Valiant

Valiant follows seventeen-year-old Valerie Russell, who flees to New York City after a devastating betrayal at home. She falls in with a group of homeless teenagers who survive by squatting in abandoned buildings and scraping by on the streets. The teens have a mysterious connection to the hidden world of faeries that exists alongside modern-day New York. Val becomes entangled with their dangerous dealings with a troll named Ravus who lives beneath a bridge and provides magical substances to faerie creatures. This urban fantasy novel stands alone from Black's other faerie books while sharing their contemporary setting where magic and mundane collide. The story incorporates elements from traditional fairy tales like "Three Billy Goats Gruff" into its gritty modern narrative. The novel explores themes of addiction, betrayal, and the harsh realities faced by runaway teens, while questioning what truly makes someone monstrous or valiant. Through its dark lens, it examines how people can find belonging and redemption in unexpected places.

Readers rank this as a darker and edgier follow-up to Tithe, with a grittier urban fantasy tone. The book resonates with fans who appreciate flawed, realistic teenage characters dealing with serious issues. Liked: - Raw, honest portrayal of addiction and recovery - Complex morally gray characters - Val's character growth - Integration of faerie elements into modern setting - Romance subplot that doesn't overshadow main story Disliked: - Slower pacing in first third - Some find Val's initial choices frustrating - Violence and drug use content too intense for younger YA readers - Supporting characters need more development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (280+ reviews) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (90+ reviews) "The darkness feels earned rather than edgy for shock value," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Multiple readers praise the "unflinching but hopeful" handling of difficult themes, while others mention the book requires reader maturity due to content.

Tithe by Holly Black A modern teenager discovers her connection to a dangerous world of faeries living in New Jersey while navigating first love and dark bargains.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray A Victorian-era girl attending boarding school uncovers magic realms and ancient powers while dealing with the expectations placed on young women of her time.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr A mortal girl becomes entangled in faerie court politics when a supernatural king chooses her as his destined queen.

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black Two siblings in a town where humans and fae coexist break an ancient curse and confront their roles in the supernatural world.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson A human portrait painter gets pulled into the faerie realm after painting the autumn prince's true human sorrow.

🌟 The book's title "Valiant" has a dual meaning, referring both to bravery and to a medieval term for a homeless person or vagrant. 🌟 Holly Black drew inspiration for the underground faerie world from real-life subway tunnels and abandoned spaces beneath New York City, many of which actually exist. 🌟 The Andre Norton Award, which "Valiant" won in 2006, was named after the legendary science fiction author Andre Norton, who wrote over 130 novels during her career. 🌟 The book's inclusion of drug use and darker themes marked a significant shift in YA fantasy literature, helping pave the way for more mature content in the genre. 🌟 Black's portrayal of faeries draws heavily from traditional Celtic folklore, where faeries are often depicted as dangerous and amoral beings rather than the friendly sprites of Disney adaptations.