Title: Radiant Shadows
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely #4
Rating: 3/5
The Overview: Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers. Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries’ coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani’s death. Ani isn’t one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin’s plans–and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other? -Goodreads
The Review:
So, Radiant Shadows was better than Fragile Eternity. Just when I thought all the new elements of this fairy world had been revealed, Marr presents a bunch of additional characters with new and interesting abilities. It really reinvigorated the story and pulled together some pieces I think are going to be important in the final book.
Take my conservative rating with a grain of salt. The fact that I’m still even reading this series when I abandoned 20+ YA recently because of a mood change says something about the merit I think it has. Compared to other YA, the Wicked Lovely series is strong. Compared to my personal tastes atm and the broad array of robust fantasy novels I’m reading, it’s a little too angsty. I’m looking forward to seeing how the series ends and imagine it will continue with good quality writing, interesting world, and broody characters.
Recommendations: Since I said what I meant in the last review, here’s a repeat: this highly character-driven YA Paranormal Romance is something I wish I’d continued shortly after reading (and loving) the first two books. Wicked Lovely is one of the strongest in the genre and I still recommend it with gusto to older teens (and up). If you’re in the mood for a YA story as lovely as it is unique, this is the series for you.
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