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.

From the Back of My Shelf (3): Dark of the Moon

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

Dark of the Moon by Rachel Hawthorne

Released: August 25, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 261
Series: Dark Guardians #3
Rating: 5

I've loved him forever, but he can never be mine.

Brittany is determined to prove herself to the Dark Guardians. And yet she's been keeping a devastating secret: She hasn't experienced any of the intense, early signs of change that mark a Dark Guardian's transformation. The only intense feelings she has are for Connor—and she's kept that a secret, too. But she knows she'll never truly have Connor's love if she's not a Shifter like him.

At the first full moon after her birthday, her greatest fear is realized: She doesn't transform. Brittany is so desperate to become a wolf that she'll go to extremes she never thought possible . . . and put all the Dark Guardians in incredible danger.


This is such a great series. Light, fun, and just plain awesome. The writing was exceptional and the characters had just enough depth to them.

I didn’t like Brittany at all until this novel when I was able to get inside her head and learn more about her. She’s the only girl to face the transformation - the first shift on the first full moon after her birthday - without a mate in centuries. The Elder’s don’t believe she will survive, but that doesn’t stop Brittany’s determination to do it alone. The good news is she survives, but the bad news is she doesn’t transform. In shock and wondering how to explain to the rest of the shifter community, she ends up captured by scientists wanting to expose the werewolves to the world. Captured along with her is Conner, the one she loves.

With romance, a bit of danger, and strong bonds of friendship make this a perfect series for a quick and enjoyable read.

From the Back of My Shelf (2): Full Moon

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

Full Moon by Rachel Hawthorne

Released: July 1, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 320
Series: Dark Guardians #2
Rating: 5 stars

I may be promised to another…but thoughts of Rafe consume me. I don’t know how much longer I can resist.


Lindsey is wild and reckless, a natural rebel - maybe because her entire life was laid out for her even before she was born. Her parents are among the most powerful members of the Dark Guardians, an ancient tribe of werewolves, and they arranged Lindsey’s betrothal to Conner long ago. The next full moon is coming all too soon, and then her commitment to Conner will be final - no turning back. She should be happy…so why can’t she stop thinking about gorgeous, brooding Rafe?


When a dangerous threat on the pack escalates, so do tensions between Conner and Rafe. A fight over Lindsey is imminent, but will it be to the death.

This is the second book of the Dark Guardians series. I just love these books…they’re a light, fun read with romance and a little bit of danger thrown in that’s just perfect for a lazy or rainy day because I can read them in one sitting.

Each book is narrated by a different character and Full Moon is focused solely on Lindsey. Lindsey is a few weeks away from experiencing her first shift on the first full moon after her 17th birthday, which is a special time in the shifter community. This time is meant to be shared with one’s mate, but Lindsey isn’t so sure that her mate is Conner - a man she’s been with for like ever and a man her parents envisioned her with. Lately she has had her eye on Rafe, which I was definitely rooting for…no offense Conner.

While Lindsey is trying to figure out who her true mate is, there’s still danger lingering from Moonlight with the scientists who are looking to capture and run tests on the werewolves in order to expose their secrets to the world.

I found that I enjoyed Full Moon much more than I did Moonlight. But overall this is a simple, yet very satisfying, series. If you want something quick and fun to read, I recommend this series.

From the Back of My Shelf (1): The Iron King

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

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Released: February 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 363
Series: The Iron Fey #1
Rating: 5 stars

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Freaking Awesome! And that’s putting it mildly.

I’ve always been a huge fan of the fae and when you add in some twists, you get the unforgettable world of The Iron King. You have the basic faerie story elements - Oberon, Titania, Puck, the Seelie and Unseelie Courts - but that’s where The Iron King’s similarities to other faerie stories end. There was a twist to the tale that I didn’t expect nor have I seen done before. I wouldn’t have thought it was possible, yet Kagawa did it…and she did it well too!

There aren’t many times, especially with debuts, that I find myself thoroughly enjoying every single character. There are usually a couple that really stand out while the rest seem to fade into the background…that definitely wasn’t the case here. The characters are so well-developed and diverse! Megan is a unique heroine that won’t be dissuaded from her goal. She’s strong, independent, stubborn, and selfless…just what I like to see. Even the supporting characters were memorable…Robbie the kooky best friend with an edge of mystery, Ash the dangerous and deadly winter Prince you can’t help but love (I know I sure do), and Grimalkin the arrogant cat that will keep you on your toes!

I just loved reading about Nevermore. Kagawa’s vivid and imaginative descriptions allowed me to feel as though I was experiencing all the wonderful, and not so wonderful things right alongside Megan. Kagawa created such an enchanting and riveting novel…I was completely immersed in the magical story. Every scene just flowed so smoothly and beautifully from one to another.

The Iron King is one extraordinary debut filled with action, romance, humor, and oh so much more. I strongly recommend it!!