Darklight (Wondrous Strange Series #2)

Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com

Since the frightening events of last Halloween, which ended with her beloved, Sonny, forced to leave her and return to the Faerie world, Kelley has been rehearsing for a new play, testing her powers, and trying to keep hope that she'll see Sonny again soon.

His Janus friends provide her with protection and company, but they hardly compare. And her unnerving Faerie mother keeps sending her images of Sonny on his violent quest that make Kelley wonder just how well she knows the boy she fell in love with.

But Kelley soon finds she's got far more than romance to worry about. An old enemy of her friend Bob (otherwise known as Puck) is after her, and it looks as though he won't be happy until he's murdered her. And the father Kelley no longer wants to acknowledge is sick - perhaps on the verge of dying.

As Kelley struggles to stay alive and decide who deserves her loyalty, she discovers that a danger far greater than she imagined threatens not only her and Sonny, but all of Faerie.

DARKLIGHT picks up several months after the events of WONDROUS STRANGE, and readers who enjoyed the first book will immediately get wrapped up in the story. Livingston weaves a tale full of twists and turns few will see coming, leaving major villains unknown and everyone's motives except narrators Kelley and Sonny's uncertain.

The new mythology introduced is fascinating, and this book's main villain is creepy and horrifying. The story overall is serious, but bits of humor involving a kelpie named Lucky, Kelley's roommate, Tyff, and Bob keep if from seeming too solemn.

Unfortunately, the book also suffers somewhat from middle-of-the-trilogy syndrome, in which many conflicts are introduced or hinted at and very few are resolved. Of course, this will leave readers ravenous for the final volume!

Recommended to all fans of urban fantasy for a fresh take on Faerie lore; best to read WONDROUS STRANGE first, though, to follow the story properly.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

It was good...till the end

I loved this book, truly i do. I am also fond of the first one. But at the end...they left us hanging too much. I mean did Sonny hear what Kelley said to Tyff??? About her not loving him i mean. Because they said Sonny was unconscious then Maddox came in and said "'has anyone seen Sonny? Hes gone!!!'" I swear i was crying by then because she tried to lie to save him and it probably didnt work and now she wood never see or heat from her true love ever again. So if u dont like heartbreakers, dont read this. I was sobbing and my mom was like "'its just a book'" but i still think its sad...i wasted my monry on a sad story...im all teary again....THANKS ALOT MS LESLY LIVINGSTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :"(

Highly Recommended

Defiantly more action in this book; couldn't put it down. Read it in 1 day! Lots of insight to the characters revealed in this book. The back history is interesting. the Fates are funny. I HAVE to get book 3 ASAP to see how Kelly resolves all the new issues. I hope there's a happy resolution with Fennrys.

I read the second book first

Warning?: I read this book without reading the first one. This is bad on so many levels.

If you really want to understand what goes on in this book I would suggest reading the first one. The reason of this is simple. Kelley and Sonny do not spend much time together in this book and the time that is spent together is spent fighting. After the first few fights I started to wonder why they were together in the first place. The conclusion that I got was that it was only because Sonny saved Kelley in the first book. It became very clear to me later on that the author wants you to take what you remember from the first book (I assume that it shows them with better chemistry than the second) and bring it to the second book, thereby making you worry about the issues that they go through.

As it is I am not really sure what happened throughout most of the book because in order to understand some things you needed to be there for the first explanation. It does explain the new things but it once again uses terms that you learned in the first book. To go into it with cold feet is almost a kin to waking up in a different country where they speak a form of your language but at the same time it is nothing like what you are used to. Like old English or European English if you are from America. The dialect and colloquialisms are different.

I thought that the plot was a little circular. Kelley had to solve her problem and when she tried to tell Sonny he was to busy with his problem. And then this third group had to solve their problem and none of the groups were talking together but when at the end they finally get together somehow all of their problems were connected. Did that give away too much? I hope not.

I can't really say if I had a favorite character in this book. It wasn't so much about the characters and how they evolve so much as the conflicts and how they were solved. Personally I think that with all the things that were uncovered about so many of the characters but not resolved means that the third book is going to be really interesting. Finally I can't really say that this book really made me like the main characters either. Sonny seemed like one of those annoying macho characters who believe that women have no place in helping with the big stuff. Kelley seemed a bit too much of a if I can't see it it is not there kind of person. It does not help that they both carry ideals that are literally centuries apart. I would say that this is a good book to read as long as you read the first one.

Excellent follow-up to Wondrous Strange

The second in the Wondrous Strange series leaves you with more questions at the story's conclusion. It begins with Kelley in New York rehearsing 'Romeo & Juliet' & Sonny in the Otherworld hunting & killing the last of the Wild Hunt. But, as close to normal as things may seem, the repercussions from Samhain eve are just starting to be felt. Kelley is attacked by a leprechaun trying to recover the stolen clover charm that she's worn since she was a baby. We meet Gwynn Ap Nudd, the Vernal King & Titania, the Summer Queen. Auberon is ailing from a mysterious condition, Mabh is, well, Mabh. Fragments of secrets are revealed, but there isn't enough information given for anyone, even the reader, to truly discern what is happening. We learn that someone is plotting to take control of a lot of power, power that is somehow tied to Kelley & to Sonny. That someone, and the truth behind the attacks, is yet to be revealed...

Having developed the characters & plot line in the first story, Livingston sends us on a bit of an adventure in this story. We travel to Otherworld with both Kelley and Sonny, and we learn a bit more of the history of the Fae Race. There are more questions than answers in this book, making me want to read the third series as soon as it's released :)

Well worth it!

The story line and the description of everything talked about is awesome!! If you're wondering wether or not to buy this book! Get it! You will not be sorry!! I didn't know there was another book coming out after this one but I'm really excited there is!!!

Love of Darklight

I am completely hooked on this series, cant wait for the next one, keeps me wanting for more, and you will be immediately hooked within the first chapter of book 1

Awesome

This is an amazing series. This book has everthing. In the first book you are left to believe one thing at the end of the book and in this one you find out that it is wrong! I have to say I am so into this book that I talk about it to everyone. This is a must read for anyone who likes romance, fantasy and much more.

o-m-g

i absolutely love this series! i picked up Wondrous Strange on a whim when it came out and instantly fell in love. With Darklight, Lesley Livingston continued to keep me absorbed in the story, and ultimately, the characters. I love the twist with Sonny. I knew there was some kind of twist coming, but never did I expect that. However, the ending made me sad (I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic). Now begins the unbearable wait for the next book. ::sigh::

Wonderful sequel

I enjoyed this book even more than the first one.

Darklight

I loved the first book and this is even better! Kelley is playing in a new play ( R & J ) and it reflects the story just like last time. she meets the Queen of Summer and the King of Spring. Sonny fights the remaining wild hunt in the Otherworld. the leprechauns and their sisters are very scary. Learn more about Sonny. Kelley grows more closer to the Wolf, who may be up to something. Full of laughs and horror. Loved every minute of it.

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