"Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie" by Holly Black

Rating: 4

Description: When seventeen-year-old Valerie Russell runs away to New York City, she's trying to escape a life that has utterly betrayed her. Sporting a new identity, she takes up with a gang of squatters who live in the city's labyrinthine subway system. But there's something eerily beguiling about Val's new friends. Impulsive Lolli talks of monsters in the subway tunnels they call home and shoots up a shimmery amber-colored powder that makes the shadows around her dance. Severe Luis claims he can make deals with creatures that no one else can see. And then there's Luis's brother, timid and sensitive Dave, who makes the mistake of letting Val tag along as he makes a delivery to a woman who turns out to have goat hooves instead of feet. When a bewildered Val allows Lolli to talk her into tracking down the hidden lair of the creature for whom Luis and Dave have been dealing, Val finds herself bound into service by a troll named Ravus. He is as hideous as he is honorable. And as Val grows to know him, she finds herself torn between her affection for an honorable monster and her fear of what her new friends are becoming.

Note: Description from the book jacket, copied from amazon.com

Review: Holly Black has yet another winning novel in her follow-up to "Tithe: A Modern Tale of Faerie". "Valiant" is very different from its predecessor (the characters from "Tithe" only appear briefly near the end of the book), but still retains its fantastic punk faerietale vibe. The NYC setting is perfection, and the faeries fit right in. Val wasn't a strong enough main character for me, but I liked the book anyway because of its unique premise and plot. The best thing about "Valiant", in my opinion, is Ravus. He's a troll, complete with green skin, claws, and fangs, yet Val still likes him (yes, likes likes him). I like that, for once, the love interest isn't traditionally beautiful. The mystery surrounding the faerie deaths made a good plot - full of exciting twists and turns, but not overwhelming with nonstop action. "Valiant" is sure to win over readers of all sorts.