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Seventeen-year-old Leslie wants a tattoo as a way of reclaiming control of herself and her body, but the eerie image she selects pulls her into the dangerous Dark Court of the faeries, where she draws on inner strength to make a horrible choice.Tags
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Decisamente migliore di Wicked Lovely
Ink Exchange riscatta le possibilità perse dalla Marr con Wicked Lovely.
Diverso come atmosfera, Ink Exchange, risulta molto più dark e oscuro rispetto al precedente volume.
La storia si apre subito sull'elemento chiave del romanzo, un tatuaggio.
Un tatuaggio simbolo di un legame di dipendenza tale da portare inevitabilmente alla ribellione e ad una liberazione duramente conquistata.
Non è una storia semplice, per questo riesce a coinvolgere di più. Tantissimi sono i sentimenti messi in campo. Dall'amore, all'odio. Dalla schiavitù volontaria, all'indipendenza.
Per molti versi vale decisamente la pena di leggerlo, ma non prendetelo alla leggera. E' un libro che va vissuto.
Ink Exchange riscatta le possibilità perse dalla Marr con Wicked Lovely.
Diverso come atmosfera, Ink Exchange, risulta molto più dark e oscuro rispetto al precedente volume.
La storia si apre subito sull'elemento chiave del romanzo, un tatuaggio.
Un tatuaggio simbolo di un legame di dipendenza tale da portare inevitabilmente alla ribellione e ad una liberazione duramente conquistata.
Non è una storia semplice, per questo riesce a coinvolgere di più. Tantissimi sono i sentimenti messi in campo. Dall'amore, all'odio. Dalla schiavitù volontaria, all'indipendenza.
Per molti versi vale decisamente la pena di leggerlo, ma non prendetelo alla leggera. E' un libro che va vissuto.
The premise: Leslie is Aislinn's best friend, but she's got problems of her own. Her life's gone to hell in a handbasket since her mother left her alone with a gambling father and a drug-addict brother, and the latter liked to drug her up and pass her around to his friends for some cash. So Leslie's decided to make her body her own again: she's getting a tattoo. Unfortunately, her perfect tattoo has ties to the faery world that Aislinn's trying so hard to keep her out of. Even worse, the tattoo, once completed, links her to the Dark King of the Dark Court, Irial, and he has his own plans for her, which threaten to undo everything that Leslie's trying to build for herself.
My Rating
Must Have: Every time I finish one of Marr's books, I show more think to myself that if I had a daughter, I would have no trouble letting her read these books. I love what Marr does with her heroines and giving them hard choices to make and giving them chances to stand on their own two feet, and I love that the romantic relationships aren't storybook or fairy tale and in that sense not traditional at all. Ink Exchange doesn't have the same level of action or conflict that Wicked Lovely has, but that doesn't make it a lesser book. The conflict is internal, and more to the point, it's a very important message, especially to young girls. That it's wrapped up in a pretty package with a solid story is a good thing too, and I look forward to continuing this series.
The full review, which does include spoilers, may be found in my LJ. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome.
REVIEW: Melissa Marr's INK EXCHANGE
Happy Reading! show less
My Rating
Must Have: Every time I finish one of Marr's books, I show more think to myself that if I had a daughter, I would have no trouble letting her read these books. I love what Marr does with her heroines and giving them hard choices to make and giving them chances to stand on their own two feet, and I love that the romantic relationships aren't storybook or fairy tale and in that sense not traditional at all. Ink Exchange doesn't have the same level of action or conflict that Wicked Lovely has, but that doesn't make it a lesser book. The conflict is internal, and more to the point, it's a very important message, especially to young girls. That it's wrapped up in a pretty package with a solid story is a good thing too, and I look forward to continuing this series.
The full review, which does include spoilers, may be found in my LJ. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome.
REVIEW: Melissa Marr's INK EXCHANGE
Happy Reading! show less
The second book in the Wicked Lovely series is decidely darker than the first book, especially as it focuses on the Dark Court. A major plot point is Leslie's struggles to deal with how her brother and father have fallen off the "deep end" and the rape that her brother allowed to happen to her. She believes a tattoo will allow her to reclaim her body as her own and stop being afraid, but the tattoo she chooses has unimaginable consequences as she becomes entangled into the drama of the faery courts that her best friend Aislinn belongs to.
I like the change in main characters, as we get to see this world through other characters' eyes as well as learn about different aspects that Keenan or Aislinn may not be familiar with. I had a show more difficult time finding a character to really love, as all three of the main characters, Leslie, Irial, and Niall, all seemed to have major faults that I had a hard time getting around. The theme for this book seemed to be the darker side of humanity and how deeply entrenched people can get into the "gray" area of life, while still believing that they are not doing anything wrong. Irial wants to only use Leslie, just as he has for every other mortal, but then he falls for her. Leslie wants to be her own person and hates her brother for his druggie lifestyle, but then becomes an addict just like Ren. Niall has shunned the Dark Court for all it stands for, even denying his own nature, but then wants Leslie so bad that he unknowingly uses what he is and what the Dark Court is about to try and lure her to him. In a word, they all behave like hypocrites, but Marr is such a good writer, that I find myself feeling sorry for all of them at some point. While in many fantasy genre works, the female lead often has to choose between two guys, Marr takes a completely unpredictable approach, and I think that I like this ending the best of all possibilities. Plus, since this is only the second book in a series, there is potential for Leslie to change her mind in the long run as she becomes more comfortable in her own skin.
The way that Marr approaches the horrific trauma that Leslie endured prior to this book's beginning is handled very delicately, as it should be. It is never really described in detail what exactly happens to her, and it is mostly left up to the reader's imagination, which I think is a smart move in that girls who have been in a situation similar to Leslie's can relate to her and feel like they have a voice in her words and thoughts. This alone is what makes this book both poignant and powerful. The fact that both males vying for her affection try to rescue her from this trauma in his own way is what redeems both of them for me.
Politics run heavy in this series, and while I am not really a fan of politics in real life, fantasy books often make it much more interesting, Marr's writing being no exception. The dynamics between the faery courts are quite intriguing and I think they seem to balance one another out well, even though at first glance it might seem like some should be kept over others. I find myself constantly wondering about the High Court and its Queen, Sorcha, which I can look forward to in the third installment in the series, Fragile Eternity (Wicked Lovely). show less
I like the change in main characters, as we get to see this world through other characters' eyes as well as learn about different aspects that Keenan or Aislinn may not be familiar with. I had a show more difficult time finding a character to really love, as all three of the main characters, Leslie, Irial, and Niall, all seemed to have major faults that I had a hard time getting around. The theme for this book seemed to be the darker side of humanity and how deeply entrenched people can get into the "gray" area of life, while still believing that they are not doing anything wrong. Irial wants to only use Leslie, just as he has for every other mortal, but then he falls for her. Leslie wants to be her own person and hates her brother for his druggie lifestyle, but then becomes an addict just like Ren. Niall has shunned the Dark Court for all it stands for, even denying his own nature, but then wants Leslie so bad that he unknowingly uses what he is and what the Dark Court is about to try and lure her to him. In a word, they all behave like hypocrites, but Marr is such a good writer, that I find myself feeling sorry for all of them at some point. While in many fantasy genre works, the female lead often has to choose between two guys, Marr takes a completely unpredictable approach, and I think that I like this ending the best of all possibilities. Plus, since this is only the second book in a series, there is potential for Leslie to change her mind in the long run as she becomes more comfortable in her own skin.
The way that Marr approaches the horrific trauma that Leslie endured prior to this book's beginning is handled very delicately, as it should be. It is never really described in detail what exactly happens to her, and it is mostly left up to the reader's imagination, which I think is a smart move in that girls who have been in a situation similar to Leslie's can relate to her and feel like they have a voice in her words and thoughts. This alone is what makes this book both poignant and powerful. The fact that both males vying for her affection try to rescue her from this trauma in his own way is what redeems both of them for me.
Politics run heavy in this series, and while I am not really a fan of politics in real life, fantasy books often make it much more interesting, Marr's writing being no exception. The dynamics between the faery courts are quite intriguing and I think they seem to balance one another out well, even though at first glance it might seem like some should be kept over others. I find myself constantly wondering about the High Court and its Queen, Sorcha, which I can look forward to in the third installment in the series, Fragile Eternity (Wicked Lovely). show less
This book was so engaging to me. I was yelling, laughing, frustrated, and engrossed in this book. It seemed like I was telling my sister my thoughts every 5 pages, and we discussed what the characters were doing, their motivations, and our desires and frustration as the story moved forward. The story left me wanting more in the best way.
Pros:
-Tie to book 1. I love that this book starts with a scene from book 1, told from Irial and Leslie's POV. It really helps to make this story feel connected to book 1, even though the main characters are different in each story.
-"Love triangle" done in unique way. Like [b:Wicked Lovely|305234|Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, #1)|Melissa show more Marr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327814035s/305234.jpg|296240], Ink Exchange had a love triangle done in a compelling and unique way. The shared history between Irial and Niall creates a compelling dynamic between the two of them. Even with a rough history, they still care for each other and don't want to betray the other. Despite both wanting to be with Leslie, she chooses her own happiness and removes herself from the triangle.
-Leslie puts herself first. From choosing to get the tattoo to reclaim her body, to choosing to remove herself from the fey world and be with neither Irial or Niall Leslie is all about self-empowerment and creating her own happiness. Even if she isn't sure of the best ways to engage in it.
-Complex faeries. I think it is cool to see the parallels between the faeries we're told are bad (Irial, Gabriel) and who we're told are good (Keenan, Niall). They all have their own motivations that inform their actions and actively work towards their own self-interest. There really isn't good court vs bad court. They are all selfish and manipulative and deceitful, but have real moments showing compassion or care for others.
Cons:
-Ash being vague about the threat Leslie was facing. I understand she didn't want to take away Leslie's choice about knowing the fey world existed, but her inaction - when she knew Irial was showing interest in Leslie - was also making a choice for her. In trying to protect Leslie from the fey world, she couldn't protect her from the fey world. It was a complex situation and Ash handled it okay, but it could have been better.
-Keenan continues to be manipulative, impulsive, and selfish while thinking he's superior to other's who do the exact same thing. I'm not upset that Keenan is volatile or rash or paranoid about becoming weakened again. Those are all characteristics that follow what we know about his character and Summer court fey in general. What is annoying is that it seems that he and others around him, see him as a better person than someone like Irial who shares those qualities. Don't get me wrong, both are bad people, but it seem that Keenan is given somewhat of a pass.
-After Leslie's tattoo was completed, some parts of the story were hard to follow. I know that Leslie was in a haze, unsure of what was really going on, but It was a little too unclear in some points.
Ink Exchange was a really fun reading experience for me that carried me through many emotional stages and kept me turning the page. The story's resolution is satisfying and leaves you wanting more of this world. show less
Pros:
-Tie to book 1. I love that this book starts with a scene from book 1, told from Irial and Leslie's POV. It really helps to make this story feel connected to book 1, even though the main characters are different in each story.
-"Love triangle" done in unique way. Like [b:Wicked Lovely|305234|Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, #1)|Melissa show more Marr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327814035s/305234.jpg|296240], Ink Exchange had a love triangle done in a compelling and unique way.
-Leslie puts herself first. From choosing to get the tattoo to reclaim her body, to choosing to
-Complex faeries. I think it is cool to see the parallels between the faeries we're told are bad (Irial, Gabriel) and who we're told are good (Keenan, Niall). They all have their own motivations that inform their actions and actively work towards their own self-interest. There really isn't good court vs bad court. They are all selfish and manipulative and deceitful, but have real moments showing compassion or care for others.
Cons:
-Ash being vague about the threat Leslie was facing. I understand she didn't want to take away Leslie's choice about knowing the fey world existed, but her inaction - when she knew Irial was showing interest in Leslie - was also making a choice for her. In trying to protect Leslie from the fey world, she couldn't protect her from the fey world. It was a complex situation and Ash handled it okay, but it could have been better.
-Keenan continues to be manipulative, impulsive, and selfish while thinking he's superior to other's who do the exact same thing. I'm not upset that Keenan is volatile or rash or paranoid about becoming weakened again. Those are all characteristics that follow what we know about his character and Summer court fey in general. What is annoying is that it seems that he and others around him, see him as a better person than someone like Irial who shares those qualities. Don't get me wrong, both are bad people, but it seem that Keenan is given somewhat of a pass.
-After Leslie's tattoo was completed, some parts of the story were hard to follow. I know that Leslie was in a haze, unsure of what was really going on, but It was a little too unclear in some points.
Ink Exchange was a really fun reading experience for me that carried me through many emotional stages and kept me turning the page. The story's resolution is satisfying and leaves you wanting more of this world. show less
Summary: Leslie, Aislinn's best (mortal) friend) is having a tough time of it. Her father's never around, and drunk when he is, her drug-addict older brother has pimped Leslie out to be raped by his dealer, and she has no one in whom she's able to confide. She's a survivor, though, and has decided to reclaim her life... starting with her body. She wants to get a tattoo, and she's found the perfect one - a pair of dark, mysterious eyes surrounded by Celtic knotwork and shadowy wings. But it's not just any tattoo, it's the sign of Irial, the King of the Dark Court of the faeries. By getting the tattoo, Leslie unknowingly binds herself to Irial, who needs a mortal conduit to channel fear, jealousy, rage, and the other strong emotions on show more which the Dark Fae feed. But Aislinn and the rest of the Summer Court want to keep Leslie safely away from the faery realm - particularly Niall, Keenan's advisor, who is not only in love with Leslie, but also has his own history with Irial... and so knows exactly how much danger Leslie's in.
Review: While I didn't like Ink Exchange quite as much as Wicked Lovely, it was still a thoroughly absorbing read. I was coming off a book that couldn't keep me interested for more than a few paragraphs at a time, so having a book whose interesting characters and compelling plot kept me up raptly reading long past my bedtime was a real treat.
Most of the things I loved about Wicked Lovely - the gritty, dark worldbuilding; the excellent characterization, the clever twisting of conventional faerie lore - all of that was still present in Ink Exchange. Leslie's also a fascinating protagonist, shattered and scared but still strong. While I don't particularly identify with her (thank goodness), I bet there are (unfortunately) a lot of teens out there who will, and Marr should be applauded for once again giving readers a heroine with both brains and a spine, who is not pleased when her choices are taken away from her.
However, I felt like there just wasn't as much going on in Ink Exchange as there was in the previous book, leaving it feeling a little - not light, not given the subject matter - but thin. Instead of the shifting loyalties and tangled romantic threads and multiple sympathetic narrators and piles upon piles of faery lore we got in Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange focuses almost exclusively on Leslie and her two would-be suitors, which, while interesting, wasn't quite enough to really round out the book.
I also might have liked Ink Exchange a little less because Irial's not nearly as sympathetic a character as Keenan was, despite the fact that (as Irial points out), what he's doing to Leslie is at base no different from what Keenan did to Aislinn. (Also despite the fact that in this book, Keenan too comes off as more of a jerk than he did in Wicked Lovely.) Maybe it's because the outcome of Irial's attentions is grimmer, or maybe because Irial seems much less torn up about the consequences of keeping his Court intact, but he didn't stir my empathy nearly so much... which in turn made the whole conflict of the book a little bit less gray, and therefore a little bit less interesting.
But! Again, those are all pretty minor points in comparison to how quickly this book sucked me in, and kept me reading, totally lost in the world of faeries myself. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: While it does focus on different characters than does Wicked Lovely (or the third book, Fragile Eternity), there are a lot of references to what's come before, so it's not really a stand-alone, and I wouldn't recommend reading these books out of order. But for fantasy fans, Marr manages to write compellingly readable teen urban fantasy that feels immediate and real, without insulting the intelligence of either her narrators or her readers. show less
Review: While I didn't like Ink Exchange quite as much as Wicked Lovely, it was still a thoroughly absorbing read. I was coming off a book that couldn't keep me interested for more than a few paragraphs at a time, so having a book whose interesting characters and compelling plot kept me up raptly reading long past my bedtime was a real treat.
Most of the things I loved about Wicked Lovely - the gritty, dark worldbuilding; the excellent characterization, the clever twisting of conventional faerie lore - all of that was still present in Ink Exchange. Leslie's also a fascinating protagonist, shattered and scared but still strong. While I don't particularly identify with her (thank goodness), I bet there are (unfortunately) a lot of teens out there who will, and Marr should be applauded for once again giving readers a heroine with both brains and a spine, who is not pleased when her choices are taken away from her.
However, I felt like there just wasn't as much going on in Ink Exchange as there was in the previous book, leaving it feeling a little - not light, not given the subject matter - but thin. Instead of the shifting loyalties and tangled romantic threads and multiple sympathetic narrators and piles upon piles of faery lore we got in Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange focuses almost exclusively on Leslie and her two would-be suitors, which, while interesting, wasn't quite enough to really round out the book.
I also might have liked Ink Exchange a little less because Irial's not nearly as sympathetic a character as Keenan was, despite the fact that (as Irial points out), what he's doing to Leslie is at base no different from what Keenan did to Aislinn. (Also despite the fact that in this book, Keenan too comes off as more of a jerk than he did in Wicked Lovely.) Maybe it's because the outcome of Irial's attentions is grimmer, or maybe because Irial seems much less torn up about the consequences of keeping his Court intact, but he didn't stir my empathy nearly so much... which in turn made the whole conflict of the book a little bit less gray, and therefore a little bit less interesting.
But! Again, those are all pretty minor points in comparison to how quickly this book sucked me in, and kept me reading, totally lost in the world of faeries myself. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: While it does focus on different characters than does Wicked Lovely (or the third book, Fragile Eternity), there are a lot of references to what's come before, so it's not really a stand-alone, and I wouldn't recommend reading these books out of order. But for fantasy fans, Marr manages to write compellingly readable teen urban fantasy that feels immediate and real, without insulting the intelligence of either her narrators or her readers. show less
Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.
Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.
The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind show more Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .
Alright. So we all know that Melissa Marr was incredibly awesome and that she held that contest where I won this book. I am still in a state of euphoria over that one.
To start, my one qualm about this gorgeous cover is that there's only one wing. It's probably supposed to be that way, for symbolic reasons, but ever since I noticed it, I can't stop noticing it! LoL.
Still, the cover is amazingly gorgeous and I like the little details, like how the little vines at the bottom are actually ink quills.
As for the story, I liked this book even better than Wicked Lovely!
I enjoyed how this book stood as a sequel--giving hints into Ash's new life without focusing on her. I enjoyed seeing some of the tension that Seth endures everyday, and learning more about how Aislinn must balance the faerie world with the human one. It was like stepping outside the box, and I enjoyed it because then I could actually look in Ash's eyes, instead of through them, and see the fire there.
Although I didn't like her name (I know, I know, picky me), I did enjoy Leslie as a character. She was wonderfully conflicted, and the way she changed kept the story interesting. I'm not just referring to her transformations as a result of the tattoo. Watching her mature was great; in some stories, it's very predictable and sappy. Here, however, it was done with just the right amount of spice and sugar to make it enjoyable to read about.
I was also thrilled with the night and day balance that this book maintains. While the other faerie courts are reveling in the peace brought on by the defeat of Beira, the Dark Court is starving and struggling. They need violence and the darker emotions and actions to survive.
I also entered into a love-hate relationship with Irial. He was deliciously dark.
Niall, on the other hand, I respected but wasn't in love with. I think the constant mentions of his age threw me off; I felt like Leslie was flirting with her uncle, LoL.
He was also too tortured for my personal tastes. Sure, Irial had problems, but they weighed on different aspects of his life than Niall's did.
So, a good character, but not my cup of tea.
Without spoiling anything, I was disappointed with the ending.
I don't mean the writing style, approach, or anything like that. I am referring to the actual occurrences, which saddened me for selfish reasons.
Still, I felt that said occurrences were completely appropriate for the book, and I was glad, for the story's sake, that it ended so. Honestly, even if it would have satisfied me, it wouldn't have been right any other way.
Speaking of writing style, I have to mention that Marr's is just hypnotizing. I've been sucked into a book, sure, but never quite like I am with her series. When I do manage to pull my head up, it's not without a certain dizziness--like I'm in a daze.
It's odd, but in an enjoyable way.
So again, a deeply-engrossing, thought-provoking, mesmerizing, wonderful novel from Marr.
This review is also a post on my blog. show less
Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.
The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind show more Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .
Alright. So we all know that Melissa Marr was incredibly awesome and that she held that contest where I won this book. I am still in a state of euphoria over that one.
To start, my one qualm about this gorgeous cover is that there's only one wing. It's probably supposed to be that way, for symbolic reasons, but ever since I noticed it, I can't stop noticing it! LoL.
Still, the cover is amazingly gorgeous and I like the little details, like how the little vines at the bottom are actually ink quills.
As for the story, I liked this book even better than Wicked Lovely!
I enjoyed how this book stood as a sequel--giving hints into Ash's new life without focusing on her. I enjoyed seeing some of the tension that Seth endures everyday, and learning more about how Aislinn must balance the faerie world with the human one. It was like stepping outside the box, and I enjoyed it because then I could actually look in Ash's eyes, instead of through them, and see the fire there.
Although I didn't like her name (I know, I know, picky me), I did enjoy Leslie as a character. She was wonderfully conflicted, and the way she changed kept the story interesting. I'm not just referring to her transformations as a result of the tattoo. Watching her mature was great; in some stories, it's very predictable and sappy. Here, however, it was done with just the right amount of spice and sugar to make it enjoyable to read about.
I was also thrilled with the night and day balance that this book maintains. While the other faerie courts are reveling in the peace brought on by the defeat of Beira, the Dark Court is starving and struggling. They need violence and the darker emotions and actions to survive.
I also entered into a love-hate relationship with Irial. He was deliciously dark.
Niall, on the other hand, I respected but wasn't in love with. I think the constant mentions of his age threw me off; I felt like Leslie was flirting with her uncle, LoL.
He was also too tortured for my personal tastes. Sure, Irial had problems, but they weighed on different aspects of his life than Niall's did.
So, a good character, but not my cup of tea.
Without spoiling anything, I was disappointed with the ending.
I don't mean the writing style, approach, or anything like that. I am referring to the actual occurrences, which saddened me for selfish reasons.
Still, I felt that said occurrences were completely appropriate for the book, and I was glad, for the story's sake, that it ended so. Honestly, even if it would have satisfied me, it wouldn't have been right any other way.
Speaking of writing style, I have to mention that Marr's is just hypnotizing. I've been sucked into a book, sure, but never quite like I am with her series. When I do manage to pull my head up, it's not without a certain dizziness--like I'm in a daze.
It's odd, but in an enjoyable way.
So again, a deeply-engrossing, thought-provoking, mesmerizing, wonderful novel from Marr.
This review is also a post on my blog. show less
Aislinn’s friend Leslie leads a life of pain and fear, but she’s sure she can banish both when she gets an elaborate tattoo that she’s been obsessed with ever since she saw it. What she doesn’t know is that the tattoo will link her inextricably to the Dark Court, drawing as much power from her as she ever hoped to draw from it. The balance of power among the Faery Courts has shifted, and the Dark King Irial is looking for ways to strengthen his fae. As he siphons her negative feelings to nourish his court, he finds himself developing feelings of his own.
Where I liked Wicked Lovely, I adored Ink Exchange. I’m not a willfully tough, hanging out in biker bars and buying skull-patterned accessories kind of gal. I don’t do show more tattoos and my piercings were plentiful, but in tame locations. I say this for context: I am not predisposed to like guns’n’violence posturing. Marr’s depiction of the Dark Court is intoxicating, Irial’s dark charm and Leslie’s descent into his world were so sensually depicted I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end. The relationships that develop between Irial, Niall, and Leslie are so unexpected and unique in this type of book, but they feel inevitable. Fundamentally right. While it moves the chess pieces in the larger plot, the book explores the darkness that can exist in love. show less
Where I liked Wicked Lovely, I adored Ink Exchange. I’m not a willfully tough, hanging out in biker bars and buying skull-patterned accessories kind of gal. I don’t do show more tattoos and my piercings were plentiful, but in tame locations. I say this for context: I am not predisposed to like guns’n’violence posturing. Marr’s depiction of the Dark Court is intoxicating, Irial’s dark charm and Leslie’s descent into his world were so sensually depicted I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end. The relationships that develop between Irial, Niall, and Leslie are so unexpected and unique in this type of book, but they feel inevitable. Fundamentally right. While it moves the chess pieces in the larger plot, the book explores the darkness that can exist in love. show less
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Melissa Marr is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Ink Exchange
- Original title
- Ink Exchange
- Original publication date
- 2008-04-29
- People/Characters
- Leslie; Irial (King of the Dark Court); Niall; Keenan (Summer King); Aislinn Foy (Summer Queen); Seth (show all 23); Rabbit; Ani; Gabriel; Tish; Chela; Sorcha; Bananach; Donia (Winter Queen); Jenny Greenteeth; Guin; Ren; Gancanagh; Carla; Rianne; Scrimshaw Sisters; Dorcha; Cesire
- Important places
- Huntsdale; Verlaine's (restaurant); Pins and Needles; Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Crow's Nest; The Loft (show all 7); Seth's Place (Train)
- Dedication
- For Loch, Dylan, and Asia, who believed in me even when I didn't, and the memories of John Marr Sr. and Marjorie Marr, whose presences linger and give me strength when I would falter
To all the people who've been in the abyss and found (or are finding) a way to reach solid ground-- you're proof that the seemingly impossible can happen.
And to A.S., who shared his shadows with me-- I hope you found what you needed. - First words
- Prologue FALL: Irial watched the girl stroll up the street: she was a bundle of terror and fury.
Chapter 1 EARLY THE FOLLOWING YEAR: Leslie slipped into her school uniform and got ready as quickly as she could. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)It was the only way he knew to protect the court, the faery, and the only mortal who'd ever mattered to him.
- Blurbers
- Fraclose, Allison; Pierce, Tamora; Klause, Annette Curtis
Classifications
- Genres
- Teen, Fiction and Literature, Fantasy, Young Adult
- DDC/MDS
- 813.6 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American fiction in English 2000-
- LCC
- PZ7 .M34788 .I — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
- BISAC
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- ISBNs
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