Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception

By Maggie Stiefvater

FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING NOVEL SHIVER

"Vibrant and potent, YA readers searching for faerie stories will be happy to find this accomplished debut novel."
–Publishers Weekly
(starred review)

"This beautiful and out-of-the-ordinary debut novel, with its authentic depiction of Celtic Faerie lore and dangerous forbidden love in a contemporary American setting, will appeal to readers of Nancy Werlin's Impossible and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series."
–Booklist
(starred review)

"Part adventure, part fantasy, and wholly riveting love story, Lament will delight nearly all audiences with its skillful blend of magic and ordinary life."
—KLIATT (starred review)

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind . . .

Lament is a dark faerie fantasy that features authentic Celtic faerie lore, plus cover art and interior illustrations by acclaimed faerie artist Julia Jeffrey.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide
• Release date: Sep 8, 2010
• ISBN: 9780738722290

Maggie Stiefvater

After a tumultuous past as a history major, calligraphy instructor, wedding musician, technical editor, and equestrian artist, Maggie Stiefvater is now a full-time writer and New York Times bestselling author of the Shiver trilogy, The Scorpio Races, and The Raven Boys. Her debut series, the Books of Faerie, is published by Flux. Maggie lives in the middle of nowhere, Virginia, with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, four neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki. Follow her on Twitter at @mstiefvater, and visit her online at www.maggiestiefvater.com.

Reviews for Lament

[devilwrites · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The premise: The day that Deirdre Monaghan meets Luke Dillon, she starts to see faeries. Day by day, her life starts getting weirder and weirder, and what's worse, she's become infatuated with the mysterious Luke, a boy she knows isn't fully human but doesn't care. What she doesn't know is that Luke's been sent with a purpose, and that purpose might get her killed. And yes, if this book sounds like a cross between Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely, it's intentional on my part, because those are the two books I thought of while reading this one. I don't mean that as an insult or turn-off either, as the book does grow into its own story by the end, but before I got there, I was reminded of previous works. :)My RatingGive It Away: but if faeries are YOUR THING, it's worth the cash, maybe even a must have, but given my bias against faeries in general, I'm not the best judge of that. It's a VERY fast read, so fast you won't even realize where you are in the book until you're halfway through it, and one really nice thing about this edition (I don't know if all of the editions will have this) is the interior art: the inside covers have lovely drawings as well as each "book" of the, well, book. ;) It's all done by the same artist that did the cover, and while the art isn't the kind of style I like, it's lovely to look at, especially in black and white. There's a lot of things I like and/or am interested in this book that might make me consider the sequel, Ballad when it comes out, but I'll definitely keep an eye on Stiefvater's future work. She's already got a title coming up that's not related to this series at all called Shiver, and from what I gather, it focuses on my particular fetish, werewolves, or at least her brand of them. The full review, which includes MAJOR SPOILERS, as well as cover art commentary (for both the old and new covers!) may be found in my LJ. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome. :)REVIEW: Maggie Stiefvater's LAMENTHappy Reading! :)

[sandsing7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a MUCH better Twilight with a much more powerful heroine! I'm noticing a pattern in Maggie Stiefvater's novels where almost too much happens in the last 40 pages. The novel is so nicely paced, and then it's an all out frontal attack with action and information and twists and connections! More like an movie than a traditional book, now that I think of it. It's an interesting technique.

[aridy_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

So many flat characters! I read the second book in the series first and the main character in that is nothing like the one found in the first one and vice verse. So much more could have come out of this story.

[pennma05-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

At first I wasn't sure if I was going to get into this book. It starts out really slow but as I kept reading, I did start to get interested enough to like it. But overall it just felt a little lackluster.

[eire2011 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book caught my attention from the moment I picked it up and found it hard to put down. It's an amazing tale of the Fae, love, confusion, magic and what can happen when you follow your heart.
Deidre was used to getting attention for her music abilities though she just wants to be loved for herself. Her best friend James is always there to lend support, defend and bring comic relief. When she encounters Luke on a summer day for a competition, she has no idea how much he will change her life and get her to believe in herself. Deidre soon learns that she's a cloverhand who is someone that can see the Fae and she has powers. With the support of James, Luke and unlikely allies, she learns to believe in herself and starts learning how to use her powers. Not everything is as it seems and tragedy will strike, causing her to question what she took for granted and two people she holds dear will be put into danger. Read more to find out what happens, it will be well worth the wait!

[klarsenmd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Just like everything she writes, this was lovely and funny at the same time.

[laurat81 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

After having read Stiefvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls series first, I was expecting a bit more from her early work. The concept of this young adult novel was intriguing, but the execution was lacking. I was most bothered by the fact that people in Deirdre's life, including her best friend and snobby coworker, accept that she's being followed by Faeries without even blinking an eye. Also, I had trouble beliving the romance between Deirdre and Luke. There are ways to master believability, even in fantasy, but this wasn't it. I really really wanted to love it.

[floratina · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

READ IN DUTCH

I liked the series about the wolves and that was why I wanted to try this series as well. I had little to no knowledge about fairies and whatsoever but I thought; lets give it a try.

I was not really what I expected it to be. The love story was weak and not really imaginative, the story itself was not great either. I was quite disappointed reading it. For me, it was not as special as her other series, which I enjoyed. I wouldn't recommend this series, please try her other series!

[devafagan-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have tried a number of other urban fantasy-type books lately that promised me a thrilling lush romance. This is the only one that has really delivered. Maybe it just presses my buttons, but I totally bought the chemistry between Deirdre and Luke. And oh, the ending. Ow. It's been a while since I found a romance that really twisted my heart the way I sometimes want it twisted.

Despite all that, I definitely had a soft-spot for James. I am a sucker for the witty male best friend.

I also loved that the main character is a harpist, and that Celtic music figures so prominently in the plot. Go musicians! I particularly enjoyed the song excerpts at the beginning of each section of the novel.

I am very much looking forward to the sequel!

[slsmitty25 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Sigh, was it me or did this book jump all over the place? I kept hoping to figure it out but felt completely off kilter. I love The Scorpio Races though so I will continue to read Stiefvater.

[staciesnape-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The first time I heard about Maggie Stiefvater was a few years ago, and since then I have read some really good books by here. Shiver, the first in her Wolves Of Mercy Falls series was fresh and new, the first two book in the Raven Cycle were very unique blend of paranormal and mystery and The Scorpio Races was such a hauntly beautifully book I wished and hoped to a series. As you can see, I've really enjoyed my Maggie experience, and when I cam across Lament and Ballad in the charity shop I snatched them p instantly , looking for a new series for me to sink my teeth into a fall in love with. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Lament didn't grip me like her other books did. I really do think I was just a little bit too old for this one.The one thing I loved the most about Maggie's writing is the slow build up to the story, how there was always a sense of suspense through out. However with Lament I felt that the pace of the book was just too quick, there thing seemed to be moving at a million miles per hour and all the secrets were laid bare. Yes, it took some time before we found them out but when we did, it was like 'here they are, there you go. Enjoy' it felt like they were just pushed upon us and I didn't enjoy that aspect of the book.While I enjoyed the idea behind the book, I didn't like just how accepting Deidre was of the Faerie world, everything freaky and Luke. In YA paranormal books, when the main character has had a string of unexplained incidents or talents from a young age, the quick belief of what he or she is comes across as more believable, we didn't have that here. She just seemed to believe what she and those around her were with little to none convincing. Fact paced relationship's happen to be another thing I cant stand, and with Luke and Deirdre it was as though they went from him holding her hair back while she threw up before show, I'd like to say she'd never met him before that too.., and within days she was always thinking about him and felt like she knew him inside out. I just did not get their relationship at all Because of how immature the characters came across I found it very difficult connecting with them. Being 25, it's really seldom I find a main character who is between 16-18 that I can connect with these days, so it's not completely Maggie Stiefvater's fault. However I didn't find her a likeable character either. She was at times pretty self centered, and when something happens to someone in her family, she doesn't seem all that concerned with it and reacts different to how I would have expected.All in all, this book just wasn't for me. And yes, I was disappointed but like already stated, I think it was just too much to do with age.

[mrsdanaalbasha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've read Shiver before this book and I got to say this book is much better. There is more magic in it's pages. I am just enjoying it so much.

[camibrite · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was good, and I want to read the sequel...but this book just didn't have much of an emotional impact for me.

[btweenlibshelf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lament was my first attempt to reading Young-Adult fiction. And I have heard and read so many good reviews about Maggie Stiefvater's books I thought what the heck I am diving into this genre and seeing what happens.So I began to read Lament:The Faerie Queen's Deception and was blow away. I enjoyed the symmetry of how both the supernatural world and the real world (earthly) flowed in and out of each other with out even a glitch.I enjoyed Deirdre's and Luke's chemistry even though there was always doubt on the surface.I wish Granna's story could have been told more, and I really thought that Delia was the faerie queen for a moment because of how she was always away when something tragic happened to the family.So all in all I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read Ballad, which I start today.

[melumebelle-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think I enjoyed the style of this book more than I enjoyed the story (the story was fine, mind you, but the style was mesmerizing).

[lauraodom-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this because I've really enjoyed other books by this author and learned this was her first. It was okay. Nothing fabulous, but not bad either. Probably won't read the sequel. 3.5 of 5 stars.

[rosetyper9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I only grabbed this book so I could read the second book in this series for The Blog With Bite review that is due in a couple of weeks. I started to read it and in an instant I was hooked. I love a good faerie tale, especially one that has been thoroughly researched and even contains some new bits of faerie lore that I didn't know. The plot moved along at a pretty good pace, I was very happy with that, it was pretty amazing how some enemies turned friends and some friends turned enemy. I loved the main characters, especially together, they have the intensity, the forbidden longing that Edward and Bella possess times a thousand. I wish the more decent faerie could have taken Deirdre as well...*sigh* but I am not the author, so I don't get to make those choices. The ending plot twist was a pleasant surprise, it was enough of one that I didn't even see it coming, which is unusual for me, cause I am good at guessing and picking up the foreshadowing. I loved this book and am about to jump right into the second. One thing I did think that was a bit odd and different was that the faerie believed in God and Hell...usually with faerie tales faerie don't have beliefs like that or they have some form of the Old Gods.

[mbklibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

oooh I enjoyed this story. Based in celtic folklore this faerie story is dark and somewhat reminiscent of Melissa Marr's faerie tales. Our main characters Diedre and Luke are in an impossible situation. Terrible things happen, and strength comes from places unknown all the way to the heartbreaking end. There is a sequel but it is not about these two but about Diedre's best friend James. Well written, the book was engaging, the characters were well drawn (Aodhan will give you chills) and the plot kept you guessing.

[lafon_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The only saving grace of this novel was James. And even he becomes lame towards the end. Why won't authors allow sarcastic, hilarious, handsome, and talented people stay as they are in novels? Oh yeah... 'cause they might actually make the book ENJOYABLE! As this entire review has been taken up by James let's spend one nanosecond talking about... what's her name again? Right, it's Dierdre. Anyway she whines, is selfish, whines, pines after Luke, whines, cries, whines, throws up. Oh did I mention whines? Yes, OK good. And the fey... Will it kill you authors to write from their point of view. The fey here are your typical allergic-to-iron-and-are-evil/hate-humans brand.

[cecily2_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book reminded me a lot of Holly Black's novels; I think they're probably written better than this, but Lament is still pretty good.

I'm giving it three stars instead of four because a) the male main character reminded me of Edward in Twilight, in a bad way, and b) all the talk about souls and Hell annoyed my inner atheist.

[aimelire · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm not certain what to make of this book. The story was o.k. The main character, Dee, has many bizarre events happen around her and the beginning. She has never questioned who she was. A young man walks up to her and offers to help her with a recital and she just doesn't seem to question his motives, why he is there. I will give it to my students to see if they are more accepting of Dee and her choices.

[angelswing_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! I simply loved this book! I plan to read the sequel Ballad too. Great book. I strongly recommend it if you can suspend your disbelief and enter the world of Faerie.

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Faerie in this book are the faerie of legend, mean, capricious and like to play games with humans. Deirdre aka Dee is a cloverhand, a human who can see faerie. She finds herself drawn to the mysterious Luke who inspires her. However Luke is an assassin from the Faerie world. This is an interesting story, I like the world and I liked the resolution, it isn't an easy solution to the issues, but it's a good resolution. It's pretty much a complete story and interesting, I was surprised that there was a sequel but it's a pleasant surprise. The life of a musician was pretty accurately portrayed too!

[lms8esmith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love how Maggie Stiefvater can weave a magical tale of longing and keep me hooked all the way through her novels. Lament's pairing of Dee and Luke, with the ever present James, is genius. I am pretty sure I experienced the same tangled web when I was in high school. This will be a great addition to my classroom library.

[lyricaltwin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An amazing start to a series, Maggie Stiefvater has outdone herself with Lament. I loved how it was centered around music and Maggie Stiefvater's writing is just amazing every time I read it. I find myself looking at a sentence and thinking "That was an amazing description" or "what a wonderful way to put it". Absolutely stunning.

[smg6mstewart · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book is perfect for teenage romance, and it also has danger and mystery from the faerie world.

[larissabookgirl_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It began with a balled, an ancient story of lament, a song of love and death sung with the voice of an angel by a girl who to the world is all but invisible. That is she is invisible to the human world but not to the faeries, not any more. Deirdre has captured the attention of the faeries and that can be deadly.Deirdre is falling in love with Luke; however Luke is no ordinary boy. Over a thousand years old and assassin to the Queen, Luke is dangerous, a killer, and yet Deirdre cannot help but follow when he calls, putting her life in his hands, which is exactly what the faeries want. Will love be enough to conquer death or are Deirdre and Luke as fated to tragedy as the lover in the balled of lament?Lament is a tale of love wrought through with heartache, music and magic, only this tragedy is also beautifully threaded with hope. As a modern story of faeries there is a seamless blending of fantasy and magic with the everyday that creates one of the most enthralling and authentic tales that is simply a pleasure to read.

[amberic · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dee is harpist and an amazing one! One day before a competition she meets a boy names Luke. Even though she knows there is something just not right about him, she decides to just leave it alone. She loves the way she is with him and that's okay with her. She soon discovers her world just isn't ordinary and that she has special gifts of her own. She also finds out her new boyfriend is a Fairy and there is a whole world of them and they are drawn to her and the Queen wants her dead. Luke was sent there to kill her, but then something happens and he can't do it! That puts his life in jeopardy along with anyone close to Dee. The Queen will stop at nothing to get to her so Dee must face her and save the people she loves... But can she do it in time?

[ejstevens_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I began reading Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater the day before St. Patrick's Day thinking that the fall of four leaf clovers on the front cover was appropriate for the holiday. I wasn't able to put it down. This book has a pleasant mix of compelling characters and shadowed mystery that kept me reading even when I should have turned the light off for bed (always a sure sign that I'm enjoying a book!). I recommend Lament to fans of young adult, fantasy, and paranormal romance.

[fhickling-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Maggie Stiefvater is one of my fav. I just love how she wrights her books