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.