We both really loved Ballad, way more than Lament. We found James enduring, we mean who wouldn’t love a cheeky musical genius, who sees and talks to faeries? 

Listen as we drool over James and wave a hand of indifference to Dee. 

Click on the book jacket for our written review.

Lament (to me) was mediocre. I never really feel in love with the idea of Luke and Deirdre. I only decided to read Ballad because it just came out and because Maggie is huge now because of Shiver. I was actually worried that I would dislike Ballad more than I did Lament. What a pleasant surprise.

Ballad picks up after James and Deirdre transfer to Thornking-Ash, the music school for the gifted. However, this novel is from James’ perspective. Dee still has a role, but it is much different than what you might expect. She is more like a major character with minor speaking parts.

I loved Nuala (pronounced Noola). As a leanan faire she had a very human side, which makes her more enduring. Good or bad we all have choices to make, and I respect her for her choice, even thought it causes her pain.

James. He was one cool dude. I really dug his character.  He had some great witty one-liners and always true to himself throughout. He too made some decisions, choices that I respected and one in particular that was probably the toughest of his life.

Dee. Yuck. She spent her time pinning over Luke and ended up being duped by the Faire. I hope if there is another book Dee gets the chance to redeem her character.

I give this book 4 STACKS

FYI: Maggie states on her blog that she has lots more stories in mind for this series, however with her announcement of her 4-book deal I am afraid that it may be several years before we see another book.

Neither of us was disappointed, though we both had strong and very different feelings regarding characters and plot.

Listen and judge for your self. Really, just listen. We would love it if you did.

For more information on Lament and Maggie Stiefvater click here. Click on the book jacket to read our written review.

Not to mention, her crazy insane (as in good) ability to play the harp. Oh, and she has one resourceful Grandma. Though we can’t say Grandma was forthcoming with information nor that we are happy about what happens to her.

This book is centered on Deirdre, and the Faerie that are after her. She meets Luke and there is an instant attraction, much to the chagrin of her BFF James. But really, who is Luke and what is he after?

We wanted to love this book. We wanted to read all of Stiefvater’s books starting with this series and end with Shiver. Hopefully, we will walk away from Shiver with fewer questions we need answered than this one.

Was it a bad book? No. It was actually a good story. It’s the people that surround Deirdre that have us wondering why they were there and if they knew so much (hello, mom????) why didn’t they help out.

Will we read Ballad? Yes. In fact, we are hoping it answers some questions we have and thus raises our opinion of this book.

BTW, this is one book, that even though we liked Luke, we wish the BFF actually gets the girl.

Lament has some of the same elements of Hush, Hush and we really liked Hush, Hush. Maybe if we had read Lamnet first we would have liked it more…

We gave Lament 3.5 STACKS

Trying to find the next book to LOVE, STACKGirls Stacy and Shannan