Mundie Moms

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Book Review: The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long


Published by: Dial / Penguin Teen
Released on: August 16th, 2012
Source: ARC from publisher
5 stars: I LOVED IT!


A darkly compelling mix of romance, fairy tale, and suspense from a new voice in teen fiction

The trees swallowed her brother whole, and Jenny was there to see it. Now seventeen, she revisits the woods where Tom was taken, resolving to say good-bye at last. Instead, she's lured into the trees, where she finds strange and dangerous creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with secrets of his own. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack's help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where stunning beauty masks some of the most treacherous evils, and she's faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice--and not just her own -quoted from Goodreads


If you only pick up one fey book this year, make it this one! I am in love with this book! It's one of those books that makes me wish I could go walk through an enchanted forest just to see what I'd find, or possibly run into Jack O' the Forest. I loved what Ruth Frances Long did with her story. It's dark, enchanting, and oh so fabulous. In a nut shell it's my kind of book. A Treachery of Beautiful Things has the perfect mix of what I love in a classic fairy tale story; a captivating lore, the right amount of suspense, and that fabulous romance that can only be conjured up in well told fairy tale. The fey world, the characters, the setting, and really everything about this book was fabulous! 

I loved that this world felt like how I have always pictured the world of Fey, utterly beautiful and yet dangerous all at the same time. Not only does the title of this book convey that, but the the cover does as well ( I love this cover! It's so perfect for this book). There is something I find both enchanting and enticing about the Fey world, and I felt like Ruth captured that with her story's setting, and through the eyes of Jenny Wren, the main character. As the book's title says, this world is one of both beautiful and treacherous things. Not everything is as it seems, and like most Fey tales, this story has it's riddles, it's betrayals, acts of bravery, moments of love, and of course sacrifice. In a world like this everything comes at a price. Through the actions of a few characters some things will charge the course of what's been in place for centuries. This story has such a lively and unforgettable cast of beloved favorites, as well as devious woodland creatures, various Fey, and an unlikely hero. 

One of the things I really enjoyed was Ruth's take on the May Queen, Queen Titania, Mab, King Oberon, and Puck. How could I not love Puck. Ever the trickster and yet true to his ruler, Puck has always been, and will always be one of my favorite fey characters. The thing I admire about Titania despite how ruthless she is, is that she never waivers with how she rules her kingdom and how she's always been. My favorite character from this book is of course Jack O' the Forest. Guardian of the Edge and a character who's bound by an oath, Jack is someone who I not only loved from the moment he enters Jenny world, or rather Jenny enters his world, but he's someone who challenges what he's suppose to do and what he's bound to do. I admire him for that. Plus how could I not love the romance that develops between him and Jenny. Jenny is fabulous character as well. She's that silent heroine who sneaks up on you and makes these incredible choices that make her stand out. She's determined and fierce in that once she makes up her mind to do something, and protect those she loves, she'll act on that, no matter what. I admire her greatly for that. 

What I loved about these characters is that they are true to who they are. Whether they be from the Summer or Winter court or somewhere in between. The Fey characters are consistent with their actions, and what they do. Some of them commit acts of betrayal (that made sense) since they are bound to their ruler, whether it be Queen Titania or King Oberson. That's not to say they're not cunning. True to the Fey way, Jack, and Puck may act upon the thing that bounds them to obey, but they also do things that benefits them without breaking their word. We all know how I like a character who can bend their rules a bit. Well when it's done in the name of helping someone else out. I really loved this story! I not only got wrapped up with Ruth's flawless writing style, and rich story telling, I fell in the love with the world and the characters. Those who love fey tales, and well written YA books should definitely pick this one up!

Thoughtful Thursday: Motivation

Ever have one of those moments where you just feel like you can't do it, or anything. Well today's post is hopefully that little reminder that YOU CAN do anything you think you can do!!



Have I mentioned that I am totally in love with this song, Hall of Fame by The Script. Not only do I love The Script and Will.I.Am, but I love the song's message. YOU CAN be the greatest! You CAN be the best! Here's your motivation today, get out and do what ever is you've been holding back on. Go work towards that goal and don't give it up! Believe in yourself!

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