Let me preface this review by saying that I read both Wondrous Strange and Darklight before I read this book, and I liked the way Livingston handled both the plot and the world in both books – Livingston remembered when writing about this world that according to the old stories the Fae/the Fair Folk are not nice and not human, whatever they pretend.

The story in Tempestuous takes up pretty much from where Darklight left off, dealing with the repercussions of both Kelley’s and Sonny’s actions. Livingston alternates who we follow throughout the chapters, so we get to follow both our hero and heroine as they deal with the world around them falling apart – fairy is slowly spreading into the ‘real’ world, loyalties are in question, and the final moves in a game neither is aware of are being made. There is a lot of action, conflict, and angst threaded throughout the story which should make it an exciting read. I wanted to be hooked by the impending climax of this series and whilst I was for the most part, there were times when it just fell flat for me.

Despite this, once started I couldn’t put the book down. I didn’t see how the story fell out coming at all. It was an interesting surprise for me, but true I think to the world Livingston created. Kelley and Sonny’s relationship was entirely predictable, and I was left with the sense that despite the occurrences in the three books nothing had really changed – it was, I guess, young love. Whilst Livingston never promised more than this, I was kind of holding out for more. I wanted to see how they dealt with the problems within their relationship, but whilst problems were mentioned I don’t think Livingston dealt with them. Therefore the ending sort of fell flat for me, particularly as it conformed to a common fairy story trope – and they all lived happily ever after.

Still, Tempestuous is an enjoyable read, particularly if you don’t want to think about what you’re reading. It’s worth reading for nothing more than seeing how Livingston deals with the Fair Folk – they’re not kindly creatures. I also liked the idea that Livingston employed in this book (and the rest of the series) about there being a gateway between the Otherworld and the ‘real’ one and that the Fair Folk are drawn towards ‘our’ world – to the life and change humanity offers to an immortal race.
If you’re interested in the Fair Folk then I think you should give this a try, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised. ( )

Lesley Livingston left readers hanging with a gut wrenching conclusion to DARKLIGHT... not only was it intense, but readers were left to wait for answers for months. Luckily, Livingston knows exactly what her characters (and readers!) need. Every bit of emotional turmoil inflicted on the characters and readers in the second installment is essential to fully appreciate Kelley's journey and this phenomenal final chapter to her story.

I don't regret reading these books as they were released, but, if you haven't read any of them yet, I highly recommend reading them all in rapid succession rather than with months in between. Each time I picked up the newest installment, I was worried that I'd be forgetting a briefly mentioned detail that would tie everything together. I really love these books, so I have a pretty good memory of the events and whatnot, but there's something to be said about reading a trilogy or series all in one monstrous bite. I'm a strong proponent of Kelley and Sonny's relationship, so I felt the sting of DARKLIGHT's conclusion during the wait for TEMPESTUOUS, but I think some of my wild longing for this third book dissipated over the long months I waited. Take my word for it, these books are well worth reading, and, now that they're all released, it's the perfect time to pick them up.

Livingston writes absolutely fantastic love scenes... and fight scenes. Sometimes she even combines them... there will be an epic battle and then a little timeout for some kissing and then back to the fight. Love it!

I have a love/hate relationship with the Sonny-Kelley-Fennrys love triangle... because I honestly have a hard time choosing and that isn't normal for me. It does, however, show just how good Livingston at writing the romance aspect of her stories. This part of the novel is so realistic to me... Kelley loves Sonny, but that doesn't mean that she can't have feelings for someone else. Still, she must look within herself and determine what her feelings for Fenn mean not only for her, but for her relationship with Sonny. Ahhh, yes. Many of us have had to figure out this confusing debacle.

I appreciate that Kelley is such a strong individual and that her growth is clearly evident throughout each book. Not only does she develop her skills and gifts in regard to her faerie heritage, she also learns to take charge of her life and do what she thinks is right, even if it ends up causing all kinds of trouble and heartache. Even faerie princesses get confused when it comes to duty and love and all the rest... but Kelley takes charge and does what needs to be done.

I would be heartbroken about this trilogy ending, but for the fact that I know Livingston has more stories to tell and worlds and characters to introduce her readers to... and I'm anxious to meet them all! ( )

I began to feel irritated at the dramatically self-sacrificing, yet amazingly arrogant heroine. By the final book, she was rather callously making decisions (many of them hopelessly bad) that impacted all those around her, without stopping to consider that they might like a say in their own fate. Then, she gets her happy ending and everyone still adores her. I would have voted her off the island. ( )

"I don't love Sonny Flannery." The words uttered by Kelley Winslow at the end of Darklight had me anticipating Tempestuous. I have to honestly admit, that the wait was absolutely worth it. Without a doubt, Lesley Livingston had left me enchanted, the same way with the first two books.

First of all, I have to lay it down. This is by far, one of the best series I've ever read. Lesley Livingston never failed to make me laugh, cry, smile, or scream from the beginning of Wondrous Strange to the last period of Tempestuous. Each character had such a rich personality through and through, which made me love them or hate them. I enjoyed each character's development and I enjoyed getting know the new characters. Lesley Livingston's seamless descriptive writing made it easy for me to picture the characters and imagine the places of the fairy realm and well, non-fairy realm.

The plot was fantastic and so were the flow of events. Many times the book would surprise me, having not expected whatever to happen at all. I suspected one thing then it turned out that it wasn't what I thought or predicted, it was more than enough to keep me reading more and more. Not to mention that I love how Lesley Livingston ties Shakespearean plays with the books, it just worked easily with the stories.

Rarely, few books and few series can blow me away yet still keep me there, amazed the whole time. Tempestuous is one of those books. With an amazingly written plot and well developed characters, a passionate romance, and a world like no other--the action is a bonus. I applaud, cheer, etc. Lesley Livingston for such a successful series. Livingston's newest book, Once Every Never, is something I'm looking forward too. ( )

Review posted here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2011/10/book-review-tempestuous-wondrous.htm...

Tempestuous is the final book in the Wondrous Strange trilogy. And boy did Livingston leave this series with a punch. After the devastation of losing the theatre because Sonny lost it when he thought she was dead, Kelley is distraught over what she had to do; break Sonny’s heart. Kelley is slowly growing into her power and trying to find out who wants Sonny’s. But things go downhill when someone is out killing the Lost Fae, Fae who fit in either the Otherworld or the mortal world. And worse, it could be Janus Guards who are getting the order and killing the innocent Fae. Not to mention the order could be coming from whoever poisoned and is trying to kill Kelley’s father, Auberon.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I loved that Livingston actually separated Kelley and Sonny for a bit. That way, they learned more about themselves before they could save one another. Kelley gets into her power more and seems to have grown more. And despite her beliefs, Sonny doesn’t go off the deep end. I liked that Sonny grew to like the Lost Fae. He was taught to hate them as well, but found out they were only defending themselves against him and the other guards. But besides our great main characters, the side characters were incredible. We got some new ones that we find have a connection to some of the Janus Guards. We also get more of our favorites; Bob, Tyff, and my favorite character, Fennyrs. I am praying that Livingston makes another series for him. He played a big role in this book and we find he isn’t the heartless smartass we have come to love, that he actually has feelings for Kelley too.

Livingston did such an amazing job incorporating Shakespeare in this book. All the questions we had from the first book were answered and still left me wanting more. The plot was great and this book was complete, but each character needs a story. Like I said, I hope Livingston doesn’t leave this world, there is still so much more to know. Sonny’s and Kelley’s story ended great, but what Livingston has created is complex enough to keep going for a while.

Also need to mention the ending in general. In a word; EPIC! We got everything we wanted and more. The twists and turns were incredible and two specifically had my mouth dropping to the floor. Again, Livingston’s writing is soooo complex. Instead of creating our main characters and a few side characters that you might not remember, the whole world she has made is so rich and memorable. You fall in love with all these characters and I can assure you that if you love Fenn, you will love him even more in the end.

Overall, this book tied up well. Everyone has grown in such a short period of time. We learn much about our great characters and we find new ones that are worth loving. This is such a great ending to a great trilogy. I can’t rave enough about the characters and the room for growth they all possess. If you are looking for a great YA series, I highly recommend this to you. Thank you Livingston and please come back to this world, it begs for more. ( )