Darklight by Lesley Livingston

Released: December 22, 2009

Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 320

Cover: 5/5

Rating: 4/5

Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt. 

Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the remaining Hunters and Queen Mabh herself.

When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring, and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power.
Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting allegiances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom . . . or tear them apart. 

After reading Wondrous Strange, I hesitated to pick up Darklight. But eventually I did because when I start a series I have to end it. Darklight had strong character growth, a deepening romance and a darker story line that continued to grab my attention. Kelley had more of an angst attitude and Sonny isn't as trusting as he was before plus fighting the Hunters has giving him a harder edge. These changes in Kelley and Sonny causes tension between them but it also deepens their feelings for one another. I also enjoyed seeing Fennrys in a whole new light, proving he is capable of more then just fighting and growling (Yes, he growls!) as he was previously portrayed.

I found it fascinating how Lesley created hints at parallels in this story to theatre production of Romeo & Juliet. She did the same thing in Wondrous Strange with A Midsummer Night's Dream. Lesley's portrayal of the Faeries, are just as I have pretty much imagined them to be: whimsical, fickle in nature, and loving and hating in the same breath. You never know if you can trust them. This is what makes them so dangerous in this story and antes up the mystery. Oh, and not all the Fair Folk are magically delicious either – the leprechauns are terrifying.

The ending was one I didn't see coming. It left me feeling awed and frustrated in a good way. I'm eagerly looking forward to the final conclusion to this trilogy.

Cover note: I think the covers of the books in the Wondrous Strange trilogy do a terrific job depicting what Kelley looks like. She looks just as I would imagine her to be.