Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

Summary

     Lament tells the story of Deirdre, a smart and very likeable musician. She is also about to find out that she is a clover hand, someone that is able to faeries.  While at a local music competition, though painfully shy, she meets a young man named Luke and becomes infatuated with this mysterious boy; who seemed to have just materialized out of thin air.  To Deirdre, Luke was one she recognized from her dreams the night before. Unbeknownst to her, Luke is a gallowglass, a soulless faerie assassin.  Luke is able to find out that Deirdre can compose Harp music on the spot, has mad guts, and can see faeries; all of which is unbeknownst to Deirdre. There is also Aodhan, a dark faerie soldier who is stalking Deirdre as well.  Turns out that Aodhan, and Luke are sworn enemies with the same task given to them by the Faerie Queen.  That bring to kill Deidre before her music is heard by the Fae.  The story ends in a way that leads that lends itself to the second part of this trilogy.  

Commentary on the Strengths

      Lament is Maggie Stiefvater is debut young adult novel.  It is a romance, fantasy fiction book that deals with Fairies and the paranormal.  The book is a dark faerie fantasy that features authentic Celtic faerie lore.  The plot was intriguing with twists regarding the legends of the fairies. The book also deals with romance in that we are witnessing the protagonist’s first love; even though it is with the initial antagonist of the story. Though I am not fan of Faerie lore; the book was quite enjoyable.  Lament was recognized as a 2010 ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, a 2010 ALA Best Books for Young Adults, and a SIBA Book Award Nominee.  

Readers also liked Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston; The Summer King by O.R. Melling; Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog; Bones of Faerie by Jamie Lee Simner; and Shadowspell by Jenna Black

Additional books written by the author include: Shiver; The Raven Boys; Linger; Forever; and  The Scorpio Boys

Stiefvater, M. (2012). Lament. Toronto: Scholastic Canada.

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