Genre: YA, Fantasy
Page Count: 352 Pages (Paperback)
Rating: 4.5/5
Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in 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. He 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; her life; everything.
Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale.
~My Review~
I am re-reading this series because the fifth and final book (Darkest Mercy) was just released.
In this story Ash is a teenage girl who has always had the sight - the ability to see the evil faeries that coexist with humans, unseen and dangerous. She lives by her grandmother's set of rules to keep her safe from the evils she can see. When Ash draws the attention on a very powerful faery boy, all of those rules are tested.
Alongside the mystery of the fey stalking Ash, we get to see her developing relationship with her friend Seth. Seth has always been her safe haven, but can Ash trust him with the truth - or with her heart? I love Seth, he's one of my all-time favourite book "heroes" (it may have something to do with being sexy and pierced).
I liked this book the first time I read it, and loved it the second time. I love Marr's writing style, I fell into the story and was wrapped up in her world. The characters are so easy to love - even the "bad" ones. The tone of the book is a bit darker, Marr doesn't pull any punches when it comes to her fey, they are creepy, beautiful, and very complex. I loved the mix of old faery mythology with her new world, it just worked perfectly for me.
This series just keeps getting better after this book, so definitely pick it up if you haven't read it yet. I looked over a few reviews and was surprised by the varying opinions. I feel as though I liked Wicked Lovely better after I read the other books, there is so much more to the story and the characters in it, that I couldn't fully appreciate the first book until I understood more about the world. That said, my original rating was 4/5 the first time I read it so it is great as a stand-alone too.
#1 Wicked Lovely, #2 Ink Exchange, #3 Fragile Eternity, #4 Radiant Shadows, #5 Darkest Mercy, - Novellas (Set between books 2 & 3): Stopping Time, Old Habits.
~ You'll like this series if you liked ~
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, Tithe by Holly Black, Need by Carrie Jones, Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton, or Paranormalcy by Kiersten White.
