Wednesday, August 3, 2011

FRACTURE by MAGGIE STIEFVATER

Forever Book #3 of The Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy
Maggies Stiefvator
Scholastic; 386 pages
Young Adult Paranormal Romance




THE FAERYS VIEW


FIRST FEELINGS:


I am a HUGE fan of Maggie Stiefvaters unique writing style that began the minute I discovered her Books of Faerie series. I’ve gobbled up every story she’s written for various anthologies, etc… and have never been disappointed. The Wolves of Mercy Falls series was a bit different for me. I won’t say that I’m disappointed-that’s not the correct word, what I will say is that it didn’t blow my Faery Wings back like most of her writing does. Shiver was absolutely fantastic and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Linger and in turn, Forever. With each succession of books I found myself getting a tad less interested and having a harder time getting through them when once upon a time I would tear through a M.S. book or story without stopping.


FAERYS REVIEW


I loved the characters in Forever and in true Maggie style, they were sharply defined and very much like real people, friends even-friends who have all the same hopes and dreams as some of our real life friends albeit some in a more otherworldly sense and they were just as flawed, too, again, giving them a sense of ‘realness’.
The varying points of view are one style of writing that many authors cannot pull off! Maggie does this with aplomb! Making it seem effortless and affording the reader a seamless transfer from one character to the next.


The downside is that I had a really difficult time getting through the first half of the book. It felt sluggish and parts of it almost without any real purpose. I kept slogging along and I’m glad I did because the last half of the book is where it's all at.


The last few chapters had me doing the wracking sob thing, I’ll admit it. We say goodbye to well loved characters, challenging and anxiety provoking situations come up that had me biting my nails and there remains the tender love of Sam and Grace.


The ending, in my opinion, did not bring me to a happy place and that’s what I was hoping for after investing my time into this series. Many of my friends loved the ending and like all things, it is a matter of personal preference. I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to spoil this for potential readers.


In summary, Forever isn’t on the top of my ‘must read’ list but I’m not sorry that I read it. That leaves me somewhere in the middle. The joy of reading Maggie’s lyrical almost magical way of writing makes up for some of my disappointment in Forever and I will, as always, look forward to any work she has coming out in the future.

11 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear this wasn't all that great for you. Slow moving then sobbing in the end. I am curious about this series though. I've not started or even purchased it yet, but do have a curiosity about it. :) Thanks for the honest review!

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  2. Hmmm, I STILL have to read Shiver & Linger... I must admit, I'm not DYING to read this series anyway! :)

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  3. I know! The thing is, it wasn't quite a disappointment-just not what I was hoping/expecting after Shiver. I don't think anything that Maggie writes could ever be considered a disappointment or unworthy of reading.
    Her style of writing alone makes reading her works a treat, she has a wonderful voice throughout her books-it is melodic and magickal and quite a joy to read.

    I WOULD recommend reading it, Melissa, truly and I would also recommend reading her Bones of Faerie series, too :o]

    I think each reader takes something different away from Forever, for me it was Maggie's style and the last 1/2 of the book. For others, it was the best book they've ever read while still yet others didn't like it at all and gave it extremely low ratings and wouldn't recommend it to their talented reading monkeys.

    As I said in my review, this is really one of those books that is going to depend on the reader :o]

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  4. I love the "It didn't blow my fairy wings back"! Awesome! I can just picture it now!! Kristi waiting for her wings to blow back and waiting and waiting that long blonde hair waiting for even a breeze. Sucks to be disappointed by a long anticipated book! I didn't even try this one. I felt things going downhill with the second book, but I wasn't fully invested with this series. I was with her faery series, but I think she's done with that one just leaving us hanging.

    I do think her writing is beautiful, but her endings don't feel complete.

    I love your review! The title is perfect!

    Heather

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  5. Thanks sharing your honest thoughts and opinions about the book.
    ~Sherry

    Sherry Soule Official Website

    Author of the Spellbound Series

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  6. I can't say what I want to say, because I'm an author. So I'll just say thanks for the review.

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  7. You have a fabulous blog. I'm your newest follower. I’m an author and illustrator and I made some awards to give to fellow bloggers whose sites I enjoy. I want to award you with the Fantastic Fantasy Blog Award for all the hard work you do!

    Go to http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/p/awards.html and pick up your award.
    ~Deirdra
    . I

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  8. I'm behind on this series. The first book is on my TBR list though. People have such great things to say about it.

    Also, I’m a new follower— wonderful blog! Stop by my blog and follow me too? :) http://rachelbrookswrites.blogspot.com/

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  9. Hey hon! I hope you are okay. Haven't heard anything from you in some time. And I know you had a rough spell with the great vacation you took. So I'm hoping you are just relaxing and reading a lot, not having any troubles. :) Do take care. And I'm thinking of you!

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  10. I'm going to read this book soon... I love this series and it's sad that you didn't love it that much. Thanks for your honest review.

    You have a beautiful blog bdw.

    New follower,
    April (Books4Juliet)

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  11. Is it bad that right now I can't remember if I even read the first book? I'm really hoping that I haven't, since I can't remember! But, doesn't look like I need to rush, rush, rush out and grab the series.

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