[description from goodreads]
While most students at Burtonwood Academy get to kill demons and goblins, fifteen-year-old Emma gets to rid the world of little annoying fairies with glittery wings and a hipster fashion sense. She was destined to be a dragon slayer, but cute and charming Curtis stole her spot. Then she sees a giant killer fairy - and it's invisible to everyone but her! If Emma has any cha...moreWhile most students at Burtonwood Academy get to kill demons and goblins, fifteen-year-old Emma gets to rid the world of little annoying fairies with glittery wings and a hipster fashion sense. She was destined to be a dragon slayer, but cute and charming Curtis stole her spot. Then she sees a giant killer fairy - and it's invisible to everyone but her! If Emma has any chance of stopping this evil fairy, she's going to need help. Unfortunately, the only person who can help is Curtis. And now, not only has he stolen her dragon-slayer spot, but maybe her heart as well! Why does she think it's going to be a fairy bad day?
Review:
Although I tend to shy away from paranormal stories like they're the plague, I can handle them when they're a bit more fantasy and wrapped up in a light package; hence, I enjoyed Fairy Bad Day immensely.
The premise of this book is a bit ridiculous-- hipster fairies! -- but that's part of this book's charm. I love the wide variety of creatures included and that all of them, no matter their level of danger, are slayed; it doesn't get much better than murder. I wish there was more of an introduction to the other creatures, techniques, and school because Emma's friends all are assigned to slay different things and they don't get as big a chance to shine. But, at least the main villains, the fairies, were nicely developed-- I wish the worst of the worst appeared sooner and wasn't so over-the-top, but hey, at least it was fun. I had a blast reading Emma's adventures in finding out just what she was up against, because as she digs deeper, she's forced to confront some hard-hitting truths about herself, her family, and her slaying way of life.
Just like my feelings about the plot and premise, my thoughts on the characters lean toward both wishing they were better developed and not really minding since they're so entertaining anyway. Emma, as anyone else in this story would, does not handle her fairy assignment with grace, but as she gets used to dealing with the creatures, she becomes hilariously snarky and simultaneously tough. I wish her love interest, Curtis, was as nicely developed and amusing because although there are some delightful twists involved in his life that make the fantastical aspects of this world all the more interesting, he does not particularly stand out. Everyone else is also a bit interchangeable for me; I remember people's habits, like Emma's friend's penchant for horoscopes, much more than I remember names, but that may just be my poor memory failing me once again.
It's no award winner or stunning piece of work, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Fairy Bad Day is one insanely fun, adorable read.
Book details: Speak/Paperback/$7.99
Source: sent by publisher for review