Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie (Books of Faerie, #2) in all things supernatural

Aug 28, 2009 Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bought-by-me, 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 book, while 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 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!!!!!
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