Review: The Uncertain Places by Lisa Goldstein

The Uncertain Places by Lisa Goldstein

Copy Courtesy of Tachyon Publications
Release Date: June 15, 2011 (Although Amazon is already shipping copies)

Summary
In fairy tales which were hidden from this world, there is a story of a family which is blessed with good fortune. In exchange, one girl from that family must give up 7 years of her life to the other world, the faerie realm. Will Tayler falls in love with just such a girl, Livvy Feierabend, but he will not take giving her up for 7 years.

Commentary
I have been disappointed many times by lackluster fairy tale retellings, but this one was good, really good. I was enchanted from the moment I picked up the book until the moment I finished. It manages to capture that touch of fae which is at once serious and wild.

Somehow, Lisa manages to introduce you to many of the intricacies of the faerie world while never making you feel like you're overwhelmed with information. Her characters are decidedly odd, but you still can't help rooting for them.

This telling is woven with a great attention to detail, and you will find bits and pieces coming together in unexpected ways. There is nothing left dangling even though this is not your typical fairy tale. And really, you have to read this book to understand the undertones of almost sinister whimsy which runs throughout the book since I cannot adequately describe it.

Star Rating: 4.0/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating go here.

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