Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Re-Read? I could definitely see myself re-reading this sometime when I'm in the mood for it. It's on my shelf just in case.

Recommend? I recommend this to anyone ages 12 and older. I only say that because it does have some disturbing images in it. But I'm sure a mature pre-teen could definitely tackle it. ;)

Synopsis:

The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so 15-year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see—into the past, into the future—and she has no choice but to flee her town. Liza’s quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.

Janni Lee Simner’s first novel for young adults is a dark fairy-tale twist on apocalyptic fiction—as familiar as a nightmare, yet altogether unique. (Amazon product description)

My Thoughts:

Don't tell anyone when ants talk to you. Keep silent when stones glow in your hands. In a village where magic and anything fey is instantly disposed of, Liza lives her life knowing there is nothing she can do about it. There was nothing she could do when her little sister, Rebbecca, was born with glass clear hair and shimmering pale skin. There was nothing Liza could do when her father took the newborn and left her on hill for the fey to claim her. There was nothing Liza could do but cry out her sisters name over and over next to the small broken body...

Bones of Faerie is the story of a teenager that was born after humanities war with the fey. The war that had forever changed our world-- and not for the better. We follow Liza on her journey to find her mom, and in the process, herself. This book has many deep lessons then just a book about faeries and magic. Somethings are meant to be left alone. Not everyone wants to be saved. And most importantly, never deny ones true self. Different isn't always bad. And magic... well magic prevents damage as much as it deals.

Bones of Faerie had me sad, intense, happy, worried and crying. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. While Simner could have slowed down the pace at the beginning of the story and gone more in depth in the characterization of both Liza and Matthew, she spun an animated tale of a world affected by magic. And in the end, it gave me hope. As bad as things can get, they can also get that much better. The world heals its wounds and moves on. Humanity needs to do just that.