Review: Seven Black Diamonds by Melissa Marr

Seven Black Diamonds

Author: Melissa Marr

Series: Seven Black Diamonds #1

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release date: 01/03/2016

Pages: 400

Synopsis (Goodreads)

Lilywhite Abernathy is a criminal. Her father’s “unconventional” business has meant a life of tightly held secrets, concealed weaponry, and a strict code. But Lily’s crime isn’t being the daughter of a powerful mob boss. Her guilt lies in the other half of her DNA—the part that can coax ancient rumors from stones and summon fire with a thought. Lily is part fae, which is a crime in her world.

From the time before she was born, a war has been raging between humanity and fae. The Queen of Blood and Rage, ruler of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts, wants to avenge the tragic death of her heir—a death that was the fault of reckless humans.

Lily’s father has shielded her from the repercussions of her ancestry…until she is sent to the prestigious St. Columba’s school, straight into the arms of the Black Diamonds.

Mysterious, glamorous, and bound together in their mission but constantly at odds, Zephyr, Creed, Will, Roan, Violet, and Alkamy are a Sleeper cell of fae, planted in the human world to help destroy it from within. With covers as rock stars and celebrity children, the Black Diamonds carry out the queen’s war against humanity. And unbeknownst to Lilywhite, she’s been chosen to join them.

Now more than ever, Lily’s heritage puts her in peril, and even the romantic attention of the fae singer Creed Morrison isn’t enough to keep Lily from wanting to run back to the safer world of organized crime.

Melissa Marr returns to faery in a dramatic story of the precarious space between two worlds and the people who must thrive there.

Review: 3 ½ out of 5 stars

I have a bit of an obsession when it comes to series about the fae so I was pretty excited to read Seven Black Diamonds by Melissa Marr, and despite finding it confusing and with too many POV’s it was enjoyable none the less and I am excited to read the next book.

Our main character is Lilywhite Abernathy, the daughter of a notorious fae crime boss, she lives a privileged life and is being groomed to take over but what is not known to others is that half of her DNA is fae, a crime in her world.

Lily is oblivious about her ties to faery but ends up tangled in a world of danger, politics and intrigue as she is sent by her father to the prestigious St. Columba’s school, straight into the arms of the Black Diamonds, their purpose is to carry out the queen’s war against humanity.

There was so much to love about this book, but Lily really shone! She was quick witted, intelligent, at times bratty but also dedicated. There are many side characters, the Queen of Blood and Rage is appropriately named, she kills with no regret and no compassion. She has a son Rhys who I thought was great and a daughter named Eilidh who plays a pivotal role in the overall story. I enjoyed the vast array of characters.

I enjoyed the complex world-building, Seven Black Diamonds is filled with a great blend of mystery, danger and scheming. I did find the number of POV’s confusing initially but as each personality shone through I became more interested in getting to know them individually.

The romance wasn’t at the forefront of the story but it was there between Lily and Creed, it was slow to build (my favourite) and I can’t wait to see it progress.

I love the unique and creative fantasy world that Marr has created, the world-building is strong and I can imagine will only get better. The pacing was consistent and was filled with a blend of action, romance, mystery and scheming to keep me entertained throughout; there was never a dull moment.

Thank you to HarperTeen via Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review Seven Black Diamonds.