I feel my ratings for this series are somewhat misleading, as I gave both Faerie Winter and Bones of Faerie a 3-star rating. Faerie Winter, however, is significantly better than its predecessor, and just barely missed out on a 4th star.

First: the writing itself improved in this sequel, a whole level above what Simner demonstrated in the first book. A pleasant surprise.

Second: the story in Faerie Winter is more solid than in Bones of Faerie. Partly due to working from what was already built in the first book, Simner seems to have settled into the world she created, reaching deeper to touch on possibilities she hadn't in the first, all to good effect. Characters are given an arc, not just a purpose for a scene or two, and the plot moves along at a good clip.

Third: I have some problems with the ending, but overall I like it simply for the fact it's not a bright, shiny, "everyone's happy now" ending. In some ways the book wraps up a little too tidy, but in other ways it's bittersweet, there's darkness there even as the characters can finally breathe again. I appreciate the "not-quite-so-happy" happy endings; those are the ones that will stick with you after you've put the book back on the shelf.

So how did this miss a 4-star rating? 1) Plot holes the size of house-eating sinkholes. 2) Liza.

I wrote this is my review of Bones of Faerie: "...if you think too much about it, there are some gaping plot holes, issues with the author's own mythological rules (lack of consistency), and a major imbalance of cause and effect in the first half."

I won't rehash it all again here, just point out that all of those same issues are still present in Faerie Winter despite Simner's improved writing style. Disappointing on that score and, while everything flows while you're reading, the realization later of "Wait, that doesn't make any damn sense!" is pretty jarring. So enjoy it for the fluff that it is and don't think too hard about it.

Even more deadly to the rating: Liza.

Yes, the main character. Simner tries for depth but Liza still falls short; I feel much more for her companions than I do for her. She's kind of a Mary Sue, a little too perfect even in what are supposed to be her imperfections, all her faults seem so very noble and, thus, are not really faults at all. Basically, she annoyed the piss out of me. And while I give points for consistency, since Liza annoyed the piss out of me in the first book as well, I subtract more for it being the wrong kind of consistency. There's a point when another character mocks Liza a bit, saying he's tired of hearing about how she's so brave and awesome, and I laughed out loud. For a brief, shining moment, that guy became my favorite character in the book. Speak truth!

And so there it is. This is a a fun book, definitely deserving of the little time it takes to read (it's short and moves quickly), and a solid contender in the YA fantasy genre. In my review of the first book, I said at the end that I'd be reading the sequel. And I'll say something similar now: yes, I'll be reading the third one.

On a very personal level, I have to give love for the way Simner described the slow death that is unending winter, sucking away life until the gray scale and the cold wears everything down and makes even the most motivated want to give up. At the end, when Liza is dealing directly with that despair as she attempts to push it back, I shuddered with familiarity. I hate the cold; I truly fear the onset of winter every year. Bleak and freezing, very nicely done on that score, Simner.

Faerie Winter was a great sequel to Bones of Faerie! I actually liked this book better than the first. The characters developed throughout the book to a point where I actually became attached to them. You learn more about the characters from the first book and there personalities are shown more. The plot was more action oriented and engaging. Overall I would recommened this book to anyone especially dystopion and fantasy lovers.

Dylan is back booyashacka mutha f*cka! So totally inappropriate for a review, but it's my review so I'm gonna be like that and shiz. Anyway. LOL. This book begins with Shade recovering from her imprisonment, by Aveta, on a beach in Fairie. Her magic has been bound by Corb and she feels lost and isolated. Her feelings for Soap, while still there are not as intense as they are for Dylan (Me so happy. I like Soap, but I love Dylan....kinda like Shade.) In order to get her magic unbound Shade must go to Corb and get him to undo his magic on her. And so begins our quest....
And what a quest it was. ACTION packed. Shade never gets a moments peace poor girl. There are twists and turns in this book that I did not see coming. These books keep getting better and better and better. I love them.
How many are there going to be Alexia? Cuz I want, need, no DEMAND more!
Alexia's strong point as a writer, is her writing. She doesn't need typical tricks to lure readers in. She weaves a magical, hypnotic spell with her words and then blows us away with her epic skills. She really, really shines when writing action filled scenes and this book is not short on them.
Shade just keeps growing, and getting stronger with each book. Magically and mentally. She is really turning into a great character. The romantic tension in these books is really great, and we don't even toe the line of NA. This is clearly in the YA lines. Nothing sexual done, or even implied other than some steamy kissing scenes. Boy are they steamy too. ;-)
Overall, in my opinion, the best of the series yet. I am in love with it, and want to re-read it some day soon. Also, will be buying the autographed copy for my collection.
**I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review. This review is 100% honest and 100% written by me. There are no quotes in this review because parts of it a subject to change.
Check out my other reviews at my blog Contagious Reads

Faerie Winter (Faerie, #2) - Janni Lee S... The sequel to Bones of Faerie, is like it. The writing has that same dreamy atmospheric quality and the story is wonderful. Redemption, forgiveness, new beginnings, sacrifice, finding the right path, remaining true to one's self.

Liza has to save her world, from a winter that seems as if it will never end.

Liza didn’t witness the war between the humans and the Faeries, but she lives with the after effects.

In Franklin Falls, a town devastated like all the others during the war, the townspeople are fearful of magic. Since the war and all the death caused by the Faeries, they fell nothing good can come from it.

When Liza’s baby sister was born with eyes as silver as moonlight and faerie-pale hair as clear as glass, her father did what was expected. He took her up on a hillside and abandoned her. He said, “If the faerie folk want her, let them take her.” Liza slipped out of the house later that night in an attempt to save her sister, but it was too late - the animals got there first.

Three weeks after losing her sister, Liza’s life changes forever. Strange visions keep popping into her head. The visions scare her and lead her to believe she has magic inside of her just like her sister did. Liza runs from everything she’s known. She runs away from Franklin Falls and into the woods she’s been warned against all her life. Her only companions are her cat and a boy named Matthew - who has secrets of his own.

Together they make their way through dangerous terrain hoping to find answers to the many questions they have. What they find out leaves them questioning everything they’ve been taught.

BONES OF FAERIE is a fast-paced story. As a reader, it is easy to get attached to the characters. Liza’s visions are marked by italics for easy identification throughout the story and the language is clean which makes this appropriate for even young fantasy fans.