For me, the Wicked Lovely series are definitely those such novels. Melissa Marr has created an amazing world in these novels. Novels that deal with real life situations ... the harsh realities of life while providing you with all the fantasy. I loved every aspect of the novel. I can't wait to see what she (Marr) comes up with next.
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Melissa posted a review at 2011-04-23 09:46:55.
(Language: English)
Great fairy tale. Up there with Holly Black in its uniqueness & originality
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-10-25 10:55:57.
(Language: English)
The Summer King knelt before her. “Is this what you freely choose, to risk winter’s chill?” Wicked Lovely is a perfect title for this darkly, hauntingly beautiful story.The more common-knowledge folklore (that iron is poison to fairies, mortals must not eat or drink anything given to them from fairies, the notion of "the Sight") is firmly in place, but it is the other touches and details to her faerie world that sets Wicked Lovely apart from other tales. In this world, there are different faerie courts, each vying for power. Keenan, the Summer King, has had his powers clipped from him by an agreement of the Winter & Dark Court, & seeks his Summer Queen to return his rightful power to him & his court. The Court politics are intriguing, especially in the interactions between Beira and Keenan. Meanwhile, the juxtaposition of the faerie realm with the recognizable human world is beautifully portrayed, in a sort of lyrical urban fantasy type of setting.The actual depiction of the faeries themselves, from the "Rowan Men" to the "Summer Girls", is another facet of the book I found fascinating.
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Clare posted a review at 2009-11-17 03:34:38.
(Language: English)
I didn't mind this book. It's a bit weird but hey, aren't we all? It's about evil stalking faeries and how they kill people and make them their slaves... wait, I'm making it sound better than it actually is. Basically, this guy has the hots for this girl he wants to make her his immortal faerie queen but she hates faeries and already has a boyfriend. Weird ending.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-02 09:54:32.
(Language: English)
Of all the new authors I've been reading over the last few months, Melissa Marr, could very well be my new favorite. This was an excellent book in the genre of Urban Fantasy. Melissa Marr's writing is dark, enticing and captivating. Her characters are strong and believable in their reactions to the world of Fae. Though I did feel that Seth accepted an invisible world of magic a little Too Easily. It was a good change of pace for me to read a book where I honestly couldn't guess where the story was heading. The ending was exciting and well done with enough twists to be surprising, but not too many to be confusing. Sections of the story can be a little confusing as the Fairy Characters talk about things that have happened outside the Story. Not to worry it all comes clear in the end in away that is unique. This book is both truly wicked and lovely all at once. If you enjoy the works of Charles DeLint, Holly Black and Francesca Lia Block, you'll enjoy Melissa Marr. Thank you! I've found a new writer to read!
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-09-21 07:53:08.
(Language: English)
I stumbled across this book reading an article about what book would next be on the big screen replacing Twilight and Harry Potter. (I think VA or MI will be next. VA first) I read what it was about and I thought it was up my alley. (I have yet to make it to Crystals for the rest of the Dark Hunter Series.) So I picked it up and DID NOT PUT IT DOWN. Wonderfully splendid. Move over VA and MI. This is a YA book for the keeps.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-07-18 08:45:54.
(Language: English)
I really like this book. I am now reading it for the second time. I just love this series. My favourite characters are Ash, Seth and Keenan..
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-09-30 11:11:30.
(Language: English)
This is by far one of the best books I've read in a long time, right up there with Riddles of Epsilon. The plot is non traditionally fairy folklore and keeps you hooked to the end. She spends no time intriguing the reader and drawing you in until you just have to finish. It took me one day. I haven't read anything that quickly since HP4. The main character is typical of a teenager and believably imperfect. The prince of course pompous and a total jerk, with the leading man a sensitive sweetheart only more experienced men could be. Though there is some predictability, it's not to galling obvious to ruin the plot. I saw this book in Borders and just had to have it. Two weeks later, I open it up and I can't put it down. Seriously. It took me a day to read this, even with college and scholarship applications to do. It's amazing and keeps your attention. There's nothing cliche about it, either. She does get most of what she wants, though. This is really a good read for anyone who likes tough girls, fairies, pain in the rear kings, and wicked mothers.
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Jennifer posted a review at 2009-11-16 07:05:43.
(Language: English)
Reviewed by Karin Perry for TeensReadToo.com Aislinn has always followed the rules. Her Grandmother has drilled them into her since she was a young child. Don't stare at invisible faeries. Don't speak to invisible faeries. Don't ever attract the faeries' attention. Aislinn has developed the skill to ignore them. She walks past them without flinching, even when the faeries are pinching or touching others around her like they love to do. Faeries come in many shapes and sizes and Aislinn has seen them all. She's seen them in the glamours they wear in order to pass as humans and can pick one out of a crowd even when they are trying to blend in. Aislinn has never been surprised by what she has seen them do - that is, until they start breaking the rules. Faeries don't like steel. It causes them pain and weakens them. Because of that, Aislinn's "safe" place has always been Seth's house. Seth is a long-time friend who happens to live in a converted steel train car. Aislinn always knew that if she could make it there she'd have peace, because the faeries could never follow her into the train yard. But, something has changed. They are creeping closer and closer and paying more attention to her. They are even gathering outside Seth's place. Aislinn really begins to worry when two faeries, Keenan and Donia, approach her and speak directly to her. She gets away from them as quickly as possible, now hyper-aware of the growing number of faeries surrounding and following her. She hears them say things like, "Do you think she's the one?" Aislinn realizes that in order to figure out what they want from her she is going to have to break the rules she's grown up with all of her life. Keenan is the Summer King. His mother, the Winter Queen, has limited his powers and is slowly taking over the elements. Days are colder and eventually everything will be covered in ice, unless Keenan finds the girl who is meant to be his Summer Queen. Together they would have the power to overcome the Winter Queen's chill. Keenan thinks Aislinn is the one and she is in danger because of it. The Winter Queen will do everything she can to prevent her son from getting the power he needs to overthrow her. Another problem, of course, is that Aislinn doesn't want to be Summer Queen. She has avoided faeries all of her life and she sure doesn't want to become one now. Especially when her feelings for Seth have developed into more than friendship - and becoming the Summer Queen would mean spending an eternity with Keenan. Melissa Marr has written a wonderfully inventive story that incorporates actual quotes from books written on the subject of faeries dating back to the 1800's. Her ability to keep a complicated story with several important characters clear to the reader is phenomenal. The relationship she creates between Aislinn and Seth is heartwarming, leading the reader to fall in love right along with them. If you aren't usually a fan of faerie stories, you might want to give this one a try. The blending of the realistic world and the world of the fey is masterfully done. You'll almost believe faeries are all around you.
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Pixie posted a review at 2010-10-27 08:53:38.
(Language: English)
I absolutely fell in love with this book and series from the moment I started reading it. A friend recommended it to me early last year (late winter-early spring of 2009 thereabouts) and I'm glad she did.
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Briana posted a review at 2009-06-16 04:59:04.
(Language: English)
Wicked Lovely is a dark and magical prose of fate and choice, love and hate. A captivating tale that I can guarantee you I will re-read again and again.In Aislinn, we find a very strong heroin. All her life, Aislinn has had the Sight, the ability to see faeries. She hates them and she fears them, so she follows three seemingly simple rules that are meant to keep her safe. But what happens when those rules no longer apply? Faced with the trial of being in love with one man and being pursued by another, the fey's Summer King, she does what most girls probably couldn't. She takes a stand against fate and does everything in her power to take control of her future. She has her fears, of course, but it is how she faces them that makes her such a wonderful character. She is also very believeable and easy to relate to. As for the other main characters, I felt Seth was a little to good to be true. Don't get me wrong, I loved him, but I would have liked to see him lose his temper once or twice. Keenan, despite that he is a faery, seemed a little more realistic. A part of me felt sorry for him because I came to discover that he had no more control than Aislinn had. Beira was written well and I can truly say I hated her. Last but not least, poor Donia. She has the misfortune of being the wintergirl, forced to follow Keenan, the man she loves, while he looks for his Queen. Some of the supporting characters were a little cliche. For example, Aislinn's naughty Catholic school girl friends. Though I admit, they could be very funny at times. I also feel that having some of the minor characters a little less developed only made the main characters stand out even more. As for the writing itself, I thought Melissa Marr did a great job and I liked getting to read the alternating perspectives. Although, I would have much rather seen Wicked Lovely written in first person point of view. The ending was exactly what I hoped for and left me craving for more, anxious to read the next in the series. All in all, whether you are a fan of fantasy or not, I recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read it. I, myself, am still just starting to read fantasy and I loved it. I believe that even adults might would enjoy Wicked Lovely.
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Jennifer posted a review at 2010-01-14 11:56:10.
(Language: English)
Melissa Marr won my heart on page 3, when she quoted 19th century fairy expert Andrew Lang. Here, at last, is a teen author who's done a little research in her chosen supernatural field... (Yes, Stephenie, I'm looking at you when I say that.) What follows is an oddly - and somewhat wonderfully - adult tale, sprinkled with obvious nods to Marr's status as a teacher of a Gender Studies class that make for a nice change from the standard teen he's-an-abusive-sociopath-so-he-must-love-me tropes. Still, we are talking of a book about the Fey, so it's not all high-minded research and right-to-choose speeches: there's plenty of glamour and sex and death to go 'round, too. Just complex enough to be interesting, and smart enough to know when to stop.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-10-22 04:27:13.
(Language: English)
So so. Nice enough for killing time. But not riveting and memorable. The Summer King is looking for the Summer Queen. She is found. She is unwilling. Too many characters. None impress outside being kings and queens and too gorgeous for mortal eyes. Except maybe Seth and Donia.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-15 12:57:12.
(Language: English)
This wasn't what I was expecting at all, and thinking about it, I really can't remember what I was expecting... WICKED LOVELY is light and fluffy, but tries to reinforce a plot that just wasn't very strong to begin with. Characters weren't fully fleshed out so the stakes did not seem as high as they were presented to be. The plot is weak, the characters shallow, but it has its entertaining qualities and a few redeeming side characters and concepts that needed more fleshing out, I think. The book's greatest let down was the villain: the Winter Queen didn't seem horrifying, and put me in mind of a stock villain of the Disney variety. All in all I liked it, but only for entertainment value. As for intellectual integrity, I'm afraid this book has none, hah! (:
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-08-08 05:28:25.
(Language: English)
I have to admit that, on the whole, I was disappointed by this book. I had hoped for something more along the lines of Holly Black's Modern Faery series (Tithe, Valiant, Ironside), and Wicked Lovely started out that way. My main issue with this book is that while Holly Black earns the right to ask her readers to suspend their disbelief in order to enjoy her fey-centered works, Melissa Marr does not. Too many things happen that make the reader say, "Really? ...come on, really?" That's not even including the faery bits - that's just the real world. For example, a main character lives in an abandoned steel train b/c his parents left him all their money when they went on a mission. That one sentence of explanation is all we get....really? Really? What's worse is when one character (an 18-year-old male) propositions another (she returns his feelings) and the proposition goes from homgyes!!!11!!!11!!! to AfterSchoolSpecial(tm) in ten second flat when he waves his hand at his bureau and says, "There are some papers up there. I was going to mention it before, but..." Turns out they're tests, "everything from HIV to chlamydia" that he gets, "once a month." Okay, I was a teenager many, many moons ago, but seriously? Seriously? A young, highly sexually active (we are told several times), independent 18-year-old male goes to a clinic monthly to get tested for STIs and offers this physical evidence up before he sleeps with this girl? Clearly I am a cynical old woman, but that just seems flat out unbelievable to me, as though the author was trying to make it PC for her youngins to bump uglies by showing that they are Responsible Teens(tm). Also, as a sidenote, do not ever include the sentence, "No one had every kissed her... there before," in your work unless you want me/the reader to laugh hysterically instead of feeling all mushy-gushy in lurve with your characters.Short of spoiling the ending, I will say that I was uncomfortable with it -- far too perfect for me. Though the build up to the final scenes was intense, the climax was a let down. Marr has another book coming out called Ink Exchange, a "companion" to Wicked Lovely. I'm still iffy on whether or not I'll read it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-08-29 10:15:22.
(Language: English)
I've been reading YA literature for about 2 years now, and I can definitely spot a good writer when I read one. Melissa's series about faeries and the faerie world is beautiful and fragile and fascinating. You should try the series. If you've read all her books, don't foget to pick up her two part e-book only short stories online title "Stopping Time" parts 1 and 2. Last I checked, they were free from Amazon.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-05 10:18:27.
(Language: English)
I can confidently say that this novel was one of the best books on faeries I have ever read (I read it in a single day!). Usually, they play a small role (not really positive) and are overshadowed by more powerful magical beings.... but for once, they're not 2-dimensional tricksters who don't understand or possess emotions (at least a good deal of them aren't). Made me cry too ... though I'm not sure if that is really worth noting since that isn't TOO difficult to do (although it does require SOME effort). Melissa Marr's writing style (and especially her female characters and devastatingly handsome male characters) reminds me of the vampire-writer Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a strong heroine and the ever-growing urban fantasy genre. I'm not sure if I was REALLY happy with the ending, but to be honest, I don't know if there would have been any other outcome that I would have been totally happy with (given the conflicts already presented). I guess I'm just a sucker for happy cliches? The ending was still great. This novel will definitely go on my favorites list...
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-01-05 07:35:14.
(Language: English)
This is by far the best book (and series) I have read since reading "Twilight" a year ago. I would definitely go as far as saying that compared to Stephanie Meyer, Melissa Marr wins hands down on writing ability and a well thought out plot. There are no obvious plot holes in this series! Her books (all three) make complete sense all the time and they never leave you feeling lost or asking "What was she on about?" or "Why the hell did she do that?" It becomes really dark at times but that adds to its flavour. I love this series. I'd rate it as probably my favourite to date. I can't wait for the next book either. Melissa Marr rocks!!
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MADISON posted a review at 2010-08-23 02:08:54.
(Language: English)
This was a very good book, if you're just getting into the Faery genre of fantasy books, very romantic and spellbinding. I read this book about a month ago, and even though it wasn't the best faery book i've read, I couldn't put it down, I wanted to know more and what would happen next. I would definitly recomend this book to anyone that is interested in Faery.
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Rebecca posted a review at 2009-07-21 09:04:51.
(Language: English)
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Some teenage fantasy and science fiction can be hit or miss. I was expecting a vapid romance but what I got was a fairly sophisticated style with a really good story. There was a fairly good amount of tension throughout the book and you could easily relate to the heroine. Marr has beautiful descriptions of the fae and a mature style that's not too adult for young readers, but not too juvenile for adult readers. I look forward to reading the next book, Ink Exchange.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-05-08 02:58:45.
(Language: English)
Maybe Im to old to really appreciate this book, it was to short for such a big story and all of a sudden I was done and the happy ending ended to fast. I enjoyed it while I read it and then I felt dissapointed after and kinda irked(sp?). it was a good filler from Twilight to the Mortal Instruments but it didnt make me want to read any more of her books. I thought the drug talk and tattoo references didnt add anything to the book. BUT it was nice having something to read :). I would say enjoy it but dont get your hopes up
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-05-08 07:05:11.
(Language: English)
This book has strong characters in Ainslinn and Seth that are both believable and practical. The few shortcomings that this book has is that the faerie world is not fully explained. I.E. you never find out WHY the Summer King was killed and how, you just know that he was killed by Winter Queen. The ending is weak too, it is very rushed for a book that was lallygagging for a while. I didn't understand why Ainslin never got angry? She's being transformed against her will, into something she doesn't want to be and all that comes to her mind is "I wanna assert myself". Lovely, but why aren't you pissed off about it? I would be really pissed off... Anyway, the book is good for a teen book. It's not amazing, not great but just good. The only thing that makes it go well are Ainslinn and Seth and without them this book would have been a flop.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-15 02:00:21.
(Language: English)
I don't usually read novels about faeries or the fae world but I found the plot description of "Wicked Lovely" interesting so I decided to try it out (I purchased it as a Kindle title). It was better than I expected, and my expectations were quite low to begin with. The story centers around mortal Aislinn, a teenager who is also blessed/cursed with faery sight, i.e. being able to see faeries. She apparently inherited this sight from her Grams who is also her guardian (Aislinn's mother Moira died when Aislinn was an infant), and her mother too had the sight. Aislinn has always been warned by her grandmother to stay away from the fae folk, and pretend they don't exist. But recent events have compelled Aislinn to question this approach - a couple of the fae are following Aislinn around and she wonders what it is they want of her. Turns out Aislinn is crucial to the rivalry between the Winter Queen, Beira, and her son, Keenan, the Summer King. Keenan has been searching for the one mortal girl who will be his consort. If Aislinn agrees to a life-threatening test and passes, she will rule by Keenan's side, otherwise she will be relegated to being one of the Summer Girls, who basically revel and have flings through all eternity until they eventually fade away. Things are made even more complicated by the presence of two others - Donia, formally mortal, and now doomed to bear the chill as the Winter Girl, and who yearns to be free of the eternal cold. Then there's Seth, a mortal boy who Aislinn finds herself attracted to. The story centers on this complex love triangle, i.e. Donia-Keenan-Aislinn and Aislinn-Keenan-Seth. In dealing with the romance aspect of the story, I liked the way the author wove in safe sex references into the plot, i.e. Aislinn and Seth take their time to get to know each other before deciding if they should have a physical relationship; Seth, given his past flings actually takes tests to determine he is free of STDs to prove his seriousness to Aislinn, etc. Part of the strength of this book is also the research the author has put into her subject, with quotes from books dealing with fae mythology and weaving this mythology into the narrative with an element of credibility. The characterizations are uneven - I personally found Beira and Seth to be more of caricatures than real characters. Beira is portrayed as altogether evil without any back story as to why she is so. Seth is too perfect, there is no real flaw to this guy, and I found that pretty hard to swallow. However, I was captivated by Donia's characterization - this former mortal and now fey immortal is complex and incredibly interesting. Her plight as Winter Girl drew me into her story and made me empathize with her. Keenan and Aislinn were also quite well-drawn. This is an above-average YA fantasy read and will appeal to those who are fans of the genre. I plan to read the second installment in the series.
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