Ballad: The Gathering of Fairy - Review

After reading Lament, I NEEDED to read Ballad...I mean, well yes, I just needed to read it!

Ballad opens up right where Lament leaves off; only now James finds himself at the prestigious Thornking- Ash School for Music, only problem is, James is a Piper – and Thornking-Ash does not even have a “real” piping program.

James' decision to attend Thornking-Ash, had more to do with Dee, than with the music, he's not going to be learning. James is still in love with Dee, no matter how much she's hurt him in the past – Love is not something that James can just forget. After what's happened, James wants more than anything to protect Dee, from everything that's tried to hurt her in the past. Sadly, the only contact Dee seems to afford James is punctuated with awkward silences, distant stares, and sadly lacking jokes.

Enter Nuala...lover of all things music, yet unable to create on her own; Nuala, is a fairy, who can interact, even look mostly human, whom has great and dangerous powers. Nuala possesses the power to enhance beyond belief the music abilities of her “chosen” however, with every gift, comes a price – to be paid by those “chosen” only if they accept her invitation – the price, is one of years. In exchange for greatness, Nuala's chosen, give up years of there life to her.

Nuala is taken with James, at first only by his genius, and her need...but then, James refusal of her invitation, his self confidence, and his sarcasm, all leave her wanting...she has to “feed” to live, but she becomes almost unable to take anything from James. Can fairies even fall in love? Could James ever forget Dee, and turn to her? Nuala is sure that none of that's even possible, right?

Of course, in addition, there's still The Fey that will not be denied, that for reason's I can't tell you, have followed them to Thornking-Ash...All I can say is that this is one book that's very much worth the read, however I would recommend reading Lament first!

Ballad took me a bit longer to get into than Lament, I think it had more to do with ME, than the story itself – Ballad is told by James (with just a touch of Naula's POV shining though), and for me, getting into a boys brain can be harder...not entirely sure why. However, after I got past my issues, I really enjoyed that Ballad was told by James, I mean – who does not love James. His quirkiness, his sarcasm, his passions, and his courage, can only equal one thing – an awesome character.

Ballad had me laughing out loud, more times than I can count. Ballad also had me crying my eyes out, and at the end, Ballad left me wanting – wanting MORE! Maggie Stiefvater, can sure write an amazing tale full of twists, turns, and adventures – along with some crazy good jokes! And, from what I hear – there will be another in this series (after she's done with The Wolves of Mercy Falls Series)! I for one am waiting with great anticipation!



Ballad: The Gathering of Fairy
Written by: Maggie Stiefvater
Pages: 352
My Rating: 5 stars