Monday, June 22, 2009

Book Review and Author/Character Interview: Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog

Morgan and Cam have been dating practically forever, and Morgan can’t imagine life without him. But shortly before their joint 16th birthday bash, Cam starts to distance himself from her, and Morgan discovers he’s actually a fairy who has to return to another world to take the throne as king. With recently returned Pip, the human traded for Cam at birth, Morgan plots to trick the fairies into letting Cam stay in her world.

I haven’t read many fairy/faerie novels other than THE STOLEN CHILD by Keith Donohue (not too impressed) and the ARTEMIS FOWL series (love them). Not sure why. I love fairy tales, but the current glut of fairy fiction never drew me in – until FAIRY TALE (formerly known as FAIRY LUST). It was one of the two books I begged for at last October’s Frankfurt Book Fair.

In any case, it was love at first page. Seriously, this is one of the most perfect first chapters I have ever read. It introduces Morgan as the class curiosity (she’s predicts her classmates futures with startling accuracy), establishes her enviable relationship with football star Cam, and ends on a killer hook.

So I thought – no way can the rest of the novel measure up. It has to start sagging somewhere doesn’t it? Nope. The tension rises so intensely that I was even tempted to do something I haven’t done since I was twelve – take a little peek at the end just to make sure everything works out.

Morgan is a super cool narrator and I enjoyed reading about her great relationship with her parents (“the world’s youngest senior citizens”), her closeness to Cam, and her growing appreciation for Pip. The voice is done so well, giving Morgan one hilarious one liner after another. Take one of my favorites:

I have absolutely no idea how I ended up a psychic. You’d expect someone with such a gift to have parents with equally thrilling abilities, like telekinesis or the power to see through people’s clothes. My dad can say the capitals of the fifty states in alphabetical order, but that’s where the magic ends.” (p 29-30 ARC version – may not reflect final text).

FAIRY TALE comes out tomorrow. It’s an emotionally-involving page turner with a great cast of characters (even the minor ones shine) and a reality-based fantasy element that even non-fantasy fans can enjoy.

And now…and interview with main character Morgan (who I want to be my new best friend):

Hi Morgan! So your boyfriend Cam is a fairy. The future King of the fairies. You’ve known him forever – were there clues that you can now see in retrospect or did it come as a complete surprise?
Yeah, like, no. I mean, he wasn't exactly the type of being I'd imagine running around, painting ladybugs or taking teeth from under kids' pillows. But in retrospect, he was a little odd. I mean, he's never had a zit in his life, and he could pull off impossible plays, like cutting through a line of defensemen, like magic. So maybe I should have seen this coming.

What about you? Were you ever particularly drawn to fairies? Nurse a crush on Orlando Bloom in Lord of the Rings, perhaps?
Not really. I never really thought about them until Cam told me he was one. I kind of thought of them as overgrown mosquitoes.

When did you first realize you could see the future? And what was your first vision?
I think I was 12, and watching Survivor and suddenly, I knew the order in which every one of the 18 contestants would be voted off. I could see them being voted off, clear as day. And so then I started testing the visions on other people, my friends, my family. And I realized I was never wrong.

Since you could predict who would win football games with 100% accuracy, were you ever tempted to bet on them to earn some extra money?
Yeah, but I'd never hear the end of it from Cam. He is too much of a goody-goody.

Did you ever wow your father by predicting General Hospital storylines?
I really am not very good at predicting what will happen in TV shows, especially soap operas. They're used to dropping completely unexpected bombs on their viewers. My gift has more to do with common sense, because most people don't use enough of their brains to see the obvious. I'm more like one of those British detectives, I guess. My gift is more about seeing human nature, which is why Cam surprised me so much... he's not human.

I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind doing some future predictions for us today. What is in store for Cyn Balog?
She will trip and fall and her dress will go over her head at her book launch party, and everyone will laugh at her.

How about Britney Spears?
I see... growth in her future... of her family and her stomach. She will likely fall head over heels for some other loser and pop out another 4 kids before she's 35.

Obama?
Red socks. He will either wear red socks to his next public appearance, sparking a new trend among his minions, or he will throw out the opening pitch at a Red Sox game.

Um…how about me? (Just say pizza if you see a bunch of Precious Moments figurines, please).
You will win a contest and receive a lifetime supply of Banana Nut Crunch.

Oh YAY - I love cereal! Thanks Morgan for stopping by. Give my best to Cyn and the new baby!

Want more predictions from Morgan? She gives Fairy Fortunes to YA authors every week on Cyn's blog.

This has been a part of Cyn Balog's Traveling to Teens tour. To check out other stops, see the Cyn Balog tour page.

36 comments:

H said...

I've seen this cover everywhere, but didn't know the plot. Now I want to read it! Oh and I loved the character interview :)

Michelle Zink said...

I can't believe I haven't got to read this yet! I am DYING for it!!!
:D

Thanks for the fun interview!

Vanessa said...

I'm on the fence with "fairy fiction" I haven't decided if I like it or not. This sounds like it might be worth a read, though.

Unknown said...

This one is on my wish list! I'll be looking for it!

Dottie :)

Debbie's World of Books said...

I've been seeing this around the blogosphere quite often but I hadn't really read any of the postings before. It sounds really good although when you say a killer hook it makes me wonder if I should wait until the next book is out before reading it. I'm so impatient waiting for the next book in series.

I love the interview! It was hilarious. #extra entry

BookChic said...

Debbie- I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Fairy Tale is a stand-alone book. I've only just started it, so I have no idea how it ends. But fairly sure it's a standalone so no cliffhangers! The hook is just something in the beginning that keeps someone reading to the end.

Lenore- Great review and character interview! Loved both! I just started this last night (only read Chapter 1, so I totally know what you mean by killer hook and everything else you said, lol) and can't wait to read more! :)

Lenore Appelhans said...

Debbie, BookChic is right - FAIRY TALE is a stand-alone book. Though I'd love to read a sequel, I can't really see it happening!

And James, you are in for a treat! I think that first chapter could almost even work as a short story.

Alea said...

Yayyyy! I loved your interview lol!

Fantastic Book Review said...

LOL! I loved the character interview!

Busy Bookblogger said...

Okay, I WANTED this book before, now I HAVE TO HAVE IT!!!

Great review and interview!

Thao said...

You make me love this book even more than I already do. It should be named Fairy Lust, it sounds hotter and everyone is lusting for this book practicallly *grins*

Oh and I love the visions!

bermudaonion said...

What a great post! I haven't read any of the new fairy books yet, but I really want to.

Bookworm said...

I'm not a big fan of fairies, but this sounds awesome! I've heard of it around the blogosphere, and all things said about it were good things!

#extra entry

Michelle B. said...

Aaahhh, I love the cover to this book, but I've been a little leery actually picking it up. You've convinced me I should though. :D

margie said...

This book is insanely good!!

Check out our ARC and Swag contest for it at the blogs!
http://www.beautifulcreaturesthebook.com
(you gotta scroll down a little)

Sadako said...

Nice interview, as always! Very fun.

Ella Preuss said...

Awesome interview!
I really hope this books gets to Argentina!

xo, Ella

Anonymous said...

LOL I love the interview format. And I may or may not have cracked up out loud at the predictions. Also, I don't think any superpower in the world can predict soap opera twists. Really.

#extra entry

Melanie said...

I've only read a few fairie books, and I've yet to decide if I like them or not. This book looks like a very interesting read!

Staci said...

I loved your character interview and now I must traipse over to my library website to put my request in on this one!!!

Anonymous said...

This book sounds really great. I enjoyed your post, such a fun idea to interview the character, and Morgan had some interesting answers. I bet she's dead on with Britney's prediction :-D

I'm putting this one on my wishlist for sure!

Steph Su said...

Oh man, if it's got your stamp of approval, I totally want it.

JKB said...

Now I'm feeling sick. I want to read this book! And then you mentioned the ARTEMIS FOWL series, which I've not ever read! (although I did like THE STOLEN CHILD).

Thank you for making me salivate! I've just ordered it via Amazon.uk, it'll be here asap...for Germany. XD

Zoraida Cordova said...

So excited. I was skeptical, but I'm leaning towards BUY.

#extra entry

Brittany said...

I really can't wait to read this book. Unlike you I love books about fairies, so if you liked I am sure I will too. I love "Morgan's" description of Fairies as "overgrown mosquitoes". *laughs*

#extra entry

Jess said...

I just finished the first two books in Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series (also about fairies) and enjoyed them. This book sounds fantastic -- a must read for me. Thanks for the review.

melissa @ 1lbr said...

I like the interview - that was a nice touch. Wish she would predict me winning a contest. Or cereal. I'd take both. I've been wondering if I should read Artemis Fowl or not. I guess I probably should :)

Llehn said...

I'm a last page peeker too! I've got this book on my wish list for a while now. You've just made me want to read it sooner!

# extra entry

Joanne ♦ The Book Zombie said...

Woohoo, glad to hear this was a gooder! I really do love books about fey so I'll definitely check this out :)

Zibilee said...

I've never read anything about fairies, but this might be the place to start. I am glad you really enjoyed the book, and I loved the interview!

Laina said...

I recently realized that besides Artemis Fowl, I've read very little if any YA books about the whole fairy thing. But I'm totally in love with just the idea of this one. :)

#extra entry

WordVore Prod said...

I've read NOTHING but good reviews on this one, but your review was way more insightful thanks to the character interview (love the concept, btw). I was never a big fan of Artemis Fowl and tend to incline away from the Fantasy genre, but this book sounds delicious.
LOL at the overgrown mosquitoes. I, um, kinda thought so too *blushes*
@Britney Spears prediction: doesn't take a psychic, ya know?:P
#extra entry

L said...

I've only read a couple of faerie books so far, and I can say that I really liked them. This book seems like a great faerie book, based on your review and what I read about it elsewhere. This seems like my kinda of book. I can't wait to get my hands on it!

#extra entry

Kristen said...

I have this one sitting next to me - I think it's time to read it after reading your review. Your character interview cracked me up, loved the character's voice and now that I know a little more about her, I can't wait to read this book (but I am currently reading about 5 separate books, so I should finish a few first...). #extra entry

Paradox said...

I preferred the old title, but Fairy Tale still sounds like an awesome book! I love how the traditional roles have been switched around... and the cover is awesome!

#extra entry

Book Sp(l)ot said...

It's really, really nice to hear about a book that starts out great right from that start--there have been quite a few books that have been taking me a while to get into lately. And this is another book I didn't know much about so it's nice to finally read what it's actually about.

And I love the character interview--sounds ilke a great character (though must we all not like Britney Spears? ;))

#extra entry