Book: Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater
Release date: October 1, 2009
Publisher: Flux
From: Publisher
Summary:
In this mesmerizing sequel to Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception, music prodigy James Morgan and his best friend, Deirdre, join a private conservatory for musicians. James’ musical talent attracts Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. Composing beautiful music together unexpectedly leads to mutual admiration and love. Haunted by fiery visions of death, James realizes that Deirdre and Nuala are being hunted by the Fey and plunges into a soul-scorching battle with the Queen of the Fey to save their lives.
*****
SPOILER ALERT: If you haven’t read Lament, this review may contain spoilers.
When I first started Ballad, I admit to being a bit skeptical. I really loved Lament and I wasn’t sure that this one could be anywhere near as good as the first. And in the beginning, I didn’t think it was. Then, of course, I really got into the story and it just took off. It got way better after that.
Where Lament was the story of Dee and Luke, Ballad is the story of James and Nuala. It was really more of a companion novel to Lament than it was a sequel. It’s not necessary that you read Lament before you read this one to know what is going on but it really did help. I think that if you didn’t read Lament you would question a couple things but you would be okay. =]
James was a really great character. He was egotistical, cocky, a bit crazy, and all together totally lovable. He was so cute, I just fell for him. He was just as cute in Lament but you didn’t really get to know him much in Lament whereas this whole book was about him. Well, I guess it’s about Nuala too. At first, I didn’t like Nuala. She seemed really cruel and kind of heartless but she began to grow on me and she really was the perfect match for James.
The one thing that I really hated about this book was Dee. In Lament, she was a strong heroine who could fend for herself. In Ballad, she seemed to have gone off the deep end after losing Luke. I didn’t like what she turned into but as the book went on I realized that it all had to do with the storyline. Which, by the way, was even more pulse-pounding than Lament. I never knew what was going to happen next and the ending was a total shocker!
Overall, Ballad blew me away just as much as Lament. So far I haven’t read a single book by Maggie Stiefvater that I haven’t completely enjoyed and I hope that continues with her future works. Well, actually with this track record, I highly doubt she could disappoint me. Also, I am hoping that there might be a third book after Ballad. This one introduced some characters that I would love to know more about and I felt that the ending could be added to. It didn’t feel closed to me. Hopefully, it didn’t feel closed to Maggie and she will want to continue with the series. I think that if you read this one, you will know exactly what I mean. So go read it! I really want to know if you guys agree with me. =]
Writing: 10/10
Characters: 8/10
Ending: 9/10
Plot: 9/10
Originality: 10/10
Overall: 46/50=A
Cover: 9/10=A
Sooo glad to you loved it – me too, it was one of those books I am happy to own! 🙂
OMG I LOVED THAT BOOK!!!!! I really hope that there is a third! Also, love the stuff on ur sidebars. I luv Tera Lynn Childs, and Suzanne Collins
I really want to know what happens to Dee, like if she will join the faeries like she says she wants to, to try and find happiness? I don’t know, it just seems logical that she would because James is already in love. But who knows =)
god i didnt really like it i thought that in the end Dee would of ended up with James since they’ve been friends for the longest 🙁 i still kinda dont like Nuala. But i adore the books even so