Wondrous Strange

Kelley Winslow is living her dream. Seventeen years old, she has moved to New York City and started work with a theatre company. Sure, she's an understudy for the Avalon Players, a third-tier repertory company so far off-Broadway it might as well be in Hoboken, but things are looking up—the lead has broken her ankle and Kelley's about to step into the role of Titania the Fairy Queen in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Faeries are far more real than Kelley thinks, though, and a chance encounter in Central Park with a handsome young man will plunge her into an adventure she could never have imagined.
5
For Sonny Flannery, one of the Janus Guards charged by Auberon, the King of Winter, with watching over the gate into the lands of Faerie that lies within Central Park, the pretty young actress presents an enigma. Strong and willful, she sparks against his senses like a firecracker and he can't get her out of his mind. As Hallowe'en approaches and the Samhain Gate opens, Sonny and Kelley find themselves drawn to each other—and into a terrible plot that could spell disaster for both New York and Faerie alike.

from lesleylivingston.com

Beth says 5 Stars...

I've wanted this book for a while. I'll admit, it was the title that first captured my attention and inspired a serious case of book lust. The cover is so striking and pulled me in, but the story kept me enthralled. I'm a theater kid and love Shakespeare. In particular, I love A Midsummer Night's Dream (I've read it more than a few times). I loved how Livingston wove Shakespeare's tale with her own. I also enjoyed the realistic depiction of theater rehearsals. Kelley was an interesting heroine, at times confused and at other times defiant. Her relationship with Sonny was fascinating. I loved how changelings and the faerie courts were incorporated. This book felt fresh and new, putting interesting twists on the known. The plot moved along rapidly, and I was unable to put the book down. There were a few twists and turns, including a major one near the end. The enjoyable cast of supporting characters constantly added layers of richness to the tale. I was astonished to find that this is a debut, and can't wait to see more from Ms. Livingston. This is a beautiful tale full of magic that lovers of fantasy and Shakespeare will enjoy.