Title: Wicked Lovely Author: Melissa Marr
ISBN: 9780061214653 Pages: 328
Publisher: HarperTeen, New York, 2007
ISBN: 9780061214653 Pages: 328
Publisher: HarperTeen, New York, 2007
Readers Annotation:
Aislinn has always been terrified of the fairies that no other human can see, with the exception of her Grams. Suddenly, she is chosen by the Summer King fairy himself to become that which she hates.
Aislinn has always been terrified of the fairies that no other human can see, with the exception of her Grams. Suddenly, she is chosen by the Summer King fairy himself to become that which she hates.
Author Information:
Melissa Marr graduated with a Masters and has taught literature and gender studies to college students all over America for a decade. Marr started writing in 2004, and her published items include works of poetry, short fiction and young adult novels. Wicked Lovely, Marr's first novel, has been awarded with the IRA Notable Books of 2008 for Young Adult Fiction, and was chosen as Amazon's Best Books of 2007: Top 10 Editor's Picks for Teens.
Melissa is partial to trying out new things, including getting tattooed, working at an archeological dig, and serving drinks at a biker bar. Marr likes to live in different places and make new discoveries. She's lived in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Southern California, and is currently living in Washington D.C.
www.harpercollins.com/authors/31765/Melissa_Marr/index.aspx, www.wikipedia.com/melissamarr
Plot Summary:
Aislinn could see fairies for as long as she could remember. Her grandmother, who also had "the Sight", warned her to never let anyone or anything know of "the Sight" and trained her to follow three rules. 1) Don't ever attract their attention, 2) Don't ever speak to the invisible fairies, and 3) Don't stare at invisible fairies. These rules take concentration and focus, especially when the fairies are right next to her blowing in her ears, or if they are particularly ugly and scary looking.
Lately, Aislinn has noticed two new and powerful fairies following her, one of whom she discovers to be the Summer King. As he endeavors to win her affections, Aislinn also notices a larger number of fairies showing up at places where they never appeared previously. When the Summer King fairy shrouds himself in human form and enrolls into Aislinn's high school, Aislinn turns to her best friend Seth. Though she has never told anyone before, Seth represents safety and comfort to Aislinn, and she tells him her surprising secret. Together they decide how to deal with the fairy world, while discovering what they mean to each other on a whole new level.
Melissa Marr graduated with a Masters and has taught literature and gender studies to college students all over America for a decade. Marr started writing in 2004, and her published items include works of poetry, short fiction and young adult novels. Wicked Lovely, Marr's first novel, has been awarded with the IRA Notable Books of 2008 for Young Adult Fiction, and was chosen as Amazon's Best Books of 2007: Top 10 Editor's Picks for Teens.
Melissa is partial to trying out new things, including getting tattooed, working at an archeological dig, and serving drinks at a biker bar. Marr likes to live in different places and make new discoveries. She's lived in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Southern California, and is currently living in Washington D.C.
www.harpercollins.com/authors/31765/Melissa_Marr/index.aspx, www.wikipedia.com/melissamarr
Plot Summary:
Aislinn could see fairies for as long as she could remember. Her grandmother, who also had "the Sight", warned her to never let anyone or anything know of "the Sight" and trained her to follow three rules. 1) Don't ever attract their attention, 2) Don't ever speak to the invisible fairies, and 3) Don't stare at invisible fairies. These rules take concentration and focus, especially when the fairies are right next to her blowing in her ears, or if they are particularly ugly and scary looking.
Lately, Aislinn has noticed two new and powerful fairies following her, one of whom she discovers to be the Summer King. As he endeavors to win her affections, Aislinn also notices a larger number of fairies showing up at places where they never appeared previously. When the Summer King fairy shrouds himself in human form and enrolls into Aislinn's high school, Aislinn turns to her best friend Seth. Though she has never told anyone before, Seth represents safety and comfort to Aislinn, and she tells him her surprising secret. Together they decide how to deal with the fairy world, while discovering what they mean to each other on a whole new level.
Critical Evaluation:
Marr narrates her novel from the point of view of Aislinn. The narration is in third person, but the reader can 'hear' Aislinn's thoughts as well. Aislinn's emotions are clearly felt, portraying the overwhelming and conflicting emotions that are often found in teenagers. Marr explores Aislinn's feelings in relation to the scary world of fairies, the love of a handsome boy, the loneliness of her "Sight", and the fear of "the Game". The book is written with a wonderful use of imagery, describing the differences of sunshine and summer, and ice and winter. When reading those passages, one can almost feel the warm heat and the bitter cold. Aislinn's story is set in modern times, laced with magical elements from the past. This provides a level of historical fantasy that should be entertaining for the modern adolescent. Additionally, the reader is given the chance to observe the struggles that Aislinn faces alone, offering encouragement to adolescents facing their own internal struggles.
Marr narrates her novel from the point of view of Aislinn. The narration is in third person, but the reader can 'hear' Aislinn's thoughts as well. Aislinn's emotions are clearly felt, portraying the overwhelming and conflicting emotions that are often found in teenagers. Marr explores Aislinn's feelings in relation to the scary world of fairies, the love of a handsome boy, the loneliness of her "Sight", and the fear of "the Game". The book is written with a wonderful use of imagery, describing the differences of sunshine and summer, and ice and winter. When reading those passages, one can almost feel the warm heat and the bitter cold. Aislinn's story is set in modern times, laced with magical elements from the past. This provides a level of historical fantasy that should be entertaining for the modern adolescent. Additionally, the reader is given the chance to observe the struggles that Aislinn faces alone, offering encouragement to adolescents facing their own internal struggles.
Genre: Modern fantasy
Curriculum Ties: English - Mythological creatures
Booktalking Ideas:
1. Aislinn is offered to become an immortal fairy. If you had the choice to become immortal, would you choose that life?
2. Aislinn lived with her grandmother, without parents of her own to raise her. What do you think it's like for children growing up this way?
1. Aislinn is offered to become an immortal fairy. If you had the choice to become immortal, would you choose that life?
2. Aislinn lived with her grandmother, without parents of her own to raise her. What do you think it's like for children growing up this way?
Reading Level/Interest Age: 15+
Challenge Issue: Fairies and the supernatural
- Book was awarded with the IRA Notable Books of 2008 for Young Adult Fiction, and was chosen as Amazon's Best Books of 2007: Top 10 Editor's Picks for Teens
- Compilation of teen reviews, and the average reader reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
- Library policy
- Book was awarded with the IRA Notable Books of 2008 for Young Adult Fiction, and was chosen as Amazon's Best Books of 2007: Top 10 Editor's Picks for Teens
- Compilation of teen reviews, and the average reader reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
- Library policy
Why I chose this item: I discovered this book in the young adult section in my library, and decided it would be a great fantasy addition to my collection that deals with adolescent issues as well as addressing the fantastical. I also wanted to add a book for fairy story lovers.
Further Series Reading: Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, Radiant Shadows, Darkest Mercy, Stopping Time, Old Habits
Wicked Lovely book trailer
Further Series Reading: Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, Radiant Shadows, Darkest Mercy, Stopping Time, Old Habits
Wicked Lovely book trailer
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