The Treachery Of Beautiful Things

by Ruth Frances Long

[Angie]

The Treachery of Beautiful Things was one of my most anticipated novels last year, but I didn't get to it until now. The fae are quickly become one of my favorite paranormal creatures, and I tend to love fairy tales, so I was hoping this one would be a winner for me. Unfortunately, it was a little disappointing.

Jenny is one of my least favorite type of characters. You know the ones who are thrown into a new situation or a new world and they act like they know better than those who have always been there? Yep, she's one of those. Whenever Puck or Jack tell her to do something, or not to do something, she always has to do the opposite and when they save her her response is something like "But I had to!" No, you didn't have to, and you almost got yourself killed! What she thinks is bravery and taking control of the situation is actually recklessness and stupidity. Less than 1/3 into the book I found myself severely irritated with Jenny.

However, I loved the world! Faerie is hidden within the forest in the mortal realm, and it's full of creatures both beautiful and terrible. It's impossible to tell who's dangerous and who's not, since the most beautiful of the fae can be the most deadly, while the most hideous could save you from certain death. Jenny, of course, learned all of this the hard way. The trees were my favorite part. They're alive in more ways than one. The forest is always watching and protects its own.

The story was also good, too, when Jenny wasn't driving me bonkers. She's out to save her brother who was stolen by the forest seven years prior. However, she gets caught up in the games of Queen Titania and King Oberon. Each wants her for their own selfish reasons, and neither is willing to let her go so easily. Jack, a forest guardian, has debts to both of the rulers, but he also a duty to protect those who get lost in the forest. Jenny isn't sure if she can trust him, since his loyalties may lay elsewhere, but who else is she suppose to trust in Faerie?

It keeps up a good pace, so I was almost always engaged in the story. There's quite a bit more action and violence than I had expected, but nothing too over the top. I do think I would have loved this one if there had been a more likeable heroine. Or maybe if it had been in 1st person POV, so I could at least understand what Jenny was up to when she made her horrible decisions.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.