Book Review: Lament & Ballad (2 books) by Maggie Stiefvater
I was lucky enough to win a copy of Ballad from a contest on Ms. Stiefvater's LiveJournal
m_stiefvater. Realizing it wasn't the first book in the series, I went to the library (I hate being 'poor' b/c I want to buy this book) and picked up Lament.
I read Lament yesterday and Ballad this morning.
Within just a few pages of Lament, I identified with Deirdre. Not necessarily with her talents but with her general feeling of 'freakishness' and discomfort in high school. I remember performing in school too and dealing with the nerves, etc. I had friends like her best friend James, someone you can rely on totally and is on of a very select few that you grow close to.
I love the imagery in this book too. The 'infestation' of fey and what it would trigger in our world. Ms. Stiefvater has obviously studied her mythology. She also infuses the poetry of old song lyrics, etc.
Ms. Stiefvater's writing is very graceful. Even when poor Deidre's face is in the toilet, you feel the lilting raise and fall of tension. The best way to describe these books are 'bathtub books'. They have the smoothness that lets you fall into the page that makes you want to soak in a hot bubble bath with candles, chocolate, and some Irish pipe/harp music in the background. A few hours away from the world and in another.
I highly recommend this series. And I sincerely hope there is another installment. I'm also going to have to get Shiver from the library... and the bookstore once my checkbook allows. I'm all about supporting the writers I love. At least, that's what I tell my husband that's why I HAVE to buy them even though I've read them. :)
m_stiefvater. Realizing it wasn't the first book in the series, I went to the library (I hate being 'poor' b/c I want to buy this book) and picked up Lament.
I read Lament yesterday and Ballad this morning.
Within just a few pages of Lament, I identified with Deirdre. Not necessarily with her talents but with her general feeling of 'freakishness' and discomfort in high school. I remember performing in school too and dealing with the nerves, etc. I had friends like her best friend James, someone you can rely on totally and is on of a very select few that you grow close to.
I love the imagery in this book too. The 'infestation' of fey and what it would trigger in our world. Ms. Stiefvater has obviously studied her mythology. She also infuses the poetry of old song lyrics, etc.
Ms. Stiefvater's writing is very graceful. Even when poor Deidre's face is in the toilet, you feel the lilting raise and fall of tension. The best way to describe these books are 'bathtub books'. They have the smoothness that lets you fall into the page that makes you want to soak in a hot bubble bath with candles, chocolate, and some Irish pipe/harp music in the background. A few hours away from the world and in another.
I highly recommend this series. And I sincerely hope there is another installment. I'm also going to have to get Shiver from the library... and the bookstore once my checkbook allows. I'm all about supporting the writers I love. At least, that's what I tell my husband that's why I HAVE to buy them even though I've read them. :)