The Treachery of Beautiful Things in Into the Forest

Mar 25, 2018 Jalilah rated it really liked it

Shelves: fae-faeries, into-the-forest-2018-challenge, folk-fairy-tales

This novel is steeped in the folk and fairy tales of the British Islands. On 欧宝娱乐 I see this book shelved as romance and disagree. While there is a love story in it, the entire story does not revolve around it and the book should definitely not be shelved as a romance. I enjoyed this book quite a lot! It is most definitely geared more towards young adult readers, but is a fun read for adults who love traditional folk and fairy tales. Edited to add: Don't be deceived by the cover, as it is v ...more

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Apr 11, 2018 Melanti rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: group-reads, e-book, fairy-tales-folklore-and-mythology, abandoned

Not terrible, but just not great. The monster-per-chapter thing seemed rather repetitive and I don't feel like finishing. Rating is what I think I'd probably rate it if I did finish. ...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Beka rated it liked it

I read this book way back in the summer, so some of my memories may be hazy. I'll try to give the overall impression I felt of this book. Please note that my opinions are merely that--opinions. To find out what YOU would think of it, I recommend you read it for yourself. Now, onwards...

First of all, the author has a flare for lyrical, descriptive prose. While reading, I felt Jenny's entrapment, felt the awe and wonder and terror of this creepy, beautiful world into which she had stumbled. The fo I read this book way back in the summer, so some of my memories may be hazy. I'll try to give the overall impression I felt of this book. Please note that my opinions are merely that--opinions. To find out what YOU would think of it, I recommend you read it for yourself. Now, onwards...

First of all, the author has a flare for lyrical, descriptive prose. While reading, I felt Jenny's entrapment, felt the awe and wonder and terror of this creepy, beautiful world into which she had stumbled. The forest is a character of itself, deceptive and treacherous. It was horrifying and enthralling!

Looking back, this book had a very "The Labyrinth"-esque feel to it, what with a girl having to save her brother from some sort of otherworldly creatures. I loved that aspect--it offered a mythical feel to the world. As well, the author draws on Celtic and, I believe, Norse mythology in order to create the background of the story. As someone not as well-read in these as I would like, I did not quite understand the importance of some of the characters. For instance, there was one scene with Jack and another character that I felt had layers to it, but because certain aspects weren't explained, it was very vague.

Perhaps that was my biggest issue: for all the dreamlike, gorgeous quality of it, the story was vague in that I could not quite connect to Jenny and Jack as "real people". There are not many characters in the story--there's Jenny, Jack, her brother, Puck, and then a lot of fairy creatures that do not get any development at all. Jack and Jenny are the main characters, and for most of the book, the plot revolves around their romance.

To me, this detracted from the more emotional plot line of a girl searching for her brother, a brother who has been missing for so many years.

As well, because the book did not have a lot of characters, I felt it could have been shorter. It was almost 400 pages long, but there was no wide range of characters to make those pages sparkle. So at places the plot dragged.

But, I believe this is the author's debut novel, and with such beautiful writing, I would definitely pick up another of her works! ...more

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Dec 02, 2011 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mundie-moms-reviews, arcs, 2012-release, 2012-100-book-challenge, 2012-debut-author

If you only pick up one fey book this year, make it this one! I am in love with this book! It's one of those books that makes me wish I could go walk through an enchanted forest just to see what I'd find. I loved what Ruth Frances Long did with her story. It's dark, enchanting, and oh so fabulous. In a nut shell it's my kind of book. A Treachery of Beautiful Things has the perfect mix of what I love in a classic fairy tale story; a captivating lore, the right amount of suspense, and that fabulou If you only pick up one fey book this year, make it this one! I am in love with this book! It's one of those books that makes me wish I could go walk through an enchanted forest just to see what I'd find. I loved what Ruth Frances Long did with her story. It's dark, enchanting, and oh so fabulous. In a nut shell it's my kind of book. A Treachery of Beautiful Things has the perfect mix of what I love in a classic fairy tale story; a captivating lore, the right amount of suspense, and that fabulous romance that can only be conjured up in well told fairy tale. The fey world, the characters, the setting, and really everything about this book was fabulous!

I loved that this world felt like how I have always pictured the world of Fey, utterly beautiful and yet dangerous all at the same time. Not only does the title of this book convey that, but the the cover does as well ( I love this cover! It's so perfect for this book). There is something I find both enchanting and enticing about the Fey world, and I felt like Ruth captured that with her story's setting, and through the eyes of Jenny Wren, the main character. As the book's title says, this world is one of both beautiful and treacherous things. Not everything is as it seems, and like most Fey tales, this story has it's riddles, it's betrayals, acts of bravery, moments of love, and of course sacrifice. In a world like this everything comes at a price. Through the actions of a few characters some things will charge the course of what's been in place for centuries. This story has such a lively and unforgettable cast of beloved favorites, as well as devious woodland creatures, various Fey, and an unlikely hero.

One of the things I really enjoyed was Ruth's take on the May Queen, Queen Titania, Mab, King Oberon, and Puck. How could I not love Puck. Ever the trickster and yet true to his ruler, Puck has always been, and will always be one of my favorite fey characters. The thing I admire about Titania despite how ruthless she is, is that she never waivers with how she rules her kingdom and how she's always been. My favorite character from this book is of course Jack O' the Forest. Guardian of the Edge and a character who's bound by an oath, Jack is someone who I not only loved from the moment he enters Jenny world, or rather Jenny enters his world, but he's someone who challenges what he's suppose to do and what he's bound to do. I admire him for that. Plus how could I not love the romance that develops between him and Jenny. Jenny is fabulous character as well. She's that silent heroine who sneaks up on you and makes these incredible choices that make her stand out. She's determined and fierce in that once she makes up her mind to do something, and protect those she loves, she'll act on that, no matter what. I admire her greatly for that.

What I loved about these characters is that they are true to who they are. Whether they be from the Summer or Winter court or somewhere in between. The Fey characters are consistent with their actions, and what they do. Some of them commit acts of betrayal (that made sense) since they are bound to their ruler, whether it be Queen Titania or King Oberson. That's not to say they're not cunning. True to the Fey way, Jack, and Puck may act upon the thing that bounds them to obey, but they also do things that benefits them without breaking their word. We all know how I like a character who can bend their rules a bit. Well when it's done in the name of helping someone else out. I really loved this story! I not only got wrapped up with Ruth's flawless writing style, and rich story telling, I fell in the love with the world and the characters. Those who love fey tales, and well written YA books should definitely pick this one up! ...more

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Feb 16, 2012 Katie Lawrence rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adults, retellings

A very interesting take on fairies that includes characters from Shakespeare's Midsummer's Night Dream. Awfully fun reading full of fairy tale characters and magic. Probably safe for a middle school, especially if you have Twilight and similar books. ...more

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