Review: Darklight

Book: Darklight
Author: Lesley Livingston
Pages: 312
Published: December 22nd 2009 by HarperTeen
Source: Bought

Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was Faerie royalty, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved New York City from a rampaging Faerie war band. When a terrifying encounter in Central Park sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful—but cut short. For they’ve been plunged into a game of Faerie deception and wavering allegiances in which the next move could topple a kingdom...or part them forever.

Wow. I thought Wondrous Strange was a fantastic debut, but Darklight completely blew me away! I was stunned by how much I enjoyed this one and the speed at which I absorbed it.

Kelley was reliably stubborn and I remember that as being one of my favorite things about her. I didn't have to worry about her -- I knew she'd stand up for herself and for the ones she loved, and she'd do absolutely anything to protect them. Sonny was brilliant, still sweet and maybe a little naive, but always wanting to protect Kelley at all costs. Seriously, I think if every guy in the world was a little more like Sonny, there'd be a hell of a lot less sadness. Bob, better known as Puck, makes more appearances in this novel than in WS, and there wasn't a scene of his I didn't love. I also liked the inclusion of Fennrys Wolf, one of the Janus Guard -- he's kind of underdeveloped in the first book, and I really liked seeing more of him in Darklight. What I most liked about the characters though is the fact that you really get a sense of who they are and how they act, and I was impressed with the author's ability to do that with her characters.

So, you know how in trilogies, the middle book has like this thing where it feels just kind of like a filler? Yeah, so, that completely was not the case with Darklight. It hooked me from the start and kept me on the edge of my seat -- I hated putting it down, but luckily I only had to do that once! There were lots of plot twists in this book that really threw me, and a lot of mystery elements as well. Faerie politics and hidden secrets start to blend together to bring a lot of revelations and realizations, and I was totally in love with it. Everything kept me wanting more and I am not kidding when I say that I was screaming 'OHMYGOD!' every time something happened.

I think I mentioned it in my review of WS, but I'll say it again -- Lesley Livingston is an extraordinary writer! The pages are filled with amazing descriptions and action-packed and romantic scenes. I could practically feel the tension vibrating out of this book! I could imagine everything that was happening, and I really liked the images that Livingston puts into your head.

This book ended with a freaking major cliffhanger that ensures I'll be running all around the city trying to find it once the next book, which is currently untitled, is released! I can't wait!!!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

Cover: I like that they used the same cover model for this one. I love the magical feel of it and the model's pose and expression, even though she still doesn't look like Kelley to me. I love the font they used too! Beautiful cover.