Thursday, June 9, 2011

Review: Fairy Bad Day

FAIRY BAD DAY
Amanda Ashby
Paranormal Young Adult
336 Pages
Speak/Penguin
Available Now
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY
Emma Jones is going to be a dragon slayer. Her mom was one of the best, and Emma has been training to follow in her footsteps since she was little. With her mom's sudden death a few years before earning the title of dragon slayer is even more important, and all she needs is that little slip of paper from her principal to make it official.

When he finally hands her designation over, for a few brief moments Emma feels nothing but bliss. Until she looks at what it says. She's been assigned to fairies. She's a fairy slayer. Tiny, irritating, not-threatening-in-the-least fairies. And Curtis Green has been given her dragons.

Angry, upset, and generally wallowing in self pity, Emma attempts to learn about fairies and how to kill them since all the books at her school are maddeningly devoid of information about them. To her shock, one day Emma sees an enormous creature she thinks is a dragon but is actually a fairy, except no one else can see it and only her two best friends, and surprisingly Curtis, believe her. Soon the boy she's supposed to hate for ruining her life becomes something more, and the two of them team up to destroy a fairy bigger and badder than any dragon.

MY THOUGHTS
Fairy Bad Day is a charming story full of humor and general hilarity, leaving us thoroughly entertained and earning itself a place on our shelves among those stories that are go-to reads when we need a big smile on our faces. The characters are all adorably quirky and have sharp wits they put to good use on a regular basis, their antics making for a fun, light read that succeeds in being memorable despite not being a story that elicits a potent emotional reaction in us. Each chapter brings a delightful coupling of elements–silly humor with serious mystery, giddy attraction with tragic loss, and ridiculous mischief with intense responsibility–thereby undeniably satisfying us on a multitude of levels as we shut the back cover tingling with the pleasant warmth of having finished and all-around good read.

Emma is a young woman with admirable drive and determination, bent on honoring her mother's memory by becoming a dragon slayer and living the life she's always wanted. Unfortunately, the school's tests indicate Emma is to be a fairy-slayer instead, a designation with far less danger and prestige, and one she believes takes considerably less skill. Though we understand her initial extreme disappointment and anger, her whining to anyone who will listen about the injustice of the slight she's suffered begins to get old fast, as does her openly hostile treatment of Curtis. Luckily for us though, Emma does climb her way out of the pit of selfish despair she so dramatically throws herself in at the beginning, shoring up her resolve and embracing her new status as the world of fairy-slaying suddenly proves to be much harder and much more dire than it first appeared.

Curtis is an outstanding male lead, a young man with a talent he doesn't choose to flaunt but rather remains exceedingly modest, his more quiet nature drawing us to him easily as we seek to shield him from Emma's impressive wrath with our affection. While we can tell he's attracted to Emma we're also very aware he's keeping secrets, and though he has fairly perfect looks, the imperfections and vulnerabilities lurking beneath the pretty face are what hold our interest and pique our curiosity. Their relationship is plagued with little misunderstandings, the kind that set our nerves on edge as we puff up in vicarious outrage on behalf of one or the other, and we find ourselves fully vested in every tense silence, every almost kiss, and every casual touch.

Overall, Fairy Bad Day is sweet and funny, taking us on a quick journey through a world of mythical creatures but very human emotions, and is sure to be a joy to read for all those looking to grin foolishly and giggle uncontrollably as evil is fought and love is found.

Rating: 4/5

39 comments:

  1. So cute! This sounds like a perfect no-care-in-the-world summer read. Sometimes I'm just in the mood for a light, fun read and this just sounds perfect for that. Great review!

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  2. I'm glad that this one is actually funny! It sounded like it would be quite hilarious, but you never know what it might actually be like. I'm definitely going to check this one out... as much as deeply emotional books are great, sometimes it's awesome just to read something FUN!

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  3. Oh that sounds awesome!! I didn't know what to expect from this books since it didn't really appeal me so much to be honest. But after reading your review, it sounds great!!

    and ... for all those looking to grin foolishly and giggle uncontrollably as evil is fought and love is found

    You are awesome my friend!!

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  4. Lol! It sounds like so much fun :D I would love to read this one

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  5. I love goofy grin reads. Awesome review Jenny. Makes me want to run out and buy this immediately :)

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  6. I have to admit that the title of this book put me off. However, after I read your review I went back and looked at the synopsis and this book actually sounds like a hoot. I am glad I did not pass over the review today. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. Sounds like a humorous read! I need a book like this right now, having overdosed on serious books.
    Great review!

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  8. Sounds like a good feel good read! A perfect rainy day book.

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  9. This sounds fabulous! I love light paranormal reads. What a great concept. Curtis sounds like a great guy. Sounds like there's great tension between them.

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  10. This sounds like a fun, cute read! :)

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  11. This does sound like a super cute fun read! At least one that will make you giggle on occasion and I love those :)

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  12. This sounds really cute Jenny! I'll have to check it out! Great review.

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  13. Aylee - It's definitely a fun, light read despite it's darker moments. I had a blast reading it:)

    Ashley - The fairies she's supposed to "slay" are hilarious:) There are definitely serious moments, but overall it's just a fun book.

    Danny - I love you. That is all.

    Blodeuedd - It's a ton of fun:)

    Nic - Me too! I'm a huge fan of the emotional reads as well, but sometimes I just want that silly grin on my face when I read:)

    Denise - So glad the review helped! It was just a cute story:)

    Misha - I have too, it was a relief to pick this one up and just laugh:)

    Molly Jo - Exactly!

    Alison - I really liked Curtis, he was very understated in his hotness which was nice:)

    Leanna - That's very much what it was:)

    Felicia - Me too. This one is giggle-worthy.

    Mollie - Thanks! Hope you give it a try when you get through some of your enormous TBR pile:)

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  14. Aw, that sounds like exactly what I was hoping it would be. I love those go-to books that are guaranteed to make me smile. :D

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  15. This book sounds so cute!! I really like how you describe Curtis. I really want to know what secrets he is keeping... ;) Hopefully this one should be in my mailbox today. =) Thanks for the wonderful review, Jenny!

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  16. Yay! I'm so happy you liked it -- I just ordered it and I think it's coming today. Looks like a great summer read. I do love to giggle at a book!
    Mary @ Book Swarm

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  17. EEEKKkk! I so want to read this one! Its sounds great! Plus the cover looks good! Thanks for the review Jenny!

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  18. Awesome Review! I do like a male character that is a bit more modest and humble. Quite often, male characters these days tend to be pretty cocky, so it's nice to have a change of pace.

    On The Blog: Early Review of Half-Blood (Covenant #1)

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  19. Fairy Bad Day sounds like a bunch of fun! I love to giggle while reading, so this book might suit me just fine! :) Thanks for the review!

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  20. Small - Me too. It was exactly what I was looking for:)

    Bailey - I just loved Curtis. He was so cute and unassuming which was a nice reprieve from some of the cockiness.

    Mary - Yay! Hope it's in your mailbox today:)

    Savy - You're welcome, I think you'll like it:)

    Carissa - It was so nice to read about a humble male lead. I love the cockiness a lot of the time, but he was refreshing:)

    Lauren - It was, hope you give it a try!

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  21. Good to know that the story matches it's cover (and title) with a fun, humorous read!

    And how do you manage to express the romance the way to do? With just the right amount of longing to know more.

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  22. Yeah, yeah, I'm so excited it was good. I've been waiting for your review on this because the storyline was something that intrigued me. I'm very excited to read this and your review has only made it more so. And that cover, it cracks me up. I think the whole thing makes me want to jump into the book and get a good look around and the madness that is Emma's world.

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

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  23. Hey Jenny! Wow - thank you so much for such a lovely and thoughtful review! I'm so thrilled that you enjoyed Fairy Bad Day. And thanks to everyone else for the kind comments - you've totally made my day!!!

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  24. Missie - You make me blush with your comments:) *hugs*

    Jen - It's just a fun read, and the cover suits in perfectly:)

    Amanda - Thanks so much for leaving a comment on the blog, I may or may not have squealed out loud like a piglet when I saw it O_o .

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  25. Ok so I love me some charming...and that cover just looks fun. Im so reading this now, thanks Jenny..;)

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  26. Oh this sounds cute. Love that the romance is there as well. Oh yea... I will be wishlisting it. :)

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  27. I love those cute, fun reads that always manages to bring a smile to my face. This one sounds like it would do just that.

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  28. I absolutely LOVE Amanda Ashby... (she'll be on Zombie Craze!!!!) I can't wait to read Fairy Bad Day!!! YAY!!

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  29. LOL, I love the title of this book. Sounds just like how my days are at work right now. :( I love a light, fun read to brighten up my mood and I think this one might do the trick.

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  30. Normally a book with a cover like this wouldn't make it on my radar, but I've seen so many positive reviews for it that I'm reconsidering. It sounds sweet and cute...I could use some of that in my reading repertoire! Great review, Jenny :)

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  31. Isn't the cover adorable? I love it when book covers match the story and this one sounds cute and hilarious. I have it on my wishlist and am looking forward to reading it in the future.

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  32. I've been torn about this one. It looks fun, but it also looks incredibly cheesy! Your review brings it more into the realm of fun, so much so that I think I'm going to get it. At least I know who to blame if I don't like it. :)

    I enjoyed your review and it's the first that's made me want to read the book.

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  33. I kinda feel like this has a "Hex Hall"ish feel to it... With its hilarity and everything. So what does that mean? Obviously that we are in for a treat! Thanks for the great review Jenny! I will have to add this one higher up in my TBR pile!

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  34. This book sounds pretty interesting! Thanks for the review!
    :D

    Young Readers

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  35. It sounds as if the fun and charming plot out weighs the whiny nature Emma gives in the first part of the book. I love a book that makes me laugh and have been wanting to read this one since I first saw the cover. Thanks for the review. Need to check this one out.

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  36. Aw. This sounds like a fun summer read. Thanks for the review. :)

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  37. Somedays you just really need a giggle, I'm going to get this one for just that day.

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  38. Jenny-

    Great review! I loved this one too. Light and fun, with some serious moments as well. I loved Curtis and never expected his secret to be what it was.
    I'll definitely read this one again. I loved the little fairies and their humor.

    Heather

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  39. OMG do I need a book that will make me smile and laugh! I'm moving this up to the top of my TBR! Thanks :)

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