Valiant is the story of seventeen year old Val who after walking in on her mother making out with her boyfriend, runs away, shaves her head and decides to live with a ragamuffin gang in the sewers of New York. This group of outcasts, however, run errands for people that aren't quite people. Val's friend Lolli tells her that there are monsters in the sewers. Val, on a errand with another street kid, meets a lady with hooves for feet and learns about the world of faerie.

Val, an unlikely hero, proves to be strong and courageous. She is, however, hooked like all of the other street kids on "Never" - a medicine that was made for fairies to survive in the city but causes horrible and wonderful effects on humans.

I love fairy tales, and the darker the better. However, this one caught me off guard in a few ways that were startlingly unpleasant. I would have a hard time recommending this book to anyone under 16, though the recommended ages on the book are 12 to 17. There is graphic language, and very explicit passages on shooting up drugs and the effects that it has on you. I am no prude - I think that this book is definitely a good read - but I would discuss it with anyone who read it that was not an adult to make sure the right messages come across.