“Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She’s about to find out she’s also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen’s sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren’t so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn’t exactly what she had in mind . . .”
Right away I’m going to point you back to Angie’s review of this one because she did a wonderful job capturing the feel of the novel. There’s not much, in fact, that I can add to it except to say that I, too, really enjoyed Lament. I love the dark fantasy elements of this novel, and I love that Stiefvater balanced it out a bit with humor, namely James with all of his wonderful shirts and edged wit. And the brief synopsis of Ballad, which continues Deirdre and Luke’s story, looks even more tempting. I won’t be waiting nearly as long to pick that one up. (Thanks, Angie, for making this one sound too good to resist; I very well might have passed it up if not for your review!)
Your descrption reminds me of Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I loved James’ shirts! I hadn’t read that synopsis of BALLAD and now I’m even more excited. More James, more music, more dangerous faeries. Bring it on!
Jen ~ Angie mentioned that one in her review, as well. I’ve yet to read Marr’s work, but with as many times as I see her name, I’m thinking I should get to it.
Angie ~ I really did enjoy it, and now I’m right there with you on waiting anxiously for Ballad. James’ shirts were the best; I particularly liked the one that said something about his planet, when he had the fireplace shovel thing.