Ballad, by Maggie Stiefvater (Flux, 2009)

Bagpipe prodigy James and his best friend Deirdre thought attending Thornking-Ash School for Music would be quiet and faerie-free, following the tragic events of the summer before. If anything, life is about to get even more complicated. While Deirdre is stalked by the Fae for her ability to see and influence them, James is seduced by Nuala, a leanan sidhe who exists by inspiring and draining musicians. Against all reason, James and Nuala genuinely fall for one another, even as Deirdre loses herself in her problems. With forces conspiring against them all in the hope of creating a new status quo for Faerie, can James save his best friend and his new girlfriend, or will his choice doom one of them? Stefivater’s follow-up to Lament weaves suspense, romance, and music together to deliver a thoroughly satisfying story. James and Nuala are a charming, perfect couple, which makes Deirdre’s plight throughout the book all the more worrisome. Give this one a shot.


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