Review: Fairy Bad Day

Author: Amanda Ashby

Pages: 336

Publisher: Speak

Source: Library

Synopsis: 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 fairyÑand 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?

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Fairy Bad Day was the perfect light, amusing, paranormal read. It's similar to the Paranormalcy, Hex Hall, and Demon Princess books. The key difference though is that Fairy Bad Day isn't part of a series. It's a standalone. That's right; a paranormal standalone which will appeal to many readers.

The story is about Emma Jobes, student at Burtonwood which is a special school for students who have the sight. These students train to become slayers of an elemental. Emma is furious when she's given the job of slaying fairies instead of dragons. What harm could these mall-obsessed, skittle-addicted, donut-stealing creatures do? Then she discovers a killer fairy and as the first ever fairy slayer, it's her job to take care of it.

Emma is 15 and you can tell. She's stubborn, hot headed, and self absorbed in the way people can be when they don't notice anyone but themselves. I loved her! She was flawed but funny. Her interactions with her friends were always fun to read about. Emma's life had it's good parts and bad parts which made for a unique character. She acted like a real teenager.

What I loved about this book was how light it was. There was danger and serious stuff but I wasn't drowning in angst and tears. Fairy Bad Day is the kind of book you read while smiling. The kind of book you read for entertaining fun. There were parts that were not realistic but that was part of the fun.

The world is one I'd love to be able to explore more, but one I have a good understanding of the way it is. Not everything is fully fleshed out but that's probably because this is a standalone which focuses more on the story than the setting.

I feel like I should briefly mention the romance. Which was nice. I didn't really feel like it was needed or it was anything too special but it didn't take away from the book. Pretty cute overall.

All in all, a wonderful escape full of romance, Fairy Bad Day is full of fun. It's the kind of feel good story that is a nice variation in paranormal YA. 4 stars,

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