From the Back of My Shelf (4): Ink Exchange

From the Back of My Shelf is hosted by Erica (The Book Cellar) and Katie (Katie's Book Blog).

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Released: May 1, 2008
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 325
Series: Wicked Lovely #2
Rating: 3 stars

Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their shadowy power struggles. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of change she desperately craves for her own life.


The tattoo does bring changes - not the kind that Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that bind Leslie to Irial, a dark and dangerous faery king fighting for the soul of his court. Slowly, Leslie is drawn deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils…

Ink Exchange is more of a companion novel to Wicked Lovely than a sequel. Its set in the same world with a new cast of characters, and some of the old characters making a few appearances.

Ink Exchange revolves around Leslie (one of Ash’s friend), Irial (the King of the Dark Courts), and Niall (Keenan’s advisor). Overall, the characterization was good, but I never fully felt any connection to the characters like I did in Wicked Lovely. Leslie is a complex character and because of what she’s been through, I understand how she must feel. However, it was rather annoying to hear her tale told over and over again.

Marr creates a beautiful and chaotic world where fae and mortals exist together, although unknowingly. Her writing style is so magical and I just love the fact that her stories don’t always end with that perfect happily ever after. Makes the story more believable and enjoyable to me. Even though I didn’t enjoy this as much as Wicked Lovely, and despite the slow parts, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Book Review: Wicked Lovely

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Released: June 12, 2007
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 328
Series: Wicked Lovely #1
Rating: 4 stars

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost-regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything.

Aislinn has always followed the rules when it comes to faeries. Don't stare at invisible faeries. Don't speak to invisible faeries. And don't ever attract their attention. Aislinn has always been able to ignore them, even when they go around randomly poking people. But ignoring the faeries just may not keep her safe after all, especially when she is being stalked by two faeries, Keenan and Donia. Kennan is the Summer King who has been searching for his queen for centuries, and those chosen as possible queens can't escape...either they stay Summer Girls or take a chance at being Summer Queen. Only problem is, if they aren't the Summer Queen then they will be filled with winter's chill and become the Winter Girl. Will Aislinn take the risk?

Marr's writing will draw you in until you're reading under your desk at work...like me...just to find out what happens next. Her ability to describe the faerie world in such details it feels so real, was completely stunning and captivating. I just couldn't put this book down. Fey stories are my absolute favorite, and the faeries of Wicked Lovely are beautiful, dark, dangerous, and terrifying all in one. Fantastic!! I'm looking forward to reading Ink Exchange, which I went out and bought as soon as I finished this novel.