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Monday, September 3, 2012

REVIEW and GIVEAWAY ~ THE TREACHERY OF BEAUTIFUL THINGS by RUTH FRANCES LONG

The Treachery of Beautiful ThingsSeries: Stand alone
Publisher: Dial Books
Publication Date: August 16, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 384
Source: Recieved from publisher for review.
A darkly compelling mix of romance, fairy tale, and suspense from a new voice in teen fiction.

The trees swallowed her brother whole, and Jenny was there to see it. Now seventeen, she revisits the woods where Tom was taken, resolving to say good-bye at last. Instead, she's lured into the trees, where she finds strange and dangerous creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with secrets of his own. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack's help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where stunning beauty masks some of the most treacherous evils, and she's faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice--and not just her own.


The Treachery of Beautiful Things was a beautifully written, though complex, story of the fae of the old, dark fairly tales. In a few ways, I adored it. But in many respects, I was left agitated and lost.

Let me begin with what I liked about Treachery. I enjoyed the romantic, charming tone of Long's writing. The narrative was vividly detailed. I could picture the Realm, it's forest, creatures, and magic. I also enjoyed the character of Jack, who surprisingly dominated the story. I expected Treachery to be Jenny's story, but I felt a stronger connection and empathy for Jack. He was by turns sexy in "I'm complicated and dark" way, solemn and mysterious. He is torn between his oaths, his duty, his hopes. He is ruled by two opposing personalities. Without Jack, Treachery would have lost most of it's appeal.

So I'm sure you're dying to know how I felt about the main character, Jenny. My feelings for Jenny can be described best as "meh". I didn't hate her; I didn't love her. There were times when she was really brave, really smart. She didn't back down from her quest, regardless the personal cost. But then, she was so blind sometimes. I get it, characters make mistakes. I happen to love flawed characters. But I have a pet peeve when it comes to relationships, real or fictional: If a guy/girl tells you they are bad news, that they will get you hurt, maimed or your heart eaten, LISTEN TO THEM. Just do it. And I know, this is a fantasy, but when the heroine gets her panties in a twist after realizing that the guy who told her he was dangerous, actually meant what he was saying, well, that just grinds my gears. So most of the time, I just wanted the story to turn it's focus back to Jack. Deep, calming breath...

The actual story was interesting. I have read several stories about the fae and have enjoyed them. But in reading Treachery, I mostly felt lost. I knew who Oberon, Titania, Mab and Puck were (b/c I've read the Iron Fey series. Holla!). And I sort of understood who was working with/against whom. I didn't understand a lot of the long-standing dynamics of the Realm. It seemed that an extensive knowledge of the old faerie tales was needed to fully understand what was happening. There were underlying issues that seemed like they were common knowledge about the fae, that I didn't understand. Maybe not, though. Maybe it's just me and I've sniffed too much rubber cement in my time and it's coming back to haunt me. I would love to hear from someone who has read this to verify that yes, it is a bit confusing, or no, I just didn't read it right.

Overall, I can say The Treachery of Beautiful Things is a story that I both liked and disliked. I never felt as if I couldn't finish it, but I had to work hard to keep the details straight. I believe that I'm likely in the minority in my opinion of the book. With it's lush writing and dark charm, The Treachery of Beautiful Things will appeal to fans of dark faery tales.

Favorite Quote:

" 'No. Jack only has one wish. But he wishes it a thousand times a day.' Puck turned aside, gazing off through the trees where the song of the river came from. 'He dreams of it, dreams of a future. Few creatures in the Realm are so cursed as to live in hipe. Poor Jack o' the Forest, Jack in Green. He only longs to be free.' "  (pg. 99)


"Oak and thorn. Mortal and fae. And the king and queen. Everything stood between them. Everything." (pg. 206)


You purchase The Treachery of Beautiful Things at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository

Giveaway
 
I'm giving away my finished copy of The Treachery of Beautiful Things.
The Rules:
  • Must be a US/A Resident.
  • Must be 17+ years of age to enter.
  • Must fill out the Rafflecopter form.
Giveaway ends September 10, at 11:59 pm.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

31 comments:

  1. I can't say that I have a favorite book about the fae...I just haven't read enough of them!

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  2. My favorite book about the fae is probably Thirteen Treasures. I also love the Fever series by KMM. Thanks for the giveaway, Andrea! :)

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  3. I can't really say I have a fav. since I haven't read enough of them. The only one that features Fae that is coming to my mind is the Sookie Stackhouse books. I really need to get my hands on some more :)

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  4. Not sure I'd care for this book. I need more entertainment and less work on my part from my books right now. Thanks for sharing.

    Valerie

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  5. A great review! I am glad you enjoyed this book despite the few things you mention.. It irks me when a main character is a tad blah..

    Fave fae book? Definitely the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning - absolute brilliance and my favorite series ever ;)

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  6. Great review! I won this book and am looking forward to reading it. I have heard a lot of mixed things about it, but I do love fae stories. Great review!!

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  7. I don't like feeling frustrated with my books, but I'm glad there were some things you did enjoy. Nice review!

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  8. This sounds like one that I will probably stay away from. I don't like books that assume I know things, like a knowledge of old fey lore, I would get so mad. As well I'm not sure I would like Jenny, she sounds like someone who would drive me crazy. Even though she has such a cool name ;-)

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  9. This book has been on my radar for sometime, now. I'm still kind of on the fence about it. Thanks for your honest thoughts. I think I may still read it, but will wait until I get it at the library, or if I win it ;)

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  10. Sorry you didn't love it, but at least there were good things it sounds like.
    Great quote.
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  11. Nice review and thanks for hosting the giveaway! Fairy tales are so "mainstream" that I wonder if some stuff wasn't explained because there was the assumption that folks were already familiar with the stuff? Just theorizing. I'd be in the same boat as you, though, since I'm not "up" on all the fairy tale lore.

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  12. My favorite fae book is the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  13. My favorite fae books are the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa!

    Thanks,
    Leanne

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  14. Thanks for the thoughtful review. I pegged this book as a "Lauren" book the moment I saw it. The cover blew me away with it's gorgeous-ness and then the synopsis perked my interest even more. I haven't read many Fae books or any actually (need to fix that) but this one seemed like something I'd be interested in. I know it'll be a while before I can read it but I still plan on giving it a go sometime down the road. Jack seems like the perfect, dreamy, tortured-soul type (love em!).

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  15. My favorite Fae series is Wings by Aprilynne Pike. Thanks for the giveaway!!!

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  16. I have been wanting to read this. Sorry it was confusing but glad to heard you liked it even when you disliked it lol.

    I haven't read many but I liked the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr

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  17. I haven't read that many books about the Fae but it's a tie between the Wings Series and The Iron Fey series. They are completely different from one another but I love them both.;)

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  18. Honestly I have yet to read a fae book that I actually really liked, maybe this one will change it for me...

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  19. I liked the Frey Series by Melissa Wright. It was good. Quinn Loftis'last book out of the dark, and the next one Beyond the Veil, have Fae in them to, though they are solely about Fae. Thanks for the great giveaway. I really enjoyed the review.

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  20. The Iiron Fey series by Julie Kagawa!

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  21. I can't say that I do have a favorite book about the fey, but I have been *really* wanting to read the Fever series by Karen Moning that others have mentioned, as well as the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. And I soooo want to read this one, it sounds like something right up my alley!! I'm definitely more a fan of darker books than sparkly ones :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  22. I don't have a favorite one yet. I haven't read any of the books yet...I'm always looking for good books by good authors! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  23. I haven't read too many Fey books to have a favorite yet. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  24. Thanks for the review and the giveaway! I'd have to say my favorite fae books, are part of the Merry Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamiltion.

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  25. I cannot think of a book, but I sure do love them on True Blood!

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  26. Ha no. I usually don't like fae books. I'm really hoping to like this one. Thanks for the review!

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  27. I read a lot of fae books and Wicked Lovely series by melissa marr is my favorite.

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  28. I love the Meridith Gentry series by Laurel K Hamilton.
    tinyauthor at yahoo dot com

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  29. It's too bad you didn't love it. I'm hoping I'll enjoy it more, since I'm a fan of faery books. My favorites are the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa and the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning!

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  30. I haven't read any books about Fae, as of yet. I have been eyeing this book for some time now waiting for the reviews to pour in. However, it definitely has a beautiful cover.

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  31. I think the only book that I've read that have fae characters in it would be the Sookie Stackhouse Series!

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