Ballad

In the second of Maggie Stiefvater’s Books of Faerie, and the sequel to Lament, Dee’s loyal friend James takes over as narrator.

Both Dee and James are students at Thornking-Ash, a school for gifted and talented young musicians. Entranced by the alluring world of the Faerie, Dee is increasingly retreating from her day-to-day life, whilst James throws himself into his music – yet finds himself surrounded by more faeries than ever. He soon attracts the attention of Nuala – a soul-snatching faerie muse who feeds on the creative talents of exceptional humans until they die. But Nuala unexpectedly finds herself falling in love with James, who in turn finds himself torn between right and wrong, friendship and love, and ultimately life and death.

This unusual supernatural tale blends Celtic legend and folklore with contemporary teen romance. Stiefvater’s writing is lyrical and atmospheric, and although it has a gentle start, Ballad soon builds to an exciting and perilous conclusion.