Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Old Habits and Stopping Time


Title: Old Habits and Stopping Time
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely, Book #2.5-2.6
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Page Count: 120 Pages (approximate)
Pub. Date: Ebook Published 2011 by HarperTeen
Rating: 5/5


With "Old Habits," Melissa Marr returns to the ravishing world of Faerie with a story set between her bestselling novels Ink Exchange and Fragile Eternity. Recently anointed king of the Dark Court, Niall struggles to forge a new relationship with his subjects—and with the former Dark King, Irial, his once-friend, once-enemy, and now possible-advisor.
"Stopping Time" is an exciting e-story original sequel to the bestselling Ink Exchange. Leslie walked away from the Dark Court, determined to reclaim her life and live it on her own terms—even if it meant leaving behind the two faeries who love her. She knows Niall and Irial watch over her, and she would give almost anything to keep them from hurting. But she resists the pull to be with either one of them. Someone knows about Leslie's past, however, and is intent on using her to reach the fey. And he doesn't care who gets hurt….

~My Review~


This was my first time reading these Ebooks. I bought them when they came out, but wanted to wait until I re-read the series so I would get them in context. I bought each separately, so I read Stopping Time first because it was published first, but I would suggest starting with Old Habits.

One of the things that troubled me when reading this series the first time was that Leslie's story seemed to drop of suddenly. I wanted to know more about what happened to her, and how the Dark kings dealt with her leaving. I was so happy to finally get that with these short stories.

Old Habits gave me more background on the Hounds and Niall's transition into leadership, as well as a deeper look into his relationship with Irial. There were also some story lines drawn between the Dark Court and High Court that I really liked.

Stopping Time gave me Leslie's continuing story and I don't want to spoil it by giving anything away, but I was very happy to know the boys didn't just leave her be.

Great, quick read that definitely added to the Wicked Lovely experience!

My Rating: 5/5


~ Other books in this series (click the name for review) ~

#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.

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at Amazon (Kindle): here


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Monday, March 14, 2011

Ink Exchange - 2nd Time's a Charm



Title: Ink Exchange
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely, Book #2
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Page Count: 352 Pages (Paperback)
Pub. Date: Published 2009 by HarperCollins (first published 2008)
Rating: 5/5


To 17-year-old Leslie, the tattoo is a thing of indescribable beauty, a captivating mark that she must make her own. But this subtle web of eyes and wings brings with it a transformation that no sweet young girl would ever imagine or welcome. Like its predecessor, this stand-alone sequel to Wicked Lovely plunges its youthful heroine into a faery world of almost constant peril. A tantalizing urban fantasy that won't let go.

~My Review~


I am re-reading this series because the fifth and final book (Darkest Mercy) was just released.

This is Leslie's story. We met her in Wicked Lovely, but she was just a minor character. The first time I read the series the main character shift confused me, but now this is one of my favorites in the series.

Leslie is broken inside and is struggling to find a way to reclaim her confidence in herself, and in her body. She thinks that finally getting her tattoo will be the first step in taking her life back.

Niall knows how broken Leslie is, and how strong she is. Invisibly guarding her, and watching from a safe distance, his feelings for the human girl continue to grow. He knows it's dangerous to get close to her, but what if he's protecting her from someone much worse?

Irial had a much easier ride before the new Winter and Summer Queens arrived. Ruling the Dark Court - fey who secretly feed off of dark emotions (fear, anger, lust...) - was a lot easier while the other Courts were at war. Now, the peace between the other fey is threatening the strength of his own. Should he start a fight? Or will connecting with an unsuspecting human be the answer he is searching for?

I have to say that this book jumped up a few ratings after reading the series over again. For one, I now understand, and love, the changing M/C's - it gives so much more of the story than if we only saw the Summer Court. Leslie was a great heroin, easy to like, and with real problems. Niall was a nice mixture of Keenan and Seth for me, the creepy fairy who actually cares about the girl he is after. And of course I have a book crush on Irial in all his dark glory.

I already grew to love the twisted, beautifully creepy fey that Marr created in Wicked Lovely, and Ink Exchange amped it up another notch by delving into the Dark Court. The fey who need fear, lust, anger and other dark emotions to survive would be easy to label as the villains of this world, if not for this glimpse into the mind and heart of their king. Here's a quote from Irial that I loved,

"We are what we are, Niall, neither as good or as evil as others paint us. And what we are doesn't change how truly we feel, only how free we are to follow those feelings."

Oh and did I mentioned that there is a whole lot of unresolved feelings and issues between Niall and Irial? *Does eyebrow push-ups* Ah the complexity fills me with smiles. Now off to start the next book in the series!

My Rating: 5/5


~ Other books in this series (click the name for review) ~

#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.

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

B.J. Kenney
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