Starling by Lesley Livingston

Book stats:

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 352 pages
Genre: Fantasy/Mythology
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release date: August 7, 2012

Series: Starling #1

Source: Trade

Reviewed by: Lili

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Mason Starling is a champion fencer on the Gosforth Academy team, but she's never had to fight for her life. Not until the night a ferocious, otherworldly storm rips through Manhattan, trapping Mason and her teammates inside the school. Mason is besieged by nightmarish creatures more terrifying than the thunder and lightning as the raging tempest also brings a dangerous stranger into her life: a young man who remembers nothing but his name--the Fennrys Wolf. His arrival tears Mason's world apart, even as she feels an undeniable connection to him. Together, they seek to unravel the secrets of Fenn's identity as strange and supernatural forces gather around them. When they discover Mason's family--with its dark allegiance to ancient Norse gods--is at the heart of the mystery, Fennrys and Mason are suddenly faced with a terrifying future.

Set against the gritty, shadowed back-drop of New York City, this first novel in award-winning author Lesley Livingston's epic Starling Saga is an intoxicating blend of sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action. 

I greatly enjoyed WONDROUS STRANGE the year it came out. But that was also long enough ago that my reading taste has evolved drastically. I don't know if Livingston’s writing has always been this way and I liked it more when I was younger, or if this book just missed the mark that WONDROUS STRANGE was able to hit. Either way, I think I went in expecting too much and was, unfortunately, disappointed.

While the opening sequence of this book is awesome in the sense that it is packed full of action, that’s the only positive thing I can say about it. Once I stepped away to actually consider what was going on, I was struck with how random and convoluted it all seemed because the kids—completely out of nowhere--were suddenly killing these evil creatures that they never knew existed with lead pipes and the help of a naked boy with mad sword-wielding skills. Sounds rather interesting though slightly strange, don’t you think? If such a scene was executed with more explanation and less unknown, I think I would have enjoyed it much more. Instances like this that are strange, unexpected, and unexplainable more than anything else pretty much set the tone with this one and can be found throughout.

But what really caused this story to drag for me was the concept of “show don’t tell” when writing. I love detail, I love being shown the unraveling of new mysteries, being dropped hints to figure things out myself as a reader, but I almost felt as if Livingston was telling me everything. We would get a huge little piece of potential speculation dropped on us only to have a character flat out explain everything a page later and tell us what we need to know instead of giving us the chance to infer anything. This frustrated me more and more as I read and I felt like it could have really helped further the plot if it was the other way around. I, unfortunately, can’t share an example of this with you because I don’t want to spoil anything.

Despite all of this, other plot points were truly fascinating to me. The Norse mythology is plentiful, though slightly confusing in the very beginning. Unfortunately, the revelations evolving around the Norse mythology, especially in Rory’s case, are told to us instead of shown. With all of that being said though, I think that most people will enjoy this one. This is one of those cases that most people I have talked to that have read this book loved it. It seems that I am more or less an outlier by disliking it and finding it unsatisfying.

So do I recommend it to anyone? It’s really hard to say. While I am in no rush to read the sequel and may not make an effort to do so, I think that it’s worth giving this book a chance because it seems to be widely adored by many and disliked by very few (me being one of the few).

 

Lesley Livingston published a trailer for Once Every Never a couple of days ago and she included a quote from my review *squee*

The trailer is pretty cool if I may say, so why don’t you take a look! *winks*

I really liked that book and I strongly suggest you give it a try, especially if you like mythology and time-travel!

** Today on Dark Faerie Tales read Edward Lazellari’s take on Wizard of Oz and win Awakening!**

WHAT EVER HAPPENED AFTER HAPPILY EVER AFTER?

THIS STORY TAKES PLACE BEFORE THE EVENTS OF WONDROUS STRANGE, featuring the character of Kelley Winslow’s Faerie-fabulous roommate, Tyffanwy of the Mere (Tyff Myers as she is known, incognito, in the mortal realm)

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Leaning on the decorative stone railing of Central Park’s famous Bow Bridge, Tyff Meyers gazed at her reflection in the touch-screen of her brand spankin’ new shiny-shiny phone and smiled contentedly. Dang if she wasn’t still fabulous. Even after almost two-thousand years spent exiled in this crummy mortal realm. Mesmerized by her own perfect features, she wasn’t expecting to get elbowed by a handsome young man, even considering the bridge was quite crowded with evening strollers. When her shiny-shiny new phone slipped from her slender fingers, first she gasped… and then she swore like a Teamster.

The young man stopped, apologized profusely—and then, oddly enough, offered to retrieve the device for her… even though it had sunk like a stone into the murky depth of the Lake.

“Oh, sure,” Tyff answered caustically, one perfect eyebrow raised. “Go ahead. I dare you. Take the plunge.”

He smiled and his eyes glistened strangely in the fading light of evening, with a sort of inky green iridescence. Then he turned and put one foot up on the railing.

“Hold the phone!” Tyff winced at her unintended wordplay, wishing that she’d done just exactly that. Bloody thing had cost her a fortune with its stupid, shiny, sparkle-pretty Swarovski crystal-encrusted case… “I mean—hang on a minute—I know Waterfolk when I see them,” she said, narrowing her gaze.

“I’m not surprised, Lady of the Mere,” he nodded his head slightly. “You are wise as you are beautiful. But I am not Faerie, as you are.”

Tyff took a step back. She used to be known—among those in the know—as Tyffanwy of the Mere. But that was a loooong time ago. Now she just went by Tyff Meyers. 

“Who are you?” she asked.

“I’ll tell you when I return your lost bauble.”

“For what price?”

“A kiss.”

Tyff thought about it. He hadn’t attached any strings—as Faerie are wont to do—and he was pretty cute. She shrugged. “Okay.”

In a flash, he was over the railing. In two flashes, he was back, carrying her phone in his mouth. He hopped nimbly back up onto the bridge, clothing dry as a bone. He handed back her expensive bit of technology and, at a glance, she saw that it was still working. The guy was obviously enchanted. She put two and two together…

“You’re the guy, right?” She said. “Frog Prince?”

He bowed slightly.

“Man. You’ve been around for…”

“A long time.” He shrugged ruefully. “The whole enchantment thing? Apparently immortality is an unadvertised side-effect.”

“Oh… I’m sorry.” Tyff understood suddenly. She knew what would probably happen if she kissed him. He would turn back into his previous amphibious state. That’s the way kisses worked in Fairy Tales. “You have a broken heart don’t you? You had to watch your mortal princess grow old and die, didn’t you?” she asked.

He snorted in amusement. “Nope. But the guy she ditched me for and ran off with two weeks after I shelled out big-time on the wedding probably did. Or maybe it was the guy after him. Who knows?”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah.” He nodded at the lake. “Out there,” he said, “I’m a prince among frogs. Here? I’m just another schmuck stock broker. And as a frog… lemme tell you, I have great legs.”

Tyff tried hard not to think about the last meal she’d had in a French restaurant. “Won’t you miss it out here in the world?” she asked.

“If I do,” he grinned and tapped her phone. “I’ll give you a call. I’ve got your number.”

Tyff smiled and leaned in to gave him a warm, genuine kiss on the lips. Next thing she knew there was a large, handsomely-striped frog sitting on the bridge railing. He winked a golden, multi-lidded eye and disappeared over the side.

Every couple of months after that, Tyff would go to the movies with her extra-large Prada purse slung over her shoulder. When the lights would go down, she’d open up the purse, and let her froggy date sit in the drink holder, snatching popcorn bits from the bag with a long, sticky tongue slurping ribbity slurps—from his own straw.

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Thanks to Penguin Canada I have 5 copies of Once Every Never to offer you!

Clarinet Reid is a pretty typical teenager. On the surface. She’s smart, but a bit of slacker; outgoing, but just a little insecure; not exactly a mischief-maker… but trouble tends to find her wherever she goes. Also? She unwittingly carries a centuries-old Druid Blood Curse running through her veins.

Now, with a single thoughtless act, what started off as the Summer Vacation in Dullsville suddenly spirals into a deadly race to find a stolen artifact, avert an explosive catastrophe, save a Celtic warrior princess, right a dreadful wrong that happened centuries before Clare was even born, and if there’s still time—literally—maybe even get a date.
This is the kind of adventure that happens to a girl once every… never.

Read my Review

Purchase: Amazon Canada | Book Depository

 

Interested in winning this book?

• This giveaway is open to Canada only!

• To enter, just leave a comment for Lesley & confirm you live in Canada

You can to earn an extra entry (1) by spreading the word, please provide link in a second comment

tweet: #FantasticFables Read @LesLivingston 's Princess & the Frog | win Once Every Never http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2011/08/ff-lesley-livingstons-princess-and-frog.html #giveaway PLZ RT

Ends September 7th, 2011.

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Lesley is a writer and actor living in Toronto, Canada.  Captivated at a young age by stories of mythology and folk lore, past civilizations, and legendary heroes, she developed into a full-fledged Celtic Mythology Geek, steeped in stories of the Otherworld, Faeries and King Arthur. Lesley went on to earn a Master’s Degree in English from the University of Toronto specializing in Shakespeare and Arthurian literature.

Visit Lesley

More books by  Lesley Livingston

Once Every Never by Lesley Livingston

Book Stats:
Genre: YA – Time Travel
Paperback: 336 pages
Editor: Penguin Canada
Release date: July 1st, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0143177951

Reviewed by: Tynga

Purchase: Amazon Canada

Source: ARC from Penguin Canada

Clarinet Reid is a pretty typical teenager. On the surface. She’s smart, but a bit of slacker; outgoing, but just a little insecure; not exactly a mischief-maker… but trouble tends to find her wherever she goes. Also? She unwittingly carries a centuries-old Druid Blood Curse running through her veins.

Now, with a single thoughtless act, what started off as the Summer Vacation in Dullsville suddenly spirals into a deadly race to find a stolen artifact, avert an explosive catastrophe, save a Celtic warrior princess, right a dreadful wrong that happened centuries before Clare was even born, and if there’s still time—literally—maybe even get a date.
This is the kind of adventure that happens to a girl once every… never.

In a big YA mixing bowl, add one cup of Time-Travel, one cup of Celtic Mythology, one table spoon of smart-mouthed teenage girl and mix gently. Add a touch of amazing writing and there, you have the recipe for Once Every Never!

Clare thinks of herself as average (and she hates that word) in a circle of amazingly smart and talented people. She finds herself set in exile in London for the summer after throwing a gigantic party at her place (and blames facebook). What a boring summer it will be, following her aunt around while she works at the museum. But maybe she’s wrong? On her first day at the museum, she touches an invaluable artifact (a big no, no!) and somehow finds herself thrown somewhere in the time-space continuum. How did it happen? That’s what she’ll try to figure out with her side-kick Al and her hottie – and nerdish- cousin Milo, and she’ll get herself in a world of trouble! So much for boring summer right?

I have to tip my virtual hat to Miss Livingston for writing such a great story.The plot is very intricate because Clare travels back and forth between the present and a two thousands years away past. But it gets even more complicated because her journeys to the past aren’t in chronological order, so you really have to stay on your toes the whole time or you might miss the subtleties and consequences of each of her trips. I truly enjoyed the whole concept and read the book in just one afternoon. I simply couldn’t put it down.   

Love triangles are a big thing in YA novels, but Lesley took it one step further. Once Every Never has a spatiotemporal love square! Yes, yes you read right. I’ll make it short because I don’t want to give anything away, but imagine a girl and a boy form the present, a girl and a boy from two thousands years ago, all four of them mixed in a complicated relationship. I say pretty awesome!

I really loved the characters Lesley created, and appreciated even more that smart teens were cool guys in this novel. Each character had its own quirk and personality and I have a hard time picking my favorite one. I think I’d have to go with Connal, a Druid Prince from the past. I liked his fierceness, determination and he was cute, smart and kinda sweet, I mean what more can a girl ask for?

This novel was action-packed and the lore could’ve been heavy, but Miss Livingston handled everything very smoothly. The world, the legends and the historically accurate  facts were down-right amazing and I've never read anything remotely close to this in any YA novel. The closest comparison I can come up with is Kevin Hearne’s adult series: The Iron Druid Chronicles, because of the Celtic Lore and Time Traveler’s Wife, with two thousands years time jumps. Really, this book is simply made of awesome.

I strongly urge you to get your hands on this amazing, completely out-of-the-box, novel. Once Every Never crept its way into my dreams long after I finished reading it. Magical, mesmerizing and truly engaging, Once Every Never had me begging for more.

The cover for this upcoming new series by Lesley Livingston (July 2011) has finally been revealed today. How lovely is it?

Unfortunately, it won’t be available to US just yet, so I’m glad to be Canadian for once lol

Here’s the product description:

Clarinet Reid is a pretty typical teenager. On the surface. She’s smart, but a bit of slacker; outgoing, but just a little insecure; not exactly a mischief-maker… but trouble tends to find her wherever she goes. Also? She unwittingly carries a centuries-old Druid Blood Curse running through her veins.

Now, with a single thoughtless act, what started off as the Summer Vacation in Dullsville suddenly spirals into a deadly race to find a stolen artifact, avert an explosive catastrophe, save a Celtic warrior princess, right a dreadful wrong that happened centuries before Clare was even born, and if there’s still time—literally—maybe even get a date.

This is the kind of adventure that happens to a girl once every… never.

Sounds great doesn’t it?