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Wicked Lovely
Book Review
This teen fantasy book is the first in the " Wicked Lovely" series by Melissa Marr and is
published by HarperTeen, a division of HarperCollins.
Wicked Lovely is written for kids ages 13 and up. The age range reflects readability and not
necessarily content appropriateness.

Plot Summary
Aislinn can see faeries. The faeries in her town of Huntsdale are not harmless or benevolent.
They are mischievous creatures who like to cause problems for humans, and Aislinn knows
that shell be in danger if they ever find out that she can see them. Aislinn fears for her
life when Keenan, the handsome young king of the Summer faeries, starts following her
and pursuing her romantically.
Keenan isnt just looking for a girlfriend. He wants Aislinn to become a faery and be
his new Summer Queen. With a queen by his side, he can warm the world and grow
strong enough to face his mother, Beira, the evil Winter Queen. Keenan disguises himself
as a mortal and attends Aislinns school. He pursues her, but she rebuffs all of his
advances. Aislinn tells her friend Seth that she can see faeries, and Seth helps her
research ways to defend herself against them.
Aislinn cant avoid Keenan forever. She is offered a test. If she does not take the test,
she will become a Summer Girl who is dependent on Keenan and tied to him forever.
Or she can lift the Winter staff, which is her test. When she lifts it, she will either
become the Summer Queen or a lonely, isolated Winter Girl.
The choice is not easy for Aislinn. She has loathed the fey (the name given to the faery race)
her whole life and doesnt want to join them, let alone rule over them. Also, becoming
Keenans queen would threaten her growing relationship with her friend Seth, and she
learns that Keenan himself is still emotionally attached to the Winter Girl, Donia.
Danger awaits all the characters because Winter Queen Beira, Keenans mother, is ready to
kill faeries and mortals alike to ensure that her son does not find his queen. She does not want
the world to grow warmer.
In the end, Aislinn and Keenan find common ground and arrive at an understanding. Aislinn
agrees to the test and becomes the Summer Queen. Keenan kills his mother, Beira, and Donia
becomes the new Winter Queen. Seth and Aislinn are established as a couple, though she is
now a faery and he is still mortal. Keenan and Donia are reunited, and the faery courts reach a
time of peace.

Christian Beliefs
Seths parents left the country to go on a missions trip, but the type of mission work is
not mentioned. Aislinn attends a Catholic high school. She pushes aside the thought
of telling Father James, the principal, about her faery troubles. She thinks he would
warn her against dabbling in the occult, but wouldnt actually believe her if she said
anything supernatural other than how God exists. Religious artifacts are supposed to
ward off the fey. Crosses made of iron are supposed to be doubly helpful, so Seth
obtains an iron crucifix necklace for himself.

Other Belief Systems

The fey use magic. When faeries die, they dont have an afterlife, though some hang
around as ghostlike "shades." Fortune-telling faeries predict Aislinns future.
Keenans powers are limited because both his mother and the monarch of another
faery court have cursed him. Epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter quote old
folklore beliefs about faeries.

Authority Roles
Grams is concerned about Aislinns welfare, but she is too tired and weary to ask Aislinn
much about where she goes or who she spends her time with. Keenan is a king and
is concerned for the well being of his subjects. He doesnt have much control over his
people, however, and the Summer Court is allowed to do whatever it likes. Winter Queen
Beira is Keenans mother, but she views him as a rival. She mocks him and tortures
him with her wintry ice. Later, she attempts to kill him.

Profanity/Violence
Limp Bizkits profanity-laced song "Break Stuff" plays in the background at the pool hall.
Gods name is taken in vain a few times. D--n, a--, b--ch, b--tard, and h--- are said a few
times each. The f word is used twice. The shortened expression WTF and other crass
language such as p-ssed, screwed and freaking are used.
Aislinn is terrified of the fey because she believes they will blind or kill her if they learn that
she can see them. Beira is a violent queen. She freezes one of her own faeries to death for
laughing at her. She is said to beat her other courtiers, who are covered in visible bruises.
Beira stabs and wounds Seth, Donia and Keenan. Seth stabs Beira in the neck with an iron
cross. Beira claws Seths abdomen and pulls him upright by grabbing his ribs. Keenan
kills Beira by breathing heat into her.

Kissing/Sex/Homosexuality
Seth has a copy of the Kama Sutra among his many books. He has a reputation for one-night
stands and avoids actual relationships. Characters discuss his sexual prowess. Aislinn is
approached by some men on the street. They overpower her and are about to physically
assault her when Donia shows up and rescues her.
The Summer Court is sexual in nature. Keenan is said to sleep with all the Summer Girls, but
since there are about 80 of them, he asks his counselors to help him meet their needs. The
Summer Girls speak lustfully about Seth.
While under the influence of summer wine, Aislinn shares a kiss with Keenan. Aislinn is
concerned that she slept with Keenan while under the influence, but she did not. Aislinns

virginity matters very much to her, but only because she wants her first experience to
be with someone she loves.
Seth and Aislinn share kisses as their relationship becomes more romantic and less platonic.
Seth shows Aislinn test results that say he is free from STDs, and later that night, its implied
that they have oral sex.
Donia and Keenan kiss. In the epilogue, its implied that they have sex.

Discussion Topics
If your children have read this book or someone has read it to them, consider these
discussion topics:

Why is Aislinn afraid to tell Seth that she can see faeries?

What does Grams think about sharing this information?

Is there any time when withholding information from someone might be the right
decision?

In what way is Keenan good, and how are some of his choices immoral?

Is it all right for him to chase after Aislinn if his motives are pure?

Why does Donia envy the Summer Girls?

Why wouldnt Donia have been happy if she had chosen to become a Summer
Girl?

Should anyone be dependent on another person for all of his or her needs?

Why is God the only one who can be trusted to meet all your needs?

Tavish counsels Keenan to force his physical affection on Aislinn.

What does Keenan think is appropriate when it comes to violating another persons
will?

Additional Comments/Notes
Smoking: Characters smoke cigarettes.
Alcohol: Characters drink. Seth has alcohol in his fridge, and though he disapproves of
Aislinn drinking, he shares a beer with her. Aislinn is intoxicated by the summer wine she
drinks at the faire.

Tattoos and piercings: These are common among the side characters.
Drugs: A side character mentions drugs. Aislinns friends discuss their casual use of
drugs. Addicts buy drugs on the street.

Book reviews cover the content, themes and world-views of fiction books, not their literary
merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. A book's
inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
You can request a review of a title you can't find at reviewrequests@family.org.

Credits
Readability Age Range
13 and up

Genre
Fantasy

Author
Melissa Marr

Publisher
HarperTeen, a division of HarperCollins

Year Published
2008

Awards
IRA Notable Childrens Book, 2008

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