Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie (Books of Faerie, #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

Dec 12, 2010

oliviasbooks rated it

Shelves: young-adult-fiction, urban-fantasy, faeries-elves-pixies, read-2010, stays-with-me, love-story, low-expectations, beautiful-writing, male-point-of-view, boarding-school-plot

4,5 stars!! I am quite overwelmed by how much I liked Ballad, since after reading Lament I expected a sequel that would also barely make it into the "It-was-enjoyable-but-didn't-touch-me" category. In most cases sequels even take a slight - or not so slight - drop for me. Surprisingly Ballad turned out to be what I wished Lament had been: A beautiful but eerie story in which humans meet dangerous, but alluring and likable faeries. Both worlds are shaken up. Both main characters change ...more

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Mar 12, 2010

Krystle Yanagihara rated it

Ballad is the sequel to Lament, which I reviewed earlier. It’s got a bit of everything; romance, devious faeries, magic, and teen drama.

Maggie Stiefvater’s writing is much the same as in the previous book; pretty descriptions and a definite knowledge of mythology. There were a whole lot of new characters too and I just did not connect to any of them. Nuala while intriguing on her own with a spitfire personality, inner turmoil, and her own conflict with the fey, just did not grab me. ...more

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Oct 08, 2009

Heather rated it

Shelves: ya

Maggie Stiefvater ranks as one of my best newly discovered authors of 2009 (right up there with Patrick Ness). And it's saying something, for me, that I read two books about faeries -- never my favorite topic, especially after my Melissa Marr experience gone bad -- just to read more of her stuff, even though Lament, and Ballad are not, in some ways, as tightly written as Shiver, my hands-down favorite of hers.

But Ballad still contains her lyric prose, and better yet, a truly unique n...moreMaggie Stiefvater ranks as one of my best newly discovered authors of 2009 (right up there with Patrick Ness). And it's saying something, for me, that I read two books about faeries -- never my favorite topic, especially after my Melissa Marr experience gone bad -- just to read more of her stuff, even though Lament, and Ballad are not, in some ways, as tightly written as Shiver, my hands-down favorite of hers.

But Ballad still contains her lyric prose, and better yet, a truly unique narrative voice. If you liked James in Lament, Ballad is a tribute to him. And his sarcastic, sometimes crude, commentary is a strange juxtaposition to the dreamy, bittersweet descriptions she peppered throughout Lament, and in Ballad to a lesser degree. But he works. Even if he's chasing after a killer-muse (wha??), which was only slightly less weird to me than all the harp-playing Dee did in Lament, he still works. From his commentary t-shirts to his compulsive writing-on-skin habit, this guy is someone you enjoy hearing from. Her narrative claims that he's unique, super-talented and unusually intelligent never struck me as swagger, because his own voice supports the claims.

I've heard criticism about this novel on a number of points -- Nuala's not likeable, Dee and James interact too woodenly, where the heck is Luke (spoiler alert: he makes no appearances), etc -- but I'd argue against them all. Although the plot dragged a bit in the first 100 or so pages, there's no question that Stiefvater's character interactions are planned and deliberate. In Ballad we see Dee and James coping with the trauma they experienced in Lament, and the silences and gaps develop into a telling display of just how broken the two of them have been by these events. Luke's profound absence means he's never far from your mind, and all the unanswered questions have me wondering if he'll show up in book 3. Readers are constantly directed to James' ugly scar, but much more subtly, we hear him talk about the accident and his attempts to reconcile Dee's sacrifice with the arms' length she now puts between them.

I'll agree that Nuala was, in some ways, underdeveloped. She was so similar to James that her voice was not as distinctly apart from him as some may have preferred, and I could have done with hearing a little more from her. And it was troubling to think that the strongest female character in this novel claimed she was created to be so based on what James desired. Feminism takes a small step back . . . nevertheless, Stiefvater is always about the individual making the right choice, even when it's the hardest, and in Ballad Nuala shows a fair amount of pluck and verve. In another author's hands, I'd have hated her. In Stiefvater's, she grew on me.(less)

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Sep 01, 2011

Lisa rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: scholastic

Originally posted at Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me

Ballad exceeded my expectations and managed to surprise me at every turn. No longer are we focused on Dee, but on her best friend James. When he begins attending Thornking-Ash, a school for the gifted and talented, he finds himself mystified by a faerie named Nuala who just can't seem to leave him alone, and not for evil reasons either. Soon, James finds himself torn between right and wrong, friendship and love, and life and death.
...moreOriginally posted at Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me

Ballad exceeded my expectations and managed to surprise me at every turn. No longer are we focused on Dee, but on her best friend James. When he begins attending Thornking-Ash, a school for the gifted and talented, he finds himself mystified by a faerie named Nuala who just can't seem to leave him alone, and not for evil reasons either. Soon, James finds himself torn between right and wrong, friendship and love, and life and death.

I was pleasantly surprised when Ballad broke away from Dee's narration and was told in the point of view of James. His narration was strong and enjoyable to read, a vast difference to Dee's weaker and more feminine voice. I felt that the action increased ten-fold and the novel itself moved at a fast pace, whilst still effectively developing the characters and entangling us in a variety of story lines.

Dee is largely absent in this book and makes only a few appearances at crucial moments, although the book is littered with unsent text messages from her to James. While she slowly withers away inside, due to prior events, a fire is kindling between James and Nuala, a faerie who feeds on the energies of others to survive. After a certain amount of years, she must burn alive, to be reborn without her memories. This is her last year. I found the jump between couples (Dee and Luke in Lament) to be very easy and honestly preferred this relationship a lot more. The feelings were more realistic, the romance less filled with mind games, and the stakes much higher. I quickly became emotionally invested in their journey together and found the ending to be very suitable.

The only negative about this book is Dee. After the first two meetings she had with James, I grew tired of her damsel-in-distress-I'm-so-sad attitude. Never getting over Luke, who was taken in by the faeries, she's a little unstable and a constant pain in everyone's behind. Thank goodness we didn't have to deal with her a lot! I had expected Ballad to be a continuation of Dee's story, so the complete lack of development and conclusion of her character was underwhelming.

Another great novel by Maggie Stiefvater, this author can do no wrong! Magical and romantic as always, Ballad will leave you wanting more, even after you've turned the last page. (less)

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Jan 08, 2010

Tracy74 rated it

Shelves: read-in-2010

Wow, I really liked this book. I wasn't sure what to expect at first. I was really hoping it was going to truly continue from where Lament left off and finished the story or at least answer some of my questions..... It did continue, but from James point of view. I really like James in Lament and loved him in Ballad. I got sucked into this story really wanting to find out what happens.
At this point I feel like I'm holding my breath with the anticipation of hearing if there will be more book...more

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Dec 20, 2011

Lynn rated it

I think that the more I read by Maggie Stiefvater the more I love her books. I have found so much to appreciate about her writing. This book does not disappoint.

Be forewarned that if you read this book right after Lament you might have unfulfilled expectations. There is very little Dee and what you get of her is a very different side than in the first book. More about that in a sec. Also there is no Luke. This book if from James' perspective and takes off on a different but r...moreI think that the more I read by Maggie Stiefvater the more I love her books. I have found so much to appreciate about her writing. This book does not disappoint.

Be forewarned that if you read this book right after Lament you might have unfulfilled expectations. There is very little Dee and what you get of her is a very different side than in the first book. More about that in a sec. Also there is no Luke. This book if from James' perspective and takes off on a different but related direction than the first book. I think this book is more enjoyable if you take a break after reading Lament and read this one later. I enjoyed it so much more because I was prepared for the shift in narrator and focus and not pining for Dee's and Luke's story as much as if I had read this right after Lament. This allowed me to fully appreciate this story and James as a narrator and character.

There are potential mild spoilers after this so read further only if you don't mind those mild spoilers. I won't give away anything really important but some people don't want to read anything so those people beware.

One of the criticisms I had heard about for this book was involving Dee. Some people said she seemed weepy and weak. Others said she seemed like a b!#@h. I don't think that either of those criticisms are fair and here is why. It is pretty clear by the end of the book (and for me throughout the book if you pick up on the clues) that Dee is spiraling down into a deep depression and is not in a good frame of mind. She is not adjusting to the things that happened to her the prior summer. I found this very realistic. No it doesn't bring out the best in Dee, but really we are never in her head to know the depths of what she is going through. We are in James' head and thus we ache with and for him and our sympathies all lie with him. He doesn't see what is truly going on with Dee (her descent into giving up by the end=suicidal) and thus we don't totally see it either. He is understandably and rightfully hurt by the things Dee says and does. He doesn't understand how she can do/say these things nor ever seem to remember that he is hurting too. Again, we suffer with him because we are in his head and hearing everything from his perspective.

The truth is, though, that depressed people don't/can't think outside themselves very well. They are in too much pain and it is hard to see outside that cage. Compound this with the fact that Dee does love/care about James, just not in a way that matches how he loved/felt about her. She doesn't know how to relate to him or be his friend knowing how he feels about her. That is seriously hard territory to cross for a mentally healthy person, much less someone who is struggling and further more a teen. She doesn't want to involve him with the Faeries anymore either. So she takes all this stuff into herself.

I really enjoyed seeing and learning more about James. I like the way Maggie develops him and all the facets to his personality. One of the things I love about Maggie's main characters are all their facets. They seem so much more real than some of the other characters in YA I read. I also love how the male "hero"/love interests are often so different from the typical and overused YA types. You don't get some desperately beautiful bad boy that is magically tamed by the girl into someone who can finally love (but always just the one girl ever after of course). Maggie's guys can be tender/sensitive and poetic ala Sam from Shiver. They can be cocky, quirky, compulsive musicians who also suffer from some insecurities that they try and keep hidden. James is partly rebellious but also partly nerd. I love all of that about him. It made him so much more real and relatable. There is a little of James in myself so I can relate to him especially. The hero/love interests can also be silent, proud, horse whisperers who seem to be part of different species ala Sean form the Scorpio Races. You get the point.

I really hope she finishes the third book in this series. James seems to get his happy ending and Dee is left with only our hope that she can finally start to heal. It would be nice to see things move in a better direction for her and for her to have some sort of closure.(less)

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Jun 09, 2010

Sherrie Petersen rated it

Shelves: reviewed

Nobody writes longing like Maggie Stiefvater. It clings to every page, wraps itself around your heart. Trust me. When you're done reading one of her books, you are ready to make the person laying next to you happy. Very happy.

I read Shiver last fall after Myra McEntire raved about it repeatedly. I was not disappointed. I liked it so much I bought more copies and gave them away for Christmas gifts. I told everyone I knew to read the book. Then hubby brought me Lament as a souvenir from ...more

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Nov 07, 2009

~Tina~ rated it

Shelves: fey-folk

See, I have this strange thing about me. When I read a book I put myself entirely into it. So when I read the Wicked Lovely books I was fully warped into Keenan/Seth and Ash lives. When I read Ink Exchange however, I felt lost cause it wasn't there story.
When I read Lament, again, I connected with the characters Luke and Dee.
So now comes BALLAD and again, I felt the lost of the characters that I wanted to read about.
This is only because with the Wicked Lovely books and now Lame...more

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Jan 16, 2010

Rachel rated it

Shelves: i-own, favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Going into this book i will admit that my expectations were high. Being a fan of Maggie Stiefvater and with Lament being one of my all time faves, i expected a lot from this book. While i was initially hesitant seeing that the story was now focused on James, but i'm happy to say my worries were not needed.
This was an excellent story. The plot itself was lovely and captivating. I love the whole world of Faerie that Maggie has created.
James had a freshness he didn't have in the first ...moreGoing into this book i will admit that my expectations were high. Being a fan of Maggie Stiefvater and with Lament being one of my all time faves, i expected a lot from this book. While i was initially hesitant seeing that the story was now focused on James, but i'm happy to say my worries were not needed.
This was an excellent story. The plot itself was lovely and captivating. I love the whole world of Faerie that Maggie has created.
James had a freshness he didn't have in the first book, while still retaining the sarcastic nature and view on life he has that make him such a unique, enjoyable character. I loved being able to see him in a whole new way and i will say my view on him is completely different than the one i had after reading Lament.
I thought Nuala was a wonderful character also, and a fitting match for James. She was feisty, witty and just has filled with sarcasm as he, himself was. I loved that she usually had a retort for the things he said. She certainly knew how to put in him in place at times. Despite their issues with each other in the beginning of the story, they both seemed to find something in each other that others hadn't before. They saw each other in a way that only they could. I think over the course of the story they both really grew as characters and no one can deny that it was because of the other. Nuala connected with James in a way that i think nobody, including Dee ever had before. She seemed to see him for exactly what he was. And it was because of James that Nuala grew into the human like, chip lovin' faerie she became. He showed her all the good things about being human and it was this that lead her to want to become a human herself.
As for Dee...well, i will say i am a tad disappointed with her. Although i understand that she's only human and everyone has their vulnerable moments and makes mistakes, i felt she just kept making bad choice after bad choice in this book. I prefer the character she was in the first book and i hope that she can find the strength to over come the hardships she's facing to be that person once again. I'll defiantly follow her on her journey....

I understood James's choice to save Dee towards the end of this book. Despite the fact that he clearly did love Nuala, and wanted to be with her, he did also love Dee and he had to do what was right. And saving Dee and stopping the evil 'homicidal faeries' was what was right. Still, praise for Paul and his sticking around to be there for Nuala while she burned.
I will say that i am happier with this ending than i was with Lament. There's more promise and hope. I'm glad that Nuala is alive (and human, i think) and that she and James can potentially have a future.

Here's the only real issue i had with Ballard....... I MISSED LUKE!! I really did! I'd love to see he and Dee be the focus in future books and perhaps have their own happy ending in the end.

I loved it and i recommend it!!!!!
(less)

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Jun 02, 2010

kari rated it

Shelves: 2009, ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Wow, really didn't care for this one and I'm disappointed.
I was hoping this sequel was a continuation of Deirdre's story but this one is all about James and Nuala, a muse faerie who sucks the life from her sexual partners to live. Yeah, nice, huh?
James doesn't like her, isn't interested in what she has to offer until suddenly, for no apparent reason, other than it would seem he wants to make Dee unhappy, he is interested. Even though James has told Nuala he isn't interested and to le...more

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Dec 30, 2009

BOOK BUTTERFLY rated it

Maggie' Stiefvater’s writing really is so addictive. It hooks you right from the start and seems to flow with a lyric all of its own. When I first read Lament, I was left wanting to learn more about one character in particular- James. There were quick little glimpses into his character, but not enough to satisfy my curiosity about him. I hoped that in the sequel we'd get to learn more about him. Let me just say, if you felt the same way- then Ballad will not disappoint you. Right from page one I...moreMaggie' Stiefvater’s writing really is so addictive. It hooks you right from the start and seems to flow with a lyric all of its own. When I first read Lament, I was left wanting to learn more about one character in particular- James. There were quick little glimpses into his character, but not enough to satisfy my curiosity about him. I hoped that in the sequel we'd get to learn more about him. Let me just say, if you felt the same way- then Ballad will not disappoint you. Right from page one I knew that this was going to be an introspective novel. James practically jumped out of the pages and came to life for me, and I felt sad when it was over.

On the outside, James was this hilarious, talented charmer with a sarcastic sense of humor. But his character was so much more complex than that. Maggie Stiefvater enabled us to see James on a very personal, deep level. I think being allowed to get inside his head (and heart) made me fall even more in love with his character. It was almost heartbreaking at times to watch him deal with the roller coaster of emotions as Dee turned away from him and other more threatening events began to unfold. Every aspect of his personality was so endearing to me - the bag pipe playing, the smart alek one liners, the obsessive writing on his hand compulsion, his humorous t-shirts, etc. When I finished the book, I found myself actually missing James like he wasn’t just a fictional character. That’s how real his personality shown through in Ballad.
More than a companion piece than actual sequel to Lament, Ballad is told from the alternating points of view of James and an unusual faery we are introduced to named Nuala. This time around Dee is but a blip here and there- a reminder of James' painful feelings as he tries to build a life for himself at Thornking Ash and come to terms with the events of Lament. Most of the insight into what was going on with Dee was revealed through text messages typed but never sent to James. That really added a lot of suspense to the novel and was crucial to the plot. As for Nuala, she was a welcome muse for him and I found myself completely rooting for the two of them even though I knew she was potentially very dangerous for him to become involved with in any capacity whatsoever.

It’s almost like Maggie Stiefvater wrote Ballad as a love letter to James. If you liked James before, you will love him in Ballad. Maggie's writing hooks you right from the start and you become entranced in her stories and emotionally invested in her characters. I really believe it is impossible to put down a book of Maggie Stiefvater’s and walk away. With all that being said, Ballad exceeded my already high expectations by leaps and bounds. I desperately hope there will be more novels in this series.(less)

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Oct 29, 2009

Katieb (MundieMoms) rated it

Shelves: 2009-100-book-challenge, books-i-own

Ballad starts with James and Dee at the private school for musicians. Jame's talent attracts Nuala, who just happens to be a soul snatcher (who's also a faerie muse) who finds and feeds off of those with exceptional gifts. Everyone she's been attracted to dies after she feeds on them. What neither of them excepts is to develop a relationship. I have to say that they both dish up a healthy dose of snarkiness and I love it.

James still has feelings for Dee, who's still grieving over Lu...moreBallad starts with James and Dee at the private school for musicians. Jame's talent attracts Nuala, who just happens to be a soul snatcher (who's also a faerie muse) who finds and feeds off of those with exceptional gifts. Everyone she's been attracted to dies after she feeds on them. What neither of them excepts is to develop a relationship. I have to say that they both dish up a healthy dose of snarkiness and I love it.

James still has feelings for Dee, who's still grieving over Luke. We do get a few little mentions here and there of Luke. James's biggest worry is the fey are coming for Dee and for Nuala, and for two different reasons. Dee is the cloverhand whom the fey are drawn to and follow. Nuala is cursed to die every 16 yrs only to have to come back and not remember a thing about her last 16 years. She soon learns more about who she really is.

Now James must choose whom he will save as he comes face to face with the Queen of the Fey who wants Dee dead and the Horned King of the Dead as he's looking for his next predecessor.

I liked that some familiar characters were brought back and some lingering questions I had from Lament where answered in Ballad. Just wait till Dee's aunt comes back. She's evil and I knew she was up to no good. I also like the new characters that are introduced, as it seems like they'll be back for the third book. I am looking forward to reading the next story, as there's so much more to explore as Dee, James and those who survive the latest round of attacks from the fey will be dealing with. There's a lot of things that happen in Ballad and wow, I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for all of them.

I really liked that most of the book came from James's point of view and the other point of view was from Nuala. James's snarkiness and cockiness are classic (there's just something I like about snarky guys.)!! Nuala can definitely dish it right back to him. I have been so excited to read this book, but something was missing in it for me. I'm not quite sure what it is, as I totally recommend it and I can't wait for the next one!! Over all I liked it, but I wasn't in love with it like I was Lament. (less)

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Oct 11, 2009

Kristi (The Story Siren) added it

Shelves: own-arc, signed-arcs, books-i-own

Three words; addictive, magical, & wicked.

I've been eagerly awaiting this novel since the last pages of Lament. Eagerly awaiting to fulfill my craving of James, I mean! Ballad, although could be considered a sequel to Lament, is more of a companion novel. Let me just say that Ballad finally (finally!) satisfies that insatiable hunger for James, after that enticing, all to short, glimpse during Lament. And can I say, that I only love him more. His witty retorts, his one line smart ass...moreThree words; addictive, magical, & wicked.

I've been eagerly awaiting this novel since the last pages of Lament. Eagerly awaiting to fulfill my craving of James, I mean! Ballad, although could be considered a sequel to Lament, is more of a companion novel. Let me just say that Ballad finally (finally!) satisfies that insatiable hunger for James, after that enticing, all to short, glimpse during Lament. And can I say, that I only love him more. His witty retorts, his one line smart ass comments, his idiotic t-shirts.... they only add to his charm.

Ballad is a completely different story than it's predecessor. And I don't mean that in a negative way, but it's apparent from page one, that James' story is deep. He is so much more than his humorous exterior, it's heartbreaking. The beautiful complexity of his character is unbelievable. I was in awe of that alone.

However, I cannot fail to mention the extremely talented Maggie Steifvater. I can't explain her writing. It's addictive, it almost has it's own melody, the chorus from a song that gets stuck in your head. It is absolutely beautiful, which is a completely simplistic depiction, yet there is no other word for it. It. Is. Beautiful! And the thing is, the writing for this series feels totally different than it does for Shiver. (Another one of Maggie's novels) And Shiver is beautifully written as well, but it's a different kind of beauty, am I the only one that feels this way? Maybe I'm crazy.

The story was fantastic. It alternates between James and Nuala. There are a few texts from Dee thrown in there (which I thought were crucial to the plot), but really she's sort of background music in this novel. It was fast paced, but never felt rushed. Twists and turns that I never saw coming. Entertaining as well as enjoyable.

And I'm just going to stop right there, because I could keep going, but I'm not one for a long review, and this is like the longest in my history. Needless to say, I love this series. And I loved Ballad even more. I knew there would be great things to come when I read Lament. I'm so very glad to see it a reality.
(less)

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Feb 01, 2012

BookChic Club rated it

I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. As mentioned in my Lament review, I loved James' character and was excited to see a book written from his point of view. I still enjoyed reading from James' perspective and we got a much deeper characterization of him than what we saw from Dierdre's viewpoint, which was just a carefree, funny guy. In this book, he is still funny, but there's a lot more going on inside his head than we ever thought. I really enjoyed seeing that shift between t...more

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Dec 08, 2011

Sonia rated it

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La Stiefvater mi aveva trascinata senza troppi ma e troppi se con Shiver, mi aveva incuriosita con Whisper - anche se la mia curiosità ne era uscita un po' delusa perché non avevo ritrovato lo stesso potere di Shiver - e ora con Destiny, seguito di Whisper, speravo di trovare o ritrovare un po' del fascino della scrittrice.
Tentativo fallito su ogni fronte.
Mi trascino questa lettura da giorni, senza aver il coraggio di abbandonare precipitosamente il libro, ma senza avere la voglia e ...moreLa Stiefvater mi aveva trascinata senza troppi ma e troppi se con Shiver, mi aveva incuriosita con Whisper - anche se la mia curiosità ne era uscita un po' delusa perché non avevo ritrovato lo stesso potere di Shiver - e ora con Destiny, seguito di Whisper, speravo di trovare o ritrovare un po' del fascino della scrittrice.
Tentativo fallito su ogni fronte.
Mi trascino questa lettura da giorni, senza aver il coraggio di abbandonare precipitosamente il libro, ma senza avere la voglia e la forza di continuare la lettura fino alla fine.
Purtroppo mi ha annoiata fin dal principio: ho immediatamente riconosciuto i toni che già mi avevano tediata in Whisper e che qui non facevano altro che ripetersi e ripetersi.
Attenzione: il mio non è un giudizio negativo sullo stile dell'autrice o sul contenuto del libro. Mi rendo conto che nei casi in cui una storia mi annoia, non accade solo per le pecche della scrittrice ma probabilmente anche per un'incompatibilità del mio animo da lettrice con determinate storie e determinati modi di raccontarle.
In questa in particolare non ho trovato nulla che meritasse la mia attenzione.
Il romanzo è incentrato sulla figura di James, il ragazzo che nel primo volume aveva un ruolo secondario, come migliore amico di Dee, la protagonista, ma all'epoca messo in secondo piano da Luke, il ragazzo di cui Dee si innamora.
Uscito Luke fuori di scena, James segue Dee al conservatoro di Thornking Ash, perché profondamente innamorato di lei, eternamente non ricambiato. A questo amore si aggiungerà la passione di Nuala per James: inizialmente la fata-vampiro lo sceglie come vittima, per poi capire che prova qualcosa di forte nei suoi confronti.
Queste le prime 150 pagine e più: a quel punto mi sono ritrovata a pensare.
Ma che me ne importa?? Chi se ne frega di James, che non mi ha mai particolarmente colpita, o di Deirdre, che qui non fa che piagnucolare e imbastire sms che non manderà mai, o della fata banalmente stereotipata che si presenta come cattiva per poi sciogliere il suo cuore? Davvero, che me ne faccio di questa gente?
Ho trovato questo tipo di storie un po' ovunque, è vero, e continuo a leggerne: questa purtroppo ha il difetto di non attrarmi neanche per come è raccontata, o per le dinamiche, né di interessarmi e incuriosirmi.
Ho avvertito una piattezza nella narrazione che, ripeto, non è dovuta esclusivamente alle doti dell'autrice ma anche alla mia incompatibilità con la sua narrazione, evidentemente.
Mi dispiace di aver sprecato una lettura e di esserne uscita così annoiata, ma purtroppo capita anche questo.
Spero che voi riusciate a trovarci il bello che io non ci ho trovato!!!(less)

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Nov 10, 2011

Kate Strawberry rated it

Shelves: young-adult

I was very sad when I finished this story. Not that I didn't love it - because I did - but Ballad was the last remaining Maggie Stiefvater novel that I hadn't read, which means no more until next year probably.

I don't think I need to tell you again how much I love Maggie Stiefvater's writing. It is absolutely magical and beautiful and lyrical and whatever other wonderful adjectives you can think of to describe wordsmiths. It gives me that warm, fuzzy good book feeling and at the same t...more

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Oct 11, 2011

Sarah Darlington rated it

BALLAD is the companion novel to Maggie Stiefvater's novel Lament. Except where Lament mostly followed mostly Dee's story, Ballad follows James. Both James and Dee have just started at their new music school. Although their relationship has become strained so we rarely see Dee in this novel. James' gift for music has attracted Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and then feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. The story switches between both James and Nua...more

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Aug 21, 2011

Lelia Taylor rated it

Ballad
Maggie Stiefvater
Flux, 2009
ISBN 0738714844
Trade Paperback

James, a teen with a remarkable gift for music, is surrounded by other students with artistic talents at Thornking-Ash School of Music, a boarding school in the mountains of Virginia. His long-time best friend, Dee, is also a student there but they are estranged, torn apart by earlier events involving the faerie world and a text message James sent to Dee that changed everything between them.

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Aug 16, 2011

Yuko86 rated it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, young-adults, fae, read-in-2011

Destiny costituisce il secondo e ultimo volume della saga Books of faerie di Maggie Stiefvater, serie di esordio della scrittrice che si è poi conquistata la fama con la trilogia The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Shiver, Deeper, Forever).

La storia riprende più o meno da dove l’avevamo lasciata solo che il pov slitta, passando da Dee a James: è proprio questo cambiamento, secondo me, a far decollare il romanzo molto di più del volume precedente, Whisper.

James è intelligente, iro...moreDestiny costituisce il secondo e ultimo volume della saga Books of faerie di Maggie Stiefvater, serie di esordio della scrittrice che si è poi conquistata la fama con la trilogia The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Shiver, Deeper, Forever).

La storia riprende più o meno da dove l’avevamo lasciata solo che il pov slitta, passando da Dee a James: è proprio questo cambiamento, secondo me, a far decollare il romanzo molto di più del volume precedente, Whisper.

James è intelligente, ironico, sarcastico e risulta molto più interessante del personaggio di Dee, che oltretutto in Destiny passa il 90% del tempo a piangersi addosso e ferire i sentimenti del povero suonatore di cornamusa.

Altro personaggio davvero notevole è quello di Nuala, una Leanan Sidhe: costretta a bruciare ogni tredici anni per poi rinascere senza alcun ricordo, vive succhiando la linfa vitale ai musicisti dotati di talento, che si innamorano perdutamente di lei e le vendono la loro anima in cambio di ispirazione e amore. Ma James non è uno stupido, ha già incontrato il popolo fatato, sa che non è formato da fatine alla Campanellino ma da esseri spietati che chiedono sempre qualcosa in cambio dei loro favori.
Ma quando colei che ami ha in testa un altro, cosa ti trattiene dal gettarti tra le braccia del tuo carnefice?

Destiny è un romanzo ricco di sentimenti e emozioni, che sia James che Nuala tentano di nascondere senza però riuscirci del tutto: testimonianza ne sono le braccia del ragazzo, ricoperte da parole che creano una sorta di diario personale in cui sfogare tutte le proprie incertezze e la propria frustrazione.

Interessante la scelta dell’autrice di alternate capitoli dedicati a James a altri dedicati a Nuala, con come intermezzo pagine di sms scritti da Dee al suo migliore amico e mai inviati.

Tragico e commovente l’epilogo: la giusta fine per un libro tutto in crescendo, che consiglio non solo a chi ha amato il precedente volume ma anche a chi ne è rimasto non del tutto convinto, perchè Destiny è decisamente una spanna sopra Whisper.

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Jun 26, 2011

Jennifer rated it

I read Ballad without reading the first book in the series, and I must say....I LOVE JAMES! I mean, he's witty, artistic, sarcastic, and honorable. I'm not swoony over him, but I just like him so much. I'd have wanted him as my best guy friend in high school, and I'm super glad that he has Nuala when Dee is so selfish and stand offish for the whole book. I really disliked her intensely (she pulls some pretty selfish and immature crap) until the end when James (and thus the reader) realize that s...more

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May 24, 2011

Tom Franklin rated it

The highest compliment that I can pay this book is that Maggie Stiefvater does what I didn't think was possible: write a book with clear shades of Charles deLint while still making it her own. There is a celtic music backdrop, and a faerie world just beyond the borders of our seen world, and a number of people with the gift of seeing or hearing the calls of the unseen faeries. But, throughout BALLAD I felt Stiefvater was, at most, only sharing many of the same props while making them entirely h...more

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Mar 02, 2011

Ellen rated it

Shelves: paranormal-series, ya-series

After I read this I found I no longer liked Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception as much. James and Nuala are both stronger characters and more alive than Deidre was. And James and Nuala together came across as more realistic.

James was snarky and glib and totally unrepentant, and I loved it. He was a much stronger character as shown by the fact he lost Deidre and he didn't fall apart, he was sad and missed his best friend but he moved on. He was hilarious and a great friend to Peter ...more

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Dec 22, 2010

Alissa rated it

Beautifully crafted magic, brimming with life and discovery. Ballad’s plot is not all too predictable, yet not all too solid. Much is left unexplained; the details I needed can only be found in Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception, which is the first book. Unfortunately for me, I’ve yet to read Lament – which most explains my utter confusion concerning Deirdre “Dee” Monaghan.

What is her deal? and Why is she so important to James? are only two of the many, many questions that fluttere...moreBeautifully crafted magic, brimming with life and discovery. Ballad’s plot is not all too predictable, yet not all too solid. Much is left unexplained; the details I needed can only be found in Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception, which is the first book. Unfortunately for me, I’ve yet to read Lament – which most explains my utter confusion concerning Deirdre “Dee” Monaghan.

What is her deal? and Why is she so important to James? are only two of the many, many questions that fluttered in my mind whenever Dee happened to appear in the story – which wasn’t very often. It got to the point that I wondered why she needed to make appearances at all. I understand her purpose, but it didn’t come through until the end, and at that point, I’d already had enough of her. Dee is interspersed throughout the story in the form of unsent – and dreadfully grammatically incorrect – text messages (all addressed to James). From these text messages, and her pointless/random appearances, I’d gathered that she’s an annoying, unstable, petty girl of a character. Then, almost as if out of nowhere, I’m told by James that she’s actually intellectual and driven.

Let’s just say this didn’t add up to me.

James, on the other hand, is a refreshing change from many other YA male characters – he’s spunky, intelligent, and yet, still a typical boy. Stiefvater characterizes him well, without overdoing it on the snarky dialogue.

And then there’s Nuala. Not only did I find her annoying, but also too changeable. Nuala is meant to be different from other fey, but the changes she goes through so suddenly are predictable and transparent. It felt more like she had to change, just to carry along the plot.

The relationship between Nuala and James was, at first, endearing and light. Later, it escalated into a love that didn’t seem fitting. It felt as though because there was no other important female character, she had to fulfill the role of love interest.

What really enhanced Ballad was the writing itself: fluid, beautiful descriptions and purposeful dialogue. These save the book, as a whole. Less than thrilling characters were not enough to impact my overall liking of the novel, but came dangerously close to doing so.

(www.thegrammariansreviews.blogspot.com)(less)

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Dec 09, 2010

Terri rated it

Shelves: ya-fantasy

STOP! Before you read this review, I have to tell you that it’s a sequel. A really, really good sequel.

Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception is the book that came before, and it was reasonably good. It featured the classic “girl with nice guy best friend meets magical hot guy and finds her helpless-in-a-supposed-to-be-endearing-way self in the middle of a” love triangle. (Disclaimer: I nearly always go for the best friend instead of the magical hottie. I hold a grudge against liter...moreSTOP! Before you read this review, I have to tell you that it’s a sequel. A really, really good sequel.

Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception is the book that came before, and it was reasonably good. It featured the classic “girl with nice guy best friend meets magical hot guy and finds her helpless-in-a-supposed-to-be-endearing-way self in the middle of a” love triangle. (Disclaimer: I nearly always go for the best friend instead of the magical hottie. I hold a grudge against literary heroines who totally ditch their best friends like that.) Dierdre is the heroine of that novel, accompanied by her best friend James and said magical hottie, Luke.

After the events of the first book, which I will not disclose, James and Dee enroll in a music academy (they’re both extremely musical and talented, which is the framework around which both books are built). Unlike Lament, which is told from Dee’s perspective, Ballad is told from James’ perspective. He’s snarky, sarcastic and incredibly intelligent, which makes for an interesting read. Dee, meanwhile, is not having an easy time at the music academy. Without spoiling the plot of the first book, I’ll just say that Luke is not a presence in the second, and Dee is not handling it well.

When James and Dee get to the academy, James hears strange music at night. The next day, he meets a girl, Nuala, who ends up being a half-faerie. She’s a muse, a faerie who steals away years of a human’s life in exchange for feeding them supernaturally inspired music, poetry, painting, etc. For James, Nuala tempts him with music so achingly beautiful and weighty that it hurts. Conflict in Faerie, leftover from the first book, becomes downright dangerous in the second … and this time, it is James who must decide between his best friend and a magical hottie.

The thing I best enjoyed about Ballad is what I best enjoyed about Eyes Like Stars: the author wasn’t afraid of using complex language. YA is not meant to be dumbed-down; despite my opinion at work sometimes (like today when a kid asked me if he could introduce himself to his new boss via text message *facepalm*), teenagers are NOT stupid. They’re studying for the SATs. They know what vociferous means. I love it when YA authors use challenging language, because it means that those readers are going to mature into using it as their primary mode of communication. If you read smart, you’ll be smart, kids.

I really enjoyed this book. I got it from the library yesterday afternoon and blew through it in a matter of hours. I stayed up past my bedtime and I do not regret it. I am putting this on my Amazon list, and I am pleased to tell you that it’s in paperback. Also, her website is just beautiful, check this out. http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/index.ph...

Now, go read. Really.

http://starlightbookreviews.wordpress.co...

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Dec 01, 2010

Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it

Shelves: 2009-100-book-challenge, books-i-own, mundie-moms-book-of-the-month, mundie-moms-reviews

Ballad starts with James and Dee at the private school for musicians. Jame's talent attracts Nuala, who just happens to be a soul snatcher (who's also a faerie muse) who finds and feeds off of those with exceptional gifts. Everyone she's been attracted to dies after she feeds on them. What neither of them excepts is to develop a relationship. I have to say that they both dish up a healthy dose of snarkiness and I love it.

James still has feelings for Dee, who's still grieving over Luke...moreBallad starts with James and Dee at the private school for musicians. Jame's talent attracts Nuala, who just happens to be a soul snatcher (who's also a faerie muse) who finds and feeds off of those with exceptional gifts. Everyone she's been attracted to dies after she feeds on them. What neither of them excepts is to develop a relationship. I have to say that they both dish up a healthy dose of snarkiness and I love it.

James still has feelings for Dee, who's still grieving over Luke. We do get a few little mentions here and there of Luke. James's biggest worry is the fey are coming for Dee and for Nuala, and for two different reasons. Dee is the cloverhand whom the fey are drawn to and follow. Nuala is cursed to die every 16 yrs only to have to come back and not remember a thing about her last 16 years. She soon learns more about who she really is.

Now James must choose whom he will save as he comes face to face with the Queen of the Fey who wants Dee dead and the Horned King of the Dead as he's looking for his next predecessor.

I liked that some familiar characters were brought back and some lingering questions I had from Lament where answered in Ballad. Just wait till Dee's aunt comes back. She's evil and I knew she was up to no good. I also like the new characters that are introduced, as it seems like they'll be back for the third book. I am looking forward to reading the next story, as there's so much more to explore as Dee, James and those who survive the latest round of attacks from the fey will be dealing with. There's a lot of things that happen in Ballad and wow, I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for all of them.

I really liked that most of the book came from James's point of view and the other point of view was from Nuala. James's snarkiness and cockiness are classic (there's just something I like about snarky guys.)!! Nuala can definitely dish it right back to him. I have been so excited to read this book, but something was missing in it for me. I'm not quite sure what it is, as I totally recommend it and I can't wait for the next one!! Over all I liked it, but I wasn't in love with it like I was Lament.(less)

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Oct 03, 2010

Shannon rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Both James and Dee are now students at Thornking-Ash, a private school for those who excel in music. However, those that have significant musical capabilities also seem to have abilities of another kind, whether it be psychic, supernatural, or just being able to see Them. James and Dee don’t really see each other very often, and when they do, their interactions are strained by the events of the previous summer. James still loves Dee, and Dee still wants Luke. Potentially problematic.

...moreBoth James and Dee are now students at Thornking-Ash, a private school for those who excel in music. However, those that have significant musical capabilities also seem to have abilities of another kind, whether it be psychic, supernatural, or just being able to see Them. James and Dee don’t really see each other very often, and when they do, their interactions are strained by the events of the previous summer. James still loves Dee, and Dee still wants Luke. Potentially problematic.

James is unlike the other students, considering that his instrument is pipes. Bagpipes, actually. And Thornking-Ash doesn’t have a piping instructor who is up to snuff. Shortly after his first and only piping lesson, James meets Nuala, a strange girl that inspires music in him. He recognizes the signs, though, and tries to send her on her way, knowing that she is no ordinary human. She is actually a leanan sidhe, a solitary fey, who is more like humans than most other fey. Like a phoenix, she burns and rises from her ashes, every 16 years. She must take human energy to stay alive, and makes deals with young, artistically talented males, trading her muse-like abilities to inspire greatness, for just a few years off their lives. It had been about two months since her last one died, and Nuala was beginning to get hungry. And she wanted James.

Nuala shows James what she can help him to be, helping him compose beautiful music, giving him dreams of such beauty that waking means to suffer. James continues to turn down her offers and refuses to make a deal with her. Eventually, of course, she decides that she does not want to strike a bargain with James, because she does not want to take any years off of his life. She cares too much for him. As she weakens, she becomes more human-like. She can no longer read James’ mind, she can eat human food, and she can no longer see the golden color coming from James, which initially attracted her as it signifies his musical genius. They have been spending more and more time together, and discover that they love each other. It is a first for each of them, as Nuala never knew it was possible for her to love, and James finally recognizes the difference between real love and what he felt for Dee.

Meanwhile, throughout the school year, James, his roommate Paul, probably in addition to a few others, hear music in the late evenings. It is singing coming from a nearby hill. Unable to resist, James makes almost nightly excursions to hear the singing of Cernunnos, the antlered king of the dead. James doesn’t understand the language, but Nuala is able to translate that he is calling the dead to him, as Halloween approaches. Paul hears him sing a list of names of those who will be dead. Both James and Dee are on this list.

This book is told from first-person, alternating primarily between James and Nuala. While Dee doesn’t play too much of a role in the direct telling of the story until near the end, we do get snippets from her as well. Interspersed between a few chapters, there are text messages that Dee writes to James, but then saves them as drafts instead of actually sending them. It is through these brief messages that we learn that Dee has found Luke again, then that it wasn’t really Luke, just one of the fey toying with Dee. She also says she has killed someone, and that she can hear them coming for her. She ends this last text message with “i love u,” a text identical to the last one James sent to her the last summer, before his car wreck.

Nuala is in her sixteenth year, and she knows that she must burn on Halloween in order to continue to live. But she knows that when she rises, she will be a clean slate, with no memories of her previous existences. She wants badly to remember James. The new Faerie Queen, Eleanor, tells James how to make her remember him. He must say her true name seven times, without interruption, as he watches her burn from beginning to end. But Cernunnos has already told James that he will be forced to choose. So, on Halloween night, as James is watching Nuala burn, (and as Nuala is desperately hoping to return as a human), he learns that Dee is in trouble and is going to be killed. Knowing that Dee is the most important, and realizing that Eleanor had wanted him to stay with Nuala only so that he wouldn’t be near Dee, he leaves Nuala’s bonfire.

Dee is the most powerful cloverhand, which means wherever she goes, Faerie must follow. Eleanor is tired of being controlled, so she has stuck a bargain with Cernunnos. He is to choose a successor this year, so Eleanor is planning to unite Faerie and the Dead by giving him one of her choosing. Eleanor has a human consort and has promised him that he will be made a king. She has ripped out his heart and is about to replace it with the heart of the cloverhand. James arrives just in time, before Dee’s heart is removed. But Delia, Dee’s evil human aunt, is there too and is aiding the Queen. James fights back, saving Dee. Cernunnos arrives before Eleanor has a successor for him, but he will give her no more time as he must choose. He wants to choose Dee, or James, but Sullivan, a young teacher, steps in and takes the role, since he is already dying. When he is king, he commands the dead to leave Dee and James alone.

James and Dee rush back to Nuala’s bonfire, where Paul has watched her burn from beginning to end. The three of them dig deep into the hot ashes of the bonfire, with Paul and Dee giving up first. James finally finds her, and pulls her naked, ash covered body from the ground. He gives her his sweatshirt and then hugs her. She seems like she still remembers him, but there isn’t a definite answer.

I really liked this book. It was a cute story, and I was left wanting more. Mainly I wanted to know where Luke was and why he didn’t come back somehow for Dee. It seems a bit unfair that James would get to keep his faerie love and not Dee. And I was happy that Delia got what she deserved too, (death). My only complaint is that I wanted more details, but maybe there will be more books in this series in the future.(less)

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Jul 12, 2010

Music_lover3 rated it

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this wasn't it. I thought this was a really good book by itself, but it was terrible as a sequel, especially as an ending to a series. I had several problems with this one. I hated the ending, but I did like James as a character (he was quirky enough to be interesting), even Nuala. I thought she was good for him. However, I still skimmed most of it, even with two funny, very likeable main characters. And I hated Dee in this book. She did a complete 180 from...more

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Jul 11, 2010

Jessica Phillips rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 17, 2010

Beth Fred rated it

As far as books go as a stand alone this one would have been okay. It's not a page turner like Lament and it's not poetic like Shiver, but still it was a decent story.

My frustration comes in with it being marketed as a sequel to Lament, which ends sadly with James apparently being dead, Luke Dillon's soul being returned but him having to go live with a group of faeries to avoid dieing once his soul is returned. But apparently I seriously misread that last chapter because James is al...more

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Apr 03, 2010

Reading Teen rated it

by amy
Nuala is part muse, part psychic vampire. While the freedom to sing or write or create is denied her, her mark across history is unmistakable; a trail of brilliant poets, musicians, and artists who have died tragically young. She had no sympathy for their abbreviated life spans; every thirteen Halloweens she burns in a bonfire and rises from her ashes with no memories of what has come before other than the knowledge of how her end will come.

James is the best bagpiper in t...moreby amy
Nuala is part muse, part psychic vampire. While the freedom to sing or write or create is denied her, her mark across history is unmistakable; a trail of brilliant poets, musicians, and artists who have died tragically young. She had no sympathy for their abbreviated life spans; every thirteen Halloweens she burns in a bonfire and rises from her ashes with no memories of what has come before other than the knowledge of how her end will come.

James is the best bagpiper in the state of Virginia - maybe in the country - plus he's young and good looking: just Nuala's thing. But James, extremely confident in his own abilities and in love with another girl, becomes the first to ever reject Nuala's offer. He's preoccupied with bigger things than Nuala: An enigmatic horned figure who appears at dusk and the downward spiral of Dee, his girlfriend-who-isn't.

It becomes obvious to James that Nuala's presence, the horned king of the dead, and Dee's slow self-destruction are all related, and that Dee is in the center of a very deadly faerie game. While James struggles to unwind the tangled threads of the story, Nuala shadows him, seeing her conflicted, dual nature reflected back at her in him. She finds herself lending him inspiration for nothing - for the hope of requited affection. But even as James begins to realize his feelings for both Dee and Nuala have changed, the thirteenth Halloween descends, with it's bonfires and rituals for the dead, one deadly for Nuala and the other for Dee. James can only save one.

I know there have got to be better faerie books out there. This book did not satisfy my desire for something faerie. First, I would like to say, not reading Ballad before reading Lament(even though many people/critics say it's a stand-alone). I read Lament and liked it (read my review). Thinking this was a sequel, it obviously bugged me when the main characters of Lament got very lost in translation. This may have been the most disappointing thing about this book. The main female character Dee and her love for Luke was very enticing in Lament. So, naturally, I was sad when Dee was hardly mention and Luke was nowhere to be found. Luke was my favorite in Lament - strong, good looking and Dee's rescuer. So, yes, I wanted to read about him again. Now, I would not have read these books back-to-back considering they really weren't a sequel (even though you couldn't read the second book first and fully understand it. Crazy, huh?) OK...so obviously I was disappointed.

If you must read the sequel to Lament (it is worth reading, if you like faerie books) - be open to new main characters, forget about the perfectly good ones from before, know enough about faeries to get by, cross your fingers and maybe if you don't have an impatient personality like I do, you might just like it.

~Amy

*Word to the parents- there is some kissing, crude behavior and moderate language in this book. If you want more information about content, go to Ballad on Parental Book Reviews.(less)

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