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Book Review of Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie

Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie
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Reviewed by Joan Stradling for TeensReadToo.com

After having survived a harrowing encounter with murderous faeries, James is looking forward to leaving it all behind and attending Thornking-Ash School of Music. Unfortunately, his dealings with the faerie world aren't over.

His gift for music has attracted the attention of Nuala, a faerie muse who feeds on the creativity of those she inspires. Nuala collaborates with James on a stunning musical composition, and James starts to fall for her. It seems Nuala is falling for James, as well, and it puts them both in danger.

As Halloween approaches, James is thrust into the middle of a battle with the Faerie Queen and the King of the Dead to save Nuala's life and his own soul.

This glimpse into the darker side of the faerie world is as hauntingly beautiful as the bagpipes James plays.

James was one of my favorite characters in LAMENT, and I'm thrilled to have spent time with him again in BALLAD. Stiefvater's remarkable characters, combined with lyrical prose and kick butt plotting, bring James' story to life in a way that has stayed with me long after I've closed the book cover.

I hope to be carried off into the faerie world by Stiefvater again in the future.