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The American Fairy #3
Bad Luck Girl
After rescuing her parents from the Seelie king at Hearst Castle, Callie is caught up in the war between the fairies of the Midnight Throne and the Sunlit Kingdoms. By accident, she discovers that fairies aren't the only magical creatures in the world. There's also Halfers, misfits that are half fairy and half . . . other—half paper, half steel girder, half electric spark. As the war heats up, Callie's world falls apart. And even though she's the child of prophecy, she doubts she can save the Halfers, her people, her family, and Jack, let alone herself. Bad Luck Girl, they call Callie, and she's starting to believe them.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 27, 2014
5 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Zettel
60 books437 followersSarah Zettel is the critically acclaimed author of more than twenty novels, spanning the full range of genre fiction. Her debut novel, Reclamation, won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. Her second release, Fool’s War, was a 1997 New York Times Notable Book, and the American Library Association named Playing God one of the Best Books for Young Adults of 1999. Her novel Bitter Angels won the Philip K. Dick Award for best science fiction paperback in 2009. Her latest novel, Dust Girl, was named as one of the best young adult books of the year by both Kirkus Reviews and the American Library Association. Zettel lives in Michigan with her husband, her rapidly growing son, and her cat, Buffy the Vermin Slayer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 23, 2014
At last Callie, the Dust Girl and Golden Girl of the previous two books, is reunited with her mortal mother, her unSeelie father, and her mortal friend Jack, but they're still on the run from her uncle, who wants to use them to take the unSeelie throne. They hope to take a train to New York, but are forced to stay in Chicago, due to Papa's sickness when he travels in what is basically an iron box. (Fairies are famously unable to tolerate iron; Callie can deal with it thanks to her mortal blood.)
Problems beset them in Chicago as Jack disapproves of the the way Papa manipulates human beings, including his own family, and Callie discovered a whole new branch of fairy, called the Halfers--half fairy, and half wood, or paper, or iron, or stone--anything goes. Will they be enemies or friends when war between the Seelie and unSeelie courts begins? And what side will Callie be on, Callie, the only opener of gates between the two realms, once she steps through and discovers her true, enchanting heritage?
I found this one a knuckle-biter, and I read it in a day. Friends become enemies, enemies friends, and nothing is what it seems to be.
Problems beset them in Chicago as Jack disapproves of the the way Papa manipulates human beings, including his own family, and Callie discovered a whole new branch of fairy, called the Halfers--half fairy, and half wood, or paper, or iron, or stone--anything goes. Will they be enemies or friends when war between the Seelie and unSeelie courts begins? And what side will Callie be on, Callie, the only opener of gates between the two realms, once she steps through and discovers her true, enchanting heritage?
I found this one a knuckle-biter, and I read it in a day. Friends become enemies, enemies friends, and nothing is what it seems to be.
February 5, 2016
Just as fun as the first two in the series, with some interesting little ideas woven in and a very decent resolution.
April 26, 2014
A very satisfying ending to a very fine series. I really love it when writers manage to pull off setting some of the traditional fairy lore in historic America. This series begins in Dust Bowl Kansas, moves to Hollywood, and ends in Depression Chicago. Zettel does a fabulous job with setting, venacular, and more. She throws in real and almost-real characters and does some very interesting stuff with race and ethnicity. I especially liked the way she brought that together in this final volume. Our heroine Callie is mixed race --- her father is both fairy and black, her mother mundane and white. And so when Callie encounters the Halfers, others who are mixed as she is, she has great sympathy for them. Her father, of regal fairy stock, doesn't at first. Really like the development of this along with a lot more in this series. Makes me want to read more by this author.
March 26, 2015
A good ending to the trilogy. I liked where it took the characters but it all felt a bit too predetermined from the beginning.
March 8, 2024
As I admitted when I read the novel before this one, stories about fairies aren't my go-to when it comes to fantasy fiction. But since I've sometimes got personal reasons for checking out books outside of my usual preferences, I dove into this YA historical fantasy series.
Granted, I'll also reiterate my admission that because dust and Dust Bowl themes don't appeal to me when it comes to fiction, I skipped to Books Two and then Three of this trilogy. The two book covers featuring the biracial heroine and the story backdrops of the Golden Age of Hollywood followed by post-Jazz Age Chicago secured my interest. Key nuggets of Callie's backstory in both books kept me from feeling lost. And because a particular wish/dream of Callie's for the future especially spoke to me in Book Two, I wanted to see what would become of that wish of hers in Book Three.
It turns out that that wish, while a huge part of Callie's future life, is only a tiny part of this story. Plus, although the epilogue ties up the heart of the matter stemming from Callie's teenage years wonderfully, I was also left with a couple of questions at the end—including in regard to a single word that leaves the wonderful ending pretty open-ended after all. That is, it opens the possibility for a book(s) about a future challenge for Callie...
But to my knowledge, there aren't any more books about her after this trilogy. And as of my time of reading, this third book is ten years old.
I mean, hey. I know that some authors do indeed bring back previous characters in new books even after a lot of time has passed. I myself have written (initially unplanned) sequels and such anywhere from a year to more than a decade after I first wrote about the characters involved. Still, knowing that this isn't the case for all authors and their characters, I tend not to hold my breath for potential future books that an author doesn't technically have to write, and that they haven't said they would.
So, yeah. I wish the author hadn't added that open-ended implication to the ending of this novel.
Even so, this was a fairly entertaining jaunt for me overall. While it isn't incredibly likely that I'll be reading any more books about a world of fairies (unless I happen to find a future book about Callie), I believe I'll stay on the lookout for more new-to-me "PG-13-ish" and milder historical fantasy. As historical fiction is my all-time favorite genre, it's no wonder that I've been finding historical mystery and historical fantasy to be appealing subgenres.
Granted, I'll also reiterate my admission that because dust and Dust Bowl themes don't appeal to me when it comes to fiction, I skipped to Books Two and then Three of this trilogy. The two book covers featuring the biracial heroine and the story backdrops of the Golden Age of Hollywood followed by post-Jazz Age Chicago secured my interest. Key nuggets of Callie's backstory in both books kept me from feeling lost. And because a particular wish/dream of Callie's for the future especially spoke to me in Book Two, I wanted to see what would become of that wish of hers in Book Three.
It turns out that that wish, while a huge part of Callie's future life, is only a tiny part of this story. Plus, although the epilogue ties up the heart of the matter stemming from Callie's teenage years wonderfully, I was also left with a couple of questions at the end—including in regard to a single word that leaves the wonderful ending pretty open-ended after all. That is, it opens the possibility for a book(s) about a future challenge for Callie...
But to my knowledge, there aren't any more books about her after this trilogy. And as of my time of reading, this third book is ten years old.
I mean, hey. I know that some authors do indeed bring back previous characters in new books even after a lot of time has passed. I myself have written (initially unplanned) sequels and such anywhere from a year to more than a decade after I first wrote about the characters involved. Still, knowing that this isn't the case for all authors and their characters, I tend not to hold my breath for potential future books that an author doesn't technically have to write, and that they haven't said they would.
So, yeah. I wish the author hadn't added that open-ended implication to the ending of this novel.
Even so, this was a fairly entertaining jaunt for me overall. While it isn't incredibly likely that I'll be reading any more books about a world of fairies (unless I happen to find a future book about Callie), I believe I'll stay on the lookout for more new-to-me "PG-13-ish" and milder historical fantasy. As historical fiction is my all-time favorite genre, it's no wonder that I've been finding historical mystery and historical fantasy to be appealing subgenres.
June 30, 2014
*** A 3.8 Review as posted on KindleObsessed blog ***
Until a few days ago my five year old daughter was fearless. She stood up to bullies, caught bugs for fun, and rode her bike as fast as she could with complete and utter abandon. Today…my daughter was replaced by a girl I did not recognize. One that sat trapped in her room, yelling from the other side of a closed door for help. Knowing my daughter’s disposition and ability to battle her own demons, I was instantly transformed into Mama Bear and rushed to her room, heart in my throat, to investigate. What I found was a terrified little girl, perched on the edge of her pink bed, muttering about monsters. When I asked her about it she replied:
“Mommy, I think there might be monsters on the other side of my door.”
Admittedly, I was a tad stumped.
“Monsters?” I asked. She shook her head, agreeing.
Being in unfamiliar territory I had to think fast. Luckily I happened to be holding a copy of Sarah Zettel’s “Bad Luck Girl.” Drawing inspiration from the bones of this fascinating fairy fantasy (aka the protagonist controls the gates between the human and fairy world) I began to spin a tale. A tale of a magical barrier outside of the house restricting any kind of monster from entering. The story worked, and my fearless little girl returned (praise Jesus) but then it hit me. The story I’d been ragging so hard on (for more than two weeks) had actually left a mark. Woke a little girls (and her mother’s) imagination and roused courage. This one little story, about a young fairy princess named Callie suddenly rooted itself into my reality.
"After rescuing her parents from the Seelie king at Hearst Castle, Callie is caught up in the war between the fairies of the Midnight Throne and the Sunlit Kingdoms. By accident, she discovers that fairies aren’t the only magical creatures in the world. There’s also Halfers, misfits that are half fairy and half other–laced with strange magic and big-city attitude. As the war heats up, Callie’s world falls apart. And even though she’s the child of prophecy, she doubts she can save the Halfers, her people, her family, and Jack, let alone herself. The fairies all say Callie is the Bad Luck Girl, and she’s starting to believe them."
If I’m being honest, I was a little skeptical about starting “Bad Luck Girl.” I was not entirely pleased with the first novel in the series (“Dust Girl.”) And while the second novel (“Golden Girl“) was significantly better, the combination of the two didn’t bode well for my expectations. I think the word “hesitant” would best describe my frame of mind. However, “Golden Girl” had ended with one word… WAR. And how can ANYONE turn away from a word like that? So I began to read, and after 2 books and roughly 500 pages, I finally found my happy place among the American Fairies.
The thing about fairies (if you’ve never read about them) is that they are incredibly sneaky. Their allegiances are thinly formed, and their morals are most commonly absent. When you add these traits to a war that has been brewing for years the result can be wildly entertaining. Traitors are born, lies are told, people are magiked into beliefs they never had before. These qualities of deception, malevolence, and even (shockingly) compassion and love are what make up the world inside “Bad Luck Girl.” They are also what contributed to the perfect ending (though a tad rushed) and the best book in the entire series.
It’s safe to say that things are not always as they appear inside this novel, and figuring that out is half of the fun.
The other half if finally getting to see behind all of the curtains.
We are finally introduced to Jack (who has been in all 3 novels) in a very real way. We learn about what makes him tick, what holds him back, and what drives him. We learn about Callie’s Mama, her Papa. We discover where the anger fueling the Seelie King, and his evil minion (Uncle Shake) comes from. We walk beside Callie as she finally discovers who she is and why she is so important. (Despite her very bad luck.) The prophecy is explained. New fairies (or Halfers) are introduced, and on top of all that…we get to experience the splendor of the fairy world and why it’s so important for Callie not to forget where she comes from.
The ride is wild, it’s fast, and it has more heart in one chapter than the whole of the first two books. (Which says A LOT.) While I may have “started” to connect with the characters in “Golden Girl” it wasn’t until “Bad Luck Girl” that I truly felt like I knew them and had a reason to be on their side.
Yes, Zettel’s way of relaying her fantastical facts is still fast and furious. You MUST pay attention or you will find yourself completely lost. But the explanations that came along with book two help smooth the leaps and bounds in book three. They no longer seemed taxing. Just…fun.
I’ll be the first to go on record saying that this series isn’t going to be for everyone. Especially those that get bogged down by history. (There are quite a few history lessons between the three books, including segregation, prohibition, and The Great Depression…) But it’s safe to say that there WILL be a few out there that can trudge through the chaos of book one and find themselves happy with the series by book 3. (Like I myself was.) It all depends on how much you enjoy magic. Lots and lots of magic. Because “The American Fairy Trilogy” is all about how to control, use, and try not to abuse it.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Just when you think it’s over the author writes and epilogue and throws out a word like… “Until…” Dang it!
Until a few days ago my five year old daughter was fearless. She stood up to bullies, caught bugs for fun, and rode her bike as fast as she could with complete and utter abandon. Today…my daughter was replaced by a girl I did not recognize. One that sat trapped in her room, yelling from the other side of a closed door for help. Knowing my daughter’s disposition and ability to battle her own demons, I was instantly transformed into Mama Bear and rushed to her room, heart in my throat, to investigate. What I found was a terrified little girl, perched on the edge of her pink bed, muttering about monsters. When I asked her about it she replied:
“Mommy, I think there might be monsters on the other side of my door.”
Admittedly, I was a tad stumped.
“Monsters?” I asked. She shook her head, agreeing.
Being in unfamiliar territory I had to think fast. Luckily I happened to be holding a copy of Sarah Zettel’s “Bad Luck Girl.” Drawing inspiration from the bones of this fascinating fairy fantasy (aka the protagonist controls the gates between the human and fairy world) I began to spin a tale. A tale of a magical barrier outside of the house restricting any kind of monster from entering. The story worked, and my fearless little girl returned (praise Jesus) but then it hit me. The story I’d been ragging so hard on (for more than two weeks) had actually left a mark. Woke a little girls (and her mother’s) imagination and roused courage. This one little story, about a young fairy princess named Callie suddenly rooted itself into my reality.
"After rescuing her parents from the Seelie king at Hearst Castle, Callie is caught up in the war between the fairies of the Midnight Throne and the Sunlit Kingdoms. By accident, she discovers that fairies aren’t the only magical creatures in the world. There’s also Halfers, misfits that are half fairy and half other–laced with strange magic and big-city attitude. As the war heats up, Callie’s world falls apart. And even though she’s the child of prophecy, she doubts she can save the Halfers, her people, her family, and Jack, let alone herself. The fairies all say Callie is the Bad Luck Girl, and she’s starting to believe them."
If I’m being honest, I was a little skeptical about starting “Bad Luck Girl.” I was not entirely pleased with the first novel in the series (“Dust Girl.”) And while the second novel (“Golden Girl“) was significantly better, the combination of the two didn’t bode well for my expectations. I think the word “hesitant” would best describe my frame of mind. However, “Golden Girl” had ended with one word… WAR. And how can ANYONE turn away from a word like that? So I began to read, and after 2 books and roughly 500 pages, I finally found my happy place among the American Fairies.
The thing about fairies (if you’ve never read about them) is that they are incredibly sneaky. Their allegiances are thinly formed, and their morals are most commonly absent. When you add these traits to a war that has been brewing for years the result can be wildly entertaining. Traitors are born, lies are told, people are magiked into beliefs they never had before. These qualities of deception, malevolence, and even (shockingly) compassion and love are what make up the world inside “Bad Luck Girl.” They are also what contributed to the perfect ending (though a tad rushed) and the best book in the entire series.
It’s safe to say that things are not always as they appear inside this novel, and figuring that out is half of the fun.
The other half if finally getting to see behind all of the curtains.
We are finally introduced to Jack (who has been in all 3 novels) in a very real way. We learn about what makes him tick, what holds him back, and what drives him. We learn about Callie’s Mama, her Papa. We discover where the anger fueling the Seelie King, and his evil minion (Uncle Shake) comes from. We walk beside Callie as she finally discovers who she is and why she is so important. (Despite her very bad luck.) The prophecy is explained. New fairies (or Halfers) are introduced, and on top of all that…we get to experience the splendor of the fairy world and why it’s so important for Callie not to forget where she comes from.
The ride is wild, it’s fast, and it has more heart in one chapter than the whole of the first two books. (Which says A LOT.) While I may have “started” to connect with the characters in “Golden Girl” it wasn’t until “Bad Luck Girl” that I truly felt like I knew them and had a reason to be on their side.
Yes, Zettel’s way of relaying her fantastical facts is still fast and furious. You MUST pay attention or you will find yourself completely lost. But the explanations that came along with book two help smooth the leaps and bounds in book three. They no longer seemed taxing. Just…fun.
I’ll be the first to go on record saying that this series isn’t going to be for everyone. Especially those that get bogged down by history. (There are quite a few history lessons between the three books, including segregation, prohibition, and The Great Depression…) But it’s safe to say that there WILL be a few out there that can trudge through the chaos of book one and find themselves happy with the series by book 3. (Like I myself was.) It all depends on how much you enjoy magic. Lots and lots of magic. Because “The American Fairy Trilogy” is all about how to control, use, and try not to abuse it.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Just when you think it’s over the author writes and epilogue and throws out a word like… “Until…” Dang it!
June 23, 2017
I wanted to like this one as much as the first two books in the series, but it suffered from trying to cram far too much into too small a space. Characters were introduced and then dropped by the wayside, concepts didn't have the space to be fully explored, and a couple of things simply didn't make much sense. It wasn't a bad book by any means, and there's much to like about the prose and the characterization, but it needed to either be significantly longer or much more focused.
October 21, 2018
I didn't like the beginning with Callie being a total brat. While her intent to save a hidden tent city from destruction was well placed, her spiteful behavior endangered her parents, Jack and herself. Callie did eventually have someone point out to her this shortcoming and it was corrected so that everything turns out in the end.
July 18, 2025
I've never been a big faery fan, there never seem to be any rules, which kind of annoy me. You can never trust anything they say, do, wear, eat, make, etc. As faery books go this is a good one. The series is interesting and covers other topics, like race, class systems, identity, ethnicity, and others.
May 19, 2017
Content Rating and Review
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August 14, 2017
A good conclusion to the series.
September 5, 2018
The book is good but it is too young for me. It is written for children and I think children will really like it. I got bored after the first book but I'm a middle-aged adult.
January 25, 2015
"Once upon a time, there was a girl named Callie LeRoux. She left her home in the Dust Bowl and traveled across three different worlds to free her parents from the evil king. Along the way she found her worst enemy, her best friend, and her own name."
Callie has been through a lot since leaving behind the Dust Bowl in Slow Run, Kansas and traveling across the country to Los Angeles to rescue her parents from the Seelie King. Fast-talking and quick-thinking Jack Holland has been beside Callie since the beginning because that's what best friends do.
Now that Callie's parents are free, it feels like there should be some kind of happy ending. Or at least a rest. But the Seelie King is still spitting mad. Both the Seelie and the Unseelie courts want to find Callie. They hope to use her to manipulate the prophecy that Callie will close the gates between the worlds in their favor.
Callie wants nothing to do with any of the Seelies or her Unseelie relatives. After a whole lifetime not knowing him, Callie isn't even sure she wants anything to do with her fairy Papa. She's even less sure how to go back to being her Mama's daughter when so much has happened since she left Kansas.
But none of them have time to think about that. Callie's bad luck is already a known thing and it is none too helpful as Callie, Jack and her parents try to get away from the fairies chasing them.
As word of Callie's bad luck and her connection to the prophecy spread, Callie realizes there is never going to be a happy ending or any kind of peace. Not if Callie doesn't take a stand in Bad Luck Girl (2014) by Sarah Zettel.
Bad Luck Girl is the conclusion of Zettel's American Fairy Trilogy which started with Dust Girl and Golden Girl.
Zettel once again delivers a perfect blend of fantasy and historical details in the conclusion to one of my favorite trilogies. Although Callie is sometimes rash and even reckless, the story still focuses on her resilience and her development as a character. Readers and characters alike will see Callie's growth throughout this series as well as her inner strength. Callie also contends with changing feelings for her best friend Jack as well as figuring out what it means to have parents again after so long on her own.
1935 Chicago is brought to life with Zettel's evocative descriptions which make the city just as vivid as the characters who populate it. The fairy lore and world-building builds here to several surprising twists and an ending that is as clever as it is unexpected.
Bad Luck Girl is the perfect conclusion to a nearly perfect trilogy about fairies, Depression Era America, and a girl trying to find her place in the world. I can't recommend this book or this series highly enough.
Possible Pairings: Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson, The Diviners by Libba Bray, The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst, Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones, A Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn, The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin, Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin, Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
Callie has been through a lot since leaving behind the Dust Bowl in Slow Run, Kansas and traveling across the country to Los Angeles to rescue her parents from the Seelie King. Fast-talking and quick-thinking Jack Holland has been beside Callie since the beginning because that's what best friends do.
Now that Callie's parents are free, it feels like there should be some kind of happy ending. Or at least a rest. But the Seelie King is still spitting mad. Both the Seelie and the Unseelie courts want to find Callie. They hope to use her to manipulate the prophecy that Callie will close the gates between the worlds in their favor.
Callie wants nothing to do with any of the Seelies or her Unseelie relatives. After a whole lifetime not knowing him, Callie isn't even sure she wants anything to do with her fairy Papa. She's even less sure how to go back to being her Mama's daughter when so much has happened since she left Kansas.
But none of them have time to think about that. Callie's bad luck is already a known thing and it is none too helpful as Callie, Jack and her parents try to get away from the fairies chasing them.
As word of Callie's bad luck and her connection to the prophecy spread, Callie realizes there is never going to be a happy ending or any kind of peace. Not if Callie doesn't take a stand in Bad Luck Girl (2014) by Sarah Zettel.
Bad Luck Girl is the conclusion of Zettel's American Fairy Trilogy which started with Dust Girl and Golden Girl.
Zettel once again delivers a perfect blend of fantasy and historical details in the conclusion to one of my favorite trilogies. Although Callie is sometimes rash and even reckless, the story still focuses on her resilience and her development as a character. Readers and characters alike will see Callie's growth throughout this series as well as her inner strength. Callie also contends with changing feelings for her best friend Jack as well as figuring out what it means to have parents again after so long on her own.
1935 Chicago is brought to life with Zettel's evocative descriptions which make the city just as vivid as the characters who populate it. The fairy lore and world-building builds here to several surprising twists and an ending that is as clever as it is unexpected.
Bad Luck Girl is the perfect conclusion to a nearly perfect trilogy about fairies, Depression Era America, and a girl trying to find her place in the world. I can't recommend this book or this series highly enough.
Possible Pairings: Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson, The Diviners by Libba Bray, The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst, Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones, A Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn, The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin, Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin, Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
July 8, 2014
Setting/World Building: 4/5
Main Character: 4/5
Other Characters: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Triggering/Issues: 5/5 (None)
AVERAGED TOTAL: 3.6 out of 5, rounded to 4.
To be honest, this is really more of a 3.5 than a 4, and I am a bit tempted to give it 3 stars... mostly for apathy? The thing is that I didn't LOVE this book, but I definitely also didn't dislike it, let alone hate it. Overall it was a good finale for the trilogy, and it did wrap things up.
I think a lot of my issues came with the plot and writing and HOW it was wrapped up. Firstly, this book suffered from a case of the author trying to trick you into thinking someone was evil when you'd thought they were good... only of course the person had been good all along, and it was a narrative cheat the way they tried to convince you the person was evil. Less vaguely:
Anyway, beyond that I suppose it wasn't so bad? It just fell sort of anticlimactic for me, I'm not sure why. I thought it felt a bit jumbled, like there were a lot more parts that didn't come together well. The "spiritual" non-fairy beings like the old lady and Baya, for example, had no purpose. And I was never really satisfied by the 'mystery' of what the prophecy meant about her being able to walk three roads. Is the third the Halfers? I wish it had been made more clear. I also have absolutely NO idea how Jack saved her in the end, except he just somehow did, despite the fact that he's not a fairy and she's the only one with the ability to open and close gates, but okay.
This makes it sound like I really didn't like the book, which I did in other ways. I liked the slow-build romance and it's resolution, and I liked Callie's complex family vibes. I also liked that she was one of those people who was always getting in trouble but usually because she's so damned determined to do good, like her mother.
Overall not a bad read, but somewhat disappointing, mostly for writing/plot reasons.
Main Character: 4/5
Other Characters: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Triggering/Issues: 5/5 (None)
AVERAGED TOTAL: 3.6 out of 5, rounded to 4.
To be honest, this is really more of a 3.5 than a 4, and I am a bit tempted to give it 3 stars... mostly for apathy? The thing is that I didn't LOVE this book, but I definitely also didn't dislike it, let alone hate it. Overall it was a good finale for the trilogy, and it did wrap things up.
I think a lot of my issues came with the plot and writing and HOW it was wrapped up. Firstly, this book suffered from a case of the author trying to trick you into thinking someone was evil when you'd thought they were good... only of course the person had been good all along, and it was a narrative cheat the way they tried to convince you the person was evil. Less vaguely:
Anyway, beyond that I suppose it wasn't so bad? It just fell sort of anticlimactic for me, I'm not sure why. I thought it felt a bit jumbled, like there were a lot more parts that didn't come together well. The "spiritual" non-fairy beings like the old lady and Baya, for example, had no purpose. And I was never really satisfied by the 'mystery' of what the prophecy meant about her being able to walk three roads. Is the third the Halfers? I wish it had been made more clear. I also have absolutely NO idea how Jack saved her in the end, except he just somehow did, despite the fact that he's not a fairy and she's the only one with the ability to open and close gates, but okay.
This makes it sound like I really didn't like the book, which I did in other ways. I liked the slow-build romance and it's resolution, and I liked Callie's complex family vibes. I also liked that she was one of those people who was always getting in trouble but usually because she's so damned determined to do good, like her mother.
Overall not a bad read, but somewhat disappointing, mostly for writing/plot reasons.
December 17, 2014
Bad Luck Girl was a disappointing, confusing, and at times, annoying finale to a pretty good series. It picks up immediately where Golden Girl left off. Callie and her family need to get out of town and fast, and the only way to do that is by train. Not exactly the best form of transportation for fairies, but at least they'd be safe from others. Unfortunately, Callie screws things up (again) and plans must change as the war is coming for them wherever they go now that they've been spotted. Of course, in the end good trumps evil, but there's a whole lot of crazy to get to that point, and I didn't really follow it all. Or care much after Callie screws things up yet again!
Bad Luck Girl does introduce another group of fae, which I found very interesting. They call themselves Halfers, but other fairies like Callie's father call them the Undone, since they're not pretty. I don't want to give anything about them away, if you plan on continuing the series, but I will say they were my favorite part, even if I don't think they added anything to the overall plot. They were just interesting and conveniently helpful to Callie and her mission.
I did get really annoyed with Bad Luck Girl once Callie fell for another trap. For some reason she just can't get it through her head to trust her instincts rather than the pull of magic. She's always convinced that it's her own magic leading her somewhere, but it never is! Stop it! She should know by now that magic cannot be trusted, and she knows she doesn't have a great handle on hers in the first place. It was just frustrating. Then there was a twist that wasn't really a twist, because it untwisted itself like I knew it would. And then things just got weird and twisty and confusing and I gave up trying to understand it and just sat back for the rest of the ride, which ended quite well actually. Then that epilogue happened. It was a cute ending, until the last word ruined it. Yes, just one word. Either the author is trying to be clever and mysterious or something, or....what else is there?! My brain is going to explode!
In the end, I enjoyed this trilogy, but found Bad Luck Girl lacking as a finale. Callie didn't seem to learn anything and kept making the same mistakes, which could have easily been avoided. It would have been nice to see her grow into her magic and actually take control rather than accidentally doing things, or doing big things out of overwhelming emotion. I also would have liked to have known what happened to Fairyland and all of the Halfers afterward. It all just kind of disappeared.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Bad Luck Girl does introduce another group of fae, which I found very interesting. They call themselves Halfers, but other fairies like Callie's father call them the Undone, since they're not pretty. I don't want to give anything about them away, if you plan on continuing the series, but I will say they were my favorite part, even if I don't think they added anything to the overall plot. They were just interesting and conveniently helpful to Callie and her mission.
I did get really annoyed with Bad Luck Girl once Callie fell for another trap. For some reason she just can't get it through her head to trust her instincts rather than the pull of magic. She's always convinced that it's her own magic leading her somewhere, but it never is! Stop it! She should know by now that magic cannot be trusted, and she knows she doesn't have a great handle on hers in the first place. It was just frustrating. Then there was a twist that wasn't really a twist, because it untwisted itself like I knew it would. And then things just got weird and twisty and confusing and I gave up trying to understand it and just sat back for the rest of the ride, which ended quite well actually. Then that epilogue happened. It was a cute ending, until the last word ruined it. Yes, just one word. Either the author is trying to be clever and mysterious or something, or....what else is there?! My brain is going to explode!
In the end, I enjoyed this trilogy, but found Bad Luck Girl lacking as a finale. Callie didn't seem to learn anything and kept making the same mistakes, which could have easily been avoided. It would have been nice to see her grow into her magic and actually take control rather than accidentally doing things, or doing big things out of overwhelming emotion. I also would have liked to have known what happened to Fairyland and all of the Halfers afterward. It all just kind of disappeared.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
September 4, 2014
Title: Bad Luck Girl
Author: Sarah Zettel
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction
Series: The American Fairy, book three
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The bottom line: The third and final book in this phenomenal fantasy series, Bad Luck Girl doesn't disappoint in the slightest--I really, really enjoyed it. This whole series is highly recommended for both fantasy and historical fiction fans.
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Callie Leroux has been through enough as it is. Forced to flee to Chicago with Jack and her family, she realizes that while she may have started the coming war, now, she must finish it. The fate of the entire world will be at stake if she does not find a way to stand in between the fairy courts. Forced yet again to take up the mantle of her Unseelie heritage, Callie digs deeper than she could've ever imagined, and turns to avenues unexplored, to save herself, her family, the world.. And in so doing, finds even she may not be able to resist the temptation of the fairies..
What I enjoyed:
-The rich, vibrant, yet gritty atmosphere of Chicago, a world of hard living hiding the glittering fairies
-The pacing of this novel, like the others, was absolutely breakneck--I couldn't put it down, even when I tried to--the twists and turns had me frantically, frenetically turning pages
-Callie, the young woman with one foot in both worlds--on one hand, trying to manage her fairy heritage, and the other, just a normal human girl trying to help her loved ones--I really didn't think Zettel could do it, but she surprised me--Callie was just amazing, and I loved her character development
-Jack, the young man who has to finally face his past and his possible feelings for Callie--I really enjoyed him, as well, and the troubles that he and Callie went through were really realistic
-Callie's parents
-Shake
-I loved the way Halfers were introduced in this novel--it really made it authentic for fans of both genres, as well as the Halfers themselves
-I also really enjoyed the way the reader got more information--it was really satisfying as the last book
-My favorite part of this novel was the ending--it did justice to all involved and it really, really satisfied me! Absolutely wonderful!
What could've been better:
-I would've liked to know more about how the Halfers' magic worked
I loved Bad Luck Girl and the entire series as a whole! Next on deck: The Revealed by Jessica Hickam!
literatureobsessed.blogspot.com
Author: Sarah Zettel
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction
Series: The American Fairy, book three
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The bottom line: The third and final book in this phenomenal fantasy series, Bad Luck Girl doesn't disappoint in the slightest--I really, really enjoyed it. This whole series is highly recommended for both fantasy and historical fiction fans.
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Callie Leroux has been through enough as it is. Forced to flee to Chicago with Jack and her family, she realizes that while she may have started the coming war, now, she must finish it. The fate of the entire world will be at stake if she does not find a way to stand in between the fairy courts. Forced yet again to take up the mantle of her Unseelie heritage, Callie digs deeper than she could've ever imagined, and turns to avenues unexplored, to save herself, her family, the world.. And in so doing, finds even she may not be able to resist the temptation of the fairies..
What I enjoyed:
-The rich, vibrant, yet gritty atmosphere of Chicago, a world of hard living hiding the glittering fairies
-The pacing of this novel, like the others, was absolutely breakneck--I couldn't put it down, even when I tried to--the twists and turns had me frantically, frenetically turning pages
-Callie, the young woman with one foot in both worlds--on one hand, trying to manage her fairy heritage, and the other, just a normal human girl trying to help her loved ones--I really didn't think Zettel could do it, but she surprised me--Callie was just amazing, and I loved her character development
-Jack, the young man who has to finally face his past and his possible feelings for Callie--I really enjoyed him, as well, and the troubles that he and Callie went through were really realistic
-Callie's parents
-Shake
-I loved the way Halfers were introduced in this novel--it really made it authentic for fans of both genres, as well as the Halfers themselves
-I also really enjoyed the way the reader got more information--it was really satisfying as the last book
-My favorite part of this novel was the ending--it did justice to all involved and it really, really satisfied me! Absolutely wonderful!
What could've been better:
-I would've liked to know more about how the Halfers' magic worked
I loved Bad Luck Girl and the entire series as a whole! Next on deck: The Revealed by Jessica Hickam!
literatureobsessed.blogspot.com
June 12, 2014
'Bad Luck Girl' is the third and final book in the American Fairy Trilogy. The book continues to follow our main character - Callie - as she tries to get her life back to normal after rescuing her parents. The quiet doesn't last long before Callie is caught up in a war between two fairy kingdoms - the Midnight Throne and the Sunlit kingdoms. During the fight, Callie's world is turned upside down when she learns that fairies aren't the only fantastical creatures on earth. There are also Halfers - creatures who are half fairy and half other - who are misfits with big attitudes and odd magic. Callie knows that she's supposed to be the child of the prophecy, but she's beginning to doubt everyone and everything around her - especially herself. When the fairies dub Callie the "Bad Luck Girl," she's starts to believe it's true. Will she be able to call upon her strength and magic to save everyone she loves and must protect - including the Halfers - or will she let everyone down?
This is a completely unique blend of several genres that combine to create a magnificent story with complex characters and serious situations. The author does a fantastic job of mixing fantasy with historical fiction, romance, action, and adventure throughout the book and the series. On top of spanning several genres, the books also touch on serious topics like race, self confidence, and love. All of these things come together to make a incredibly magical trilogy that will leave readers entranced from the first page. I loved Callie as the main character. She's strong, smart, devoted to her family and her people - but we see that she has her faults too - like doubting herself and having issues with confidence. She's a very realistic character and I found myself rooting for her from the beginning. The plot of the book was tense as the two fairy kingdoms finally come to war. I was eager to see how things were going to play out and what would happen in the end. I have to say that the author tied up the trilogy nicely, without leaving readers hanging or questions unanswered. The writing was great - a quick pace with vivid imagery and descriptions that made it feel like I was right alongside Callie the entire time. This is definitely a book/series that I would recommend to fans of the genre, along with those who enjoy something fresh and different with an original story.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a completely unique blend of several genres that combine to create a magnificent story with complex characters and serious situations. The author does a fantastic job of mixing fantasy with historical fiction, romance, action, and adventure throughout the book and the series. On top of spanning several genres, the books also touch on serious topics like race, self confidence, and love. All of these things come together to make a incredibly magical trilogy that will leave readers entranced from the first page. I loved Callie as the main character. She's strong, smart, devoted to her family and her people - but we see that she has her faults too - like doubting herself and having issues with confidence. She's a very realistic character and I found myself rooting for her from the beginning. The plot of the book was tense as the two fairy kingdoms finally come to war. I was eager to see how things were going to play out and what would happen in the end. I have to say that the author tied up the trilogy nicely, without leaving readers hanging or questions unanswered. The writing was great - a quick pace with vivid imagery and descriptions that made it feel like I was right alongside Callie the entire time. This is definitely a book/series that I would recommend to fans of the genre, along with those who enjoy something fresh and different with an original story.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2014
Historical fantasy has always been one of my favorite genres and so when I heard about Bad Luck Girl I was immediately intrigued. I especially enjoy books featuring faeries (such as Lesley Livingston's Wondrous Strange series) so this seemed like it was going to be right up my alley. Luckily, this book did not disappoint and I highly enjoyed the ending to this trilogy. One thing I should point out is that I did not realize this was the third in a series at first, so I have not read the first two in the series.
To start off, since I hadn't read the first two in the series, the author did a great job of introducing the characters and what they had been through thus far. I never felt lost, although I was wondering about a couple things that were mentioned casually, but that can be expected. I love anything to do with faeries and the Seelie/Unseelie courts and it was fascinating how the author blended it with historical fiction. Not only did we learn about the various fantastical aspects of the faeries, but Bad Luck Girl also features such dark issues as racism, poverty, and bootlegging.
Callie was a great main character. I loved how strong and independent she was. Although she had already been through so much, she never backed down from a challenge. At times she did seem a little young, but since she was only fifteen that is understandable. I liked getting to know her family and her best friend, Jack. There was another group of characters, the Halfers, that were introduced in this book and they represented the unloved and misunderstood members of the faerie race. Callie, being mixed race herself, understood their struggle and wants to do whatever she can to save them.
The plot was very fast paced and action packed after a semi-slow start. Although I hadn't gotten to know these characters over the course of two other books, I quickly found myself rooting for them and hoping for their success. Sarah Zettel has written a series with a wonderful blend of magic and history and I will definitely be going back to read the first two books in the series when I get the chance. Although I didn't have trouble getting into this third book in the series, I would recommend reading the other two first!
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
To start off, since I hadn't read the first two in the series, the author did a great job of introducing the characters and what they had been through thus far. I never felt lost, although I was wondering about a couple things that were mentioned casually, but that can be expected. I love anything to do with faeries and the Seelie/Unseelie courts and it was fascinating how the author blended it with historical fiction. Not only did we learn about the various fantastical aspects of the faeries, but Bad Luck Girl also features such dark issues as racism, poverty, and bootlegging.
Callie was a great main character. I loved how strong and independent she was. Although she had already been through so much, she never backed down from a challenge. At times she did seem a little young, but since she was only fifteen that is understandable. I liked getting to know her family and her best friend, Jack. There was another group of characters, the Halfers, that were introduced in this book and they represented the unloved and misunderstood members of the faerie race. Callie, being mixed race herself, understood their struggle and wants to do whatever she can to save them.
The plot was very fast paced and action packed after a semi-slow start. Although I hadn't gotten to know these characters over the course of two other books, I quickly found myself rooting for them and hoping for their success. Sarah Zettel has written a series with a wonderful blend of magic and history and I will definitely be going back to read the first two books in the series when I get the chance. Although I didn't have trouble getting into this third book in the series, I would recommend reading the other two first!
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
August 30, 2014
Callie is a fourteen-year-old girl who has worked to free her parents from the Seelie king. And now they're trying to hide while a war rages on between the Seelie and Unseelie fairies. The only problem is Callie's conscience won't let her step aside as she watches innocent victims being dragged into the fairy kingdoms.
After finally meeting her father, the Unseelie prince who abdicated, she sees how the fairy nature affects him even though he's drunk off of the love her mother gives him. And how he was raised and his values of the magical beings blind him to what's really happening. Callie, a half-black-half-white girl, isn't going to let this blindness stop her. Even Halfers deserve a fair chance at life and to be free from others. Even though Callie wants to obey her parents, she's not going to stand aside while all magical mayhem occurs.
This book had the perfect ending. I absolutely loved how it ended and would love to tell you all about it, but then you'd all hate me for ruining it. While Callie's character is a little young for me, I loved watching her grow and gain confidence. When she stood up to her father and held true to her ideals, I was cheering her on. And the never-ending trust she had for her parents and Jack. This book is sweet. And I think it does a really nice job of tying societal issues into fantasy plot lines. We get the opportunity to see what was wrong with our past (and how it affects our present) without judging (and we get a fun story of fairies to go with it).
This is a fun series that I'd recommend for tweens. It's sweet, has character-building, and it has fairies. And while there is a very small bit of romance, it's something that gradually builds and is not the main part of the story. Plus, the magic is ever-changing.
After finally meeting her father, the Unseelie prince who abdicated, she sees how the fairy nature affects him even though he's drunk off of the love her mother gives him. And how he was raised and his values of the magical beings blind him to what's really happening. Callie, a half-black-half-white girl, isn't going to let this blindness stop her. Even Halfers deserve a fair chance at life and to be free from others. Even though Callie wants to obey her parents, she's not going to stand aside while all magical mayhem occurs.
This book had the perfect ending. I absolutely loved how it ended and would love to tell you all about it, but then you'd all hate me for ruining it. While Callie's character is a little young for me, I loved watching her grow and gain confidence. When she stood up to her father and held true to her ideals, I was cheering her on. And the never-ending trust she had for her parents and Jack. This book is sweet. And I think it does a really nice job of tying societal issues into fantasy plot lines. We get the opportunity to see what was wrong with our past (and how it affects our present) without judging (and we get a fun story of fairies to go with it).
This is a fun series that I'd recommend for tweens. It's sweet, has character-building, and it has fairies. And while there is a very small bit of romance, it's something that gradually builds and is not the main part of the story. Plus, the magic is ever-changing.
June 26, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ba...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Valerie
Wow. What an impressive way to end the trilogy. I’ve always been impressed with Sarah Zettel’s works. From Palace of Spies to Reclamation, Sarah Zettel’s novels are charming, witty, and captivating. Bad Luck Girl is no exception. While Dust Girl was by no means my favorite book, the trilogy definitely improved by the time the sequel came out.
Callie is a great character. She’s smart and she brings diversity to the YA world, as she’s not white. Let me repeat that. She’s. Not. White. What I love about Sarah Zettel is her ability to foreshadow and subtly (okay maybe subtly is the wrong word) mention the issues about race and diversity. I’m truly impressed by Callie’s personal development even in the third novel.
Let’s talk about the plot. I really don’t feel comfortable saying much, but the plot is pretty kick-butt. Honestly, everything and anything you can possibly imagine happens but in a beautiful, eloquent way. Does that even make sense? No? Well too bad, cause that’s all you’re getting.
Those Midnight Throne fairies though. And the fairies from the Sunlit Kingdoms. And the Halfers too. Let’s just say that Callie’s stronger than she thinks. Maybe she’s Bad Luck Girl, but that’s only because she’s way too cool for everyone else. She’s a goddess!
To conclude, Bad Luck Girl is definitely the strongest book in the series. Unlike the first book, Bad Luck Girl is fast-paced and interesting. It’s definitely unexpected, to say the least. This is a great book that’s definitely worth buying.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Valerie
Wow. What an impressive way to end the trilogy. I’ve always been impressed with Sarah Zettel’s works. From Palace of Spies to Reclamation, Sarah Zettel’s novels are charming, witty, and captivating. Bad Luck Girl is no exception. While Dust Girl was by no means my favorite book, the trilogy definitely improved by the time the sequel came out.
Callie is a great character. She’s smart and she brings diversity to the YA world, as she’s not white. Let me repeat that. She’s. Not. White. What I love about Sarah Zettel is her ability to foreshadow and subtly (okay maybe subtly is the wrong word) mention the issues about race and diversity. I’m truly impressed by Callie’s personal development even in the third novel.
Let’s talk about the plot. I really don’t feel comfortable saying much, but the plot is pretty kick-butt. Honestly, everything and anything you can possibly imagine happens but in a beautiful, eloquent way. Does that even make sense? No? Well too bad, cause that’s all you’re getting.
Those Midnight Throne fairies though. And the fairies from the Sunlit Kingdoms. And the Halfers too. Let’s just say that Callie’s stronger than she thinks. Maybe she’s Bad Luck Girl, but that’s only because she’s way too cool for everyone else. She’s a goddess!
To conclude, Bad Luck Girl is definitely the strongest book in the series. Unlike the first book, Bad Luck Girl is fast-paced and interesting. It’s definitely unexpected, to say the least. This is a great book that’s definitely worth buying.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
June 5, 2014
Callie managed to save her parents from the Seelie king but sadly not without complication. The accidental killing of the king's daughter has resulted in an all out war between the Seelie and Unseelie - and their factions. Now, Callie, her parents, and Jack have gone on the run in an attempt to lay low and survive the battle. But it won't be easy, as Callie learns to use her new powers it becomes ever clear just how far folks are willing to go to get their hands on the child of prophecy!
Callie has so far survived the Dust Bowl, a run in with the Unseelie court (including her uncle, Shake), Hollywood, and a run in with the Seelie court as well. Whew! That's a lot for a fourteen-year-old girl to handle even if she is a fairy princess. But she takes it all pretty much in stride. After all, she has just learned that she's heir to a fairy throne and that she's apparently got powers none of the other fairies possess. Her friendship with Jack definitely helps to keep her grounded, especially as their adventures continue.
I absolutely adore the fact that Zettel has set this series around this particular time period. I've still not seen anything quite like it but it makes for a truly remarkable combination - the fae and 1930s American history, that is.
Callie's age puts this series a bit on the younger side of teen fantasy, in my opinion, but it's no less enjoyable even for someone my age.
Callie has so far survived the Dust Bowl, a run in with the Unseelie court (including her uncle, Shake), Hollywood, and a run in with the Seelie court as well. Whew! That's a lot for a fourteen-year-old girl to handle even if she is a fairy princess. But she takes it all pretty much in stride. After all, she has just learned that she's heir to a fairy throne and that she's apparently got powers none of the other fairies possess. Her friendship with Jack definitely helps to keep her grounded, especially as their adventures continue.
I absolutely adore the fact that Zettel has set this series around this particular time period. I've still not seen anything quite like it but it makes for a truly remarkable combination - the fae and 1930s American history, that is.
Callie's age puts this series a bit on the younger side of teen fantasy, in my opinion, but it's no less enjoyable even for someone my age.
September 8, 2014
From Children's Literature review: Fourteen-year-old Callie had thought that when she rescued her parents from the Seelie Court, her troubles would be over. But as this sequel to Dust Girl (2012) and Golden Girl (2013) opens, troubles abound. The half-fairy, heir to the Midnight Throne, is impulsive and willful, and while her quick decisions are made with good intentions, they seem to lead Jack and her parents further into trouble as she struggles to control her newly discovered magic and its ramifications. Even after the group manages to travel from Los Angeles to Jack's hometown of Chicago, they cannot shake the Seelie King and his followers. As Callie tries to get her loved ones out of messes that she has helped create, she is faced with a moral dilemma: her father, whose dark skin subjects him to the prejudices of America in the 1920s, shows the same contempt toward the Halfers, those half-magic, half-not creatures who are formed when wishes combine with various objects. Callie feels a reluctant affinity with this group that is neither one thing nor the other. Over time, she convinces her father that the Halfers hold the key to the full-scale war that must be mounted against the Seelies' attack. Callie's slow maturation, along with plenty of strange magic, make this a fitting conclusion to a history-infused fairy tale.
June 4, 2014
Book Three of the American Fairy series has Callie reunited with her parents and fleeing across country from a war she inadvertently started between the Seelie and Unseelie courts. Callie and her family get as far as Chicago before they have to stop. There, Callie learns that fairies aren't the only magical beings in the world. She meets the Halfers, magical creatures who started out as people, animals, plants, but were transformed by fairy magic. The Halfers have their own quarrels with the fairies, and Callie, as usual, gets caught in the middle. This is a satisfying wrap-up of the trilogy, full of original magic and wonderful period detail of jazz age Chicago. Best of all, even though it's book 3 of 3, it ends in a way that strongly suggests that Callie and Jack and their magical friends will return in future installments. I hope they do.
November 6, 2014
Callie Le Roux is hiding. Again.
The good thing is that she is now reunited with her parents, but there is a problem… Callie has accidentally killed the heir to the Seelie throne and people are after her and seeking revenge.
Callie, her parents, and Jack form an uneasy alliance with some very interesting creatures, and soon Callie finds it hard to know whom to trust.
Callie’s parents and Jack are prepared to lay down their lives for Callie as she is supposed to be the future queen of the kingdoms. However, one thing Callie does not understand is that lives will be lost in war. She doesn’t know that there is too much evil in the world to win a war without bloodshed.
Callie is prepared to sacrifice herself so that no more lives are lost but her people need her.
Will she have to make the ultimate sacrifice to end this war?
The good thing is that she is now reunited with her parents, but there is a problem… Callie has accidentally killed the heir to the Seelie throne and people are after her and seeking revenge.
Callie, her parents, and Jack form an uneasy alliance with some very interesting creatures, and soon Callie finds it hard to know whom to trust.
Callie’s parents and Jack are prepared to lay down their lives for Callie as she is supposed to be the future queen of the kingdoms. However, one thing Callie does not understand is that lives will be lost in war. She doesn’t know that there is too much evil in the world to win a war without bloodshed.
Callie is prepared to sacrifice herself so that no more lives are lost but her people need her.
Will she have to make the ultimate sacrifice to end this war?
August 18, 2014
This series contains all the nastiness of caniballistic and soul-sucking fairies. The worst of the Seelie and Unseelie courts in an American Great Depression era setting. I will say that this series is not dull and in fact quite unique. This final book however left me unsatisfied. First the heroine keeps making selfish, stupid mistakes which others end up paying for. Then she becomes a mindless puppet for what seems like a long time. It was so tedious I had to skim until it was over. I really don't like to read about useless, powerless heroines. Finally the ending was so sudden if felt cut off and incomplete. The series was interesting but too nasty to be feel good. I likely won't reread it. My daughter also found it dissatisfying.
October 30, 2014
Sarah Zettel had done a good job of creating another world, the world of fairies, that is believable and engaging. Callie is a strong female character. She is courageous and able to make decisions in crisis mode, and there are plenty of crises in this story. Callie's friend Jack who has been a part of this adventure from the first book in the series, has become a romantic interest. I appreciate that the romance aspect of the story is a well balanced part of the story and the story doesn't become a mushy, silly love story. Bleah! The author stays focused on the plot, and the adventure, and the action and brings it to a satisfying end, and in the end Callie is a character that I can admire and respect. Good job! Good series! Thank you, Sarah Zettel!
August 26, 2015
Callie and her family are reunited and trying to lead a normal life, but that's not going to happen. She has started a war between fairy factions. They are on a road trip to escape the war, but the war is following them.
This is book three of the "American Fairy Trilogy" and I have not read books 1 & 2. Zettel does a good job of filling in the backstory, so I wasn't lost. The story is captivating and the characters interesting. Because of the time period and since Callie is multi-racial as well as half fairy, there are also some historical elements about the Depression and Jim Crow laws of the 1930s. This is a well crafted hybrid of fantasy adventure and historical fiction. Since there is little (no?) profanity and no sex, this is a great choice for even young teens.
This is book three of the "American Fairy Trilogy" and I have not read books 1 & 2. Zettel does a good job of filling in the backstory, so I wasn't lost. The story is captivating and the characters interesting. Because of the time period and since Callie is multi-racial as well as half fairy, there are also some historical elements about the Depression and Jim Crow laws of the 1930s. This is a well crafted hybrid of fantasy adventure and historical fiction. Since there is little (no?) profanity and no sex, this is a great choice for even young teens.
June 11, 2014
Narrated by Callie, the story takes up shortly after the action in California. The new setting for the final book is Chicago, a city that is a personal favorite.
The themes of African-Amercian life in the 1930's is well described. Zettel also uses folk characters like "Aunt Nanncy," within her story.
I really enjoyed reading Callie's story and wished there were more characters like her.
The themes of African-Amercian life in the 1930's is well described. Zettel also uses folk characters like "Aunt Nanncy," within her story.
I really enjoyed reading Callie's story and wished there were more characters like her.
August 3, 2014
Really liked this "conclusion" to the story of Callie and Jack and Callie's parents. Liked the fact that she left it open for a later-in-life story as well, but still had a satisfying ending. I was yelling at Callie when she walked away assuming the people she loved would be better off without her, and at her dad when he persisted in referring to the halfers as "undone".
September 20, 2014
It took me a little while to get into this book, only because it was hard for me to remember some of the details from the first two books in this trilogy. But once I got back up to speed there was a lot to like about this book. The dynamic between Callie and her father was interesting and I really enjoyed the climatic ending.
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