This is an ARC I was lucky enough to get at BEA. I didn’t get to meet the author unfortunately, but still was able to get ahold of the ARC, and I’m glad I did. I believe this is the first book by this author that I’ve read. But now I know that I need to read more! And not just because there was a dachshund in the book.
The main character is Hazel. She and her brother live in a town where the forest nearby has a glass casket with a horned boy inside of it. Now this glass is impossible to break. People have tried over the years. And it’s not just the boy in the casket, there are fairies and other types of creatures in the forest. For the most part their tricks are just scary, mostly harmless. Although if you are a tourist and don’t know the rules, things might happen to you. Deadly things. Hazel and her brother Ben have lived in a house near the forest their whole lives. They’ve gone to see the boy in the casket all the time. Told him their secrets, fallen in love with him, both of them. Before Ben was born, their mother painted a picture of one of the fairies, and the fairy woman blessed Ben to be musical. When one of the fairies attack Hazel, he is able to play music in a way that saves her, and then they kill the fairy. They decide from that point on that they will hunt fairies. At least they do until Ben questions his control of his musical ability. So Hazel makes a deal so that Ben is able to get scholarships to go to a school where he wants to go to learn to control his music. They move away from the forest. Only things don’t quite go as planned, and they move back, with Ben not wanting to play music ever again.
The fairy folk don’t just grant wishes like that without taking something in return. And what Hazel had to promise was 7 years of her life. Which as a child she figured meant she’d die 7 years early, or at least they’d come from the end of her life. But when the prince is broken out of the glass box, and the fairy begin attacking the town in different ways, she learns that maybe the 7 years will be taken in a much different manner than she could have ever expected. Together with the freed prince, and a changeling that has been raised as a human, along with his human brother, (a great story! But read it for yourself), they must figure out what they can do to save their town, Fairfold, from the Alderking and his plans.
Such a great story. Hazel is the knight, she will fight for her friends and family and town. Ben is a great character as well. Jack, the changeling, love him! And the prince, Severin, is perfectly written. A really great story, and I’m so glad it was my introduction to this author’s work.
This sounds really good! Such a great review and very helpful!
It was very good! I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads, it was just such a good quick read for me.
It does sound good!
This looks so good!
I have tagged you for the TAYTAY Tag: http://mooneyesrandomsmile.blogspot.ca/2014/12/the-taytay-book-tag.html
It was a good book! I still have another tag to do. I'm hoping once school is out for winter break to have some time to do those. I'll go check out this one too!
The only Holly Black book I have read is The Iron Trial (which she collaborated with Cassandra Clare) so she interested me quite brilliant. And this book sounds so great.
Thanks for the great review 🙂
Aparajita @Le' Grande Codex
I had hoped to get a copy of The Iron Trial at BEA but was unable too. I am now very eager to read that one as well. Thanks for stopping by!
I am the hugest Holly Black fan — you MUST read the White Cat/Red Glove/Black Heart trilogy. If you like audio, get the audiobook – Jesse Eisenberg reads it and he is fantastic!
And yeah, I can't wait to read this…..
Jen @ YA Romantics
Jeese Eisenberg? That is BRILLIANT casting. I usually don't change formats in the middle of the series, but I think I might have to jump the physical copy ship and go audiobook!
I'm not really an audiobook fan. Although that makes me kind of want to get it just for Jesse Eisenberg.
I imagine the line to meet Holly would be quite long at BEA, but that's awesome you got an ARC!
I LOVE that Hazel is a strong female MC, I can't wait to read this one!
It is a very good read!
I'm reading this one right now! About 2/3 of the way through and really enjoying it. I love Holly Black.
I definitely loved it! HOpe you do as well!
I'm really looking forward to reading this book!!
I hope you're able to get ahold of it soon. Thanks for visiting!
This cover is just plain awesome! I haven't read anything by Holly Black and I need to fix that fast. This one sounds magical, hehe, and all these amazing characters make it that much more appealing to me. I already like Hazel, a lot! =)
I think this would be a great one to start with! It was not a long read, but a really good one!
I cannot get my hands on this book fast enough. First of all, it is Holly Black and I love her. Second, look at that cover! Third, it sounds amazing. I loved reading your review! It just made me want this one even more!
It was a great book. I can't say enough how much I loved it! Hope you get it soon!