Review: Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

by Lori

Title: Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Reading Level: Young Adult
IBSN: 9780738714844
Blurb:

In this mesmerizing sequel to Lament, music prodigy James Morgan and his best friend, Deirdre, join a private conservatory for musicians. James’ musical talent attracts Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. Composing beautiful music together unexpectedly leads to mutual admiration and love. Haunted by fiery visions of death, James realizes that Deirdre and Nuala are being hunted by the Fey and plunges into a soul-scorching battle with the Queen of the Fey to save their lives.

My Thoughts:

In Ballad the companion novel to Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception we get a bit more acquainted with James Morgan. We first met him in Lament where he was hopelessly in love with with his best friend Dee. Now he and Dee are at Thornking-Ash a prestigious school for the musically inclined. And the faeries seem to have followed them. Can he get over his feelings for Dee and ward off the impending Faerie attack too?

I was a big fan of James in Lament. Sometimes the underdog stills my heart. Plus I seem to have a thing for red-heads and he plays the bagpipes! So I was excited that Ballad was narrated by James. We get to learn much more about him and all his troubles. He has plenty of them.
I really liked Nuala and all the new characters that were introduced. I was able to completely go from disliking Nuala to loving her by the end. Maggie also has a great sense of humor that she instills in her characters.

I honestly think that Maggie Stiefvater can do no wrong. Lament was great, Shiver was Amazing and now Ballad. How does she do it? O don’t know but I hope she keeps it up. I can’t wait for more books by her. 4 Stars!